Page 13

Chapter 13

Will

I wasn’t entirely sure how this day was going to go. My sisters have hounded me incessantly, asking questions about Callie and begging for there to be something more than a friendship there—much to their disappointment when I insisted there wasn’t. My mom didn’t ask any questions, which is even more annoying because I know what she’s doing—she’s waiting to see Callie and I in person before assuming anything. I guarantee I won’t even make it to the kitchen before she stops to ask me questions.

I get their curiosity, I do. I’ve never brought a girl home. But what they fail to remember is that my teammate, said girl’s brother, is also joining us, so I feel like that should really cover the whole “do you like her” question that they keep asking me.

Even though it doesn’t really answer it for me.

My old teammate always said he fell in love with his girl the moment he saw her, but I know this isn’t that. I would have to be a complete idiot not to find her attractive, but now it’s like I’ve added endearing and intriguing to that list.

Waiting outside on the curb for them in my new Audi SUV, I turn up the heat knowing Callie will likely be cold. Back in Seattle I didn’t have much need for a car. I had my bike and when I couldn’t drive it, I would use rideshare because off-season was spent back at my mom’s, and during season I didn’t really care to do anything but play. It wasn’t a necessary purchase there, but here I know I’ll be driving back and forth to Rowley a lot, and my bike definitely isn’t suitable in this snow.

Without warning, my back door opens and Callie slides into the back seat. Her long red hair is down in loose waves and her cheeks are rosy from the walk from the building to the sidewalk.

“Hi,” she greets with that soft smile.

“Hi,” I parrot back, taking her in through the rearview mirror.

I don’t get to look long because as quick as Adam shuts her door, he hops in the front. “I almost didn’t believe you when you said you bought a new car.”

“And yet it’s true. Are you guys ready to go?” I click my seatbelt and wait for them to follow before pulling out on the road.

“Um, Will?” Callie’s voice travels up from the back. When I glance at her from the mirror, she has the tea I got her in her hands. “Is this for me? It’s hot, but I don’t want to assume.”

“Uh, yeah. I went by Spilled Tea and got their holiday special.” Picking mine up from my cup holder, I gesture to the other one for Adam. “Spiced cranberry green tea, I think. I just ordered three of them.”

Adam raises his eyebrow at the cup. “They were open on Christmas?”

Well, shit. I was really hoping they wouldn’t question it. “Yeah, half a day or something,” I lie, hoping Callie doesn’t pay close attention to their signs inside.

The truth is I went in yesterday before they closed and talked the owner into letting me get the tea bags so I could make their holiday special. My only intention was to get Callie a tea, but the fact that I actually made this tea for her is something I can’t let Adam know, so I got enough for all of us.

With a simple nod, she sits back in her seat, taking a sip of the drink. “Oh, thank you.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, but I also want Callie to know that I got this special for her. “It should be low in caffeine. They said they mark that on their cups somewhere.”

Picking up her cup she turns it slowly, and I try my best to keep my eyes on the road, but I want to see the look on her face.

The soft smile returns as she sees the Happy Birthday, Blaze note I scribbled on the side of her cup.

“Yeah, here it is. That’s perfect.”

I put my focus back on the road, feeling a lot better about my plan when Adam clears his throat. Shit, what now?

“I think you have something to say to Callie?”

“Adam, knock it off,” Callie grits out through clenched teeth.

Unable to stop myself from looking in the rearview mirror again, her cheeks are rosy still, maybe even more so.

“Happy birthday, Callie,” I tell her, then turn down the heat as if that’s the reason her cheeks are red.

I looked in my rearview mirror a lot this drive because I wanted to be aware of my surroundings. A safety precaution when driving in the snow, really. The fact that I could catch glimpses of Callie each time is really a moot point.

But if it wasn’t moot, I enjoy Callie’s company—there's nothing wrong with that. Plus, I know how much she loves to talk, but she’s been oddly silent for this car ride. Maybe that’s why I keep looking back. I’m concerned for her…as a friend.

As we pull into my mom’s driveway I steal another glance. She’s wearing a big cream sweater with a light blue scarf that she’s wrapping back around her neck in anticipation of the cold.

Her green eyes flash my way, and we exchange this charged eye contact that I pull away from before I get shocked. “We’re here.”

“Great, I’m fucking starving,” Adam says as we all get out.

“When are you not?” Callie laughs as they both come around the front of the car.

Adam gives Callie a playful shove forward to her smart-ass response, but considering the guy is huge, the light shove sends her flying.

On instinct, I step up to catch her before she hits the ground. “Whoa, hey, I got you,” I say as her head hits my chest.

It’s a total of two seconds that I appreciate how nice it is to have her in my arms. Thankfully, Adam brings me back to reality as he pulls her toward him to help her stand back up.

“For fuck’s sake, Cals. I barely touched you.” He laughs.

“You asshole.” She punches his shoulder. “What did you expect? You’re practically a bear of a man—I’m just a girl.”

“Okay, ow.” Adam looks down at her with shock, and now it’s my turn to laugh. “Where did you learn to punch like that?”

“Up until this trade I’ve taken kickboxing classes since I was twenty.” She shrugs, wrapping her arms around her body with a shiver. “I think you’ll survive, but I won’t if we stay out here much longer.”

“Come on.” I start to place my hand on Callie’s back as I lead the way but pull back immediately. Callie talks a lot, and I hang on every word she says. No matter how many times we hang out, I refuse to be one of those guys she talks about with the unwelcome touches.

Starting on the path to the front door, when we reach the porch Adam falls behind, checking his pockets and sighs. “Shit, I left my phone in the car. You head on in, I’ll be right there.”

“Alright, the door will be open,” I holler, before turning to Callie. “You good?”

She fidgets with the tassels on her scarf while shivering of course, but those emotions are threatening to show. She doesn’t have on her over-the-top smile, and she’s avoiding eye contact.

“Yeah, I…uh…I don’t know.” She shakes as if a chill went through her body before she finally looks at me. “Is it weird to be nervous?”

“No,” I reply immediately. Hell, I'm nervous. I know this first greeting is going to be a little much, but once my sisters calm down, I know they’ll love Callie.

I reach for the doorknob but turn back to her before opening the door. “It’s okay to be nervous, but I assure you there are no father-son asshats that will make you uncomfortable.”

Her lips press together, seemingly holding back something she wants to say. I turn back to the door, but Callie grabs my shirt sleeve.

“Will, I, um, wanted to let you know that you aren’t one of those guys. It’s okay for you…” She trails off for a moment as her cheeks blush slightly. She shuts her eyes briefly and lets out a small breath. “You don’t make me feel uncomfortable.”

It’s below freezing today but now I’m sweating standing out here. I’m pretty sure the sentence she trailed off at was going to finish with “for you to touch me,” and while I know what she means by it, the idea makes alarm bells go off in my head and blood rush to my dick.

Her hand drops from my arm as she stares at me sheepishly, waiting for me to say something.

Hell, I’m waiting for me to say something. What should I say? Oh, good because I find myself wanting to touch you impulsively, but in a caring way so that makes it better. I can’t fucking say that.

The silence is deafening. I should just say thank you, right? There’s nothing misguided in that. But as I open my mouth, and her eyes gleam in anticipation, I see her brother coming up the stairs.

“What are you guys still doing out here? I thought Callie was going to freeze to death.” Adam slings his arm around his sister. “What a horrible way to go—and on your birthday, nonetheless.”

With one more look my way, Callie turns to her brother, letting all her sass come back to her voice. “I just wanted to wait on you. If Will’s actual plan is to kill us on Christmas, I’d rather not go alone.”

“I don’t plan on killing you on your birthday, Callie,” I deadpan. Christmas has been an afterthought for most of the day honestly.

The smirk that crosses her face melts away all the tension in my body. It shouldn’t, but it does. It’s short-lived as the front door swings open.

“Why are you all just standing out here?” my sister Reagan says. The little shit starter has probably been looking through the peephole the entire time. She motions for Callie and Adam to come in first and gives me a shit-eating grin as they pass by.

“Adam forgot his phone in the car,” I mumble.

She hums quietly. “How nice of you to wait on him.”

I don’t remind my sister of the friend status I’ve practically beaten over her and Lucie’s heads already.

“Yay! You’re here!” Lucie cheers, greeting everyone with an involuntary hug. “Hi, I’m Lucie.”

Sliding in front of both of my sisters, I step closer to Callie for introductions. My sisters exchange a smile that sits with me the wrong way causing me to immediately retract my step. “These are my sisters, Reagan and Lucie. Reagan, Lucie, this is Adam, and his sister, Callie.”

“We’re so excited you all came! You know, Will’s never brought any of his teammates to visit before.” Reagan’s eating this up. She turns to look at Callie again. “Or a friend, for that matter.”

“That part still may be true,” Lucie snickers under her breath.

“Okay, is lunch ready?” I ask, eager to get this party going, but then my mom comes strolling in.

“Oh, you made it!” She clasps her hands together and sighs in relief. “I’m so happy you all came.” Stepping forward she goes to Callie first for a quick hug then to Adam. “Hi, I’m Catherine. Will’s mom.”

“Thank you for having us, Ms. Anderson.” Adam nods and shakes Callie’s shoulder. “I’m sure my sister is especially grateful that she doesn’t have to endure my cooking or slave over her own birthday meal.”

“First, please call me Catherine,” my mother chastises as sweetly as she can. “And yes, Callie! Will said it was your birthday! Happy birthday, we are all excited to finally meet some of the people Will works with.”

“And potentially loves,” Lucie whispers to Reagan.

Thankfully I don’t think anyone else hears it, but just to irritate her I undo her claw clip and drop it on the rug.

Doing Lucie’s version of cursing, she hits my shoulder and whisper-shouts, “Wi?—”

Cutting her off and stepping in front of her, I play it off by greeting my mom with a hug. “So, is lunch ready?”

“Yes, it’s ready.” My mom gestures down the hall. “Reagan, Lucie, why don’t you guys lead the way.”

Great, here we go. My sisters start and Adam and Callie follow behind them, but when I go, my mom holds me back. I knew it.

“She’s really pretty,” she whispers with a smile.

“I’m not doing this with you too.” I sigh. “We’re friends. Her brother is my teammate.”

My mom nods her head, but her facial expression tells me she doesn’t believe me at all.

“I’m serious, Mom,” I huff.

“Mm-hmm, I believe that you believe that. She might even believe it too.” She pats my shoulder with a smile. “I don’t believe that.”

Before I can even think of how to respond to that mess, she just walks away.

“Mom,” I whisper-shout after her, but she makes it to the kitchen first.

“Okay!” she cheers. “Birthday girl gets to go first!”