Seeing my face, he frowned.
"You thought I ghosted you?"
"You wouldn't be the first person to do that," I said.
"Freya, no. They wouldn't give it back until the last day. Some of the guys had major withdrawals. I would've been texting you every day if I could."
"Might've gotten annoying," I joked, but inside, I was soaring.
"I would've made sure of it," he said then shook his head. "Anyway, having Hudson there made it better for me."
"How so?"
"I don't think I realized, but being on the ice with my family is one of the reasons I love hockey."
I glanced up at him. "I could've told you that, and I only went to one scrimmage."
"So far," he said.
I shrugged.
"What about your violin? I saw it in the trunk."
"I'm easing back into it, but"—I felt my lips stretch into a genuine smile—"playing is as glorious as I remember. Being able to make music was something I took for granted. I think I love it even more now. My violin is a part of me, you know?"
Tolliver nodded.
"I brought it just...because."
"Hmm, how's your head?" he asked.
"Still pounding," I said.
"It should feel better soon. Why don't you try to nap?"
"I'm not tired."
Tolliver met my eyes and smiled as a yawn escaped my lips. "Okay, but if you fall asleep I won't judge."
I scoffed. "I can't sleep in the car."
"Whatever you say, Kent."
As another yawn broke free, I settled further into Tolliver's side, breathing him in.
"Also," I murmured, "I'm not completely sure I trust Vi's driving."
A laugh sounded from the front, but my eyes were closed.
I was already dreaming.
* * *
In the dream, Viola and Lottie were there. Vi was sitting on a cloud in the center of a litter of puppies. They were all different, black labs, pugs, Frenchies, golden retrievers, and ones with mixed heritage. The puppy in her arms looked at Viola adoringly as she petted its fluffy coat.
Beside her, Lottie had a cloud too—except beneath that was a pile of books. The stack swayed but never seemed in danger of falling. Lottie sat cross-legged at the top with several more book stacks around her. Actually, upon closer inspection, they made a kind of throne of books.
Even in my dream state, I couldn't help but smile, thinking she would love that.
