Page 404 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Another truck eases into the driveway.

Toby climbs out first, then Caleb and Brooke.

Caleb is very carefully carrying a small, insulated cooler.

My mom points toward it. "That looks suspicious."

Caleb's grin is almost too innocent.

"It should."

"What’s the cooler for?"

"Insurance."

"For what?"

"In case someone gets a little too nosy."

I narrow my eyes.

"Rather mysterious answers, I’d say," as I wink at Annette.

He pats the lid. "Just trust me."

"I've known you too long for that."

Caleb laughs but doesn't offer another word.

Whatever's inside that cooler, he's guarding it like it's the Stanley Cup.

The day is full of food, laughs, games, and happiness, but as the afternoon wears on we see people finding places to curl up and slow down, enjoying quiet talks.

***

Caleb waits until everyone has found a place on the deck before setting the insulated cooler on the picnic table.

He glances around the group, then looks at us.

"All right," he says. "I think we're finally all here."

"Yes, Caleb, it’s your turn, you're in charge now," I reply. Annette nods and laughs beside me.

Caleb reaches into the cooler and carefully lifts out a small velvet pouch.

"When Jamie asked if I'd help with today, I wanted to make something that felt like us."

He opens the pouch and tips a hockey puck into his hand. It looks ordinary until he turns it over. A fine silver seam circles the middle.

Toby whistles softly. "You made that?"

Caleb shrugs. "I had some time."

"You've got too much time."

"I've been told that before."

He hands the puck to me. "I figured the captain should take a shot."