Page 126 of Hard to Get

Betty is right in front of me, sniffing. She knows they’re for her.

“Someone sent you dog treats,” I tell her. “Look.” I show her the box. “Do you want one?”

Who sent them, though? My head feels like it’s full of dryer lint. I give it a shake.

I quickly check the ingredients, just to be safe, then open the box and hand a pink treat to Betty. She gently takes it and goes over to the corner to eat it with noisy crunches.

There’s only one person who would send Betty treats. I think. There’s nothing on the parcel to identify who it’s from. My heart throbs in my chest and I clutch the box of treats, watching Betty.

I don’t know what to do about this.

I watch the rest of the game.

On Saturday night, I’m again watching the game, curled on my couch in my pajamas. Gracie wanted to go to the Christmas market at Jack Poole Plaza tonight, but I am not in a Christmas mood. I’m in a grumpy mood.

“Please just let me wallow for a bit,” I asked her. “I’ll go to the market with you another time.”

Tonight, the game’s in Los Angeles. The first period has just ended, with the score tied at one-one, when my doorbell rings again.

What the…?

I drag myself off the couch, untwisting the soft blanket from around me, and go to the door. Another delivery.

I take the bag handed to me and close the door. What now?

Half-expecting something doggy, my eyes widen when I see a big bag of potato chips. I pull it out. Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle.

I freakin’ love these chips.

Who is sending this stuff?

Oh… there’s a note.

If you’re wondering if I’m thinking of you, the answer is yes.

Hope blossoms inside me. It has to be Jayden.

I grab my phone from the coffee table and, with trembling fingers, send a swift text to Gracie.

Stella

Are you sending Betty and me snacks?

She doesn’t reply. Shit. Maybe she went to the Christmas market with her sister or her mom.

I huff out a sigh and wrap myself up in my blanket again, with the chips. These chips are kettle cooked and so crunchy, and the dill pickle flavour is tongue-tingling. I remember the night Jayden brought a bag of these over and we ate them in bed after… well, you know.

Did he send me these? And the dog cookies? Is he really thinking of me?

Okay, speaking of Jayden… he’s on the ice.

I think I see a difference in his play. He’s trying to be more effective in front of the net, and I think he’s doing better at clearing the crease and winning battles for rebounds. He’s using his lower body to push against opponents. Especially now he’s been working on his lower body strength. And he’s blocking shots. I wince when he does that, remembering his hurt foot.

A strange feeling of pride rises in my chest and I smile a goofy smile at the TV.

My phone chimes. A text from Gracie.

Gracie