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Holden smirks before climbing on top of me. “I can think of ways to make it better.”
He bends down and kisses me softly, causing me to moan into his mouth. His hands move to my hips, gripping tightly as he grinds down onto me. Just as I lace my fingers into his hair, a knock at the door stops our actions entirely. Holden whines as he drops his head down, before getting up and opening the door.
“Hey! There’s our champion!” Dan greets him, coming into the room with Heather, Brandon, and Emily in tow.
Holden shuts the door behind them. “Don’t jinx it. We haven’t won yet.”
Emily jumps onto the bed, enveloping me in a hug. Once we’re done, I get up and say hello to everyone else. Heather smiles at me, but not in the usual way she does. Something is different about this time. It’s not faked though, so I try not to overthink it too much.
THAT NIGHT, WE ALL go out to dinner. It’s the first time Holden’s parents are meeting Jason. Brandon apparently met him a couple of years ago while visiting Holden at school, before I had even started there. It seems to be going well, but I can’t help my smile at Jason’s attempts to be a gentleman instead of his usual obnoxious self. Holden clearly has the same thoughts, as he watches him like he’s gone completely crazy.
“So, Jason.” Dan addresses him. “What are your plans for after you graduate?”
He finishes chewing and wipes his mouth with his napkin. “Well, sir, I’ll have my Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. My friend Caleb and I plan to get an apartment in the area while we both go for our Master’s.”
“That’s very responsible of you.” Heather remarks, looking at Josephine approvingly.
Holden, however, is still snickering over the fact that he called Dan sir. I see Jo glare at him, and I squeeze his thigh under the table to get him to stop. It doesn’t work. Instead he laughs harder and makes a face at his sister.
“I swear, the two of you will never grow up.” Brandon jokes.
“Oh, and you have?” Emily quips. “You spent a full half hour on the drive here laughing at fart jokes on a podcast.”
His jaw drops as he looks at her. “They were funny, and supposed to stay between us.”
“Oops?” She feigns innocence, causing all of us to chuckle.
Heather sighs happily. “This is great, having my kids and the ones who make them the happiest all together.” She reaches over and holds Dan’s hand before smiling brightly at Holden.
“Hey Dad, do me a favor and take that wine from her, would you?” H remarks, half kidding.
Dan laughs and takes the glass, whispering something into her ear.
I’M WALKING THROUGH THE hotel with Emily and Jo when I happen to pass by Holden’s coach. As soon as he notices me, he stops and asks to speak to me privately. I’m slightly confused, but send them along as I step aside.
“Is everything okay?” I question.
He nods enthusiastically. “Yes, of course. There’s just something I wanted to ask you.” I nod, and wait for him to continue. “If we win tonight’s game, Holden will be receiving the Hobey Baker Award. It’s essentially the MVP award for college hockey.”
“Wow.” I say proudly. “That’s amazing. I’m so happy for him.”
“As am I. Now, I was thinking, with you being what he calls his ‘best influence’, that you could be the one to present it to him.”
My breath hitches and my heart begins to race. “Oh, um, I don’t know. I’m pretty clumsy and I might drop it. His family is here, including his best friend. Maybe you should ask him. I’m sure he would be glad to do –”
“Kayleigh, Kayleigh.” He cuts off my rant. “I know my captain very well, and I know out of everyone, he would be happiest with you. There will be a red carpet laid out and all you have to do is walk to the end of it and give it to him.”
I take a deep breath. He’s probably right. If anyone were to give Holden the option, there is no doubt in my mind that he would pick me. Who am I to deny him of what he wants?
“Okay.” I sigh. “I’ll do it.”
The coach looks relieved as he starts explaining all the details of what will happen in the event that they win the game. It takes going over it a few times before I pretty much have it figured out, and we depart with my nerves in a giant mess. Oh, the things I do for this boy.
THE JERSEY SWIMS ON me but I don’t mind at all. I’m standing next to Jo up against the glass while the rest of the family has other seats elsewhere. I offered mine up to Heather, Dan, and Brandon, but Holden quickly shut it down – telling me he needs me where he can see me for motivational support.
I’m not sure how much good that’s doing though, being as they’re currently losing 1-0. As much as I know Holden wants to win, he’s growing tired. It’s the beginning
of the third period and it’s not looking good for them. No matter what they do, they just can’t manage to get the puck near the net.
