Page 65 of Home Ice

“Yeah. He helped me out with training today.”

“Really?” Dad’s happiness fills his face. “You should have asked him to stay for dinner.”

There’s no way in hell I’m telling Dad the real reason I wouldn’t let Hawke step foot inside. It will only make him feel bad. “Please. I need to make sure you’re not going to poison me first before we start having guests over.”

That distracts him. “It’s ground beef. How am I supposed to poison people with that?”

“We’ll see, I guess.” But despite my teasing, I fill up my plate with tacos and wolf it all down. They taste exactly like they used to, and the familiarity, the joking around, the way Dad excitedly talks about work … I ache for the days when this used to be normal.

I finish up with a groan, stomach stretched to capacity. “So can I expect your homemade apple pie tomorrow night?”

“Maybe not tomorrow,” he says, wiping his mouth. “But one day. I can promise you that.”

Chapter Twenty-One

JENSEN

Me:

Sorry to just show up like that.

Iobsess over the message for longer than I should. All through dinner with my parents, I debate about whether or not I should send it, and it’s not until I’m upstairs, showered, and lying on my too-small bed that I finally get up the nerve to hit Send.

It’s late, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Barrett is already sleeping, but I can’t shake the feeling that my visit caught him off guard, and not in a good way. I guess we’re not back at that level of friendship of showing up at each other’s houses.

After driving Kasen home, I’d really wanted to see Barrett’s face. The whole drive was awkward, with me carrying the conversation and Kasen doing his best to be mentally anywhere other than with me.

It wasn’t until we got to his place that I finally got one word. A reluctant “thanks” before he jumped out of the car and disappeared inside. I didn’t even have time to throw back the deadpan you’re welcome that I’d wanted to.

The BMW was nowhere in sight, and I really hope they’ve parked it in the garage rather than, I don’t know, give it away, but surely even Amelia doesn’t hate me that much.

My phone pings beside me.

Barrett:

Don’t be. It was totally fine.

Me:

If it was so “fine” why did you look like you wanted me to disappear?

Barrett:

Caught that, did you? Yeah, sorry. I wasn’t trying to be a dick. There was a lot going on and you caught me right in the middle of it.

Fuck. I’m an idiot. He would have been talking to his dad about the job. Of course he didn’t want me there for that.

Me:

Apparently you’re right. I do make everything about me.

Barrett:

Only the important stuff.

Then he follows it up with a winky face.

My lips twitch.