by Asrai Devin
"Mom, you haven't opened anything," Colton said, sounding exasperated. Mandy bit back her laughter.
"No, I was too busy watching you. Will you bring mine to me?"
"Yes, but you have to give me the camera so I can take pictures of you too."
"Ah yes of course." Mandy waited until her presents were stacked around her, before handing over the camera.
She slowly tore at the paper, until Colton glared at her. "Come on, rip it." Mandy rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
But she complied, ripping open her presents. Clothes and clothes from her parents. Colton's sitter, June had taken him to buy her a present, the latest CD from her favorite band.
She held the small gift from Kip in her hand, for a moment. Then before Colton could comment she opened it. Inside a beautiful box was a pen shaped like a hockey stick. She lifted the pen out of the box to show Colton, when she noticed something else. Under the plush lining sat a set of pictures from a photo booth featuring them in all their eighteen-year-old glory. When she lifted it out of the box she found another set under the first pictures.
Mandy threw her head back and laughed as she looked at Kip in the same poses by his lonesome. Colton piled on the sofa beside her. "What? What? What?"
Mandy shook her head. "A present from an old friend."
Colton took the pictures from her hand. "Is that you?" he asked.
"Yes, when I was eighteen."
"Who's the guy?"
"He was my boyfriend."
"Before my dad?"
Mandy sighed. "Yeah before your dad."
"Can I call him now?"
The clock crept toward eight. "Not yet. It's still early."
Colton dropped his head. "It sucks that he hardly ever calls."
Mandy's heart fell. She put her arm around Colton and hugged him to her side. He resisted the contact. "I know sweetie."
What could she say? Your dad doesn't want to see you? She didn't trust Eric to take care of Colton anyway. She'd never admit it to Colton, but his dad had a history of being unreliable. She was glad there had been little contact between father and son in the past four years.
She'd tried her best to keep other males in Colton's life. He played on sports teams and he spent time doing "guy things" with her male friends. But it obviously wasn't the same as your dad.
"Tommy, he's in my class, he doesn't live with his dad, but he gets to spend some weekends there and stuff."
"Your dad lives far away. It would be hard for me to get you up there for the weekend. Why don't you check out your new video game Santa got you? In about an hour we can call your dad. Then we'll start getting ready to go to Monica and Stewart's."
Colton shrugged, but allowed himself to be distracted by the new video game.
At nine Colton called his dad. He didn't say anything about his wish for a visit. That disappointed Mandy, she thought maybe if Colton told his father, Eric might make more of an effort to visit.
Instead, they exchanged good wishes and thanks yous for their presents. Colton had chosen a CD for Eric as well. Colton explained why they weren't going to Saskatchewan. Then Eric said he had to go, he had family visiting. "I miss you," Colton said. "Love you too." Well, small miracles, Eric usually didn't say things like that. He'd certainly never confessed any love for Mandy during their three years together. But Mandy had never loved him either.
Colton hung up the phone and Mandy was relieved. Eric usually wanted to talk to her as well, not for any reason other than to annoy her.
"Breakfast time, what do you want?"
"Pancakes."
Mandy faked a groan. Having pancakes was their breakfast for special days. "You have to help."
"Okay," Colton said.
The pan was hot and the first pancake was poured when the phone rang. Colton ran to answer it. "Merry Christmas," he said, smiling at Mandy. His smile faded. "Oh, hi. Thanks for the puck and stuff." He nodded and smiled again. "Yeah, my friend likes hockey. He'll think it's cool. I can't wait to show him. You wanna talk to my mom? Sure, she's making pancakes." He delivered the phone to Mandy, not wanting to compromise breakfast.
Mandy pressed the cordless receiver between her shoulder and ear, while she flipped the pancake. She tried to tone down her excitement. "Merry Christmas."
Kip's voice was warm in her ear. "Merry Christmas. Did you like my gift?"
Mandy smiled, warmth flooding her chest. "Yes. Thank you for everything. You didn't have to."
"No, but I really enjoyed it. How is your morning going? It's a little crazy here." Mandy tuned in to yelling and music in the background. Her focus had been on Kip.
"It was an earlier morning than I would have chosen, but it was nice. Quiet with just the two of us."
"You're all alone? I could have invited you here?"
"No, just alone for the morning. Well, we will go to friends in a bit. After pancakes."
"Yay pancakes," Colton yelled from his spot at the dining room table where he was playing his new video game.
"Good. Good." His voice was a warm caress in her ear and she closed her eyes. January first couldn't come soon enough. On the other hand, it needed to be further away, she wasn't ready to meet him face to face, to breathe his scent. God, would he still smell the same as he always had?
Mandy forced herself to take a deep breath. Slowly, slowly. Supper plans weren't for a week. "Are you enjoying having your house full?"
Kip sighed and she could imagine him glancing over his shoulder at the noisemakers. She hadn't had time to ask how many were visiting. She hadn't kept in contact with his sisters over the years. When he spoke it was quieter. "Sorry, I went upstairs to get some quiet. My head is starting to ache. Yeah, it's nice. But I think Maggie will leave before the twenty-eighth. I don't think they can manage three kids in public."
Mandy giggled. "Perhaps not. Three huh?"
"Yes, but I didn't call you to talk about my sister's children."
And with that the mood changed from playful, to flirting. Mandy felt helpless to end it before it had begun. "What did you call me to talk about then?"
"To make sure you were excited about seeing me in a few days."
Mandy hesitated. She considered her words carefully. "I am looking forward to it." Possibly more than she should. Only for the conclusion of their relationship, of course. At least she could keep telling herself that.
A rush of air hissed into her ear as if he'd been holding his breath. "Good, me too."
God, I wish I was spending Christmas with you. Mandy blinked. Neither of them had actually said anything, but she could have sworn she heard the wish from him.
Time to hang up, quickly. "Well, thank you again for the presents." Mandy lowered her head. She didn't want to say good-bye, but she couldn't think of anything else to say.
"You're welcome. Enjoy your Christmas with your son and friends. And your parents."
Mandy smiled, he seemed as confused as she felt, reiterating the same points. "Thanks. Say hi to everyone for me. If you want to. I'll see you next week."
"Okay. Take care."
Mandy dragged the phone away from her ear and pressed the end button. Colton stared at her and she clapped her hands together, while she tried to erase the sentimental feelings that welled inside her. "Let's get ready for Christmas dinner shall we?" She forced a smile on her face and excitement for the special day. But her real special day, her real Christmas present wasn't coming for another week; Kip Turner back in her life.
Chapter 6
Third time was the charm, Mandy thought as she rushed out to her car. Dinner with Kip had been rescheduled twice already. Once because of weather and once because of a surprise practice, her dinner with Kip had been changed.
She shoved her key into the ignition but when she turned it nothing happened. "Fuck." She put her forehead to the steering wheel and tried again.
She'd have to get it towed in the morning, for now she'd take the bus home. She couldn't cancel on Kip again. June, Colt
on's regular sitter, agreed to keep him extra long tonight. Even if there was that, Kip was already on his way. She couldn't inconvenience him.
If she hurried for the bus, she could get home in time to change and still make it in time to meet him.
It wasn't a date. Not a date with someone she was once in love with. Not a date with someone she still may harbour feelings for.
She called him as she climbed on the bus to get home. He answered on the second ring, "Problems?" Holy cow. He'd known it was her. Her number was programmed into his cell phone, of course. She forced herself to take a deep breath. Slow down, it was Kip. It was only dinner.
"Of course, I told you. My car is busted down. I got it towed, but it'll be a few days and I'm stuck taking the bus. Which I've done before, but I hadn't planned to."
"No problem. Go home, get changed. Do you want to meet later than planned? Or do you want me to pick you up?"
And that was how he got her home address. She hadn't planned that. Now as she ran through the house to get changed, she called Sophia. "Uh hey, sorry to surprise you, I'm going out with Kip Turner. What should I wear?"
"Jeans and a blouse. Casual dressy. And stop thinking of it as a date."
"Right, not a date. I've been saying that all day." It hadn't been sticking to her mind, however. She couldn't help that. "Jeans and a blouse." She pulled things out of her drawers, discarding them in her mind as she went.
"Where are you meeting him?"
"He's picking me up," Mandy squeaked out like a coward.
"What?" the word exploded in her ear. "How did that happen?"
"My car is broke down. And I called to say I'd be late and he said, 'I could come pick you up'. And I was weak. I hate the bus. I hate the bus at night."
"What's the status on my tickets?"
"Sophia, focus. Please." Oh god, oh god. She pulled a deep-blue blouse off a hanger and put it on. It was her favorite blouse. She looked great in it. She needed to feel great tonight.
"Well, honey. You gave him your home address. You consider this meeting a date, there's nothing much I can do for you. Just meet him, find out what he's like now. And I'll be over here, praying that he's an asshole and you'll be done with him. Because, eleven years to be in a relationship that doesn't exist is a long time."
"I know. I've been living it." Every day. Mandy pulled on her favorite pants, the ones that made her look as if she had a smaller ass and an actual waist. It was Kip that taught her how to actually dress to show her best assets. She had a beautiful body. She needed to show him she hadn't lost that.
"Listen to me. This is the last time I say this to you. I've said it a hundred times. A thousand, a million. Too many. Got it?"
"Yes. Okay, tell me again."
They repeated the words together. "Stop telling yourself you sent him away. He left as much as you told him to go. You cannot regret this decision anymore. I won't let you beat yourself up. Stop it, stop it, stop it."
Mandy sighed into the phone. And Sophia said, "Now go hit yourself with a pillow, because that's what I do if I were there. Kiss Colton for me, too."
"Kiss your babies for me, too. And tell Chuck I love him."
"He loves you, too. I love you, too. This is why I kick your ass."
"I know. I love you." The doorbell rang. "Fuck he's here and I'm not dressed."
"Good luck," Sophia said and hung up.
Mandy ran for the door. "I'm sorry I just got in," she said, before she pulled up short. She looked at him. Kip Turner was on her doorstep. All the years melted away. She wanted to fall into his arms and kiss him, as if he never left. As if she never told him to leave.
Not blaming herself for it.
"Hi," he said. He had the same look in his eyes as they moved over her. As if he wanted to hold her again. As if he hoped she missed him.
God she missed him. He hadn't only been her lover. They had been best friends. She bit on her tongue to keep herself from confessing that as well as a several other stupid romantic thoughts running through her head.
"Hi," she said, letting a slow, stupid smile cross her face.
"So you just got in. Sorry." Why was he apologizing?
"Let me go change. Uh come in and have a seat. I'll be quick, promise."
"Not a problem," he said, moving into her entryway and removing his shoes.
"Just go, find a place to sit. I will run and do this."
She turned tail and ran to her bedroom. Her heart raced as she buttoned her shirt. It had nothing with the double time movement she was making. It was all his presence.
She swore he was taller than she remembered. More handsome too. His face creased at the corners, his eyes, and his mouth. All smile lines. It made him sexy as hell. His body well-toned as well, probably. He was a professional hockey player; he was paid to keep his body in shape.
That little memory of his chest, his abs, strong thighs, crept into her mind. Time to get this supper done with, before she decided twice about her no sex on the first date policy. No, he couldn't stay over, June was dropping Colton over at 8:30.
She had to mention that. Makeup first. She applied some lipstick and eyeliner. She ran a brush through her hair, feeling self-conscious about her body all again. Make the best of it, she decided, exiting the bedroom.
Kip was in the living room. He wasn't sitting passively. He looked at her pictures and knickknacks. Colton was everywhere, except the frame holding a picture of Sophia's family. "This is the same Sophia from college?" He pointed at the frame.
"Yeah, that's Soph. She's got a few kids now. They still live in Saskatoon."
He nodded. Then he moved to a picture of Colton. "He looks very grown up."
"He is. Which reminds me, we should get out of here, I have to be home by 8:30."
"Right. I will be gone by then, promise."
Mandy didn't reply. She only nodded. "Thanks for picking me up."
"No problem. I swear. You are right this is a nice city. Calgary is crazy. I love it sometimes, at others. Maybe I should buy a summer home here."
Mandy smiled at him. Somehow she would get through this evening without touching him. If she touched him she would burst into flames, or burst out with an inappropriate comment. He would tell her he didn't want to be anything more than friends, but thanks for having him for supper.
Having him for supper, that sparked her imagination in a new direction. Mandy cursed herself mentally, glad they headed for the truck, in the dark. Thank god for early winter darkness, usually the worst part of the season.
"Tell me about your exciting career? Where have you been? Who have you met and played with?" She knew every team he'd been played on, how long he'd been there, and even his overall win percentage, goals against, and all statistics. She'd always followed his career, trying to do so with detachment. More recently she'd spent her free time and some of her marking time, reading about him. Stats and news stories, and looking at the pictures he'd posted on Facebook.
She stopped short in front of his truck. It was huge. And red and shiny. Either he didn't drive it much or he'd washed it before picking her up. Damn, what money could buy you. She shook her head and turned to him.
Nothing could beat this view of him, standing in front of her, opening the door of his truck. His coat covered whatever shirt he was wearing, but she could imagine a shirt stretched over his broad shoulders to his slim waist. And his muscled thighs she could appreciate through the nature of his almost tight jeans.
If she thought about it she could imagine the details of his body under his clothes right to the feel of his cock soft, half hard or rock hard in her hand. How he shuddered when she wrapped her mouth around him.
She held back a groan and ended up coughing. He turned to her; holding the door open. "You okay?"
"Fine," she squeezed out. Shit, now her panties were damp. She pressed her thighs together, hoping the smell would stay buried between her thighs. She needed to get a dildo on her next paycheck. The vibrator wasn't doing enough anymo
re.
He held the car door open for her. As she squeezed past him, she could smell his cologne. The exact one he wore, don't think it, don't even, eleven years ago.
With that firmly in her nostrils, she knew she was lost. She wanted him back.
* * * *
Kip waited until they were seated at the restaurant. They made small talk in the car. Nothing real. Nothing important. He couldn't wait to ask her the questions that had been on his mind since he clicked "add as friend" on that stupid website. He couldn't go back now, so he wouldn't give the what ifs anymore thought tonight.
He was jumping out of his skin as they were seated and given menus in the little restaurant near her home.
She looked gorgeous. Tired, he could see it in her eyes. She had a demanding job and a demanding life. She did it all with grace and without complaint, but she needed a break. Since her emergency phone call, he'd already made some plans.
Still, despite the weariness, he could see she was beautiful. The same soft, sweet Mandy that she had always been. She had an aura of strength now. It was new. She'd always seemed so fragile to him. Her hair was cropped short, it suited her, but he did miss her long hair. The way it curled around her face, framing her. If he softened his gaze, he could still see her that way.
Her jeans hugged her ass, when she sashayed in front of him. He could have wiped the drool off his chin. Down boy, he told his cock as they sat. She had been close to him when he opened the door, she smelled faintly of peaches and cream.
He needed a plan so he did not dive for a kiss at the end of the night. They ordered quickly and their menus were taken away. Leaving them alone to chat. One other couple sat in the dining room; Wednesday was a slow night for dining out.
She squirmed as she did her best not to stare at him. Squirming under the microscope? Well, no time like the present. "Do you regret me going east? To play hockey?"
Her mouth dropped open slightly. She quickly caught herself and looked away from him. "Sometimes. But I think if you had stayed you would have regretted not going."