This Love

14

As April becomes May and then June I find work to be busier with training camp approaching. My texts to Daniel have become less frequent but are longer than ever when there's time to talk. His races haven't gone as well as he'd hoped but I always try to watch at least a few laps if not the whole thing. I comfort him as well as I can being so far away; Daniel tells me it helps but my mind doesn't let me believe that I have that kind of influence. My determination to keep our relationship platonic has weakened over the past few months of late night texts and the occasional phone call from the Australian.

——

On another June morning I get ready for work, deciding to go casual because it's the end of the week. I pull my hair up into a ponytail and grab my bag before walking to the kitchen to eat something. "Morning Cal" I smile at Lexi who is standing in front of the stove, "sleep okay?" Jill asks, I nod and grab some bread putting it into the toaster. "How's your Australian?" I blush, "he's not mine, and he's doing good" they laugh making me huff, "when is he racing next?" I run through his schedule in my head quickly, "uh Sunday I think" they nod, "nice" I smile and my bread finishes so I grab the slices, slathering some jam on them before sitting at our dining table to eat.

I get to the Barrie Colts office a half hour later, I adjust the grip on my bag letting it hang off of my hand instead of over my shoulder. "Morning Cal" I smile at Mel one of the social media girls, "morning" she grins before turning back towards her cubicle. My gaze moves down to my feet as I go to my office, knowing that today is going to be busy. I sigh as I take hold of the key to my office, "well that didn't sound to good" my head snaps up at the Australian accent, I drop my stuff at the sight of Daniel holding some flowers. "What are you doing here?" I ask, "took a detour on route to the Grand Prix" he replies, I smile while approaching him, he gives me the flowers before he brings a hand to my lower back pulling me closer, "how did you know...this is literally so far away..." he smiles, "I had some help" my mind immediately goes to my two friends, "wow they're sneaky" he laughs which makes me giggle.

"So I have a great idea" Daniel tells me as we go into my office for some privacy "what is this idea of yours?" I reply turning to him again once I've closed the door, "come to my race with me?" I bite my lip and he gets close to me again, "I know that you're working a lot right now but it would mean the world to see you there cheering me on" he adds while taking my hands in his. The way his thumbs move along my knuckles makes me putty in his hands, I open my mouth to reply, "DO IT CALLIE, YOU CAN TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF" I jump at the loud voice coming through the office door, Dan laughs making me blush as I peer up at him. "Promise you won't drag me along to the next race with you" he grins, "yes, I'll let you do your hockey stuff after this weekend" I smile and he lifts me into a tight hug, I giggle and wrap my arms around his neck resting my head on his shoulder.

The cheers outside my office make me blush as Daniel sets me back on my feet, "they really support you around here huh?" I nod, embarrassed by my co-workers, "that's so good though, makes you guys a perfect team" I smile, "yeah I guess so" he nudges my shoulder, "at least act like you like them Cal" I laugh and he takes my hand pulling open my office door. "It's a go" Daniel shouts while holding up our linked hands causing the office to erupt in cheers, I blush a dark red dropping my head hoping that my hair covers my face. "Thank you all for making this happen, we gotta go now hope you have a great day" I look up at Dan's words, "wait we're going right now?" He nods with a grin on his face, "but I'm not packed or anything" he wraps his arm around me, "got it covered" my eyebrows shoot up in surprise, "Lexi and Jill sorted it out and I covered the plane ticket" I relax at his explanation, "I can pay for my own ticket Dan" he shakes his head, "no need this is my treat" I smile up at him, "thank you" he shrugs and pulls me out of the building where a car is waiting at the front of the parking lot. He opens the back door for me, "ladies first" I blush but slide in less than gracefully, Dan slides in next to me before shutting the door.