This Love

20

When I walk into the Barrie Colts office the next day I'm throw off guard when everyone's eyes are on me. I lift an eyebrow confused, "ignore them, they're just jealous" I look at Peter who is grinning at me, "but why?" He smiles sheepishly, "THE article might have made its way around the office, and we know the back of your head pretty well around here" my eyes widen, "it's okay Cal, don't worry, everyone will get over it" I nod and I walk to my office still shocked as I sit at my desk. I shake my head to rid my thoughts of the article that somehow made it to a hockey organization. My focus goes to my inbox to catch up on what I missed over the weekend. An email catches my attention, I open it my eyes widening at content, I stand up and go to Peter's office, "a trade happened?" He looks up at me, "yeahhhh forgot to text you about it, the new guy is coming in today to tour the facility" I rush back to my office to do some research on our new player to start planning some marketing tactics for training camp.

Hours later my gaze is still on my computer fully focused on tasked needed to get done for training camp in a few months. A knock on my door makes me look away from the screen, Mel from social media is standing in the doorway with a teenage guy, "This is Callie Andrews our Director of Marketing, you'll probably have to see her a few times before the season starts" I smile at the guy who steps forward holding out his hand, I stand and shake the outstretched hand, "it's nice to meet you Luca, welcome to Barrie, you'll love it here" he smiles and I release his hand sitting back down as he leaves the office with Mel. I lean back in my chair stretching my arms above my head before going back to my computer wanting to finish the last task I was doing before going on my lunch break.

Once i've finished my task I grab my bag before leaving the office for lunch, "CAL!" I jump at the yells before turning, a bunch of the players are also leaving the rink, "geez guys don't scare me like that" they shrug before catching up to me. I'm greeted through a group hug, I squeak as the many arms of tall hockey players squeeze me tight. When I've been released I take a deep breath making the guys laugh. I huff at their enjoyment and leave the building to go get some fresh air for an hour.

As I'm finishing my lunch my phone vibrates with a text message. My free hand grabs the device from where it's sitting next to me and I grin seeing that it's a message from Dan.

Daniel
Hey girlfriend

Callie
Hey boyfriend

Daniel
How's work?

Callie
Busy, had some things to catch up on

Daniel
Sorry to hear it :(

Callie
No biggie, I know what I signed up for in this job

Daniel
Take it easy there gorgeous

Callie
Only if you do hotshot

Daniel
Don't worry I always take it easy

Callie
I hope you win in France

Daniel
Will do

I put my phone down after our conversation so that I can pack up my food. The smile doesn't leave my face, which is nothing new when it comes to the Australian race car driver that is currently across an ocean from me. Once I've packed everything up I grab my phone and start the walk back to the arena where the offices are located to finish my day of prepping for training camps.

——

As 5:30 hits I walk into the house, I smell something getting made bringing a tired smile to my face. I kick off my shoes before walking to the bedroom where I change into something comfier. I leave my phone on the bed and I make my way to the kitchen where my two friends are cooking.

"Hey Cal, how was work?" I shrug as I sit at the counter, "some guy got traded to us from Erie, I met him and then I was just working on training camp stuff" Jill nods as she stirs something in a pot on the stove, "we love trades in this house" Lexi adds making me roll my eyes at how untrue that is, "it's wild what I miss after only three days" they both nod in understanding having dealt with the same stuff at their jobs. "Sports don't stop because you get a few days off" Jill tells me while pointing the wooden spoon she's holding at me, "don't we know it after our trip" we laugh but then change the subject to other things.

"Are you still babysitting the munchkins at the end of the month?" I nod enthusiastically, "love to hear it babe" I smile thinking about my niece and nephew who I'll be watching over when Leia my older sister, and Teddy her husband go on their little couples weekend away from the kids. "Man I love little Copper and Emily" Jill exclaims as she plates up our dinner, "me too" I say while bringing the plates of food to the table. "Isn't the race in France that weekend?" Lexi asks, "yeah it actually is" she smiles, "I'm sure they'll love watching it with you" I shrug, "I don't know, might be too much action for their ages" the three of us fall into a silence as we eat, "only one way to find out" I nod while looking at Jill. 

Once we've finished eating I wash all of the dishes while humming to the music I put on to make it seem less lonely with Lexi and Jill being in their rooms. I smile when I finish cleaning, I put down the sponge I was using and walk out of the kitchen, turning off the light as I go back to my room to relax before going to bed.