This Love

32

After the misunderstanding that happened between us, me and Daniel work at being more in tune with our frequently clashing schedules. When he leaves Barrie at the end of the week there are tears, hugs and a lot of kisses exchanged at the airport with promises of seeing each other as soon as we can.

Another few days pass with work getting hectic as the countdown to the home opener gets to 24 hours. My mind working in overdrive thinking about all of the things that need to be ready in terms of marketing for the first home game of the 2019-2020 season.

When I get back to the house after a long day at the arena Lexi and Jill meet me at the front door smiling. "We're going out for dinner Cal, to celebrate the new season for you" I smile at them tiredly, "you guys are the best" Lexi waves off the comment, "already knew that...now go get changed into something cute" I roll my eyes but follow her request going to my bedroom to change.

I settle on my favourite dark green body-con dress before slipping on some heels, which have been unheard of all summer, and I grab a small clutch to hold my few belongings. "Smile Cal!" I turn my head from where I'm leaning towards a mirror to put on my dark red lipstick, I give Lexi a smile and she's grinning, "perfect, onto the Insta story it goes" I laugh and tuck the tube into my bag before walking out of my room. "I'm sending these to you, if you don't pass them on to Daniel then I will" I'm confused at her indication that there are several pictures, "okay" I say giving her a dorky thumbs up.

I receive the photos a few seconds later, I see the one where I'm smiling and then I see one of me just leaning towards the mirror not looking at the camera. My smile grows at the surprisingly artistic picture, the light in my room accentuating the shiny material of the dress my face in a slight shadow my foot off the ground behind me. "Wow this is such a good shot Lex" she grins, "I try babe, but you're the real star of the show" I blush and she pulls me out the front door to meet Jill in her car.  As I settle into the backseat I open Instagram on my phone feeling that Lexi's picture deserves to be showcased, I add both photos before typing a caption 'These pieces of art by the lovely lexichambers are too good not to share' I post the pictures with a smile bringing my focus back to my friends who are talking in the front seat.

——

At the restaurant when we're seated at a table we make decision that tonight we won't mention anything work related. We shake on it before opening the menus sitting on our plates. "How are things with Daniel?" Jill asks looking up at me, "they're good, we still need to work through some things but we're in a good place" I reply while smiling, "that's good Cal" Lexi tells me as she places a hand over mine squeezing it briefly before letting go. "What about you guys, any men or women I need to give a talking to?" Jill bites her lip while Lexi shrugs, I lift an eyebrow curiously, "no way give me the details, you've been harassing me and Dan this whole time, it's my turn now" Lexi smirks, "that's because you guys are actually going somewhere serious with your relationship" Jill nods, "you guys are couple goals" I roll my eyes, "it isn't all sunshine and rainbows, especially when we don't see each other for weeks, sometimes even months" I watch Lexi open her mouth but I hold up a hand to stop her, "Nope I'm not talking about my love life anymore tonight, I want to know what's going on with you guys" she sighs and I lean forward ready to listen.

"Wait you've been seeing this Warren guy for a month? Where have I been?" I exclaim when Jill tells me about her new relationship , "hockey, your own boyfriend" she tells me and shrugs, "damn I need to pry more often" she laughs, "I'd rather you don't" I wink and finish what's left of my entree. "I'll just be here exploring my options while you guys live happily ever after" Lexi says making me look her way, "you'll find someone Lex, you're a catch and anyone that can't see that is blind, it just takes time, there's no specific timeline" she shrugs, "my mom keeps asking when I'm going to bring someone home with me, and I'm gonna crack eventually" I frown at my friend, "you'll find someone, I'm positive" she gives me a slight smile before going back to her food. I sigh wishing there was something I could do to make her feel reassured. Dessert comes before I can give some real thought to the matter.

——

A few hours later the three of us walk back into the house, kicking off our shoes before going to our rooms. I drop my clutch onto the bed before quickly getting out of my dress sliding on Dan's t-shirt, which he left behind when he was here last. The hem stops mid-thigh on me so I don't bother with any sleep shorts as I empty the small purse before placing it on my desk to deal with tomorrow. With phone in hand I climb into bed snuggling under my covers bringing the device above my face as I lay back.

In the Instagram app I check the notes on the pre-dinner photos that Lexi took to see that they have gotten a colossal amount of likes and comments. My fingers scroll through the many kind words left by Dan's fans and some of my former classmates before I see my boyfriend's comment 'wow I'm the luckiest man alive' I grin and like the comment. My phone vibrates in my hand a second later and a text message banner appears at the top of the screen telling me that Dan has sent something so I switch apps to check it out.

Hotshot
Way to make me sweat there gorgeous 🥵

Callie
That's always my goal 😉

Hotshot
Fuck Cal, you can't just say that and with a winky emoji

Callie
I did what I did 😘.

Hotshot
You're lucky that I love you because otherwise I wouldn't let it slide, especially since I know that you'd be a nervous wreck if you'd have said that in person😂.

Callie
Love you Danny ❤️.

Hotshot
Sleep well Cal

I lower my phone smiling because I seem to affect Dan as much as he affects me. The thought of him all hot and bothered thousands of kilometres away makes me blush as I place my phone on my nightstand and scoot even further under the covers hoping to somehow wipe the dirty thoughts from my brain before I have to wake up and be in hockey mode for the home opener.