This Love

35

December comes around in the blink of an eye. The Colts well into their season, and F1 ending their season. My mind is filled with everything hockey on a mid-December game night in Barrie. I almost miss my phone vibrating in my blazer pocket, but feel it against my hip so I pull out the device to see a text from my mom waiting for me.

Mom
We just got to the arena let me know when you have some time to say hi

Callie
Will do, tell dad not to scare Daniel off

Mom
👍

I put my phone away, biting my lip at the thought of my boyfriend meeting my parents in person for the first time with me not even there. "Cal you there?" I shake my head before tuning back into the conversation happening on my headset, "yeah I'm here" I reply before listening to the updates about an injured player that was taken out of the game minutes earlier.

Once the second period comes to an end I slip off my headset and take out my phone to let my mom know that I'm coming up to the seats to see them. I automatically pull down my right sleeve to hide the tattoo that my parents don't know about yet as I make my way into the stands. The action takes me back to high school when they never held back their opinions about tattoos and how unpractical they are. I forget about the less than stellar memory when I spot Dan smiling while he talks to my parents.

The Australian must feel my gaze because he looks my way, his smile widens when I approach the three of them. "Hi everyone" my parents turn smiling when they see that it's me, my mom stands up to bring me into a hug, "I've missed you Cal" I hug her tightly, "missed you too" she kisses my cheek, "he's so charming darling, he's a keeper" I smile at her statement pulling away. My dad takes me into his arms next kissing my head, "you're team is doing great out there munchkin" I smile, "yeah they're alright" I reply as I pull away from the hug, "thank you guys for coming, I know it's not easy to get here" my mom scoffs, "you're welcome, but it's no bother since we get to see the daughter who doesn't keep us very updated" I smile sheepishly at the pair, "oops" this gets a laugh from all three of them.

I get over to Dan who pulls me to his side, "I really do try, but it keeps getting busy so I forget" I explain, my dad waves away my explanation, "don't you worry Cal, when we do hear from you it's forgotten almost instantly" I nod giving them a smile. "Speaking of busy, Daniel over here was telling us about his career, he sure goes through a lot before during and after his season" I look up at him smiling, "yeah he does, but if it's something you love doing it's all worth it in the end" he presses a quick kiss to my lips making my mom let out an aw, "your daughter has made it a little more bare able when times get tough, so thank you for trusting me with her" I blush fiercely avoiding their gazes.

A voice coming through my headset pulls me away from our conversation, I lift the set over my ear to hear what's happening. My gaze moves between my parents and Dan, they're all looking at me confused, "I gotta go duty calls" I explain. "Wait sweetheart, let me get a photo of you two" I roll my eyes at my mom's request but smile at the thought of having another photo to add to my many with Dan. "Cal" I look up at my boyfriend smiling, he cradles my face before kissing me softly, "perfect hold that" I hear my mom exclaim, I pull away smiling Dan resting his forehead against mine as I open my eyes, "kick butt out there" I nod and step away from him, "I'll see you guys after okay" the three of them nod and I make my way back down to ice level to finish off the game.

——

Hours later I meet Dan at the arena entrance, my bag slung over my shoulder. "Where did my parents go?" I ask him as I pull my hair into a ponytail, "went back to their hotel" he replies as I walk into his arms for a hug. I let out a sigh smiling as he kisses the top of my head, "good game" I nod into him feeling exhausted, "okay lets get out of here and get you to bed gorgeous" he adds before leading me out of the building to my car. He drives us back to the house letting me relax in the passenger seat. I let my gaze linger on the Australian with a smile on my face, "why are you looking at me Cal?" I shrug, "admiring my handsome boyfriend, that's all" he grins looking at me briefly before focusing back on the road. I stay silent the rest of the drive moving to lean my head against the window watching the houses pass by as we approach the right street.

Once in the house I pull Dan to my bedroom ready to sleep. I close the door softly so that I don't wake Lexi or Jill. My fingers quickly unbutton the stiff blazer I'm still wearing and I shrug it off with a smile. I proceed to unbutton my jeans sliding them off before gently taking off the blouse I still have on, hanging it carefully and putting it back into my closet. "Come here Cal" I peer over my shoulder to see that Dan's laying on the bed holding his arms out, I giggle and quickly turn off the lights as I walk over sliding under the covers next to him. "Much better" he says before throwing his arm across my waist pulling me to his chest, "I agree" he kisses my shoulder and his fingers tangle with mine. "Love you Danny" he tightens his hold on me his finger tracing over where my tattoo sits, "love you Cal" I smile, gently cuddling closer to his body as my eyelids start to shut finally feeling some peace with the race car driver next to me.