The Puck Bunny

Fifty-Six

FRASER

"This is amazing" Luke mumbled as he shovelled food into his mouth. I chuckled and also ate, hungrier than I think I had realised. Carter joined us moments later, wearing her Gophers hoodie with Luke's number on it. Good idea, this would stop Denise from asking if we were dating. Although it would open those two up to some questioning.

"This smells so good, thank you" Carter said as she sat next to me and began to eat. Denise smiled at her.

"You're most welcome honey. It's nice to have Fraser home for the holidays but even nicer that we get proof he's actually making some friends up there" I rolled my eyes at this.

"I don't know where this idea that I'm incapable of making friends has come from but I don't like it" Everyone laughed and I couldn't help but smile myself.

"So Carter, are you a hockey player too or just a supporter?" Dad asked Carter who smiled.

"Just a supporter. I can skate but you put a stick in my hands and I'm useless"

"What's with the jersey then?"

"Oh, Luke gave it to me just before the season started. I helped the team out a lot when Fraser first started so it was a token of appreciation"

"And that's his number on the back?" I knew both Luke and I were holding our breath through this awkward exchange, but Carter was doing what Carter did best and taking it all with no embarrassment or fear. She nodded at my dad's question.

"Yeah, he's my best friend on the team and he probably wouldn't have stayed on the team for much longer had I not intervened"

"Intervened? What for?"

"Oh he and the captain had a huge fight and I helped them both through it. Luke wanted to both punch him and quit, but I talked him out of that" Dad nodded and both Luke and I relaxed.

"So are you two dating" Luke and Carter looked at each other and cracked up laughing.

"God no, I'd have killed him by now. Do you know he starts assignments the day that they're due? I couldn't handle it. No, we're just good friends"

"Best friends" Luke backed up.

"Well the three of us are now, more like the three musketeers" Carter added.

"Or the Powerpuff Girls" The three of us cracked up laughing, dad and Denise smiled politely but clearly confused.

"Okay, what did we miss?"

"Only the greatest Halloween costume of all time" I said, pulling out my phone and showing my dad and Denise one of the photos of the three of us from a few weeks ago. They both began to laugh at it, making me grin more. Maybe this weekend wasn't a stupid idea after all.

"That's fantastic! We have to get a framed one" Denise said. I put my phone away.

"Not gonna happen"

"I'll send you one" Carter threatened.

"You wouldn't"

"Try me McGill" I groaned.

"I don't want to be on the walls of this house in a dress"

"I didn't want to be seen in a dress"

"Neither did I" She laughed and shook her head.

"Relax McGill, I won't do it"

"You're gonna do it aren't you?"

"Oh without a doubt" I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever. Do you want the first shower?" She shook her head.

"You go for it, I'm gonna keep hearing all the embarrassing stories about you" I shoved her playfully.