The Puck Bunny

Sixty-Eight

Later that night we were sitting around in the living room while my older brother showered and my mom cleaned up the kitchen, which I was amazed she had offered to do seeing as we'd cooked. Usually, I would be forced to cook and assist my brother with the kitchen clean-up at least three times a week. This was our last night here and I only cooked because I offered, well basically begged my mom to let me, because I missed cooking sometimes. Even still, we'd only really done the dishes because we told mom she wasn't going to do all the cooking and cleaning while there were three adults staying here.

Lexi looked tired like she was going to fall asleep any second. We had the radiator going and it was already dark as we approached the coldest month of the winter, so it was warm and dim which was perfect for falling asleep straight after a meal.

"I can't believe I have to go back to Minnesota tomorrow" She sighed. I chuckled.

"Could be worse, at least this time I'll be with you" She smiled with a nod.

"That's true. How are we going to get back to campus from the airport?"

"You're going back to campus already?"

"Well I might go see my family on days I'm especially bored. But if I'm not around, what will you do?" I shrugged.

"I dunno, guess I didn't think about it. But I always assumed you would go back to your parents until the second semester began"

"I can see them whenever I want."

"I guess. I'm probably going to try to get as much skating in as I can. You're welcome to watch that." She nodded.

"And in a few days everyone else will be back too" Her phone lit up and I saw Tate's name flash on the screen.

"Speaking of everyone" I nodded to her phone. She picked it up and excused herself to my bedroom, me hearing her say 'hey, what's up' as she walked away. Not too long later my mom came and sat in the living room.

"Where's Lexi?" She asked.

"Phone call, her boyfriend"

"Oh, I didn't know she had one. Is he nice?" I nodded.

"The nicest. He's studying economics. We sometimes all study together with some other friends. Not often though" I lied.

"Wonderful. Has she had a good time?" I nodded again, this time with a smile.

"She's had the best time. Thanks again for letting her come stay mom, it meant I had a good time too" She smiled, albeit more reservedly than I had.

"I'm glad to hear that Carter. I know that I probably won't get to see you very much until the summer so I'm glad you stayed longer than anticipated"

"You're welcome, mom"

"Are you serious about doing some skating competitions again?" I nodded.

"Yeah, I miss competing. Being able to practice, when I could with the hockey team's schedule, wasn't easy but it was good for a while. I think once their season finishes, it'll be a good time to start preparing for competitions again" She nodded once, tensing up at the mention of hockey. But she knew that skating would involve juggling myself around them, so she shouldn't be too surprised.

And it's not like I'd mentioned anything about the team, just that they're practicing because it's the middle of their season. Even without being friends with them, I'd have known that much.

Lexi came back out and joined us.

"How's Shawn?" I asked, making sure not to call him 'Tate' for fear of giving my mother a heart attack.