Pucks and Pirouettes

Chapter 25 | Felt and seen

I was quick to pick up some items of clothes that were scattered around my room and pulled on my duvet to straighten it out on my bed. I was excited for her to come over, even though the image of her was still clouded in my mind after the things I had heard.

I made my way downstairs to find the house empty, my uncle still out with his friend. He had texted me a while ago, telling me that he would be back in the early evening, and I was glad he wasn't here when Holly arrived. I knew I'd get questions from him later anyway.

I went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. From here, I had a good view of the front door. Normally, Dixie would have joined me, she loved people-watching, but my uncle had taken her with him, and as much as I missed her, I knew how much she enjoyed being out on the water.

No more than five minutes later, I could see Holly making her way down the street, and I couldn't help but marvel at her sight, her curls softly glowing in the autumn sun.

I went to open the front door, the cold air hitting me unexpectedly, and leaned casually against the frame.

She was almost at my house when she finally spotted me, and her face lit up with a smile.

"Have you been watching me?", she sent my way once she was close enough for me to hear.

"Maybe.", I replied casually, but I knew my face was giving me away.

"I have my personal stalker now, I see.". Her tone was playful, and her raised eyebrow turned her smile into a smirk.

"I would deny the accusation, but I fear the evidence weighs too heavy against me, Your Honour.".

"If you keep looking at me like that, I might have to drop the charges after all.".

"I think I can arrange for that.". I pulled her in by her arms in one swift motion, and even before the door closed properly behind us, my lips were on hers.

Her being so close to me had let me forget my feelings for a second, but I knew they would resurface as soon as her body ghosted mine again.

"Hi, Bec.", she breathed softly against my lips, and I didn't know whether it was her hands on my arms or the way her voice laced raspily around the words that made my skin tingle.

"Hey, yourself.", I replied, moving my head back slightly to be able to take in her face. I was finally able to do so without fearing any unwanted eyes on us, so I had to take full advantage.

I noticed the slight tint of her cheeks, the soft pink painted onto her face by the crisp autumn air and possibly amplified by my just ushered greeting.

"You're doing it again.".

"Doing what?".

"Looking at me like that.".

"Not again, Hol. Still.".

"You have no shame, woman.".

"I never said I did.". I wanted to send her a smirk, but my chest tightened at her words, my brain painfully reminded of the conversation I overheard earlier.

"What's wrong?", Holly asked, noticing the change in my expression.

I stayed silent for a moment, not knowing how to address her question. I wanted to talk to her about my feelings. I wasn't able to physically hide them from her anyway, but I was scared of messing with her head again. We had just gotten to a good place.

"Nothing. I'm all good.", I finally replied, "Do you want anything to drink? My uncle probably won't be back for another hour or so, so we're good downstairs for now.".