DAKOTA

There's nothing that can explain the feeling of coming home after being away for months.

When Connor and I first stepped off the plane Saturday, we dropped our stuff off and immediately went for a drive in his dad's old convertible. We do this every time we're back in Tampa, wanting to hit our favorite beach, walk along Channelside, and go back to the rink he used to play at.

We normally stay there the longest, meeting up with some of his old teammates, and I watch as they skate around, this is the only time some of them get the chance to play.

"Yo, Lowen, you gonna skate this year?" Dean, Connor's old linemate and my tenth-grade ex-boyfriend, asks every time. We dated for three months, breaking up when he realized he played for the other team. He likes to tell everyone I'm the reason he's gay.

"Fuck it. Lace me up," the ten boys cheer. They've never seen me skate before, but thanks to Parker, I won't make a complete ass of myself out there.

It felt good to finally join in with the boys I've watched for years.

The only problem with being home is that Connor is sticking to me like white on rice. He keeps talking about how he's had to share me with an extra person, so this is our time 'reconnect.'

Dramatic, if you ask me.

Normally, this would be fine. However, I had to sneak away today to meet with a baker downtown, and my phone has been blowing up with texts the entire time.

where are you

your parents said you left right after breakfast this morning

why are you hiding from me

He even got the other boys in on it.

con thinks you're dead. can I have parker if you are?

baby, please text connor back before I have to block him

at least text me back

hello?

dakota??

I finally turn my phone off completely, needing to make sure I seem professional. Kayla Graff is the greatest baker in Florida, and I'd say I'm killing my interview.

~

My mind is constantly repeating the words just said to me.

"Well, Ms. Lowen, I'd love to bring you on our team after graduation. Please let us know what your decision will be as soon as possible, but take your time, it's a big one."

My heart is racing I can't tell a soul. Not yet, at least.

My car isn't even in park before my front door swings open and an angry-looking Connor comes barreling in my direction. "Dakota Marie Lowen, where the hell have you been."

I try to lock my doors before he reaches for the handle, but I'm no match, getting pulled out and flung over his shoulder as he walks me back inside while talking to someone on the phone.

"Connor," I shriek, "put me down before you drop me!"

He throws me on the couch, shoving his phone in my hands, and my boyfriend stares back at me. "Hey, baby."

My eyes trace over his newly-cut hair. "You look hot," I smirk.

"Right back at you."

The phone is snatched from my hands. "No," Connor yells at Parker. "You're supposed to be grilling her for me."

"I'm sorry man," his laughter flows through the speakers. "Can't help myself."

They bicker back and forth for a few moments before Connor's glare turns back to me. "Where were you and why didn't you text us back? You know it's Con and Kota week, the only time we're allowed to separate is to poop and sleep."

"Hunt, are you saying you watch my girlfriend shower and change?" Parker's voice sounds deadly.

"Fuck, no." Connor grimaces, "Kota naked is the last thing I'd ever wanna see."

"Excuse me?"

"No, shit. That's not what I meant," he looks at me. "I'm sure you look great nake-"

"Connor," Parker cuts him off.

He throws the phone back at me, flinging his arms in the air as he runs from the room. "I give up!"

"What just happened?" Confusion fills his face.

"Hell if I know," I giggle.

"Circle back," he motions with his hand. "Is everything okay? Why weren't you answering anyone?"

"I uh- just needed a break?" A toddler wouldn't even believe me.

He eyes me carefully, nodding. "Why don't you go to your room and call me back on your phone?"

"Give me five," my words are quiet.

I hang up, grab my forgotten bag from the front door, and leave Connor's phone in the kitchen. He probably ran down the street to his house, but I'm sure he'll be back soon.

My steps are slow and short as I make my way upstairs, trying to decide what to tell Parker. I don't want to lie, but I'm also not ready to give him the full truth.

Half-truth it is.

Laying down on my bed, I click call and he picks up before the first ring gets the chance to begin. "Before you say anything, just know that whatever you say can stay between us." His eyes bore into mine, "if you don't want Connor to know, then he won't."

"Thank you," I smile. "I'd appreciate that."

"Whenever you're ready, love."

"I had an apprenticeship interview," I blurt the words, wanting to get it over with.

"That's amazing, Kota. How did it go?"

"She said she'd think about it and get back to me." And there's the lie.

Parker must believe it because the smile lighting up his face is nothing but proud. "I'm sure you did incredible, I'm happy for you."

"Really?"

He chuckles, "really, baby. This is your dream."

"It is," I trail.

But I'm not sure where your dream will take you.

We talk for a few more minutes, catching up on the things we've missed in each other's lives for the past forty-eight hours, and he 'introduces' me to his dog.

"As much as I'd love to stay here all day, I should probably go find Con before he self-destructs."

"You probably should, can I call you before I go to bed?" He smiles sheepishly.

"Please do. I miss you, Parker."

"I miss you too, love. Four more days."

"Four more days." It sounds like a promise.

~

Connor and I have our own Thanksgiving tradition.

We compete in a turkey trot, where we really just race eachother, and the winner has the right to steal any of the other's food during dinner. Our moms only buy enough bread for every guest to have two rolls, but I tend to end up with four.

"You cheated."

"I did not! It's not my fault you didn't prepare."

I smoked him. By the time he crossed the finish line, I was two cinnamon rolls deep in the food tent.

"Brooks," he sounds confused.

"How are you going to blame this on him?" I laugh.

"No," he points through the windshield towards his house, "Brooks."

My eyebrows furrow in confusion as we slowly get closer and I'm able to see someone sitting on the front porch, hunched over.

"Drive faster," I smack Connor. He pulls into the driveway moments later, and I'm out of the car before he even puts it in park. "Brooks? What are you doing here?" He's supposed to be home in New York.

He jumps slightly, as if I scared him, and slowly lifts his head. I'm unable to suppress my gasp when his black eye and busted lip are highlighted by the morning sun.

"Hey, Kota," he smiles softly at me. "Glad to see you're not dead, but now I can't steal your boyfriend."

Connor steps around me, "what the hell happened, man?"

"Told my dad I wanted to pursue hockey, not take over his company." He lets out a breathy chuckle, dropping his eyes again. "Obviously, he didn't like the idea."

Brooks' parents have never been supportive of him. He has two older brothers who basically ran off the second they turned eighteen, leaving him to pick up the pieces of their disappearance. His father runs an insurance business, and since he was the only one left, it was his to take regardless of his degree.

His grandparents were the only family who treated Brooks as such, and when they died five years ago they left him millions of dollars, and a note making him promise to follow his own dreams.

Pursing his lips, Connor pulls Brooks up and hugs him tight as his shoulders begin to shake, tears escaping. My legs eat the distance between us as I wrap my arms around Brooks from behind, resting my head on his back.

The three of us hold eachother for a few more minutes, not knowing what to do or say next.

Connor pulls away first, "lucky for you, we still have bunk beds in the spare room."

Brooks gives him a weak smile, "thanks, man. I'm sorry, I didn't know where else to go."

"No need to apologize," I cut in, "we've been missing you like crazy anyway. Plus, our moms would never turn down the extra help in the kitchen."

While I let our parents know the situation, Connor takes Brooks upstairs and gets him settled in. By the time they make their way back downstairs, the cooking is in full swing, and I leave them to take over my position while I run upstairs to shower and get ready.

As I go to pick up my fork, Connor's mom stops me with a glare. "You know the rules, Dakota."

Sighing, I put it down as Connor and I speak together. "No eating before we say our thanks."

Every year we all have to go around the large table filled with both of our extended families and say one thing we're thankful for. Usually, Con and I cheat the system and just say eachother.

After what feels like an eternity, Brooks is up. "I'm thankful that Connor has refused to let you get rid of the bunk beds, and that he let me talk him into sharing them with me tonight," the entire table breaks into laughter.

Connor stands, "I'm changing my thankfulness this year." Everyone gasps. "I'm thankful for Nate Branson, or else I would've gotten an earful a few weeks ago."

My breath catches, and I choke on air as his words click in my brain. When I recover, I do what any normal person would and fling a fork at him.

Standing, I announce, "I'm thankful for my most bestest friend, Brooks. You're my new favorite as of thirty seconds ago."

I reach over to Connor's plate, stealing his bread and half of his turkey and placing them on my own instead. "Hope you're not too hungry," sarcasm drips from my voice.

All four of our parents look between us, completely lost. I just ignore them and start eating.

~

Barging into the room, I see Connor on the top bunk and pounce.

I don't get in a single hit, though, cause he has me wrapped up in his hold about five seconds later. "I hate you," I mumble.

He kisses my cheek, "nope you L-O-V-E me, just like you do my assistant captain."

I gawk, squirming in his hold. "I do not!"

"Shh, Kota, it's okay. Denial is the first step in accepting it," he rubs a hand over my hair.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and he fishes it out, answering the facetime. "Hi, baby boy."

"Hey handsome," Parker chuckles. "Where's Kota?"

He holds the phone so I'm out of view, "I don't know, maybe she went to meet with that one ex from high school."

"No, I am not!"

"Hi, love," Parker's low voice lights me up.

"Help me," I squeak.

"Connor, remember that time I walked in on that girl rid-"

He throws my phone across the room, "okay, fine you can go!"

The second I'm released from his hold I jump off of the bed, grab my phone, and hide out in the spare bedroom. Parker and I don't hang up until it's pitch black outside.

"I'm gonna go say goodnight to Brooks so I can go home, but I'll text you tomorrow morning."

"You'll text me when you make it home," he amends me.

Outwardly, I roll my eyes, but I secretly love his protectiveness. "Yes, Coach, I'll text you when I walk through my front door."

"Fuck, baby, you have to stop doing that to me," he groans, his body shifting on his bed.

I laugh, "see you in two days."