Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“What…why would you say that?” I reach across the table and touch his hand, careful not to hit his cuts.
His face is full of self-derision. “Candles with takeout chinese food in your apartment. Screams stupid. You can admit it.”
“Umm Easton?” He glances up at me, looking defeated. “It’s my favorite food. I’m not a fancy girl. You’ve spent all week buying thoughtful gifts for me which I was clueless about, but you kept going.” I take a deep breath. “You were trying to make it easier on scatterbrain girl. That’s …thoughtful, not lame. I mean, aren’t I the one you’re trying to make an impression on?” I end by teasing and he cracks a hint of a smile.
“I guess it is up to you, but I’ll do better next time.” My heart skips that he thinks there could be a next time. “Eat then, sweetness. You skipped breakfast today, didn’t you?”
I nod, wondering how he knows. “I want to hear all about this turkey costume.”
We eat and he laughs as I describe how Cole used Mrs. Hutchins to sucker me in. I only lost focus once during dinner and he brought me back by calling my name a few times.
“Grab your warm stuff. We’ll be outside.” He warns after I finish eating. “Dessert will be there.”
He leads me out and helps me into the passenger seat which is already warm. “I turned it on remotely while we were inside.” He says before touching the pompom on my hat. “You really are adorable in that.”
“It’s warm and very soft. Thank you again.”
He drives toward one of the downtown parks. “They are putting the winter festival decorations up today and tomorrow. They sell tickets for these two test run opening nights as special packages. It’s not very crowded because they limit it. There’s a light show, the whole park is lit up and decorated for you to walk through, and they serve hot chocolate with desserts. At the end is a building where they give you a movie pack that has popcorn, a mat to sit on with blankets, and drinks. Then they play a Christmas movie. I thought we could walk that and talk more and then watch the movie. Syd said you love movie night. It all starts in ten minutes.
Does that sound ok?” He looks nervous again and I smile widely.
“That sounds amazing. I do love movie night.” I take a deep breath knowing I need to ease his worries about him sucking at date planning. To me that sounds pretty sweet and romantic.
I’ll tell you a secret about me. I watched a lot of movies growing up. How I spent lots of my free time. It was my escape from reality and my brain would jump into the stories so easily. I could imagine myself in them. An escape for my rambling brain. I still love them for that reason.”
He turns and smiles slightly. “Then maybe this will be ok.”
After we park and walk through the gate, he points to a bench. “The light show is first.” It’s not very long, only twenty minutes but fun to watch. At the end, he helps me to my feet and tucks my arm through his leading me to the trail. He was right. It’s not very crowded. There are tons of lights and elaborate lighted decorations. “You ok? Too cold?”
I shake my head as I look around. “It’s so pretty.”
Easton
“Yeah it is.” I agree as I look down into her face. Her eyes are sparkling with the lights reflecting off them and she has that happy, sweet smile.
“Do you bring Cole?” I keep her tucked against me.
“I plan to bring him next Saturday night to the tree lighting ceremony and this. Maybe…maybe you could come with us.”
“I don’t want to intrude.” She says nicely.
“You wouldn’t. Cole would love you being here.”
We stroll leisurely along as she points to different light figures. “You haven’t come to this before?”
She blinks a few times. “No. I haven’t.” They hand her a hot chocolate and warm cookie. I decline.
As we walk, I ask her how she and Sydney became such good friends. Having talked to
Sydney a lot this week, the answer doesn’t surprise me. We end up at the movie building and walk in taking the big box they hand us. I point to a big square column in the center of the room. “We’ll go sit there so I can lean against it and you can lean on my side. Will be better than sitting on the floor all night with no support.”
She helps me set up the cushioned mat and we sit down right as the movie is starting. It’s Elf and I listen to her laugh, not paying that much attention. Once it’s over, we repack the box and turn it in before leaving. The parking lot is close by. “What was your favorite part of the movie?
She asks.
“I love when Santa says he put the rangers on the naughty list.” I’ve seen that movie tons of times.
“I like when he reads off what the reporter wants from her boyfriend.” She laughs again.
I drive her home asking her for a list of her favorite movies. She is very enthusiastic about that topic. When I walk her to her door, I wish I didn’t need to go home.
“Luci, we need to have a very long talk. Tomorrow, Cole is going to an introductory hockey lesson at 10. We can sit in the stands and talk if that works. I have something important to warn you about.”
“I can be there. Send me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
“I prefer to pick you up. Ok?”
“Ok.” She smiles at me. “I had a really good time. It wasn’t stupid or lame.”
“Me too. This time I’ll ask, I want to kiss you Luci. Ok?” I wait hoping.
She nods shyly and I cup her face gently. “Sweet Luci.” I whisper before I kiss her. Like before, I can’t hold back and she follows me right along. I end it with my heart thumping wildly. “Go inside sweetness and lock the door so I hear it.” She stares up at me before smiling and nodding.
“Goodnight Easton. Thank you.”