And apparently, that was the wrong thing to ask, because LeAnn’s eyes darken slightly, and Coach clears his throat uncomfortably. “She, uh . . .” Yeah, this is awkward. But I have no idea why. “She went back home to her parents’ for Christmas.”

“Oh.” Why is that a big deal? I don’t know, but Camden seems to be picking up on something because he quickly changes the subject again, talking about baseball season and how he’s ready for that.

Something is definitely off, but soon, they both say goodbye and leave. I turn to Camden. “What was that about? With his wife?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know, but LeAnn looked like she was about to cry.”

“Yeah, it’s not good.”

“I’ll check in with her later,” he says, and I smile because he’s a good friend, and I know he’ll be worried about her.

Finally, his shift ends, and we go back to my house with Lucy, meeting their mom there for a big-ass dinner that has me groaning from eating way too much. After Camden and I do the dishes, we find that Lucy has passed out on the couch in the living room while my parents and his mom chat around the fireplace and drink hot cocoa.

It’s nice. It feels right, and I can’t help but wonder what next year will be like. If he goes away for college, will he at least come back for the holidays? Or does he hate it so much here that he won’t even do that?

The idea of never having that again sits solid in my heart well after we go back to his place. We wake Luce up long enough to leave cookies and milk out for Santa, and then his mom tucks her into bed before going to bed herself.

When we’re in his room, with his door locked, and tucked under the covers in his bed, I’m right where I want to be. Where I always want to be. But that weight in my chest has only intensified.

“You okay?” he asks softly.

“Yeah,” I lie because I’m so not okay. I’m afraid that time is moving way too fast. “I’m fine.”

He rolls to his side, his hand tucked under his head. “You worried about Kennedy?”

“What?” I turn on my side, mirroring his position. “Why the hell would I worry about her?” She’s definitely not on my mind.

“LeAnn sounded like she was surprised you haven’t heard from her.”

I see something flicker in his eyes, even only in the moonlight. It looks like jealousy. Or maybe just concern. “I don’t want to hear from her.”

He smiles at that, brushing a hand over my cheek. “You need to shave.”

I laugh at that and smooth my hand over the stubble on my jaw. “Hell no. I’m growing a beard. I’d look good with a beard.”