The Romantic Pact (Kings of Football)(59)

I don’t want to get into a debate again about the years I regret, so I’m not raising my stupidity again.

Nudging me, she asks, “So who were you texting? Late-night booty call?” She wiggles her eyebrows, lightening the mood.

“Nah, none of that shit for me. It was River and Hollis, just checking in. They asked how I was doing with closure.”

“What did you say? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I said I was getting there.” She offers me another chip and I take it. “I think I’m slowly starting to find that closure. Very slowly.”

“Doesn’t matter how slowly. As long as you’re moving forward, that’s all that matters.”

“Thanks, Haze.”

“Why are you thanking me? Besides the chips.” She winks and places another in my mouth.

“Just thank you for everything.”

“No need to thank me. Just get me something good for Christmas.”

“Already have.”

“What? Really?” she asks in surprise. “Did you seriously get me something?”

“Yup. And it’s good.”

“When did you get it?”

“In Nuremberg. At the Christmas market while you were peeing.”

“Crew.” She pushes my shoulder. “I didn’t get you anything.”

“You don’t have to. You being here is enough.” I snag a chip from her and smile while chewing.

Yeah, I can’t wait to give her the gift I got.





Chapter Eleven





HAZEL





“Merry Christmas Eve,” Crew says, lifting up from the bed to find me walking out of the bathroom, freshly showered and clothed. His hair is rumpled and he has a lazy smile spreading across his face—he’s completely and utterly adorable.

“Merry Christmas Eve, Crew.” I take a seat on the bed. “I’m assuming you just woke up, but did you get a chance to take a look at the weather?”

“No. Cold today?”

“Snow for the next two days. Calling for heavy snow tonight leading into tomorrow.”

“Oh, shit, really?”

I nod. “Looks as though it’ll be a white Christmas in Germany.”

“Think Pops planned that?”

“Probably.” I bring my foot up to put my sock on and say, “I think we should consider spending the day where Pops has planned, and tonight, we drive to the next stop. If the hotel is close we can just head to whatever Christmas location we’re supposed to be at.”

“Yeah.” He pushes his hand through his hair. “That might be a good idea.” He tosses the covers off him and goes to my backpack, where the letters are. He picks up the letters for today and tomorrow. “I feel weird opening both.”

“I know. Maybe we can just look at the itinerary and not the letter for tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.” He opens up the letter for today and sits next to me on the bed, draping his arm casually over my shoulder as he reads. And because he’s just woken up, he’s so warm. I swear, male skin does not work properly. His tempting warmth has been hard to steer clear of at night in our bed, because all I’ve wanted to do was snuggle into him. But that’s dangerous. “‘Hey kiddos. Merry Christmas Eve. How was fencing? If I could guess who won, my money is on Hazel Girl.’” I needle Crew’s side and he squeezes me tighter. “‘Next on the trip you’re headed to one of the most popular stops on the trip, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Why is this town so popular? A few reasons: it’s one of few walled medieval towns left in Germany, meaning the entire town is circled by a large stone wall. But most importantly, you’ll find the Pl?nlein, a yellow, crooked timber house at the entrance of the spital quarter. It’s a house that sits in a fork of the town’s cobblestone road, and it’s the inspiration for Disney’s Pinocchio. You’ll see that Gloria and I took a picture in front of the famous house that splits the town’s two towers. I suggest you give it a look, take a picture, and marvel at how a building can be crooked and majestically, can still stand tall. Makes me believe we’re all a little crooked in our own way, but with a little support from our friends, from our family, we can still stand tall.’”

“God, that rings so true,” I say, missing the advice Pops always offered.

“Truer than I think you know,” Crew says softly before continuing. “‘I suggest from there, you walk around the wall. There are staircases at the entrance that allow you access to the top. It’s the best view of the town you’ll get, but note—cars aren’t allowed in town, so look for parking outside the walls. Since it’s Christmas Eve, and I wouldn’t make you drive on Christmas Day, this is a day trip. After you have walked around, maybe pick up a beer stein from one of the souvenir shops, get back in the car for an hour drive to N?rdlingen. There will be a package waiting for you at the hotel. Love you. Pops.’”

“I guess we don’t need this letter, then,” Crew says, holding up the Christmas Day one.

“He really thought of everything.” I glance at the letter. “I wonder how long it took him to put this all together.”

“Probably a long time.” Crew stands from the bed and hands me the letter. “I’m going to take a shower, and then we can get going. If we’re driving to two towns today, I want to get a head start so we make sure we spend an adequate amount of time in Rothenburg.”