Read Online Forgiveness Creek: The Creek Series by Abbie St. Claire - Free Book Online

moment, and we waved to the camera after our public smooch.
    When the game went into overtime, it was intense, and the Stars finally pulled out a win, scoring first and taking the opposition four to three. The crowd roared. It was so much fun. I loved the fights, the cold, the excitement, and being with Dane.
    He’d given me yet another amazing experience that week, and it was something to feel special. There was such a comfortableness to his sweet spirit.
    We sat out in front of my house, holding hands, talking, and not wanting to say goodnight.
    “I want to give you a heads up that I have to leave for China next weekend. I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave you.”
    “I understand it’s your job. Well then, let’s make the best of the time we have. You want to come in?”
    “Thought you’d never ask.”
    When we walked in, I found Karina in the living room, and she squealed when Dane came up behind me. One, because she was sitting on the sofa eating cereal in a sweatshirt and panties, and two, because I brought a guy home. She knew me and my hang-ups. Of course, she’d listened to me talk about Dane day and night, but it wasn’t like she knew him enough to be half-naked in his presence.
    “Hey, guys.” She grabbed at the throw on the corner of the sofa.
    “Karina, you remember Dane, right.”
    “Dane, nice to see you. Do you mind covering your eyes while I go get some clothes on?”
    “No, not all.” He laughed out loud, but did as she asked.
    I leaned in to him as he propped himself in the archway that led from our kitchen to the drop-down den. “She’s going to kill me.”
    “No, she won’t. She’ll be happy for you.” He winked.
    I lucked out winning the coin toss when Karina and I moved in. I got the master bedroom, and Karina’s room was on the other end of the house. Good thing because Dane and I both tended to be a bit noisy sometimes.
    I took him to my bedroom, but he turned back toward the door. “I’ll be right back. I need to run to the store.”
    “What do you need? I might have it.” Thinking he was referring to toiletries.
    “Condoms.”
    “Oh, I see. I don’t have any, but I’m on the pill.”
    “Okay, if you’re sure?”
    I nodded my head. “Want to check my pack?”
    “No, I trust you.”
    I started the shower and was surprised when Dane stripped and joined me. He wasn’t the least bit bashful.
    Losing ourselves in the steam and running water, we made love, and it was amazing. As hard as we tried, we were still noisy, and I think we used up all of the hot water.
    It was strange to have a man in my bed, but I wanted to spend every possible moment in his arms before he left for China. He didn’t say how long he was going to be gone. With work and school, it wasn’t like I didn’t have plenty to do, but as any new relationship goes, he was all I was thinking about.
    The next morning, I woke up with a serious sore throat. I thought it was related to all the yelling I’d done at the hockey game.
    Dane went to work, and I went to my first two classes, but by noon, I was running a high fever and felt my body ache from my head to my toes.
    I stopped by the clinic, and they ran a test for strep throat and the flu. The flu won. Damn. An hour and half later, I was curled in the bed with blankets, medicine, and juice. I thought about Dr. P’s remedy. I missed home, missed Mom’s soup, and her taking care of me.
    When she answered the phone, she didn’t bother saying hello. “Hi, honey, why aren’t you in class?”
    “I have the flu.”
    “Oh no, did you get some medicine and stock up on fluids and chicken soup?”
    “Yes, yes, and no. Chicken soup in a can is just a sin once I’ve tasted yours.”
    “I could make some and bring it to you.”
    “No, I don’t want you on the road, and I don’t want to expose you to the flu. Stay put. Maybe I can come up next weekend. I’ll call you later. Love you.”
    I slept off and on the rest of the afternoon. I thought the