Spiral (Off the Ice, #2) (58)

“What do you mean?”

“Sean blows out my birthday candles.”

Elias’s gaze is pitying, and I raise a brow at him. “So, you have one day out of the year to celebrate yourself, and you still manage to make it about someone else?” He pauses briefly. “Which is sweet, by the way, but that doesn’t mean it’s your day.”

“That’s how it’s always been.”

“You mean you taking care of everyone but yourself ? Yeah, I know.”

He’s right; I do things for someone I love, but not for myself. I try to squash the thought. It’s a terrifying revelation to think you don’t love yourself the way you love others.

The candle illuminates his face. “This time, make a wish for you.”

If genies were real, I’d think Elias might be one. He’s made my birthday special. He made sure Sean got his medications. He is single-handedly making sure I have a fighting chance at starring in my dream ballet production. With everything I’ve ever wanted within my reach, I close my eyes and make the only wish I can think of.

I wish Elias makes his first career goal.

Pulling out the candle, he cuts a slice, and I take the first bite. It tastes like the cake I buy every year. The memories start flooding in. “A McCain chocolate cake? You’re spoiling me,” I say through a mouthful.

“You deserve it, but it’s not McCain.”

“It’s not?” He could’ve fooled me, it tastes identical, actually maybe even better. “You didn’t have to buy me an actual birthday cake.”

“I didn’t. I made it.”

I almost choke on the huge chunk of chocolate cake and icing in my mouth. Not attractive at all. I take my time swallowing to comprehend what he’s saying. “You baked me a birthday cake?”

He nods like it’s no big deal. “I got you a McCain cake too, but it’s at home. I thought you and Sean might want to keep that tradition between the two of you.”

At home. How did I end up fake dating the most thoughtful man on the planet? My eyes sting, but I don’t want to close them. I want to keep looking at the man who baked me a birthday cake.

He even thought to include my brother. Sean wished me a happy birthday this morning, but it didn’t feel the same. I would never tell him, but I sobbed for a good ten minutes after our phone call. “It’s weird seeing him get older, but I understand why he wanted to go to his friend’s. I mean, I didn’t want to hang out with adults at his age.”

“You’re allowed to feel hurt, Sage.”

I shake my head. “He didn’t mean to hurt me. I don’t blame him.”

“You don’t have to. He’s a teenager; of course he wants to hang out with his friends. But it’s okay to feel sad when the one person you’ve always had by your side is growing up. It doesn’t make either of you bad people.”

A harsh burn envelops my heart. “If he turns out to be anything like you, I’ll know I succeeded.”

I hesitate for a second before wrapping him in a tight hug. He does the same, holding me close enough that his lips skim the crown of my head, leaving a brief kiss in my hair.

The glow from the movie lights his face, and his eyes sparkle. Breaking the intense eye contact, I finish off my cake and lick my plate clean like an animal.

He chuckles, taking the plate from me. “Promise me one thing.”

I gaze up at him.

“Don’t check your email until midnight.”

I’m surprised by his request, and I stare down at my phone like an addict being told their next hit is getting revoked. I constantly check my emails for new auditions and the not-so-fun rejections. The moment NBT emails me, if they ever do, I want to be ready.

“Your email will still be there tomorrow. And Sean has both of our numbers. I know you already called them, but I called his friend’s parents to introduce myself too.”

My heart flutters, and I can only credit it to his featherlight words. “But—”

“And in case that doesn’t satisfy you, I got their neighbors’ contact information.”

“Eli—”

“Both neighbors. On each side.”

I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me. I put my phone in his hand and close his fingers around it. “I was going to say that I’ll leave the ringer on, but I won’t check until tomorrow. Midnight is only a few hours away.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He takes the opportunity to pull me in, allowing me to lean on him like my personal pillow. Elias fusses over the fuzzy pink blanket, ensuring it covers my legs, and situates his own pillow behind him. The movie plays, and although this is one of my favorite birthday traditions, there’s a part of me that wants to sit and talk to Elias instead. To hear his voice and the low vibration of his chest when he speaks. To let the overflow of serotonin wash over me anytime he focuses on me.

With a light brush of his lips against my ear, he whispers, “Happy birthday, Sage.”

“Thank you, Elias.”

The smell of chocolate lingers in the air as the glow of the drive-in movie projector washes us in bright light. A gentle breeze sweeps past the truck bed, and I snuggle closer to him, forgetting just for one night that this isn’t real. Because I know how long I’ll have this, and it’s not nearly long enough. But tonight, I want to spend my birthday in the arms of a thoughtful hockey player and not worry about a damn thing.