Shattered Ice

On their way

*Caleb*

The car hums along the highway, the salty air fading behind us as we leave the beach house The only thing I do not like about this trip is leaving Butterscotch, but Ginnie told me no one would believe that he is my emotional support dog. Luckily doctor Ava offered to dog sit.

Ginnie sits beside me, her fingers twisting a strand of hair, and I can sense the nerves radiating off her like heat from the pavement on the hottest summer day. I glance over, trying to gauge how she’s feeling about the impending family circus that is her sister’s wedding.

“Okay, Ginnie,” I say, trying to break the tension. “Before we hit Savannah, let’s review the Harrington family roster. I need the names, the ranks, and the potential landmines I should avoid.”

She lets out a breath, her lips curving into a small smile. “Alright, let’s do this. First up, my mom, Charlotte… Kitty to her closest friends, do not call her Kitty. She’s the ultimate matriarch. Remember to call her ‘Mrs. Harrington’ unless She tells you elseway… she loves that formal touch.”

“Got it. Mrs. Harrington. Check.” I nod, mentally preparing myself. “And your dad?”

“Charles Harrington. But everyone calls him ‘Guv’nor’ because… Well because he’s literally the governor. Just say ‘Guv’nor’ and you should be fine… unless he’s in a bad mood, and then you might want to tread lightly.”

“Right. So, I need to treat him like royalty,” I say, pretending to bow. “Your wish is my command, Your Excellency.”

She laughs, the sound easing some of the tension in the car. “Just don’t go overboard with the flattery. He’s not a fan of anything that feels insincere.”

“Understood. I’ll stick to my charming Canadian directness.” I shoot her a wink. “And Caylee, your sister, The bride, Is she anything like you?”

“Yes and no, if you ask my parents she is the perfect daughter, opposite me. But we have always been kinda close, so I guess in some ways yes, in some ways no. Caylee’s marrying Ryan, who’s an okay guy… with a shitty brother. He’s in real estate, but pretty down-to-earth. My family loves him, which is a relief.”

I nod, “Awesome! And what about your brother? He is the youngest right? I bet he’s a riot at family gatherings.”

“Oh, Charlie,” she groans, rolling her eyes. “He’s seventeen and thinks he’s a total legend. He’ll probably try to embarrass me in front of you, but he’s actually a good kid. Just… be prepared for some teenage antics.”

“Teenage antics? Sounds like my kind of fun.” I chuckle, picturing the teenager trying to one-up me. “I’ll just have to make sure I’m the cool adult in the room. Maybe I’ll show him some hockey moves to win him over.”

“That could actually work… I think he is a bit of a fan to be honest!” she says, and I can see the nervousness start to fade from her face. “But seriously, just try to fit in. They can be a bit intense, in that old southern snobbish way.”

“Intense? Pssh, I’ve faced down the hardest players in the league. How difficult can your family be?” I lean in closer, trying to coax a smile from her. “I’m sure they’ll love me. I mean, who can resist a charming Canadian with the likeability of a golden retriever.”

“True,” she concedes, a small laugh escaping her lips. “Except you did not bring Butterscotch and you have the likebility of an inbreed chihuahua.”

“Ha ha,” I grumble. “Is it to late to go get Buts? I’ll be the charming Canadian, Butterscotch will be the adorable golden retriever, and together we’ll be unstoppable! And if they give me a hard time, I’ll just mention that I know how to handle a stick and a puck.”

“Caleb!” she exclaims, shaking her head, though laughter dances in her eyes. “You can’t just go around saying that… and no I already told you, no dogs allowed, sadly.”

“Why not? It’s a crowd-pleaser!” I grin, feeling the lightness between us. “And if all else fails, I can just pretend not to understand English, right?”

She rolls her eyes but can’t hide her smile. “Just make sure you don’t go full-on hockey player when you meet my dad. He might not appreciate the rough and tumble.”

“Got it. I’ll put on my best suit and tie, and I reserve the right to throw in a couple of hockey stories, but I promise not to body check anyone.” I glance at her, and the air between us shifts a bit. “I want them to see how great you are.”

Her cheeks flush, and I can tell that my words hit their mark. “Thanks, Caleb. That means a lot.”

“Of course.” I give her knee a gentle squeeze, hoping it reassures her. “I’m here for you. We’ll tackle this wedding madness no problem.”

As we drive closer to Savannah, I can feel the rhythm of the road calming both of us. Ginnie glances out the window, her expression softening as the scenery shifts. I take a deep breath, ready for the whirlwind of family dynamics ahead, I mean how bad can it be?

“Let’s do this,” I say, shifting gears and leaning into the excitement. “Together, we’ll take on your family. I’ll charm the socks off them, and if they don’t like me, I’ll just say I’m the Canadian ambassador of fun.”

Ginnie laughs, and for a moment, everything feels just right. Kinda like this is real, like we are real.