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“Goodnight, Leslie and Julie! Thank you, again, for a wonderful evening!” Rebecca turned and waved to them as she and Ted headed back to her Range Rover.
“Thank you, Higginses!” Ted joined in.
“Thank you, Rebecca and Ted! The neighbors will be talking about this night for years!”
“Awwww!” Rebecca waved her off like it was nothing that the entire Richmond football team had been caroling in the street.
Neither Ted or Rebecca spoke again until they got to her car, both standing on the driver’s side. “Um … you want to come back to my place for a bit?” Avoiding his face she stared at the keys in her hand.
Ted licked his lips and looked down, “I don’t know that that’s a good idea.”
Rebecca quickly composed herself from the slight sting of rejection and shook her head. “Oh, yeah. It’s late and … the match tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Ted paused, “I just think I’m a bit tender today, ya know? I wouldn’t want us to do something we regret just because we’re both feeling lonely tonight.”
“No, I… I wasn’t even thinking that … entirely… I just figured we could have a drink or talk more.”
“I’d love to. I really would. I’m just not sure tonight is the best night for it.”
“You’re right.”
They were quiet for a moment.
“Well, we should get going then, come on.” She nudged him towards the other side of the car before opening her own door and slipping into the driver’s seat.
What had been easy conversation between them for most of the night was now quiet and a bit tense on the ride home.
Ted was the first to say something. “I feel like I messed up back there.”
“Ted. You didn’t. It’s fine.”
“I shouldn’t have assumed that was what you were inviting me back to your place for…”
“It probably was. I don’t know. I just wanted to keep your company a bit longer. You’re right. It’s not the night to be making any rash decisions that could affect the rest of the year.”
“Good thing there is only one more week of the year.”
Rebecca ignored his joke.
“The thing is,” Ted continued, “It would be really easy for me to make a wrong decision with you. And I’m not ready yet to make any other kinds of decisions right now.”
They sat in more comfortable silence the rest of the way to Ted’s apartment.
Before Ted got out, he pulled off the Santa hat he’d been wearing all day.
“Your hair is a mess.” She reached up and ran her fingers through it.
Ted’s eyes darkened a bit and they sat staring at each other in the quiet cold of the car.
“Merry Christmas, Rebecca.”
“Happy Christmas, Ted.”
As Rebecca watched him walk towards his place she tipped her head back on the head rest and muttered, “Shit.”