Page 11 of Havoc's Fox

“It really does. Food is always a big part of all our celebrations. It’s a common love language among us all.”

“I like the fact that when it’s ready, it calls everyone together, and we all go willingly, needing to share not only the sustenance, but the bonding it gives, too.”

“Tempest?” Analise said.

Tempest smiled as she looked at Analise, knowing maybe she’d pressed too hard.

“That’s enough. Please. I’m not home to reconcile with Havoc. I’m not even home to interact with Havoc. I’m just here to spend the first Christmas in years with my family. He happens to be here, too. That’s all it is.”

Tempest opened her mouth to speak, but Analise cut her off.

“I’m well aware of what we are, and were, and will never be again. Sometimes you only get one chance, and we’ve had ours. I wish him happiness, love and laughter — just not with me. Can we just leave it at that?”

Tempest gave Analise a single nod. “Of course. I’m sorry I overstepped. I just want everyone to have what I’ve found. And you’re both part of my new life.”

“Respectfully, I’ve had enough of everyone trying ‘fix’ us. We can’t be fixed. Better yet, there is nothing to fix. Why don’t you focus on Barron and Emmalyn instead.”

“I don’t feel the same need coming from them.”

Analise hugged Tempest and smiled at her. “Thank you for caring, but it’s done.” She walked around to her usual spot next to her sister and sat down as Tempest found her own seat next to Brandt.

“What does she mean she doesn’t feel the same need coming from me and Barron? We have need!” Emmalyn rushed out in a whisper.

“Ask her. Not me,” Analise answered.

Havoc leaned over and caught Brandt’s eye. “Can I say something?”

Brandt raised an eyebrow.

“Nicely,” Havoc added.

“Sure,” Brandt answered.

Havoc stood up and cleared his throat. Everyone quieted down and waited for him to speak. “I just feel the need to address the elephant in the room. Everybody is so damn worried about what Analise and I might or might not say to each other that they’re falling over themselves to try to make things right between us, and give us whatever it is they think that we need. What we need, more than anything, is for y’all to just stop. Let us be. We just want to forget anything except being with our families for now. We’re managing to do that. Can y’all just leave it alone, please? Leave her alone.”

“It’s just that we know how things…”

“Should have been? Nobody knows what should have been. The only thing we know for sure is how things are. Can’t go back in the past, can only go forward. Let’s do that, please,” Havoc said, his irritation beginning to show.

“Sounds like a great plan to me,” Brandt said.

“Same,” Kaid said.

“Who wants a corner piece?” Goldy asked, having cut up one of the lasagnas laid out in the middle of the table.

“I do!” Barron said.

“It looks and smells so good,” Tempest said.

“Wait until tomorrow. Everybody brings their special holiday dish and you eat until you can’t anymore, then you rest and eat again,” Analise said with a wide smile, making sure everyone saw she and Tempest making nice so they’d all relax and enjoy their night.

“Looking forward to that,” Brandt said.

“Them slimy peas…” Kaid said. “They still the best.”

Havoc was taking his time cutting up Harley’s lasagna. When he finished and looked up, he made eye contact with Analise briefly.

She smiled at him and mouthed ‘thank you’.

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