Page 280 of Accidentally Under Your Tree

Three nights before Christmas

The cold interior of the garage was almost a relief to the stifling tension of the van ride home. The only words spoken for the fifteen-minute drive were from Rose as soon as the last door had shut behind her dad. Three whispered syllables swallowed whole as soon as they were uttered, "I'm sorry."

She'd folded in on herself, startling when Lizzy reached across the space between their seats to give her wrist a reassuring squeeze.

Affection too big to be anything but love swelled in my chest. She was steadfast and tender. I was desperate to do right by her. After my short-lived marriage, I knew what it was to be in a toxic situation. I refused to put Lizzy through that, throughthis, any longer.

Jim hung his keys on the hook at the kitchen door, holding it open for his wife and daughters, and then me.

After depositing our boots on the mat by the door, the five of us paused in the kitchen. Lizzy at her sister's side, me on the other. Their parents had a silent conversation the way two people who knew and understood each other could.

Their family tension was painfully uncomfortable, squeezing at my insides. I could identify the illness, but I didn't have the immunities for it. My peacekeeping efforts wouldn't work here, it wasn't mine to keep.

With clear apprehension, Rose cast her eyes my way. I nodded back, knowing the silent question she asked.

Jim heaved a sigh, but Rose cut him off, her voice reed thin. "I have something to say. It'll make things clearer, but it won't make you think any better of me."

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, squeezing her to my side. "Do you want me to say it?"

She shook her head. Wiping her nose on the sleeve of her blazer, she went on, "Bill and I date other people."

Kelly rolled her eyes—the gesture was exactly like her daughters.

"What is this hippy-dippy horseshit?" Jim growled. He pointed a finger at me. "So, you're okay with this, son?"

"We're just friends," Rose tried to explain.

"You and Lawrence?" Kelly demanded.

"No, me and Bill."

But Kelly continued talking as if Rose hadn't spoken. "That boy has been in love with you his entire life. Be with him or leave him alone."

"I tried," Rose said. Tears clung to her eyelashes.

"I want to stay out of your business." Kelly pressed her fingers to her forehead. "But then we catch you with your ex-boyfriend in the high school auditorium.Halfthe town was there! You're lucky it was us who found you."

"Or what, Mom?" Lizzy spoke up. "She'd ruin her reputation?"

"Lisianthus Marie." Kelly held up a finger in warning.

"Why are you so mad?" Gesturing a hand at me, still hugging Rose to my side, her shoulders rising and falling with shaky breaths. "Will isn’t mad. Look at him. She's trying to talk to you. She's trying to be honest, and you won't listen. Sometimes you make it so hard. Just close your mouth and listen."

For a few moments, the only sounds were Rose's sniffles. She opened her mouth, but then she shut it again. After one more deep breath, she forced out, "Will and I aren't dating. We're just good friends. I lied to you—"

"We lied to you," I confirmed, shame burning my cheeks.

Kelly gripped the fabric of her blouse over her heart. Behind her, Jim took a step back. I had never felt so small.

Lizzy straightened her back. "Me too. I knew too."

Rose let out a watery chuckle that fortified her. "We thought it would help the show. And I needed an excuse to stay away from Lawrence, and you see how well that worked.” Her words grew harsh. “Because Iknow, Mom."

Kelly blinked at the abrupt switch in Rose's tone.

She went on, "The audacity that you would know him more than me.'His entire life,' you don't say."

"Bring it back to the apology," Lizzy suggested, as I muttered, "Sounding less like sorry."

---