Page 75 of Merry Kissmas

“Because I didn’t fight back.Because I was quiet and reserved.He said all I did was stare at it all day.”

She sighs.“You were a boy who’d lost his parents.”

I shake my head.“To him, I was just the boy who wasn’t fawning over him and making him believe he was a big deal.He thought I was weak…”

“And?”This woman catches everything.

“I’m not proud of how I reacted.”

“Okay…” She waits for me to continue.

“After he broke it, I tackled him to the ground, jumped on top of him, and hit him over and over.I didn’t stop until people pulled me off him.”

“I understand why you did it.”

“I shouldn’t have.It didn’t solve the issue.They were going to kick me out, and I was happy about it, but instead they forced me into counseling to work on my anger.In the end, it was the best thing that could have happened because I needed to talk to someone, and my therapist got through to me.I’d probably be a royally messed up adult if it wasn’t for him.”I wipe at the tear that slips down her cheek.

“I’m sorry.I shouldn’t cry, it was your life, not mine.”

“Don’t ever apologize for your feelings.Own them.That is one thing therapy taught me.I still have a hard time putting it into practice, but I try to remind myself not to ignore or disregard how I feel.”

She smiles and throws herself into my arms, her cheek on my chest.“You’re amazing.I hope you know that.”

“You might not think that when I leave the toilet seat up.”

She shakes her head, giggling, and I squeeze her tightly.

“Let’s go get a coffee,” I say, and she nods.

We walk down the block, grab a coffee, and do some shopping together until I ask to separate from her for half an hour so that I can purchase her a gift.We end up having lunch after that, and the melancholy mood lifts to laughter and jokes.

She says I’m amazing, but she’s the one who allows me to be fully transparent with my feelings.That means the world to me.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Brynn

We all sit around the table.I’m not even going to ask where Carter found these candy cane ice sculptures that sit between each couple.

“Only you,” Tre says, staring at the twenty-four-inch ice block in front of him.

“And why exactly is the candy cane upside down?”Pierce asks.

I love that he’s becoming more comfortable with my family.

“So it would stay standing up under the weight of the ice.You guys are the ones with dirty minds, I just want to make that clear.”Carter looks between each one of us.

“All right, everyone.Hands and mouths only.”Mom rolls her eyes.“Go!”

Pierce leans in.“I’ll use my mouth on the lower part, and you use your hands.We’ll swap when you get too cold.”

“Okay.”I bust out laughing, seeing Kenzie watching in amazement at Andrew licking the stick of the candy cane.

Pierce bends down and sucks the tip while I run my hands up and down the main stick.Water drips down my wrists onto my forearms.

Tre’s staring at us all as though he’s about to tap out and not care about the win.

“You’ve got a good mouth, put it to use,” Tessa tells him.

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