Page 104 of Holiday Hostilities

“I get it.” I nod. “I’ll give you some space to process.”

“Good.”

“Guess I’ll see you in a couple of days for our game against Houston?”

“Guess so,” he mutters. He turns and goes back in the house, leaving me alone in the snow with my racing thoughts.

41

AARON

“That was interesting,” Olivia says after we see a grumpy Jake and an almost apologetic Sofia to the door. Mom and Nonna also left a few minutes ago on their way to church, with Nonna muttering to herself that she’d pray for our souls after Jake and I almost threw down on the Lord’s birthday.

“I’ll say,” I reply as I study her face. She doesn’t seem too fazed, but I’m trying to gauge if that’s because she’s genuinely okay, or if she’s putting up some of those walls of hers again.

“He’s not mad at you,” I assure her, then attempt to crack a smile. “I think he just wanted to punch me in the face, to be honest.”

She snorts. “The Griswold men do love a Christmas brawl.”

“Jake was definitely dressed for a holiday throwdown,” I add, but my voice must sound forced, because Olivia frowns.

“Don’t worry about my stupid brother. He’ll come around.”

I sigh and scrub a hand over my face. “I mean, he was just being a protective big brother. I’d have done the same thing if I was him.”

“Yeah,” she says, hands on her hips. “Butyouwould have been less of a dick about it.”

“He was just worried about you getting hurt,” I say as my fingers wrap around my bracelet. “It’s nice that he was looking out for you. And you’re right, he will come around.”

“Stupid man-child,” she huffs as she crosses her arms over her chest. Then, her expression turns thoughtful. “How do you think Brandi even got that picture?”

My frown deepens. It’s been on my mind, too. “She must’ve followed us home from the game that night. I mean, we weren’t exactly making out behind closed doors. She could’ve taken that shot from the street without even coming up the driveway.” I wince at the thought, at the position I’ve put Olivia in. “I’m sorry, Liv. I never meant for you to get dragged into this.”

I’m mad that Brandi targeted Olivia.

Mad that the world had to find out about the woman I love in this way.

Mad at myself for letting this happen.

The anger settles in my stomach, gnawing at me.

“Ah, I was in it anyway after coming to the gala with you.” Olivia pulls a face. “I think this is her butt-hurt attempt at revenge after I foiled her auction plans. But on the bright side, according to that hashtag, she’s done with you.”

“Maybe,” I say as casually as I can, but my skin prickles and my thoughts are still moving too fast.

Our game against Houston is in two days, on home ice. And yes, I care that Jake is mad at me, and that this photo could get back to Lieberman.

But I realize that, above all, I care about Olivia. Howshefeels with all of this.

I was trying to give her a good Christmas, but all I’ve done is get her splashed all over Instagram as gossip fodder.

“Shall we get ready to go to the hospital?” Olivia asks, and I’m grateful for a subject change.

“Do you still want to go with me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then I’ll get everything packed up.”

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