Page 18 of The Pucking Girl Next Door

"Merry Christmas," my dad bellows from across the room.

"Mom. Dad. What are you guys doing here?" I ask as both of my sisters, their husbands, and kids follow them into the house. Before they can answer my questions my brother and his wife also enter the house.

Oh shit. This is not good.

"Mom and Dad felt bad that you were here all on your own, so we came home as soon as the airport was open. Merry Christmas, little sister," she says as she walks over to me and brings me into her for a hug.

When she pulls back, her face screws up and she gives an obnoxious sniff. "You stink. You need to go take a shower," she says as she gives me a slight shove.

"That's a great idea. I'm going to shower while everyone settles in," I say as Smith scowls at me, but I don't care because I will not sit here and do Christmas dinner smelling like him and sex.

Chapter 16

Smith

After the intrusion of her family coming home, Annabelle retreated to go take a shower, which rubbed me the wrong way a bit I want everyone to know that she belongs to me, but the more rational man in me says she doesn't need to smell like sex around her family.

I watch her go up the stairs, when I hear a deep chuckle from next to me. "Oh, man, you've got it bad."

When I look over my shoulder, I see that everyone else has also retreated to other parts of the house leaving me in the living room alone with Steve who's grinning at me, like a lunatic. But I can't really say anything to him about it because I was the same way with him when he had met Kayla. I was probably worse because I kept trying to get him to party and meet other girls, at least until Kayla and him set me straight.

Instead of denying it I just nod my head. "Yes. I have it bad."

His face softens when he asks, "Have you guys talked about how you're going to make it work?"

I glance back over my shoulder toward the stairs where Annabelle disappeared at, then back at him. "Not yet. I just told her she's it for me, but we haven't figured out the details yet. I was hoping to do that today, since I have to head back tomorrow."

He nods his head. "That would be good. I'll help you get her alone."

"Thanks, man."

"No problem. Want to go in the kitchen and see if the hot chocolate is ready? My mom said she was going to make it as soon as we landed for the grandkids. I bet we could steal some," he says giving me a wink.

"Just like when we were kids?" I laugh out.

"Exactly."

We both walk into the kitchen and to our surprise we didn't have to steal anything, a cup of hot chocolate was shoved into our hands as soon as we entered. "Thanks Mrs. Rogers."

"You don't have to thank me. I remember how much you boys liked hot chocolate."

"Well, you did always make the best hot chocolate."

Sipping my mug, I listen to the Rogers family as they reminisce of past Christmases. When Annabelle joins us a few minutes later, freshly showered and looking beautiful as always. Her sister Eve passes her a mug of hot chocolate as she settles on a stool. I couldn't help but watch. I'm hypnotized by her.

Seeing how everyone in their family interacted once again filled my chest with warmth but also a hint of sadness. This is what my family was like before my mom passed away. If Annabelle and I stayed together, I could have this again. Watching her laugh and seeing how much she appreciates her family makes me excited for the future. I need to figure out how to get her alone so we can talk some.

The day goes by too quickly with all the Christmas traditions that the family has. The ladies and kids made cookies while we watched the Christmas basketball game. Quickly after that, we went outside to see who could make the biggest snowman, which was actually really fun. The kids were hilarious.

In between all of those things, Mrs. Rogers was able to make dinner for everyone, somehow. Which honestly is super impressive. All of these things helped me to look to the future, one with Annabelle.

Finally, we all settle down to watch a holiday movie. I just hope that afterwards I'll be able to corner her.

Halfway through the movie, I glance around and see that Annabelle and I are the only ones who are still awake.

Now is my time. "Hey Annabelle, want to go have one last hot chocolate before bed?"

Before answering, she looks around the room, as if she's searching for something, but I'm not sure why she wouldn't want to talk to me. After a few seconds, her shoulders sag a bit. "Sure," she answers while getting up from the couch.

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