Page 21 of Under the Mistletoe

My stomach dropped. I’d been so wrapped up in my pity over Noelle I hadn’t even thought about last night. I’d totally forgotten about the party we were supposed to go to, and I’d also forgotten to close the shutters on the bar windows.

“Look, it’s not what you think,” I said, glancing over at Jenelle, who ripped her eyes from me with disappointment.

“Ha, remember, I’m a guy. I know exactly what it is,” Bruce bit out.

It was then Noelle cleared her throat. “Dad…”

I stopped her. This was my mess, not hers, and I didn’t want her to say things she’d regret. This was her parents.

“Sit down, just relax,” I said, taking hold of her hand and pulling her down beside me.

“Look, I’m sorry you saw what you did. Please, just let me explain.”

“Let you explain? Ha, do you think you deserve a chance to explain?” Bruce questioned. “We do not.”

He had every right to be pissed, and I could tell from his demeanor he was growing angrier by the minute. Yet, he still needed to allow me to explain our side of the situation.

“Dad, please,” Noelle cried.

I looked over at her, silently begging her to stop and just allow me to handle the situation. I could see the anger in her eyes. I could also see her fear.

“Bruce, Jenelle, this isn’t what you think. I truly am in love with Noelle. I never meant for this to happen or for you to find out the way you have. We were going to tell you after Christmas, however, now that it has happened, there is nothing I can do about it now except to stand up and tell you to your face that—”

“Spare me. I don’t want to listen to this shit. I know men like you. Hell, we both know men like you. From now on, you are not welcome in our home or to be here around Jenelle or Noelle.”

“What?” I questioned; not sure I heard the words correctly. I was trying to do the right thing, and it was blowing up in my face and resulting in exactly what I’d known would happen.

“Bruce, I think you are overreacting,” Jenelle said, placing her hand on his forearm. “Perhaps we give this some time, think things over, let the dust settle, and look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow or the next day. We really shouldn’t be acting in haste. Noelle is an adult.”

“There is no need,” Bruce said, glaring back at me. “My answer is definitive. Noelle is only a child, and she needs protecting from men like this. Bentley, I never thought I’d have to say these words, and while it kills me, I want you to get the fuck out of my house.”

I grabbed a napkin from the pile and placed it against my lip where it was bleeding again as I heard Noelle crying. She grabbed my arm, begging me not to leave, and even though I wanted to fight for her, I had a feeling it would only make things worse.

I left the room and headed through the kitchen to the front door. With my hand on the knob, I stood there for a moment, looking around at the only proper home I’d been welcomed into.

As I looked at the decorated tree lit in the corner, memories of the past Christmases came rushing to my memory. I let out the breath I was holding and went to open the door when I heard Noelle shout.

“Dad, how dare you kick him out of the house!” Noelle cried as she came running toward me and grabbing for my hand.

Instead of reaching for her or allowing her to take my hand, I simply walked out of the house, shutting the door behind me.I couldn’t stand to see her cry. My heart was already breaking at everything I’d just lost in those ten minutes.

As I made my way to my car, I realized exactly how right people were. Things you love, people you love, could be gone in an instant. Not only had I lost my best friend, but I’d lost what I believed could have been the best thing for me.

Thirteen

Noelle

The moment Bentley walked out I went up to my room and stayed here for well over two hours. Now I sat in my reading nook, staring out the front window, wishing he’d come back and take me away from here.

Tears were still streaming down my face as I heard my bedroom door open and gently close. I didn’t turn to see who it was; I didn’t care. I literally felt like I could die!

“Noelle, honey…” I heard my mother say.

“Go away,” I bit out, playing with a tag on the pillow I held in my lap. When I didn’t hear her leave, I tore my eyes from the window to see her standing there.

She looked at me with sadness in her eyes, and that was when the tears started up again. I needed her to hug me and let me know it was okay, so I got up and ran into her waiting arms. Tears flowed freely down as I crashed into her, hugging her tightly.

“It’s okay,” she whispered, running her hand over my hair.

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