Page 11 of Stuffing His Stocking

“Of course, it is. I’d love to see Dylan. But why isn’t he spending Christmas with his father?”

“I’ll let him explain everything when we get there. Just know he’s coming home with me for a few days, and I had to do some fast persuading to get him to do it.”

“Somehow, I doubt that, Livie. He was always quite fond of you. I’m sure he wants to spend this time getting to know his sister.”

Ew, gross.

“For all that is holy, Mom, please do not refer to me as hissister. You and Bruce were barely married for five minutes, and I can count on one hand the number of times I actually even saw Dylan during that time. I was just some dumb kid. He doesn’t even know me.”

She mutters to herself, but I can still hear her. “I think you’d be surprised to find out what he knows.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing, honey. Don’t worry about that.”

I narrow my gaze, even though she can’t see me.

“So what time will you two be here, then?”

“He’s going to pick me up around eight, and then we’ll hit the road.” It’ll be like waiting for Christmas morning and I doubt I’ll sleep a wink. I’m more excited to see him than I care to admit.

“Well, you guys be safe on your way here. It’s been snowing quite a bit these last few days.” And we all remember what happened last time he had to drive back home in the snow.

“We’ll be safe. I promise. I’ll text you when we head out.”

Mom exhales a wistful sigh. “I’m glad you ran into Dylan, honey. I can’t wait to see the both of you.”

“Me too, Mom. I love you.” I hang up my phone and fall back onto the bed again.

I’ll be spending over a week with a hotter-than-sin older man. Looks like this holiday season just got a little brighter.

4

DYLAN

The familiar scent of greasy food and cheap beer fills the air as I walk through the crowd at Barley’s. It’s a dive bar in the old part of downtown that’s popular with the locals.Wheel of Fortuneis showing on one of the big screen TVs, which means it’s after seven o’clock and Mike’s already here. The man has never been late to anything and always arrives ten minutes early to our weekly hangout.

“'Bout time you showed up,” he taunts while I slide into my side of our usual booth.

I check the time on my phone as I set it on the table. “It’s five after, man. Cut me some slack.”

He gives me a smirk. “Good thing you’re on time for work or I’d have to fire your ass.”

“You’d never get rid of me,” I scoff. “Who else would come down here just to drink this swill with you?”

“Hey, I resent that,” a feminine voice exclaims.

I look up to find Eileen standing at the end of our table. She’s been working here since the bar opened twenty years ago and she’s always our server. She’s got a sassy mouth and a shit attitude, but she’s the best damn waitress in the city.

With my hand over my heart, I humbly apologize. “You know I didn’t mean it.” The corners of my lips turn down in an exaggerated frown. “Don’t be mad at me. I was only joking.”

She smacks the top of my hand with a laminated menu. “You’re lucky you’re pretty.”

I respond to her compliment with a grin.

“Don’t go blowin’ his head up any more than it already is or he’ll never get it through the door.” Mike winks at her.

“You boys want the usual? Large works and a pitcher?”

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