Page 12 of Stuffing His Stocking

“You take such good care of us. Don’t ever leave me, Eileen, or I’ll be heartbroken.”

“Boy, I’m old enough to be your mother. Now, stop flirting with me and let me get back to work.” She lays some extra paper napkins on the table, then struts to the bar to place our order.

We’ve been coming here for a few years now. It’s much more low-key than the rowdy bar where I first met Mike. Sometimes, a couple of the guys at work come too, but most nights it’s just us. I like it that way because it never feels like a work thing. Just two friends hanging out after a long day. Or maybe even like a son catching up with his father, but I wouldn’t know what that feels like because mine is always too busy for me.

Eileen drops off two frosted mugs and a cold pitcher of beer, filling each of our cups before moving on to another table.

“You expecting a call from someone?” Mike peers at me over the top of his glass as he takes a long sip. He must’ve noticed me glancing at my phone, which I’ve done a few times since I sat down. I’ve been waiting for Liv to send me her address, and the longer it takes, the more I worry she’s changed her mind.

“Nah, just a text. It’s fine.” I wipe my upper lip with a napkin after a few gulps of my beer.

“Is this a new one? Or is this still Kayla?”

“Definitely not Kayla.” I scowl at the mention of that woman’s name and earn myself a low chuckle.

“Aw, c’mon now. She wasn’t that bad.”

My features drop as I give him a deadpan stare. “She was a stage-five clinger, Mike. Always calling and texting. And she showed up on the job. We had one date.One.”

“I told you I didn’t get a good feeling about her. She had crazy eyes.”

I almost choke on my beer. “She didn’t have crazy eyes. She was cute.”

To be honest, shedidhave crazy eyes, like she was coked out but wasn’t. Growing up with money like I did, I saw my fair share of drug use, and I’d recognize that jittery look from a mile away. But that was just Kayla. It wasn’t drugs; it was obsession. The girl was fucking nuts.

“It’s always the short, cute ones you gotta watch out for. Trust me on that one.”

“Well, this is a different short, cute one. And she’s quite a bit younger.”

That intrigues him, and he subtly leans forward in his seat.

“Don’t get too excited. It’s just Olivia, my stepsister.”Ugh, calling her that tastes bitter on my tongue.

“Wait. Didn’t your parents divorce a long time ago? She’s not your sister anymore.” His brow wrinkles and he tilts his head.

I sigh and look down at the table. “No, I guess not. But that’s what people will think.”

“What people? You’ve only mentioned her to me a few times, and I doubt anyone else even knows about her.” He does have a point. “And your dad was barely married to her mom for what… a year?”

I nod my head to confirm.

“So, is the issue that she’s younger? Because I’m not seeing a problem.”

I know he’s right, but in the back of my mind I worry about what my father would say. Since the day I was born, I’ve alwaysbeen concerned about what he thinks. Not that it’s done me any good.

“You know how people have a tendency to dig up the past whenever it suits them. I personally don’t give a shit about any of it, but Bruce will. Can’t have his son tarnishing his reputation now, can we?” A tinge of resentment stirs in my stomach but I ignore it.

“Fuck him,” Mike urges. “You’ve made something of yourself and you did it without him. You were a bratty little shit when we met, but look at you now. You work hard, make a damn good living, and all the guys on the jobsite respect you. Be proud of who you are, son. I sure am.”

I doubt Mike has any idea how much his words mean to me, but I also know he’s not the kind of man to make a big deal out of it. “I appreciate you saying that. And for everything you’ve done for me over the years.”

He swipes a dismissive hand through the air. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t go cryin’ on me now.” He snickers.

Eileen returns to our table with plates, a metal stand, and a piping hot pizza.Fuck, that smells good.“You boys let me know if you need anything else.”

We give her our thanks, and she saunters off.

“Liv, huh? What’s that about?” Mike fills our plates with food while I top off our drinks.

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