Page 23 of New Home for the Holidays

A few days ago, when Cove and Langston arrived in town, I knew I couldn’t put off going over there any longer. It was amazing to see Cove and meeting Langston was strange. I’ve listened to his music for years and saw his fall from grace play out in in the news, but he’s not what I expected at all.

Sure, he’s famous and a rock star, but he’s also just a guy. A guy who is clearly head over heels in love with my little sister.

Cove glows from the inside. Being in love suits her.

I found myself wondering if I was glowing the same way she does now. My curiosity was asswaged the moment I was pulled into the kitchen by Cove and Mom. They looked at me expectantly.

I tried to brush off their obvious curiosity by keeping my voice neutral as I gave them a bewildered look, “What?”

Cove giggled and shook her head while arching an eyebrow my way. Mom let out an exaggerated huff and plopped both of her hands on her hips. “Spill,” Mom’s command left very little room for argument.

“Um,” I shrugged and tried to put the spotlight on Cove by teasing her, “you’re looking amazing Cove. It seems Denver agrees with you.”

She pointed a finger at me and narrowed her eyes before calling me out, “Nice try, big sister. I’m not the only one who seems to have life agreeing with them right now. You’repractically sparkling, and it has nothing to do with the holidays. Mom’s right—spill.”

I sighed and admitted, “I’ve been seeing a guy. It’s still new which is why I didn’t mention it.”

Mom gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth while her eyes got all watery. It was so over the top and dramatic.

I pursed my lips and shot her an unimpressed look before snarking, “What? Surprised that I’ve found someone?”

“Well, it’s about damn time,” Mom snarked right back, but there was only amusement dancing in her eyes. “You’ll bring him by for Christmas,” she decreed.

I was able to put off going into detail, but I did reluctantly agree to ask him to the family home for Christmas. And since then, I’ve been putting it off. All because of Jared.

He’s been distant since I’ve started seeing Walker. He hasn’t said anything to me directly, but his displeasure with the situation might as well be a giant neon sign.

“What are you thinking about?” Walker’s question pulls me back into the here and now.

I almost breathe a sigh of relief when the oven timer goes off and I have something to do while I blurt, “I’ll be going to my parent’s house tomorrow for Christmas. Since we aren’t kids anymore, they don’t get up super early, but they do expect everyone to get there midday. We exchange presents and then have dinner.” I glance at him and he’s studying me closely. I try, and fail, to keep the hope out of my voice, “I was curious if you’d come with me?”

The way Walker’s jaw clenches has my heart sinking. He doesn’t want to go with me.

What I don’t understand is why. Is this just something we have in private? Like I’m some sort of secret?

The thought is gut wrenching, and I turn away from him and busy myself with getting the cookies on the cooling rack. Before I can get too lost in thought, Walker’s arms wrap around me, and he pulls me back toward him until his strong chest is pressed up against me.

“Treasure,” he murmurs softly, “are you sure you want me there?”

“If you don’t want to go, it’s fine. I just know you’re off tomorrow and I thought it would be nice. It’s not a big deal. Really,” the words sound hollow and false, even to my ears.

“I want to go with you,” he admits.

I whirl around and look up at him as a mixture of annoyance and curiosity swirls in my gut. “Then why do you look so wary about it?” I narrow my eyes. “I would have thought you would jump at the chance. You’re the one who has been pushing for us to spend all this time together. Unless one of us is at work, which isn’t a thing for me right now, we’re together. But it’s always here.” I let my fear fall from my lips, “Is this some kind of secret thing?”

“No,” Walker barks. His large hands come up and cup my face, his eyes are earnest and filled with fear and hesitance. “It’s nothing like that, Morgan. I promise.”

I push, “Then what is it?”

Walker’s shoulders slump slightly, but he doesn’t let go of me. His dark eyes search mine for a moment before he kisses my forehead. I’m a damn sucker for his forehead kisses and he knows it.

“Don’t try and make me melt with your sweetness right now, Walker.”

He chuckles, the sound making goosebumps pop up all over my body. There’s something about his laugh that I find intoxicating. He knows it too, the jerk.

“Jared has confronted me more than once about us,” Walker admits, his voice quiet and reserved. He eyes me, a wariness in his gaze which has me wishing I had never asked.

My heart sinks. Of course Jared went straight to Walker with his threats and bullshit. I should have known, but he never mentioned it; neither one of them mentioned it.

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