Page 8 of A Grinchmas Delight

I exhale loudly and take another swig of my old fashioned.

“I don’t know why you couldn’t just say that from the start. Had to be all secretive and mysterious about it. Not only is she hot, but she’s actually nice. What’s your deal?”

“She’s just…not for me. I don’t even like her.”

“Could’ve fooled me the way you’ve been staring at her and swung on that guy for her. I haven’t seen you defend a woman’s honor since…”

“Shut it, Johnny. I wasn’t defending her honor. I would’ve done that for anyone.”

Johnny doesn’t say anything else for a few minutes. Then, he polishes off his drink and slams it on the bar.

“You’re a miserable fucker.”

And with that, he leaves without another word.

Maybe I am.

CHAPTER THREE

DAYRA

Of all theplaces in the world for Zane Moore to be, Scotty’s Place was not one I ever imagined having to worry about running into him at. Leon, the man that has been sitting next to me for the last thirty minutes, has gotten drunker by the minute and the more he drinks, the less respectful he is. I’ve had a few too many buttery nipple shots and my head is swimming, but I’m still coherent.

I know that I’m coherent enough to say no. His grip on my wrist tightens and I cry out in pain, trying to free my arm from his grasp. It’s no use. That’s when I see him. Zane. Standing there, demanding Leon let go of me. When Leon asks, “Or what?” Zane knocks the shit out of him.

I stare, mouth agape as the room swirls a little around me. Leon punches Zane back and I know that he fucked up. But before Zane can react, another man knocks Leon out.

“Dayra, look, I’m sor?—“

“Thank you,” I say, not letting him finish his sentence. Zane looks at me, his face unreadable, but he doesn’t say anything.

“That guy was being a jackass,” the other man says. “Hi, I’m Johnny. Zane’s older brother.”

I shake his hand. “Dayra. I work for Zane,” I say, slurring my words. The alcohol and its effects are getting to me.

“What are you doing out here? Did you drive?” Zane asks, his tone more of a demand than a question though.

“My aunt lives up the street. I’m staying there tonight because I knew I’d be drinking. My aunt drove me. Dolly’s going to bring me home.”

He must be satisfied with that answer or pissed off by it, which one i’m not sure of though, because he storms off to the bar where his drinks are.

“Don’t mind him. He’s a grouch when it comes to the holidays,” Johnny says, nodding at Zane with his chin.

“You don’t know your brother at work, then. This is his normal behavior,” I counter.

“Hmm…” Johnny rubs his chin as he stares at Zane.

“It was nice to meet you. Let me go console the Grinch.”

Johnny takes a seat next to a clearly annoyed Zane and I sit in my corner of the bar, watching him. They have a very tense exchange before Johnny leaves abruptly. Maybe I’m not the only one he talks to this way.

I open my phone and send a text to my Uncle Ken asking him to come get me. I know my cousin Dolly would’ve brought me home, but I no longer feel like being here.

Uncle Ken arrives in ten minutes flat and I smile when he walks through the door. He’s always been my safe place, always coming to rescue me. I may be thirty, but when I’m around Uncle Ken I still feel like that little girl excited to spend the weekend at my aunt and uncle’s.

“You have a few too many?” Uncle Ken asks.

I nod, sighing.

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