Page 152 of Suck My Puck

Maya:Merry Christmas! Santa arrived in the form of Theo waking me up this morning wearing nothing but a Santa hat.

Ingrid:Oh my god, please stop talking about my cousin being naked, I’m going to puke.

Maya:lol sorry!

Sophie:Aww haha hang in there, Ingrid! We’re on our way to pick up Xander’s mom and then having brunch at my dad’s. Sending you all joy and love!

Dakota:Merry Christmas! Ingrid, we’re gonna be a little late to Christmas brunch, Jake is in the middle of a songwriting session. Inspiration hit him, I guess. Sorry about that!

Ingrid:No worries! Come whenever! We’ll all just be hanging out at our house sipping on cider and grazing on appetizers. Your mom is making prime rib for dinner though so come hungry!

Me:Merry Christmas to you all! Sounds like you’re all having fun times

Ingrid:Bella, how was your morning?

Me:So nice! Braden surprised me with breakfast in bed. Homemade cinnamon rolls!

Ingrid:Aww!

Sophie:OMG yum!

Dakota:Sounds so cozy!

Maya:He baked for you? That’s true love right there.

Me:It’s been the perfect Christmas :)

Braden says his mom and grandparents want to say hi to me, so I visit with them for a few minutes.

My phone buzzes and I excuse myself to answer it. But when I see who’s calling me, I freeze.

No way.

Chapter 53

Bella

When I see my Mom’s number flash on my phone screen, I’m too shocked to do anything. I just stare at my phone, not sure what to do or how to feel.

I feel my defenses pop up instantly. My parents probably want to lecture me for the millionth time about how I messed up my life and how I’m doing everything wrong still. Or go off on me for not bothering to see them for Christmas.

I let the call go to voicemail.

“Hey. Are you okay?”

Braden’s concerned tone pulls me out of my thoughts. I look at him and see that he’s finished talking to his family.

I shake my head. “My parents just called me.”

“Oh.” He’s quiet for a second and looks down at my phone. “You don’t want to talk to them?”

“I don’t really feel like being told off by them. Or arguing with them.”

He nods like he understands and pulls me into a hug.

A second later, my phone buzzes with a text. It’s a message in the group text I have with my parents.

Despite our tense relationship, a stab of guilt hits me. It feels wrong to ignore my parents when they’re trying so hard to get ahold of me.

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