Page 25 of Havoc for the Holidays

“Are you excited for your stage debut?” The mother of my daughter’s classmate scrunched her eyes with a smirk. “I've heard it's going to be quite abigshow.”

My cheeks instantly flamed at her not-so-subtle comment. “Uh… sure. Pardon me… I have errands to run.”

“See you later, Ollie.”

“Oh, right. Later!” I couldn't escape fast enough. The absolute last thing I wanted was to suffer through a conversation wherein a fellow parent commented on the size of my dick in dance tights while standing in the hallway of the school. I shuddered as I raced to my car. Some people had no shame whatsoever. I was filled with it constantly. I guess that was the law of checks and balances.

Since I was already out and about, I detoured to the local grocery store to get the cake mix and icing I had forgotten I needed for the party I failed to remember. Thankfully, there were only a few cars in the parking lot. With any luck, I could be in and out without any fuss or unnecessary conversation.

Efficiency was the name of the game as soon as I entered the automatic doors. Townsend and Sons Mercantile was far smaller than any chain grocery store, but they somehow managed to stock just about anything anyone could ever need. I'd been coming here my entire life, and had spent most of my teen years working as a stock clerk, so I knew my way around like the back of my hand.

I grabbed a box of cake mix and a tub of icing from the shelf and bee-lined it to the back of the store. Discovering my best friend hard at work doing inventory of the dairy section was a pleasant surprise. If I had to run into anyone, I would have preferred it be him.

“Morning, Linc.” I slid in beside him and grabbed a carton of eggs from the stack. “Sorry to mess up your numbers.”

“Olls! Good to see you.” He lowered his clipboard with a genuine smile that eased my lingering anxiety. “How are you?”

“Busy. Too busy.” I blew an errant curl from my eyes and shrugged. “How're you?”

“Doing well. Excited for the show?”

I immediately scrunched my nose.

“Don't be like that. You’ll do fine.”

“Maybe. Probably not.”

“Olls…” He turned toward me with a stern expression. “It's all for fun. Don't be so serious all the time. Get up there, dance around with your girl and your man, and laugh it off.”

I darted my gaze away as I nibbled at my lower lip. The fact that I had yet to return Ezechiel’s calls for the last two days was something I wasn't ready to admit to. I was a coward of the highest order and the guilt crept up my throat until I was forced to clear it with a cough.

“I don't know. It's… overwhelming. All of it.”

He knew more than he was letting on judging by his narrowing eyes and clenching jaw. “Hmn.”

“What?”

“Don't.”

“Don't what?”

“Don't do exactly what I know you're doing.” He reached out and tapped my nose with the end of his pen. “I'll be disappointed.”

I puffed my cheeks out with a breath before expelling it through pursed lips. “Story of my life.”

“Olls, hey—”

“I've got to get home. I'll see you later, Linc.” I turned away before I could see the actual disappointment on his face.

“Ollie, I didn't mean—”

“I know.” I glanced over my shoulder while retreating. “I'll see you later on.”

He deflated with a grim expression and nodded before lifting his hand in a wave. I returned the gesture and fled into the nearest aisle to avoid any more of the uncomfortable exchange.

There was only one register open, so I set my products down and exchanged a small smile with the cashier. I recognized her from when I was in high school. To be honest, it was strange to realize that I was only a couple years older than the recent graduate on the other side of the counter. Sometimes I felt twice my age.

“Hey, Ollie.” She quickly slid all three items over the scanner.

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