Page 34 of One Timer With A Wingman

He isn’t wrong but I thought he was worried about Briar, not me.

“That’s true. I like her. What’s the problem with that?” I ask him.

“There isn’t one,” he says, and he walks past me into the bathroom. His words take a moment to sink in. I realize what he’s getting at. If I’m this invested in her now, how am I walking away the day after tomorrow? The truth is, I don’t know but I can’t go back on our deal. We said this was a fling and that’s what it needs to stay. Briar’s life is complicated and so is mine. So whatever this is will end when we return home as planned. For now, I plan to milk every moment with her.

CHAPTERTEN

Briar

This has been my best Christmas in a long while. We are sitting around a large circular table with poinsettias in the middle, eating turkey with gravy and stuffing. My first year at Riverside, I spent the holidays alone in my apartment. The second year, a bunch of friends made a potluck Thanksgiving meal that consisted of a lot of junk food and chocolate, but the company was good and I didn’t complain. That turned into a Christmas potluck but since no one wanted to cook anything, we ordered pizza and wings. This year takes the cake.

“I haven’t had such a good Christmas dinner in a long time,” Nolan says, leaning back in his chair like he’s overeaten.

“Right,” Levi agrees.

“Don’t dis the pizza and wings,” Ivy says. “Pizza is my favorite meal.”

“But this is real food. I haven’t eaten this good in I don’t know how long,” I add.

When I look over to Aaron, he’s frowning. He’s different than us. We all have a story of why we don’t go home for the holidays, but Aaron comes from a nice loving family, who is hurting right now.

“Try this cranberry sauce.” Lynsey points.

“I’m not a sauce person,” Taylor replies.

“Me neither,” I agree with Taylor.

“We’re going to need to find another deal next year,” Simon says.

Everyone lifts their wine glasses. “Hear! Hear!”

“I could definitely get used to taking vacations, but I’ve spent way more than I should’ve,” I admit to my friends. “Guess who’ll be eating lots of ramen noodles when she gets back?”

“That goes for all of us.” Levi laughs.

“Who’s ready for dessert?” Aaron asks.

The hotel has set up a long, sweet table covered in candy canes, gingerbread cookies, truffles, red velvet brownies, Christmas cake, and other delicious treats.

“I’ll pass.” I can’t afford to gain weight now. I have competitions coming up when we get back to Riverside. There’s no way I want my coaches side-eyeing me.

“I should pass on the brownies even though I love red velvet,,” Aaron says.

“We can tell who’s an athlete around here.” Jack winks. He’s on the school wrestling team. “I’m going to hit the sweet table and then the gym.”

“I thought you were going to do me,” Ivy remarks.

“You’ll be my cardio.” Jack grins.

“You guys are so cheesy,” Lynsey complains.

“The night is still young. How about we go to the bar and do some Christmas Karaoke?” Simon asks.

“I’m down,” Nolan answers.

After dinner we head to the bar. It’s a different vibe being on vacation. The weather is warm and it feels good to always have friends around. Life doesn’t seem so lonely.

We head to the bar and luckily the mixed drinks are included in our all-inclusive fee. All the girls order cosmos. We lean into each other and take selfies, until Levi jumps in front of Sofia’s camera and photobombs the picture with his body flying in the air and his tongue sticking out. After that the guys get in on the selfies. We’re making memories. It’s not something I’m used to. I don’t have family photos past age ten. That was the point where life as I knew it changed. It would never be the same for me again: a broken family, a distracted mother, an absent father. I learned to be on my own and survive. Loneliness became my best friend. Letting loose these last couple of days, spending nights with Aaron buried deep inside me, has me feeling things I shouldn’t be feeling. When Aaron’s arms are around me, I feel like I belong in them, until I remind myself we expire tomorrow. I remind my heart not to get away from itself, but it still seems to be falling.

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