Page 137 of The Tempted

“Anyone ever call you the Grinch, Bianci?”

“Bah Humbug,” I snapped with a laugh before turning around and heading to my car.

“Merry Christmas!” he called out causing me to stop in my tracks and look over my shoulder at him.

“You too, man. Try and keep your spirits up,” I replied, knowing that even though Jack probably hadn’t spent a holiday with his brother in years, he’d still feel the loss on the first holiday without him.

My phone rang inside of my back pocket and as I pulled open my passenger door, throwing my gym bag inside, I accepted the call without looking at the caller ID.

“Bianci.”

“Oh my God, you answered on the first try.” It was funny how the sound of my sister’s voice melted the ice inside of me. I hadn’t spoken to her much since I had been home, figuring she was busy getting her nursing degree and all. Every once in a while she’d drop me a call or send a text.

“Hey Lau,” I greeted as I climbed into my truck.

“Where are you? You know what, I don’t even care because I’m calling you to tell you that you have like a half hour to get to Mom’s or else we’re bringing Christmas to you.”

I chuckled slightly. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, come on Ant, you weren’t thinking about skipping out on Christmas were you?”

Telling her that was my exact plan was most likely a bad idea so instead I sighed and lied through my teeth. I was getting good at it. Too good.

“No, Lau I was just going to stop off at the bakery before I came. Anything you want in particular?”

“Hmm…get cupcakes.”

“Cupcakes?”

“Yes, vanilla frosted or if they have those character ones.”

“Character ones?”

“Yes those are better, they put love into the themed ones,” she said knowingly.

I shook my head as I pulled out of the parking spot. I guess besides going home to grab the gifts I had bought but not wrapped, I now had to go get cupcakes too. Bah fucking humbug.

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