Page 55 of Holly Freakin' Hughes

“Herealone?” The man who acted as a second father for much of my life had asked methat same question on every occasion since Julia was no longer in the picture.

Ismiled solemnly. "You know it.”

“She’sout there, Brandon,” he said, nodding with certainty.

“Iknow,” I replied, gazing into the therapeutic slosh of the amber liquid. Andshe’s with someone else,I thought, and the Scotch turned to poison onmy tongue.

Hecocked his head and his forehead crumpled in thought. “Then go get her,” heencouraged, leaning forward to gently tap my shoulder with the back of hishand.

“Wishit were that easy.”

Mr.Bolton straightened his back, shoved his silver-rimmed glasses up the bridge ofhis beak-like nose, and pointed a finger at me. It struck me then that I waslooking at Nick in thirty years, and the thought gently lifted a side of mymouth into an almost-smile.

“Neverunderestimate the power of a man in love, Brandon,” he said. His finger waggedfor a moment before he nudged his foot against my boot again, and off he wentto schmooze with the other guests.

Isniffed a laugh before downing the rest of my own glass, and got up from thecouch to find the kitchen sink. After weaving through the clusters of friendsand family members, I found Nick and Ashley hustling to get Christmas Evedinner out onto the buffet table. Lynn, the eldest of their three daughters,was carrying trays of food on unsteady legs as though she were performing on atight-rope, and upon entering the kitchen, I hurried over to her before shecould drop the aluminum pan of roasted potatoes.

“Thanks,Uncle Brandon.” She exhaled a sigh of relief, dramatically wiping her brow.

Iplaced the tray among the other steaming dishes of food, and turned back to theeight-year-old looking way too old in her Christmas dress and high-heeledshoes.

“Whydon’t you go play with the other kids?” I reached out a hand to tuck a strandof her auburn hair behind an ear. “I can help these losers out with the rest ofthis stuff.”

Thatbrought out a giggle from her. She turned to her parents, asking to confirmthat it was okay to abandon her duties as Kitchen Helper.

“Thanks,B. Now she’ll be making it a point to call us her loser parents.” Ashleygroaned, turning to point her pregnant belly in my direction with a hand on herhip. “Go ahead,Lynnie. We’ll put Uncle Brandon towork, but you owe him one.”

“I’llsettle for a hug,” I said with a laugh, catching the worried look in Lynn’sgreen eyes, perfectly matching her mother’s. With a look of relief, the girloutstretched her arms up to me, and with a swift bend, I wrapped my arms aroundher waist and lifted her up, squeezing around her. With her arms tightly aroundmy neck, I groaned with enthusiasm. “You give the best hugs. That’s why you’remy first favorite niece.”

“Firstfavorite gets the best presents, right?” She gave me a wide-eyed hopeful stare.

“Maybe,but don’t tell Second and Third, okay?” I said, putting her feet back on thefloor.

Satisfied,Lynn ran off to join her sisters and cousins in the basement playroom, leavingme alone with her parents in the bright country-style kitchen. Ashley shook herhead, mumbling that I better not have spoiled them again, and I could onlyshrug with a little smirk plastered on my face.

Nickspooned candied yams into a tray and passed it into my hands. “So, how arethings going withYou-Know?” His voice implied that he was teasing me,while his eyes held something deeper. Something a little like hope.

Withthe tray securely next to the mashed potatoes and steamed carrots, I shook myhead in response to his prying, and said that it was over. Nick’s tone quicklychanged to one of concern, and asked what the fuck had happened with an accusingtouch that I didn’t exactly appreciate. In as few words as possible, Imentioned that I had missed my window of opportunity the moment she had foundherself a boyfriend. I threw in that I had been almost successfully avoidingher for the past month, but then the kiss crossed my mind. Try as I might, Icouldn’t fight the smile that stretched my lips as Ashley handed me a basket offluffy warm biscuits.

“Hmm,I haven’t seenthatlook in a long time. What’s that for?” she teasedwith excitement, poking me playfully in the chest.

Thiswas precisely the problem with knowing the same people for most of your life.They had plenty of time to learn every little nuance about you.

“Nothing,”I said, but not convincingly enough. Nick shook his head, demanding I spill thebeans, and so with nowhere left to run, I did. The short story was concludedwith a duo of sighs blended with hopeless romanticism, and I said, “It reallydoesn’t matter, though.”

Ashleyshook her head, rubbing the purple velvet over her engorged belly. “Why wouldyou say that?” I once again mentioned the little issue of her having aboyfriend, but Ashley only shrugged, cradling the bump in her hands. “I’m notreally sure that’s an issue.”

“Andwhat makesyousaythat?” I implored, intrigued by the statement.

Thelittle pregnant lady with the long wavy hair and green eyes sidled up next tome. “Well,” she slyly said, wrapping an arm around my waist, “would awoman who’s happy in a relationship kiss another man like that? I mean, shecould have stopped it before you shoved your tongue down her throat.”

“Ididn’t shove—never mind,” I muttered with a shake of my head. “You do make acompelling argument, though.”

Nicksliced into the ham, the steam fogging up his glasses instantly. “Relationshipsend, dude. I’m not saying to sleep with her while she’s with the guy, but maybesome incentive wouldn’t hurt on your part.”

“Soundslike he already gave her some incentive, hon,” Ash threw in with a poke againstmy side, and I groaned.

Nicksnickered with a laugh, and his face lit up as though he were just struck withsudden brilliance. “Maybe she’s only with this guy because she’s under theimpressionyoudon’t want anything to do withher. You ever thinkofthat?” He jabbed the knife in my direction.

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