Page 124 of The Import Slot
“You know this means the world to me, right?” Ryan says, wrapping his arms around me.
“You’re welcome. Do you think Vicky would mind if I took a shot? I actually think I chose the wrong twin.”
“Fuck off,” he says playfully, his lips on my neck.
“Kidding. KIDDING!”
“I’ve got you something.” He hands me a heavy gift bag, with a black and red ribbon adorned on the top. “Well, I had to get Liam to physically bring it, but it’s from me.”
“Is it a Christmas gift? I can wait,” I say.
“Yeah, but I want you to have it now.”
The rustle of the gift bag packaging attracts the room’s attention, and everyone is watching me. I probably should have told him I hate opening gifts in front of people. What if I have to pretend that I like it?
I catch sight of the contents and realise I won’t need to fake this. My heart is hammering in my chest, and I’m shaking. I can tell it’s game-worn straight away, and I can tell that someone got it signed in person very recently.
The material shows some scuff marks, and the fight strap appears well-used, but the Senators logo looks bright and proud. My eyes are full of tears, and I leap at Ryan, throwing my arms around his neck.
“Merry Christmas, Jenna,” he whispers as he hugs me back.
“Thank you so much. Though, it makes a mockery of my gift to you,” I say, my hands still shaking.
“I’ve got all I could ever want,” he says, kissing me.
Chapter 32
Ryan
“ArewedoingthisSecret Santa then, or what?” Danny shouts above the music.
Jani has polished off the rest of the food, and everyone, bar me, is tipsy. Jen is just walking around in the Sens jersey, beer in hand, talking to everyone, being the social butterfly she usually is. She looks so happy, and I love it. Becca moves from Danny’s lap and calls Jen over, where they grab the pile of presents from under the tree.
“How long has she been seeing this Gary dude then?” Liam asks me, sipping his beer.
“I don’t know. She brought him tonight, and I don’t even think they’ve had a proper conversation,” I say honestly.
Even before Liam rocked up, Vicky had hardly spoken to Gary, not that the guy wasn’t trying, because he was. He’s been following her around like a lost sheep.
“How did they meet?” Liam probes.
“I don’t know,” I shrug.
“Do you think they’ll see each other again?”
“Look, bud, I don’t know. Ask Vicky.”
“I’m not going to do that,” he scoffs, his face like I’ve just asked him to put his balls in a vise.
Vicky is standing with Jen and Becca, sorting the gifts, and Liam is watching her. She notices too, because her eyes keep shifting back and forth between the girls and Liam.
“Sorry to say, not everyone has a gift. If you weren’t involved at the pick stage, you’re out,” Becca says to the group.
I think she means Liam, Gary and that date of Jani’s who’s said fuck all to anyone, including Jani himself. “But Jen said you can have some Christmas biscuits.”
“I’m cool with biscuits,” Liam shrugs but stays for the show anyway, his eyes not leaving Vicky.
The girls signal for everyone to gather around and then take turns handing out the gifts.
