Page 73 of Holly and Nick Hate Christmas
But had it gotten worse lately?
Lydia hurried into the living room. “Okay, the kids are all settled now.” She perched on the arm of the couch near Ryan, who immediately wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Thank goodness.” Olivia let out a dramatic breath of air. “They’ve been in rare form, whispering nonstop to each other about Santa. They really want to see him soon.”
Lydia nodded. “That’s what I heard too.” Even though it was still early, the kids had been sent to bed for “quiet time,” which was Olivia’s desperate attempt to de-sugar them and give herself a moment’s peace. Lydia had volunteered to read them a Christmas story. Of course. She probably found a way to get them to eat vegetables while she was at it.
But my brain didn’t have room to worry about my sister-in-law right now. Because the man next to me, the one who was terrified to be on top of a horse, had galloped said horse over a creek bed to make sure I was okay.
That wasnotpart of Operation: Jack & Sally.
That was genuine caring, right? Or would he have done it for anyone?
Not that it mattered. Because I wasnotdeveloping a crush on my fake boyfriend. I had to let the hero shock wear off, that was all. I’d have appreciated anyone who made that effort forme.
But would I also be appreciating the warmth of just anyone’s side next to mine…the heady aroma of winter forest and peppermint gum…?
Enough of that. I shook off the blanket and stood abruptly. “Nick and I will go first.”
“We will?” Nick’s brown eyes widened up at me.
“Ooh.” Chloe handed over her mic with a grin. “Mariah Carey!”
“Oh no.” Nick cringed, his gaze shooting to my dad and then back to me. “I’d rather Taylor Swift.”
“Just shake it off,honey.” I tugged Nick up. He reluctantly complied. “Mariah is the Christmas queen.”
“She’s the queen in general.” Axel shook his head in awe. “She’s won, like, way more Grammys than even Taylor Swift.”
We all stared at him.
Kat closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Chloe…”
“I’m on it.” She took Axel aside and began whispering. I huffed into the microphone, then buffed it on my sweater sleeve.
“What? Taylor’s wonthatmany?” Axel’s voice boomed across the room.
Ignoring him, I grinned at Nick. “Ready?” We turned to face the television, which was synced to the karaoke machine. That way we weren’t looking any of my family members in the eye, thankfully.
“Not at all.” Nick cleared his throat, though, so I figured that was as ready as he was going to get. “Wait. Since when is this song a duet?”
“Since right now.” The familiar opening chimes of the world’smost overplayed Christmas song sounded. “Do you want to go first?”
Whoops. Good thing looks couldn’t kill, or this song would have been over. “Got it. I’ll start.” I adjusted my grip—already slightly sweaty—on the microphone. I rarely got nervous over this kind of stuff, but being with Nick felt a little different.
That was okay, though. Just had to give my brother a show and make him regret his life choices. I beamed at Nick, daring to blow a kiss.
His eyes widened slightly, then he must have remembered Operation: Jack & Sally, because he pretended to catch it. Bless.
I glanced at the TV as the words ran across the screen in bold white type. And I began, shaky at first, words tumbling over themselves as I caught up to the rhythm.
Next to me, Nick snorted.
I bravely persevered, even though Kat had started recording on her cell, dang it.
“…is youuuu.” I held the word as long as my trembling, giggly voice could hold.
“I don’t want a lot for Christmas…” Nick jumped in with me on the chorus, his tenor much clearer and more confident than mine. What in the world?
