Page 99 of UnLucky Christmas
“I wasn’t going to let you win,” he replies flatly. “I have a reputation to protect around here. Your family adores me.”
“Well, I’m calling for a rematch later,” I demand.
He shrugs. “Suit yourself.”
Emme leans over Ben to whisper to me. “It looks like your dad is having a nice evening.”
“She’s cool,” Ben adds.
The four of us try not to make it obvious that we’re watching, but we’re doing a terrible job. Pam must notice, and she offers to help clean up.
Aunt Nita uses the opportunity to ask Grant to help her put some dishes away on the top shelf. He willingly goes to help.
“Careful Whit, Aunt Nita might try to steal your man,” Ben teases. “Poor Uncle Charlie doesn’t stand a chance.”
I laugh. “I should say the same thing to you. You have quite the bromance going with him.”
“Grant is awesome,” he says. “Like the brother I never had.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
He nods. “Yeah, I like him a lot better than ‘what’s his name.’”
“You mean Pete?”
He shrugs. “I guess. I just never got the feeling he was right for you.”
“Pete was nice,” Emme says.
“Yeah, but he was just blah,” Ben continues. “You and Grant are solid. There’s a real connection.”
It’s so strange to hear my brother talk like this. He’s usually so uninterested in this kind of thing.
“Are you sure you’re not just saying this because you think of Grant as the brother you never had?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. You guys are endgame, and I’m happy for you.”
Emme kisses Ben on the cheek.
“I didn’t expect our Christmas to be like this, that’s for sure.”
“It’ll be okay,” my brother assures me. “We’ll get through it together.”
He puts his arm around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze.
“Does this mean you’re going to call me now?” I tease.
“Probably not.”
I laugh and then get up to see if Grant needs any assistance. Sure enough, I find him helping my aunts put dishes away, and they are admiring him from behind. Admittedly, I pause to enjoy the view.
After saying some tearful good-byes, Grant and I are finally in the car heading home. I’m staring out the window when I feel Grant’s hand grab a hold of mine.
“You’re quiet,” he says. “Are you still sulking about me beating you at cards?”
I giggle. “Not at all. You just got lucky.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
