Page 86 of Scrooged for the Holidays
Tim and his family walk away, heading to their living room. The kitchen seems colder without them, and my chest gets heavy like it’s laden with rocks. The weight of Remi’s hand onmy lower back reminds me that he’s been watching this entire thing, just like Kai watched everything from my past yesterday.
My stomach churns with a sharp embarrassment, the kind I’d only feel if this were real. The thought paired with the reminder that I don’t get embarrassed makes everything hit harder. Foreign emotions have been stirring in me more in the past twenty-four hours than they have since I was a child, and I don’t like it.
“Come, we have more to see.”
I don’t acknowledge Remi right away. I look to where I can see fire flickering and the tops of Tim’s and Bobbi’s heads. I have never met his wife, only heard him speak about her here and there. I didn’t care before about his life or family, so why should I care now?
Tim was right when he said he should have done what I asked. He’s right that I was planning on getting him fired.
The image of his glassy eyes flashes behind my eyelids, and I get a bad taste in my mouth.
It’s not my fault this is happening. He should have thought about his family and his new baby before he didn’t do as he was told. I’m not responsible for people’s actions. Right?
My heart pounds in my chest like a drum. I turn to meet Remi’s gaze. “Do you think less of me now?”
His eyes narrow in near confusion. “Of course I don’t, love.”
I snort. Real or not real, anyone with a warm heart, Nephilim or not, should think I’m a monster. Hell, maybe I am.
“Right.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Where to next, boss?”
His shoulders fall on a tense exhale before he snaps his fingers, transporting us. We stand in what I know to be Avery’s parents’ living room. Her family tree is bright with multicolored lights, and my parents are sitting on the couch with smiles on their faces. I see there are also a few people I remember from college, friends of Josh and Avery’s as well as Avery’s parents. A family and friend Christmas party.
How lovely.Not.
Chapter twenty-seven
Remiel
Greer’sfaceisamixture of annoyance and what I believe to be shame. Given the new, dull, reddish-brown color that’s appeared on the edges of her changing gray aura, I think I’m right. It’s shame from what she saw and experienced at Tim’s home.
I don’t like seeing her feel bad, but it’s necessary for this job. Greer has to experience the effects of her actions, both good and bad. Witnessing Tim with his new baby and wife—hearing what he said, experiencing his emotions—was good for her. I wanted her to know he didn’t blame her for how she is and the potential of losing his job. That he understands her as best he can.
Empathy is possible even when you’re hurt and angry. And I know Greer has the capability to feel it as well. I can see it in how her body language has changed and the shades of blue that had already begun to infiltrate her aura along with the threads of bright gold. She is healing—cracks of different emotions breaking through the walls of ice around her heart—even if she is outwardly acting as if she’s not.
It scares her, whatever new or old feelings she’s having. I think it’s why she pulled away from us after our evening together and ran from Sam’s room as if she’d catch the plague staying a secondlonger. It’s why she’s acting as if seeing Tim struggling doesn’t matter. Hopefully, by the end of our time tonight, she’s singing a different tune.
Christmas music grows louder as the laughter of friends and family echo around us. Josh is kissing Avery’s cheek, and Greer’s parents are chatting with each other. The friends that Josh and Avery brought are talking about something funny from college, which is making Josh blush now, and the overall mood is happy and festive. By the grind of Greer’s teeth, it aggravates her.
Avery’s mother appears with a tray of glasses filled with egg nog, stepping right through me to reach Greer’s parents. Greer’s arms are folded over her chest while the fire red of anger pulses through her aura.
“I’ve got a glass for everyone,” Avery’s mom says. Her husband helps pass out the glasses, and when they’re distributed, she sets the tray down and sits on a love seat, her husband following suit.
There’s only a small lull of silence before Josh stands up. He holds his glass in the air and clears his throat. “Everyone, can I have your attention please? I have something I’d like to say.”
“Oh god,” Greer says from beside me, rolling her eyes. “He’s horrible at making toasts. They were always so corny.”
I observe Avery, her blue eyes focused on her long-time boyfriend, then look over at her parents, who are smiling adoringly at their daughter.
“Avery, babe.” He takes her hand, pulling her up from the couch. He sets their glasses of egg nog on a side table before gently moving her so they stand in front of the Christmas tree, giving everyone a view of them.
“Josh?” she asks curiously. “What are you doing?”
He squeezes both her hands in his before dropping down on one knee. Everyone in the room gasps, including Greer. She covers up her shock quickly, pressing her lips together as she stares at the couple.
Avery grips Josh’s hand with her left one while her right hides her mouth as tears begin to form in her eyes.
“Avery, baby. You’re the best person I’ve ever met. You’re patient, kind, and so beautiful my chest aches every time I look at you. I know you didn’t want me to propose until life and things at your job slowed down, but if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that life is never going to slow down. Life is only going to speed up.”
