Page 55 of Holiday Unscripted
“Someone is jealous.” He swats my ass, and I don’t get to answer him because Whiskey comes down the hallway, stretching and then wagging his tail.
“First, I am not jealous of cats,” I refute, looking up the steps to see the cats now sitting at the top of the stairs side by side, “and you were jealous of Gavin.” He stops walking and turns around. “Don’t even try to deny it. You were grouchy the minute he started flirting with me, and if looks could kill, he would be dead.” I walk to him and tap the tip of his nose with my finger. “Don’t even try to deny it.”
“The guy is probably a con man and pretends he’s in the military, so no one asks any questions.” He taps my nose and then turns and walks toward the kitchen.
I shake my head and walk into the kitchen, going to the back door while he makes the coffee, and filling Whiskey’s bowls with water and food. I sit down on the stool and watch him. He places one cup in front of me and stands exactly where he did yesterday morning. “We need to talk about—” I start saying and he holds up his hand.
“We’re two adults who enjoy each other’s company,” he starts and then smirks. “Listen, Elizabeth, I know the deal and so do you.” I don’t say anything, I just nod my head. I mean, realistically, he’s saying what I want him to say. However, saying we are just two adults who enjoy each other’s company, and nothing more, stings like a motherfucker. “So while you are here, we can do what we are doing.”
“I leave after New Year’s Day.” My heartbeat starts to speed up while I say it, and I bring the cup of coffee to my lips, taking a small sip.
“How about we just…” He looks down at his coffee not sure how to word the next part.
“Fuck each other’s brains out while I’m here?” I fill in the part for him when he takes too long to think of the words.
“Fuck each other’s brains out while you’re here.” He chuckles. “It’ll be our little secret.”
“Just like before, except now we know the terms.” I trail off. “I won’t think you hate me.”
He looks me in the eyes. “I could never hate you, Elizabeth,” he assures, picking up his cup. “Be annoyed with you? Most definitely, but hate?” He shakes his head. “Never.”
I gasp, “How could little old me annoy you?” I lean back on the stool and tuck one of my feet under me. “I’m perfect.”
“That you are,” he agrees. “That you are.”
He pulls up to my parents’ house and I look around to see there are double the cars that were here the last time. “It’s safe to say”—I look over at him—“the family has descended.”
“This isn’t even all of them.” He puts the truck in park and then turns over to look at me. “The majority are only getting here for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Smart people,” I grumble as I reach for the door handle. “I should have done that.”
“If you had,” he chirps as he opens his own door, “then I wouldn’t be able to bang your brains out.”
I don’t know why, but hearing him say the words makes me laugh in a way I haven’t in a while. Like throw my head back and just laugh. “That is very true.”
I get out and walk side by side with him up the front steps and open the door. The noise hits us right away, along with the smell of food. “I’m starving,” he remarks kicking off his boots and adding them to the mammoth collection that is now at the front door. There are boots and sneakers, both male and female, along with kids’ shoes tossed in every single direction.
“You should have eaten something.” I look over at him and he grins.
“I did.” He looks around to make sure no one is listening. “Twice.”
“Oh, there you two are,” I hear over my shoulder and see my father walking into the room. He’s dressed in track pants and a T-shirt that has the rink name across it in a teal-blue color. “Guess what?”
“The wedding is off, and Christmas is now cancelled for all eternity.” I hold my hands together and smile. The joke going over his head as he glares at me.
“That is not funny.”
“Depends who you ask.” I shrug my shoulder. “If it’s not, then I give up.”
“Your luggage was delivered this morning,” He announces and I gasp, turning in a circle to see if I see it anywhere.
“Did you guys accept it or did you give it away like you did my room?”
My father laughs. “So dramatic.” He hugs me with my arms pinned to my side. “It’s in the living room.” He kisses the top of my head. “I can put it in the truck for you.”
“I’ve got it,” Nate offers, walking to the living room and grabbing my black suitcase.
“Be careful with that luggage,” I tell him, “it’s precious cargo.”
