Page 51 of A Very Merry Enemy
He stops. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Lucas, you’ve almost done all your tasks. The sun is barely up.”
“Maybe I just wanted to get ahead so I can leave early.”
“Or maybe something happened with Holiday last night.” He sets both coffees down and crosses his arms. “I saw her car at your place. What happened?”
“We baked cookies. We drank too much. She crashed at my place. End of story.”
“And?”
“That’s it.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
“Drop it.”
“Lucas—”
“Jake! I said to fucking drop it!” My voice echoes through the barn.
He doesn’t react to my outburst. Instead, he takes a step closer. “You know what your problem is? You’re so busy protecting yourself that you’re gonna let her slip away again. And this time, you won’t have anyone to blame but yourself.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do. She came back, Lucas. She didn’t have to.”
“Because she had nowhereelse to go.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” He heads for the door. “You’re gonna fuck this up.”
He leaves.
I stand there alone, breathing hard.
I hate that Holiday kissed me. That I wanted to kiss her back so badly it hurt. I hate that holding her felt like home. I hate that I told her it meant nothing when it meant everything.
The morning drags on. By nine, families are everywhere. Parents sip hot chocolate, the smell of cinnamon and chocolate mixing with pine and wood smoke. Christmas music plays through outdoor speakers. Some cheerful bullshit about sleigh bells and snow.
I force myself to smile at customers, but it doesn’t help my mood.
The hangover gets worse, and my head pounds. The bright sunlight makes my eyes hurt. I forget to eat breakfast.
Around eleven thirty, Hudson shows up with Colby.
“Uncle Lucas!” Colby runs over and hugs my legs. He just started kindergarten this year.
“Hey, buddy.” I ruffle his hair.
“We’re getting hot chocolate! Then we’re going to see Aunt Holiday and get more cookies!”
The name hits me like a punch. “She’s not your aunt, Colby.”
“Yes, she is!”
Hudson squeezes my shoulder hard. “Leave him alone.”
