Page 86 of Fractured Souls
“Sometimes people bring them from their farms to sell,” Hunter says as he parks and we all get out. It’s dead quiet and eerie out here. “Which one?”
“These are the saddest-looking trees I’ve ever seen,” Jamie grumbles. All of them look about about five foot tall and are in different stages of losing their needles.
Hunter pulls out some money, shoving it in the little box they have outside for customers. No one seems to be here. It’s dead out here right now. The sky above is overcast and thick with the promise of snow. It’s so quiet it’s unnerving.
“Want me to cut it loose?” I ask.
“Ah no, it’s okay. Why don’t you hold the top still and I’ll untie it from the fence.”
I step out of Hunter’s way and grab hold of the top.
“Ow!” I suck on my finger. “It’s fucking sharp.”
“Sharp?” Hunter touches the pine needs, pulling his hand back. “Dammit. Anyone bring spare clothes?”
“I have an extra sweater. I can hold the trunk and drag it once it’s free,” Jamie says.
Hunter snorts. “Sure thing.”
“I can drag shit. I have strength in my arms.”
“And pain in your spine.” Hunter shakes his head. “Let Puck and Gym Daddy handle this.” Jamie flips him off. “Jealous you don’t have a Daddy name?” He sticks out his tongue.
“You wouldn’t believe the things Noah calls me in bed, so no. I’m not.” Jamie pulls a vape out of his pocket that I’m assuming is not filled with nicotine. “Besides, you act as if you don’t have knee problems.”
“Here, let me.” I grab Jamie’s extra sweater after he gets it from the car, wrapping it around the trunk. Hunter wrestles with it, and a couple of the needles touch my skin. Damn, why are they so pointy?! “This’ll be a death trap if it falls. Good thing you don’t have animals,” I say. “Okay, got it!”
I drag the tree. Despite it looking like it came from a landfill, it’s a nice size at least.
“Here, I’ll grab the trunk. Try to lift without the needles touching you,” Hunter says. Despite it’s ragged state it’s heavier than it looks. “Jesus.”
“You guys are doing great.” Jamie takes another hit.
“Mr. Arm Strength, would you like to help, just a little?”
“Can’t. My back.” Jamie grins. “You’re doing amazing, guys.” Somehow we heave it up onto the top of Hunter’s jeep and he ties it down. “Great work, fellas.” Jamie grins getting, into the front seat.
We drive back to the house, but something catches my eye. “Hey, what’s that?” I look at the big sign in front of a park.
“Oh, they do this light thing every year,” Jamie says.
“Do you think we can go?” Bo would love something like that. It’s almost four now and getting darker.
“If they aren’t shitfaced drunk by the time we get back, of course. That sounds like fun.”
Luckily they were all sober, for the most part. It’s almost seven now. We got back to the house and set up the tree, then they decorated it and we ate, and now we’re heading to the light show in the park. I’ve never been to something like this, and I don’t think Bo has either. We decided to ride with Noah and Jamie. Hunter and Mark took Bri and Xavi. It’s freezing out right now.
I look at Bo wearing a thick hoodie—my thick hoodie from high school. It’s adorable on him. We pull up to the parking lot after paying the fee to get in. “It’s starting to snow,” I say.
Noah looks at Jamie. “It’s alright. We aren’t far from the house and we won’t be here long.” He squeezes Jamie’s knee,and Jamie slips his fingers through Noah’s, giving him a quick squeeze then gets out of the car.
As we step into the park the entire area glows with bright light. It’s a little disorienting at first. When we first walk in we’re in a garden, all the shrubs and trees dripping with lights—golds, blues, and reds. “This is so pretty.” Bo smiles. We walk side by side, and I have the urge to hold his hand. My fingers keep brushing the back of his.
Jamie and Noah are up ahead, doing just that. Nerves caress my stomach, and I give in to the thought, gently slipping my hand through his. “Your fingers are cold. You alright?” I brought his inhaler just in case.
“I’m fine.” White puffs leave his lips. Further into the park there’s a giant tree decorated with lights, and Chinese lanterns are lit up and strung along the path to light our way. Reds and golds illuminate the path and gleam against the freshly fallen snow.
Bo walks toward a small cobblestone path with trees lit up on either side, making it seem like something from a Grimm’s fairy tale. “This is really cool.” Bo smiles. “It feels like a different world.”
