by E. L. Todd
She rolled her eyes.
“And secondly, she’s not a loser. You didn’t like her the moment she walked through that door and you haven’t even gotten to know her.”
“I don’t care. I don’t like her. I don’t want you to marry her.”
“Who said anything about marriage?”
“You wouldn’t have brought her here unless she was the one.” She stared me down.
I sighed. “Clementine, I only brought her here because she doesn’t have any family. She was going to spend the holiday all by herself in her small apartment. I invited her here as a friend. She and I are dating, but I certainly don’t love her and I doubt I ever will. She’s aware of all of this.”
My sister relaxed. “So, there’s still hope for you and Skye?”
Just forming the answer in my mind was painful. “She and I will never be together. She sees me as a friend and nothing more. I know you wanted us to be together. Shit, everyone did, but it’s not going to happen. I’m trying to move on and Jasmine is my first attempt. Please be nice to her. I may not love her and I don’t see a long-term future for us, but I care about her very much. “
My sister sighed. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Thank you. But if I do move on and you treat the woman I love with anything but respect, I won’t hesitate to pour syrup in your hair and destroy it.”
She smirked. “Okay. That’s fair.”
“Please apologize to her—and actually mean it—and try to make her feel welcome.”
“Fine. I’ll do it for you.”
I smirked. “And thanks for all those flattering comments. I always knew you liked me.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” She rolled her eyes.
Jasmine came to the door. “Sorry, am I interrupting?”
“No,” I said. “Come in.”
She stepped close to me then eyed Clementine with fear.
I stared at my sister, silently telling her to speak up.
“I’m sorry I was rude to you.” She said it with more conviction. “I’m just protective of my big brother. I only want the best for him.”
“I accept your apology,” Jasmine said. “And I’m glad you got your brother’s back.”
“To the end of time.”
I pulled Jasmine out of the room. “Movie time?”
“Sure.”
We sat on the couch with my parents. Clementine came in the room a second later, taking the recliner.
“Who wants to watch a chick flick?” My mom raised her hand.
Clementine raised hers and so did Jasmine.
My dad sighed. “Damn it.”
“Chick flick it is.” My mom smirked then picked out a movie.
I pulled Jasmine close to me, showing affection in front of my parents. I didn’t care if they saw and I didn’t care what they thought. Jasmine was hesitant at first but she eventually reciprocated.
While we snuggled on the couch, snow fell lightly outside. The fire burned in the hearth, keeping us warm. Fall and winter were my favorite seasons. There was something beautiful about the cold. The powder outside made wonderful parts for snowmen. The feel of warm soup in your stomach after shoveling the driveway made the chore more bearable. And spending time with my family during the holidays made me feel lucky.
But I couldn’t deny what was missing. I wished Skye were sitting on the couch with me, cuddled under a blanket. I would hold her hand and rub her knuckles with the pad of my thumb. When my parents went to sleep, I’d make love to her in my bed. Of course, Skye would resist but I wouldn’t care.
But that wasn’t real. And it would never be real.
16
Skye
I didn’t want to wake up the next morning. This was the worst Thanksgiving ever. It already hurt knowing Cayson had a girlfriend but knowing he actually brought her to meet his parents was just nauseating. She meant even more to him than I originally thought. I was so stupid for showing up at his doorstep about to confess the feeling in my heart. So stupid.
A knock sounded on my door. “Skye, are you alright?” It was my mom.
“I’m okay. Just getting a late start.”
“Breakfast is downstairs and it’s getting cold.”
“I’m not hungry.” I was never not hungry so that sent out an alarm.
“Honey, I’m coming in.” She cracked the door then came to my bedside.
I didn’t stir or move. The curtains in my room were still closed, blocking out all possible light.
My mom sat at the edge of my bed then stared at me. “Is something on your mind?”
I didn’t want to talk about Cayson. She was best friends with his father so I couldn’t trust her this time. “I guess I’m still under the weather from the pneumonia.” It was cruel to lie to my mom but I didn’t have an alternative.
She pressed the back of her hand to my forehead. “You don’t have a fever.”
“It’s nothing serious. I’m just a little sluggish.”
“Is that all that’s bothering you?”
How did parents know when you were lying? Every time? “Yes, Mom. I’ll be up in a little bit.”
“Everyone is coming at three so be ready by then.”
“I will.”
“Want me to save you some breakfast? I made your favorite; orange French toast.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll save room for dinner.”
“Alright, honey.” She moved her hand through my hair then kissed my forehead.
When she left my bedroom, I felt empty and alone.
At three o’clock, the door burst open.
“I got wine. I got beer. I got eggnog with rum. I got it all.” Uncle Ryan held up the bags.
“And I brought something more appropriate...” Aunt Janice stepped inside with a platter of sweet potato yams.
My mom smirked when she stared at her brother. “You know, we’re not twenty-one anymore.”
“But our kids are.” Ryan wiggled his eyebrows.
“You’re a horrible role model,” she teased.
“Shut up,” Uncle Ryan snapped. “You’re just mad my kids actually like me. I know your two brats despise you.”
“They do not despise me.” She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled.
“I have an idea,” Aunt Janice said. “How about we hug and get along since it’s Thanksgiving?”
“You mean the day when the pilgrims came to America and gave the generous Indians syphilis?” Uncle Ryan shook his head. “Yes, what a wonderful day to celebrate.”
“Just hug your sister and be nice,” Aunt Janice snapped.
Ryan rolled his eyes and put down the booze. Then he hugged my mom. Despite the way he just teased her, he held her for a long time, saying something inaudible. They were two peas in a pod. When she wasn’t with my dad, she was usually with him. Even though they bickered like two hens in a cage, that was how they related to one another.
Uncle Ryan ended the embrace. “You look nice today.”
My mom smiled. “Thank you. You do too.”
My dad came from the kitchen then hugged Uncle Ryan. “Long time, no see.”
“I know,” Uncle Ryan said. “We haven’t played poker in almost three days.”
“I want a rematch,” my dad said.
“Double or nothing?”
“How about triple or nothing?”
Uncle Ryan smirked. “You got a deal. I just hope the bank will give you a loan to help with your children’s tuition.”
“We’ll see,” my dad said vaguely.
Slade walked in after him, Silke beside him. “Dad, where’s the booze?”
“After dinner.” Uncle Ryan didn’t look at him.
“Come on, just a little spiked eggnog.” Slade winked at him.
“Okay. Fine.” Uncle Ryan handed him the bag.
“I don’t think so.” Aunt Janice stared down her husband, the fire burning in her glare. “I said no booze until later.”
Slade rolled his eyes. “Mom, you�
��re such a party pooper.”
“Put the bag down,” she snapped.
He sighed. “Fine. Geez, loosen up a bit.”
“Grow a pair,” she snapped back.
Slade laughed then walked away.
Uncle Ryan came to me. His eyes always lit up when he looked at me. There was a distant affection in his eyes, and it always came to the surface when he took me in. “Hey, Skye.”
“Hey, Uncle Ryan.”
He pulled me into his arms and gave me a big hug. “You’re such a pretty girl. Sometimes I can’t believe my sister made you.”
I laughed then pulled away. “Well, my dad helped. I think.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “I guess we’ll never really know, right?”
“I’m not deaf, Ryan.” My dad’s voice echoed from behind him.
Uncle Ryan rolled his eyes. “I could take him—with one hand.”
“He’s actually pretty strong,” I said.
“Honey, you haven’t seen anything.” He patted my shoulder and looked at me again. “Let me hug you again.”
I giggled. “Why?”
“Because I love you so damn much.” He pulled me in for another hug then lifted me off the ground.
I laughed while he held me to his chest.
“My dad loves his nieces and nephews more than he loves his own kids,” Slade snapped.
“Gee, I wonder why…” Aunt Janice shot Slade a glare.
“Whatever, Mom. You love me.” He nudged her in the side. “I’m your first born.”
“We were born at the same time, idiot.” Silke flipped her hair over one shoulder.
“I’m still a minute older.”
Uncle Ryan put me back on the ground. “Now where’s that stud of a nephew of mine?”
“Over here.” Roland fist bumped his uncle. “You’re looking good, man.”
“Well, your aunt is insatiable in the bedroom so I got to keep up my stamina.” He flexed his arms.
“TMI, man.”
Ryan laughed then hugged him. “I’m glad you don’t look like your mom because you would have been one ugly boy.”
Roland laughed. “My sister looks like my mom and she’s still an ugly girl.”
Ryan laughed and pulled away. “Good one, kid.” He fist pounded him again. “So, when am I going to put some ink on ya?”
My dad gave my uncle a firm look. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” Ryan asked. “They are both adults. How about a tramp stamp for Skye?”
My dad’s eyes widened. “If you weren’t my brother, I’d fill a vial of your blood and put it right in the entrance way.”
Ryan cocked an eyebrow. “That was oddly specific…have you given this a lot of thought?”
Roland and I both laughed.
“Just don’t touch my kids,” my dad said.
Ryan poked Roland in the shoulder. “Ooh…I’m touching him.”
My dad rolled his eyes and walked away.
Roland gave him a high-five. “Only you can get under my dad’s skin.”
Ryan smirked. “Only because he lets me. And he only does that to very few people.”
Uncle Mike and Aunt Cassandra walked in, Trinity and Conrad with them. Trinity was holding a flower vase, and Conrad held a pan with a lid on top.
“I know it’s not Christmas but we don’t see our nieces and nephews that often so we brought gifts,” Uncle Mike said.
“Ooh….I like gifts.” Roland rubbed his hands together greedily.
My dad hugged Uncle Mike first. “Thanks for coming.”
“I would have come even if you didn’t invite me.” Uncle Mike smirked.
“But I would have invited you.” My mom hugged him next. My mom had a special bond with everyone. She seemed to be the glue that held everyone together. It even seemed like my dad’s own brother preferred my mom over his flesh and blood.
Conrad scowled. “Mom, can I put this down now?”
“In the kitchen,” she said.
He headed to the left and through the door.
Trinity went to my mom with the vase of winter flowers. “A gift for the hostess from the Prestons—the other Prestons.”
My mom smiled as she took it. “Thank you. I know exactly where these will go.”
Uncle Mike carried a sack full of gifts. “Alright, let me start handing these out…”
Uncle Ryan came to him, smirking. “Hey Santa.” He grabbed his red sweater and felt the fabric in his fingertips.
Uncle Mike glared at him. “I’m not Santa. Cassandra says she likes it when I wear red.”
“And bring a sack full of gifts?” Uncle Ryan was always a smartass.
“I don’t have the gut so I can’t be Santa,” Uncle Mike argued.
Ryan smirked. “I know you’re into girdles…”
Uncle Mike looked at my mom. “Get him away from me before I embarrass him in front of his kids.”
Ryan looked at Trinity. “Hey, you want to get a free tattoo?”
Uncle Mike’s eyes were bigger than I’d ever seen them. “I’m going to stab your eyes with needles.”
“What a joyous holiday…” My dad rolled his eyes.
“Get on with the gifts,” Roland said.
Uncle Mike pulled out a gift, which was wrapped in Christmas paper.
Uncle Ryan stared at him with a smirk on his face.
“Don’t even say it.” Uncle Mike gave him the death stare.
Roland ripped the wrapping off. “Whoa…an electronic drone with a camera? No way!”
“Now you can get aerial views down a girl’s shirt.” Uncle Mike winked.
My dad didn’t look happy. “And how would you feel if someone did that to your daughter?”
Mike shook his head. “They wouldn’t. Because they know they’d be tortured in a Chinese prison.”
“Oddly specific…” Ryan rubbed his chin. “He’s given this some thought.”
“I can’t wait to fly this thing. Thank you, Uncle Mike.” Roland stared at the box.
“You’re welcome, kid. But I want a hug as payment.”
“Sure.” Roland hugged him hard then stepped back. “I wonder if I can get a view of the ocean with this.”
“It can fly up to ten miles.”
“Wow!” Roland came to me and showed me the box. “Nice, right?”
I rolled my eyes. Boys and their toys…
“Skye, come here.” Uncle Mike pulled out a small box for me. “For the lady.”
I smiled then ripped the wrapping off. It was a black velvet box. Then I opened it, seeing the plain white gold band inside. I took it out and examined it. On the outside were engraved names. Sean. Mike. Ryan. Cortland. Flynn. Grandpa Andrew. I didn’t understand the significance.
“Next time a guy messes with you, just show him that. He’ll know what he’s up against.” He gave me a slight smile.
I was moved. “Thank you, Uncle Mike.”
“You’re welcome, kid.” He hugged me tightly before he pulled away.
My dad came close to him. “That was thoughtful.”
“What can I say? I’m a thoughtful guy.”
My dad smirked then patted his shoulder. “Thank you.”
“What did you bring me?” Slade asked. He was impatient, like always.
Uncle Mike pulled out a gift shaped like a bottle. “Here you go. I think you’ll like it.”
He ripped off the wrapping paper. “Wow…this brandy is a hundred years old.”
“And I’m sure it’ll be amazing,” Uncle Mike said.
“Alcohol?” my mom asked. “Really?”
Uncle Ryan grabbed the bottle and examined it. “You’re sharing this with me.”
“Alright, Dad.” Slade hugged Uncle Mike then stepped away, staring at the bottle.
Uncle Flynn and Aunt Hazel came inside, their two sons with them. Theo had his hands in his pocket, and Thomas stood beside his father.
“Now the party can get started,” Uncle Flynn said. He started to danc
e.
Hazels sighed. “He drank on the way here.”
Uncle Ryan nodded. “I always knew I liked that guy.”
Uncle Mike waved the guys over. “Get your gifts.”
“Gifts?” Theo asked.
“Yep.” He handed them two boxes.
When they opened them, they took out sunglasses.
“They are the unbreakable and unable to be lost kind,” Uncle Mike explained.
“The kind that can get run over by a car and nothing happens?” Theo asked.
“Yep.” Uncle Mike nodded.
“So cool.” Thomas put on his pair.
Uncle Mike hugged them both before Flynn and Hazel came closer.
Flynn cocked an eyebrow. “Were we supposed to dress up?”
“No.” Uncle Ryan smirked. “Why?”
“Isn’t Mike Santa?” Flynn asked.
Mike glared at him. “Shut your mouth or we’ll see if you can get run over by a car and have nothing happen.”
“Whoa…Santa is cranky.” Flynn rolled his eyes.
Uncle Ryan laughed at the pissed look on Mike’s face.
Uncle Cortland and Aunt Monnique came inside next, the people I was dreading to see. I loved my aunt and uncle but I knew that meant I would have to see Cayson…and his girlfriend.
“My wife made that cranberry sauce you love,” Cortland said when he reached my mom.
“Good. I love it.” My mom smiled then hugged him.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Scar.”
“Happy Thanksgiving,” my mom said back.
“Thanksgiving is the dumbest holiday in the world,” Flynn said. “It’s when the Englishman basically wiped out a whole race of people. Nothing worth celebrating.”
“Anything that involves food and booze is worth celebrating,” Uncle Mike said.
Uncle Flynn and Aunt Hazel hugged me then Uncle Cortland and Aunt Monnique moved toward me. Good thing my parents had a huge house to fit all of us. Otherwise, it would be tight.
Cayson walked inside, holding hands with Jasmine.
I felt sick to my stomach.
“Hey.” Uncle Mike pulled him in for a hug. “I got you a gift.”
“For what?” Cayson asked.
“Because you’re my nephew—that’s why.” He handed Cayson the gift.
Cayson tore the wrapping off. Then he opened the box and revealed a gray stethoscope. His eyes lit up when he looked at it.