by E. L. Todd
He lay on the couch and held me on his chest. We’d been lounging around since my winter break started. The TV was on, but I wasn’t watching it. I was happy, curled up in his lap. We hadn’t discussed the heartbreaking story of his past. It was so painful I didn’t even want to think about it. But I was honored he shared it with me. Now everything made sense. He pretended to be a jerk because he thought he was one. He pushed me away because he feared I would leave.
I gently kissed his neck while he lay underneath me, then moved to his ear. “I like kissing you.”
“I like it too.” His voice was raspy and deep, like he hadn’t spoken in a long time.
I sat up and straddled his hips. Then I ran my hands up his chest. “Are you doing anything for Christmas?”
He shook his head.
“You want to spend it with me?”
He smirked. “I’d love to.”
“Really?” My heart fluttered in happiness. “We have so much fun at the house. You’ll have a great time.”
He stilled. “We? Sorry?”
“My family and me. We spend Christmas Day with my aunt and uncle at the mansion in Connecticut. Snow is everywhere, and it’s so beautiful.”
His smile fell and so did his eyes. “I’m not doing that.”
“What?” I asked.
“I’m not spending Christmas with your family.”
“Why not?” I demanded.
“A million reasons,” he said in an annoyed voice. “Forget it.”
“My family will love you, Arsen.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I fear you have a twisted view of reality. Things aren’t what you assume they are.”
I didn’t let him insult me. “I’ve known my family my whole life. I know them pretty damn well. They would welcome you and make you feel comfortable.”
He sighed. “I already told you I don’t want to meet your parents. You can’t make me go.”
“No, I can’t,” I agreed. “But you’re missing out. I understand why you’re scared, but my parents are really cool people. My dad isn’t one of those overprotective parents that grills every boy his daughter brings home. They understand that people are different, and there’s nothing wrong with being different.”
He didn’t seem convinced. “You’ve never brought a man home before. Believe me, they’re going to care.”
I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere with him. But I had to keep trying. “Just trust me, okay?”
He ran his fingers through his hair.
“Please. I promise you’ll love it.”
“You can’t keep promises like that.”
“Yes, I can.” I grabbed both of his hands and held them within my own.
He pulled away. “I’m not going. End of story.”
I sighed, feeling defeated. “Then I’m not going either.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “What?”
“I’m spending Christmas with you. If you don’t go, I don’t go.”
“Don’t be stupid,” he hissed. “Be with your family. That’s where you belong.”
“You are my family.” I stared him down, silently telling him I wasn’t going anywhere. “And I belong with you.”
He met my gaze with indecision. “Silke, you should—”
“Either come with me, or I’m staying here.”
“You don’t have to spend Christmas with me just because you feel bad for me…”
“I want to spend it with you because I want to be with you. It’s not out of pity.”
He focused his gaze on the TV even though he wasn’t really watching it.
“What’s it going to be?” I asked.
He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. “I refuse to keep you from your family.”
I smiled. “So, you’ll come with me?”
“I guess…” Apprehension was in his eyes.
“You’ll love it.” I clapped excitedly. “I promise.”
“I’ll take off the moment they give me shit.”
“They won’t,” I said firmly.
“What am I supposed to say to them? What do I do for a living? Should I lie about my Harley?”
I cupped his face and stared at him. “Tell them the truth.”
“Then they’ll hate me.”
“No, they won’t.”
He sighed. “Fine. I’m trusting you.”
“It’ll be a wonderful Christmas. Take my word for it.”
He still didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t mention it again.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Arsen asked. He was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and his leather jacket. “Should I wear something nicer? Like slacks or something?”
I pointed at myself. “I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt.”
“But you aren’t trying to make a good impression.”
“Just be yourself, Arsen. I’ve said that a million times.” We were standing by my car at the sidewalk. The building with my parents’ apartment was just a few feet away. He was struggling with the final steps, his fear getting to him.
“I’ve never done this before…”
“There’s a first time for everything, right?” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my head to his.
He took a deep breath and kept his eyes closed.
“I understand why you’re nervous. But I’m telling you, there’s no reason to be scared.”
“I’m not scared,” he said firmly. “I’m not scared of anything. But I just have a feeling this isn’t going to go well.”
“It will,” I said firmly.
“You told them I was coming, right?”
“Yes. I told them days ago.”
He rubbed one temple and sighed. “What did they say?”
“They are excited to meet you.”
“But what did you tell them I was to you? A friend? A boyfriend?”
“The truth.”
“Maybe I should just go…”
I gripped his shoulders. “We’re doing this. There’s no turning back now.”
“If this doesn’t go well, I lose you…and I can’t handle that right now.” Emotion filled his voice.
“You won’t lose me. No matter what happens, I’m here.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” he whispered.
I knew how important that was to him. His mother promised to come back, and she never did. Instead, she abandoned him on the sidewalk. He’d had no one to turn to. He was completely alone and scared. “I never will, Arsen.”
He was silent for a long time before he gathered his bearings. “What are your parents’ names?”
“Ryan and Janice.”
“Your brother?”
“Slade.”
“What’s he like?”
“An asshole.” I smiled. “You two will get along great.”
He chuckled. “Thanks for the compliment.”
“Now, grab our bags and let’s go.”
He clenched his fists before he grabbed our bags from the back seat. “Alright. Let’s go.”
We headed into the building then took the elevator to the top floor. Arsen was quiet. He didn’t look at me, trying to hide the fear he felt. When we walked down the hallway, I spotted my parents’ door. “Here we are.”
He put the bags down. “Nice place.”
“You should see the inside.” I knocked on the door and waited.
Arsen kept a stoic expression, but I knew he was terrified.
The door opened. “My baby girl is home!” My mom came out and practically tackled me. “Honey, you’re so pretty like usual.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I said with a laugh.
“Sorry we hung up on you last week. Your idiotic father broke my phone.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “You already apologized.”
She gave me another hug before she pulled away. Then she gave Arsen her full attention.
Arsen held her gaze but didn’t smile. He clearly didn’t know what to do.
“Wow,” my mom said. “Where
did you find him? Because I want one.”
Arsen smirked slightly.
“Mom, don’t embarrass me!” I hissed.
She waved off my words then opened her arms wide and hugged Arsen tightly. “Thank you for spending the holidays with us.”
Arsen stiffened and didn’t know how to react. He never hugged people. When he and I first got together, he didn’t do it then either. Affection was hard for him to give because he’d never gotten it to begin with. Awkwardly, he returned her embrace. “Thank you.”
She squeezed him tighter before she let go. “Arsen’s your name?”
“Yes, Mrs. Sisco. Thank you for letting me stay with you.” He said it like he’d been rehearsing those lines for weeks.
“Aww.” She rubbed his shoulder affectionately. “You’re so sweet. Please call me Janice. My mother-in-law is Mrs. Sisco, and I hate her guts.”
Arsen smiled, appreciating her banter. “I’ll remember that, Janice.”
“Well, come inside,” Mom said. “We’ve got hot chocolate and everything to make the gingerbread houses.”
Arsen picked up the bags and carried them over the threshold.
“Ryan!” Mom yelled. “Your daughter is home.”
“Why do you always have to yell?” I asked. “He can hear just fine.”
“I’ll be there in a second!” Dad yelled back.
“Hurry your ass up,” Mom hissed. “We have a guest. Don’t be rude!”
Arsen looked at me and smirked.
“Shut the hell up. I said I’ll be there in a second,” my dad called back.
My mom put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. “I apologize. He’s not normally this rude.”
“It’s okay,” Arsen said. “Don’t worry about it.” He put his hands in his pockets.
“That’s a nice jacket.” My mom felt the zipper. “Where did you get it? Bloomingdale’s?”
“Uh, the flea market,” he blurted.
She clutched her chest. “I love cheap stuff. I go through clothes so quickly that they need to be cheap.”
“Yeah…” Arsen didn’t know what else to say.
“So, are you a model?” Mom asked.
Arsen blushed again.
“Mom, stop hitting on my boyfriend,” I snapped.
“I’m not hitting on him,” Mom said in an offended voice. “It’s obvious he’s a good-looking guy. It’s like having a pink elephant in the room.” She looked over her shoulder. “Slade, your sister is here.”
“Tell her to go to hell!” Slade yelled from his room.
She sighed then turned back to me. “You have no idea how glad I am to have another woman in the house. They’ve been driving me crazy.”
“I can tell,” I said sarcastically.
My dad finally came down the hallway, but he held a remote control in his hands. He was flying a helicopter toward us. “Look what your mom got me for Christmas.”
“But Christmas isn’t until tomorrow,” I said. “Why do you have it?”
My mom gave me a pissed look. “Because this asshole opened all my gifts then wrapped them back up! I caught him in the middle of the night.”
My dad landed the helicopter on the counter. “You can take back that purple turtleneck, by the way…”
She glared at him.
My dad put down the remote. “You have to try it. It’s so cool.”
“Maybe,” I said.
Now that his toy was down, he gave me his full attention. “Hey, sweetheart.” He pulled me into his arms and hugged me. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Dad.”
He pulled away and stared at me. “You do something with your hair?”
“I got a haircut.”
“It looks nice.” My dad always tried to find something to talk to me about. Since we didn’t have a lot in common, it was hard for him. But I was glad he tried.
“Thanks. How’s the shop?”
“Booming, like usual.” He turned to Arsen. My dad was the same height as him. They were eye to eye. “I’m Ryan.” He extended his hand to shake Arsen’s. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Arsen reciprocated. “Arsen. Thank you for letting me stay with you.”
“No problem.” My dad dropped his hand then patted him on the shoulder. “Sweet jacket.”
Mom smiled. “Isn’t he pretty?”
“Me?” Dad asked.
“No, him.” She rolled her eyes. “Idiot.”
Ryan turned to Arsen. “Please excuse my wife. She’s a pedophile.”
“I am not!” she hissed.
“Well, I’m over eighteen, so she’s good,” Arsen said.
My dad laughed. “You can have her, kid. I’m just not sure you can handle her. She slaps like she played it as a sport in high school.”
“You want me to slap you now?” Mom challenged.
“I dare you.” He crossed his arms over his chest and silently challenged her.
“You’re lucky it’s Christmas and we have a guest.”
“I don’t mind,” Arsen said with a laugh.
My mom pointed her finger at my dad. “I’ll get you…later.”
“So scared,” my dad said sarcastically.
She hit his arm. “Go get your son.”
“My son?” my dad asked. “You’re the one who pushed him out of your vag-vag.”
She gasped then slapped him across the face. “Don’t talk like that in front of our guest.”
“It’s fine, really.” Arsen couldn’t help but laugh.
“Now go get him!” My mom pointed toward Slade’s room.
My dad rubbed his cheek then kissed her hard on the lips. “Only because you have a fine ass.” Then he headed to Slade’s room.
My mom rolled her eyes. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” Arsen said. “More than fine, actually.”
I gave Arsen a triumphant look, silently telling him I was right about everything.
“What’s the big deal?” Slade said as he came out of his room. “I’ve seen my sister a million times. I know what she looks like.”
My dad pushed him forward. “Hug her and say merry Christmas.”
“Why don’t you do it?” Slade argued.
“I already did. Now it’s your turn.”
Slade finally reached me. He gave me a quick hug that was forced, and he barely touched me for a second before he pulled away. “Merry Christmas,” he said as he blatantly rolled his eyes.
“Merry Christmas,” I said with a laugh.
Slade noticed Arsen. “Who the hell is this guy?” He eyed his jacket. “And where did he get that?”
“He’s my boyfriend,” I said. “His name is Arsen.”
“Oh.” Slade studied him then turned to Dad. “Did you know about this?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“We told you about him a few days ago,” Mom said. “You were sitting on the couch with Trinity, making out…”
“Well, if Trinity is sitting on my lap, there’s a good chance I’m not listening to a word you say,” Slade said with a wink.
“Is that supposed to impress me?” Mom asked in an irritated voice.
Slade leaned toward my dad. “You should slip some rum in her drink.”
“Already did,” Dad whispered back.
Arsen watched their exchange with a smirk then extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Slade took it. “You too, man.” Then he looked at me. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”
“Yep.”
“For how long?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Awhile.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me this?” Slade asked.
“You didn’t tell anyone about Trinity,” I snapped.
“Well, that was totally different.”
“Not really,” I said.
“Who’s Trinity?” Arsen asked.
“My hot piece of ass,” Slade said.
Mom gave him a firm look. “Don’t talk about her
like that.”
“Hey, she’s my piece of ass,” Slade said. “I can say whatever I want.”
My dad nodded. “That is the rule, dear.”
She sighed. “Why do you always take his side?”
“Because he’s right,” Dad answered.
Mom growled. “This is the shit I have to deal with all day.”
“Good thing I’m here,” I said. “Now you have an ally.”
Mom looked at Arsen. “You better be my ally too.”
Arsen eyed the helicopter on the counter. “But that gadget looks pretty sweet…”
She sighed then threw her hands in the air. “Whatever.” She grabbed the bags. “I’ll show you to your room.”
“I got it.” Arsen took them from her. “But thank you.”
“Well, this way.” She led us down the hall and into my childhood room.
Was she going to let us sleep together?
“I just washed the sheets, and it’s clean. I’ll let you guys get settled.” She walked out and shut the door.
Arsen walked around my room and eyed my dressers and bed. There was a stuffed pony next to the pillows. He sat down and played with it in his hands. “This is where you grew up?”
I nodded.
“It’s nice.”
I sat beside him then looked at my old jewelry box.
“They’re going to let us sleep together?” he asked in surprise.
“I guess so.” I turned to him. “I told you my parents are cool.”
“They are really cool,” he agreed.
“I told you that you had nothing to worry about.”
He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
We sat around the coffee table with all our supplies.
“Okay, let’s make a strip club,” Slade said.
“No,” Mom said in annoyance. “Let’s make an elf house.”
“An elf house?” Dad asked. “I don’t even know what they look like.”
“Strip club!” Slade yelled.
“Let’s just build something,” I said. “Otherwise, we’ll be here all night.”
Arsen watched our interaction but didn’t say anything.
Dad put the fudge on the bottom of the cardboard then arranged the graham cracker walls.
Slade picked up the marshmallows. “I’ll make the prostitutes that stand outside it.”
“That’s not very Christmassy,” Mom said.
“Of course it is,” Slade said. “How do you think the Virgin Mary got pregnant? She was a stripper.”