A Different Christmas: Novella (University Park Series)

by CM Doporto

  “Come on, man. Focus,” Luke said as he watched me haphazardly slam a fifteen-pound medicine ball into the wall. “I know you can throw harder than that.”

  I stopped and took a breath. “I know. I’m just thinking about Lexi right now.”

  “Take five.” He motioned for me to throw him the ball. “What’s going on?”

  Shooting a quick glance at him, I contemplated opening up. I’d never had a guy-to-guy talk with Lexi’s brother, probably because his best friend was Collin, Lexi’s ex. We weren’t close friends, but he had stood by my side at both of my hearings when PHU was determining whether I would be able to stay or would have to go. We had talked a few times on the phone — big brother made sure I knew what he thought about me leaving his sister.

  “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s cool.” Luke handed me a water bottle.

  I chugged a third of the bottle and took a deep breath. “No…things are fine. Well, life is great, just a little stressful right now.”

  “I hear ya. But your stress is the good kind.”

  I half smiled. “Better than the alternative.”

  “You’re right about that.” Luke patted me on the shoulder and encouraged me to sit on a bench. “So, aside from landing the position of starting quarterback and expecting twins in a couple weeks, what’s the problem?”

  I shot him an ‘are you serious?’ look.

  “Just kidding. I know that’s what bothering you.” He took a seat next to me at the opposite end of the bench.

  “It’s a lot, man. I’m stoked about Sunday’s game, but concerned about Lexi. She needs me right now, but I have to focus on Sunday’s game. It’s not easy balancing the two. I also have to work hard if I want to be able to start the following week.”

  “I get it.” Luke nodded. “This is your job, and right now, it’s really demanding. The good thing is, Lexi has your mom and grandmother for support.”

  “I know.” I released another heavy breath. “I wish your mom would come stay with her, but Lexi said she has to help your sister, Ashley, with her kids.”

  Luke’s made a twisted face. “My mother is lying. She never watches Ashley’s kids. Besides, you don’t want her here. Trust me. She’ll get in between you and Lexi and cause problems. Lexi’s better off with your family helping her.”

  “I guess.” I shrugged. “I’m trying to get on your mom’s good side.”

  “There is no good side, man.” Luke’s voice deepened. “Only the dark side.”

  “You make her sound like Darth Vader.”

  “She’s more like Senator Palpatine, evil flowing thick in her veins.”

  I laughed. “Don’t tell me you have the Imperial March song tagged to her profile in your phone.”

  “Hell yeah I do. We all do. Including my dad,” he said, matter of fact. “The person you should be focused on is my dad. Screw my mom. She has issues.”

  “Believe me, I want to.” I grabbed my hand towel and wiped the sweat from my face.

  “What?” Luke’s head swung in my direction. “You want to screw my mom?”

  “Huh?” I pulled the towel away and it dawned on me what I said. “No. I mean, I’m trying to earn your dad’s respect.” Relief washed across his face. “I know he wasn’t happy with what I did, but I’m trying hard to make up for my shortcomings. Really hard.”

  “I know you are. But if you want to get on my dad’s good side, you need to provide for Lexi and your kids. Which you are already doing.”

  “I want her to see what I’m doing is for her and the twins — it’s all for us.” I waved a hand around the training room. “I’m not doing this for me alone. Sure, it’s a dream come true, but I have a family to think about now. Things have changed.”

  “You’ve changed. I can tell.” Luke gave me an approving nod.

  “I had to.” I leaned forward, resting my arms on my thighs. “When I found out Lexi was pregnant, that changed everything. The last thing I wanted was for her to raise our children by herself. I love Lexi and I don’t ever want to be without her again.”

  “Then why did you leave? If you cared about her so much, why did you think she didn’t want to be with you? Lexi’s not that type of person. Money and fame don’t matter to her.”

  My head lowered toward the floor. I hated hearing about my mistakes, but I guess I couldn’t blame Luke for wanting some answers. “I was so selfish and felt so worthless when I got kicked out of PHU. With all hope of playing football gone, I honestly felt like I had nothing to offer her.” I turned toward him. “Without a degree, what was I going to do to provide for us? I knew she was better off with Collin, not me. I had to leave…get my head straight.”

  “All you had to do was call her.”

  “Believe me, I wanted to. But I couldn’t get the nerve to pick up the phone. Every day I thought about her — day and night, without fail.”

  Luke remained quiet for a while, mulling over what I had told him. He turned to me and asked, “When you first met her, did you know she was engaged?”

  His question took me by surprise. We’d never brought up Collin, but I had a feeling it was going to happen right now. I raised my head and squared my shoulders. “No. And that’s the God’s honest truth. I did suspect it because I saw a ring on her finger, but I figured it was a promise ring.”

  “Compared to the huge diamond you gave her, I can see why.”

  “Josh and Shawn told me to ask her, but every time I convinced myself to do it, something happened.”

  “But would it have stopped you from coming on to her?”

  Luke wasn’t letting me off easily. Then again, I couldn’t deny what I felt for his sister or how we ended up together.

  It was fate.

  Lexi and I were meant to be.

  I knew that without a doubt.

  “Probably not. Lexi had me totally sucked in to her sweetness. She was like no one I’d ever met before. But at the same time, I knew I wasn’t good enough for her. And that thought was what fueled my decision to leave her when I got kicked out of school.”

  “Thanks for being honest.” His shoulder lifted and then relaxed.

  “My intention was never to come between them. I used girls to my satisfaction, but ruining someone’s relationship wasn’t something I did. I might have been a dog, but I did have some standards.”

  Luke let out a snort. “The Raven actually had standards?”

  “Come on, dude. Give me some credit.”

  “Sorry.” He raised his hands in defense. “Totally uncalled for.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m not proud of my college days. But that’s in the past.” I refocused on the main topic. “The day I was going to ask her if she was engaged, she found out you were screwing her best friend and roommate.”

  Luke’s head spun around. “What?”

  “Yeah. We were having a tutoring session in one of the study rooms at her dorm and she ran up to the room to get something. When she came downstairs, she was freaking out.”

  “Oh, shit.” He blew out a heavy breath. “Why am I just finding out about this?”

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “She never told you anything? I even mentioned it to Delaney. I honestly thought Delaney was screwing her fiancé or boyfriend because I couldn’t figure out why she was so upset.”

  “I’d strangle Delaney if she were screwing Collin, but seriously, Lexi was that upset?”

  “Yeah, dude. I had to take her for a beer to calm her down. And once that happened, it was all over for me.” I’d never forget the day I took her up to Josh’s parents’ suite in the football stadium. I fell for her feisty attitude and refusal to give into my flirtatious behavior. I never had a girl keep count of the reasons not to be with me. When she told me that, I knew I had to get to know Lexi Thompson, no matter what it took. “I wanted to kiss her so damn bad, but I refused to make the first move.”

  “So, she never cheated on Collin with you?”

  “Nope.” I shook my head con
fidently. “Your sister has higher standards than me.”

  Luke smiled. “And you just proved you do, too.”

  “I guess,” I said with a slight chuckle. “She’d refused to see or talk to me after that day, and apparently, that’s when she called things off with Collin. I didn’t find that out until I ran into Delaney on campus. I was concerned about her because I received a message from the Writing Center saying she had quit and wouldn’t be tutoring me. I asked Delaney how she was doing and she told me all about Collin. I was shocked to find out he was PHU’s baseball pitcher, but it made sense. I still hadn’t put two and two together…you know, that you were her brother.”

  “Small world.”

  “But you can thank your girlfriend for getting us together.”

  “Really?” His brows narrowed.

  “Yep. She was adamant about me inviting her to the last football game of the season. So, I did, and…well, the rest is history.”

  “I never thought I’d say this, but you two are good for each other.” Sincerity weaved through his expression, bringing down any walls that might have been between us. It was a good feeling to finally have Luke on my side.

  “I know we are and I appreciate your support.”

  “I’m not going to lie, it has not been easy, but I want my sister to be happy. Let’s face it, she keeps you in line and gives you the support you need to be a damn good football player. In return, you have brought my sister to life. I’ve never seen her so happy and carefree as she is when she’s with you. Collin never had that effect on her. And I can’t deny the chemistry between you two.”

  “I never meant to hurt your friend.”

  “I know.” He stood up. “It’s water under the bridge now. He’s moved on, and he’s happy and in love.”

  “I’m glad he found someone.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.” He tossed me the ball. “You ready to finish this workout?”

  “As long as you don’t kick my ass too hard.”

  He laughed. “I thought you wanted a good ass kicking?”

  “Just go easy on me,” I pleaded with him. “My ass can only handle so much.”

  “Yeah…yeah. I’ve heard it before.”

  Chapter 6

  Lexi

  Raven apologized for not being able to go with me to the Lamaze classes. I did my best to understand his football obligations, but it still bothered me. No matter what I told myself, the emotional side refused to accept the facts. When I took the feelings out of the equation, I knew what Raven had to do, but these stupid hormones weren’t buying it. I was determined to push through, because I loved Raven and I wanted the best for him — for us.

  Sunday’s game was a victory, which resulted in Raven proving he deserved the starting quarterback spot. I was proud of him and all his efforts. Five games were left in the season and Raven would be working hard to the very end. I put on my big girl pants and prepared to be the supportive branch I’d always been. He needed me more than ever, but I also needed him.

  Overall, the holiday weekend had been great. Luke and Delaney’s surprise visit was just what I’d needed. Spending time with my bestie was fun and made me realize how much I’d missed her. Monday morning arrived quickly and she and Luke were flying back to Fort Worth.

  “I need to call this bride before we leave.” Delaney handed Luke her travel bags. Her photography business had flourished and she was expanding into various venues. I loved that she was doing what made her happy, especially since she was incredibly talented.

  Luke glanced at his watch. “Okay, but we need to leave in the next fifteen minutes so we don’t miss our flight.”

  “Okay.” She pulled her phone from her purse. “I’ll be ten minutes, tops.” Turning to me, she said, “Do you mind if I use your office?”

  “No, not at all.” I led her down the hall to the office Raven and I shared. “Do you need to use a computer?” I flipped on the light and led her to my side of the desk.

  She glanced at her phone. “That might be easier, so I don’t have to switch between screens.”

  “Okay.” I logged on to my laptop and moved a few papers out of the way.

  “Thanks, Lexi.” She took a seat and placed her fingers on the keyboard.

  “No problem.” I shut the door behind me, giving her some privacy.

  I returned to the living room, contemplating whether I should sit and relax until it was time to leave or go to the freezer and take something out for dinner. Raven was back at practice, preparing for next week’s game.

  Luke sat on the edge of the couch, scrolling through his phone. “Hey, Sis?”

  Stopping mid-way between the living room and kitchen, I turned around. “Yeah?”

  “You okay?” He laid his phone on the coffee table. “You seem sad. Not yourself.”

  I wasn’t sure Luke wanted to hold my basket so I could pour my hormonal issues into it. It was probably best to spare him the agony. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You’re a terrible liar, in case you haven’t noticed.”

  I laughed and sat next to him. Leaning my head against his shoulder, I said, “Being pregnant has my hormones in a wreck. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Are you sure that’s it?” I met his line of sight as he eyed me suspiciously. “Is everything okay between you and Raven?”

  “Yeah. I guess.” I released a sigh. “I know he’s trying his hardest to do what I want with his busy football schedule, but I seem to be the needy one right now.”

  “That’s understandable.” He draped an arm around me, pulling me close to him. “You’re pregnant.”

  I nodded, agreeing. “I want him to do everything with me, and he can’t.”

  “I know he feels bad about it.”

  I looked at him. “How do you know that?”

  “He told me.”

  “He did?” I cocked a brow. “What did he say?”

  Luke’s eyes softened. “He feels guilty…trying to balance his football career and being there for you. He knows you need him, but also knows what he has to do to stay in the starting position.”

  I rested my hands on my stomach, feeling the babies move. Raven was trying hard to meet all of his obligations and was doing the best he could. I was being demanding and it wasn’t fair to him. “I shouldn’t be placing additional stress on him. He has enough to deal with.”

  “Then don’t be so hard on him. Back off and give him a break.”

  Easier said than done.

  “Yeah, I’ll work on that.” A snarky tone escaped my lips.

  Luke leaned away from me. “That, right there,” he pointed at me, “is totally uncalled for.”

  “What?” I stared at him, unsure what he was referring to.

  “What? Your attitude.”

  Luke was right. Having a shitty attitude wasn’t the answer. I needed to change my disposition before someone else did.

  “Yeah, you’re right. Raven doesn’t deserve for me to treat him this way.”

  “No, he doesn’t. Just keep your eye on the prize — or prizes, in this case. Raven has the opportunity of a lifetime. And you guys are going to be parents soon. You need to ban together. It’s not going to get easier. Be honest with him. Tell him what you need, but don’t make him feel guilty about it. You know his career is demanding. Be glad it’s football and not baseball. He’d be gone a lot more than he is now.” He nudged me and it struck me right in the center of my chest.

  “Wow. Did you have to bring that up?”

  He scratched the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

  “That was a punch in the face,” we both said simultaneously.

  We released a slight laugh and he hugged me tightly. “You’re a strong woman, Sis, don’t let the little things get to you. Remember what the end goal is and focus on that. You guys have been through so much, this just another challenge. Except this one’s a good one. Man, you guys have a lot to be thankful for,” he placed his hand on my stomach, “and these babies
are the most important thing right now.”

  “I know they are,” I said with a tight throat, feeling the threat of tears.

  “Then you do what you need to do for them if Raven can’t.”

  I nodded. “I will.”

  “If he could do it, he would. He’s excited about being a father and is dying to be your husband.”

  I gave him a teary smile. “Thanks, Bro. I appreciate your support.”

  “If you need anything, and I mean anything at all, let me know.”

  “I will.”

  “Everything all right?” Delaney asked, folding a piece of a paper and shoving it in her purse.

  “Yes, just needed a little brother support.” We gave each other a tight squeeze and then he got up from the couch.

  “Ready?”

  “Not really,” Delaney gave me puppy dog eyes, “but we need to get back.”

  “Thanks again for coming.” I gave her a hug. “And for helping me get everything ready for D-day,” I said, using my nickname for delivery day.

  “Of course. That’s what friends are for.” She squeezed me. “Tell me what the doctor says. If she schedules you for a C-section, tell me when. I’ll be on the next flight.”

  “You don’t have to come back.” I stepped out of her embrace. “I know you have to work.”

  “Whatever.” She waved off my comment. “I’ll be here.”

  “We’re coming back.” Luke gave me one more hug. “We won’t let you be alone when you have the babies.”

  “I appreciate your support. Really, I do.” I blinked the tears away. Damn hormones. “I’m so glad you came for Thanksgiving. I really needed to see you guys.”

  “Thanks for having us.” Luke grabbed their luggage. “The food was awesome, better than Mom’s. But don’t tell her I said that.”