by Taylor Hart
Mike jerked a thumb at Dom. “He’s good.” He dropped to the barstool and guzzled back a glass of water in front of him. “Thanks, Mom and Dad.”
It made Dom smile that he sounded like a kid. “Yes, thank you.”
Her mother pointed to the stool. “Sit, Dom. Michael will give you some pancakes. I’m finishing these eggs. It’s so fun to have you kids home. I know Lacey will be coming shortly. We like to eat pancakes and then go sit by the tree for presents.” She winked at him. “Extended family will be coming over around three for dinner.”
Lacey’s father balanced a platter of pancakes on one hand and set three on each of their plates. “These are fortified with protein, so don’t worry about your precious diet, Mike.”
“Awesome.” Mike grabbed the butter and slogged a bunch on, following up with a ton of syrup. “So who’s all coming today, Mom? How many chairs and tables should I haul in from the basement?”
Janet finished the eggs and put them on their plates, considering her answer while Dom picked up a fork and took a bite. “Well, it’s our turn for hosting the Snows. So we have …” She began ticking them off on her fingers. “Our family, Kevin, his four kids, plus his in-laws. We have Grandma’s sisters, and the Moons are coming too.”
Mike scoffed. “So, like, forty people.”
“Forty?” Dom blurted through a bite of pancake and eggs.
Her father saw his expression and laughed. “Don’t forget my dad and Oliver’s family. Probably between forty and fifty.”
“People?” Dom asked, wondering if he’d misheard something.
Mike laughed. “Man, you’ve never been to a Snow Christmas. It’s actually a bit on the small side this year.”
Her father winked at him. “Better eat up and save your strength for all the meeting of the family you’ll be doing.”
Janet shook her finger at him. “And tomorrow, the wrapping begins. Toys have been piling up in the high school gym.”
“What?” Dom vaguely remembered that piece of information that had been in the binder. “That’s right. A toy drive you guys host every year.”
Lacey walked into the kitchen, looking showered and fresh. Dom wondered how she’d managed to get ready so quickly.
Her father pointed a spatula at him. “I’m happy to say my business is able to match the toys and double the donation given to the children in the Christmas box house in Billings.”
Her mother piped up, noticing Dom’s confusion. “Lacey and Michael started this project a couple of years ago when they were volunteering at a homeless shelter in Billings. They realized a lot of children that are in between foster parents or being newly placed into foster care don’t have necessities when they come in, but they also don’t have presents for special events like their birthdays and Christmas.”
Michael cleared his throat. “The people who work for this organization are committed to helping these kids and they are so grateful for the toys we provide.”
“Where do they keep them all?” Dom asked.
Janet put a hand on Michael’s shoulder. “He rents a storage unit for them close to the shelter and it’s organized into bins for gender and age.”
“Wow,” Dom said, admiring Lacey’s father even more. “That’s really cool.”
Lacey appeared and sat next to him. “What’s cool?”
“The toy drive,” Dom said, seeing she wore a red turtleneck with her hair braided back. She had on red lipstick and smelled heavenly.
Lacey piled two pancakes on a plate alongside two eggs. “I told you about it, right, Dom?”
Dom recovered quickly. “That’s right.” He grinned, thinking that all those details hadn’t been in the binder. He would have to give her grief about it.
She cocked an eyebrow at him. “You remembered, right?”
“Of course.”
Mike patted his cheek. “Ah, that’s a good boyfriend.”
It was dumb, but as Lacey and Dom stared at each other, he wanted to laugh.
Lacey took his hand. “He is a good boyfriend. And this Christmas will be a great one.” She gave her family a coy look. “I can’t wait to open Dom’s present.”
Nervous angst wove through him and he had to hand it to the lady, he was more excited to open the presents than he’d been in a long time on Christmas. His mind wandered to Christmas mornings when he’d been a kid. Then he realized he’d been so busy all morning he hadn’t had time to think about his parents. He bit his lip.
Lacey moved closer to him, whispering. “Are you okay? If you want to bail on today, I’d totally understand.”
The sincerity in her eyes smashed through all the walls he’d built the past two years crumbled so fast, he almost couldn’t stand in their wake. “Of course not,” he whispered into her ear. “I wouldn’t miss giving you my present for the world.”
An hour later, as they all sat around the Christmas tree, soft Christmas music playing in the background, Dom sat next to Lacey on the floor, helping distribute the barrage of presents beneath the tree into piles. “For Mike.” He handed over the present, and Mike put it in a pile. This had been going on for about five minutes.
“For Dom.” Her father passed him a present.
Dom stared at it. He was already holding the present from Lacey. “But …”
Lacey put a hand over his. “My mom can’t stop herself.”
Dom looked at Janet, who winked at him and said, “I think Santa might have found you here.”
Mike guffawed and slugged him playfully in the arm. “Might be coal.”
Dom managed an awkward smile, feeling guilty he hadn’t gotten anyone else a present.
Michael finished handing out presents and turned to all of them. “Time to thank the Lord before presents.”
All of them bowed their heads and Michael began praying. Dom was touched by how sincere and heartfelt the prayer was, thanking the Lord for Christmas and the Savior’s birth and sacrifice for all of them. He thanked the Lord for each one of them, including Dom. Part of Dom felt uncomfortable, knowing that it was a lie.
The prayer ended and they began opening presents.
“Open mine first.” Lacey nudged him, picking up the rectangular, red-wrapped gift and putting it in his hand.
It was dumb, but his heart raced and he really wished he would have known this woman and had a chance to buy her something.
She nudged him again. “Go on.”
He pulled off the paper, grateful all of them were opening presents and none of them were specifically watching him, except Lacey.
Opening the box, he saw it was a blue sweater. He tugged it out and held it up to his chest, happy it wasn’t too expensive.
Lacey grinned. “I knew it’d match your eyes.”
Once again, this felt more real than he was comfortable with. He picked up the present he had “given” to her and put it on her lap. “Your turn.”
A happy look washed over her face. She ripped off the wrapping paper and opened the box, tugging out an aqua dress. Her eyes twinkled and she giggled, pushing him lightly. “Dom, you got it to match my eyes, didn’t you?”
It seemed like she had an inside joke. “Exactly.” He laughed, finding her giggling contagious, and before he knew it he put his arm around her and tickled her side. She leaned into his chest and laughed harder.
“Hey!” Mike called out. “No cheesy boyfriend-girlfriend stuff.” He held up a new pair of boxer gloves, smiling broadly. “Prepare yourself, Dom, these are going to make me powerful!”
Everyone laughed, and Dom held Lacey against him. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, and he was happier than he’d been in a long, long time.
Chapter 13
Lacey stood at the kitchen sink, where she’d been for the past hour since Christmas dinner had ended. She stared out at the people playing football in the snow-plowed part of the yard her father had spent all morning preparing.
When the family and friends had arrived, she and Dom had greeted them and she’
d introduced Dom as her boyfriend. Some of them were close cousins, but most of them were great-aunts and -uncles and second cousins. Tables filled every part of the house, and Dom and Mike had even cleared out a large office of her father’s to put tables in there. The place had been a madhouse with little babies crying and older kids pairing off and all the adults ignoring the kids in order to catch up.
Dom had been a trooper. He dutifully played the doting boyfriend, holding her hand, playing with her hair when she was talking to a cousin on her other side during dinner. It had taken her a bit off guard when she’d turned to him and he’d smiled at her as he gently twisted a handful of her hair.
Oliver and Linda had sat a couple of tables over. Linda, a former cheerleader, had a blond, bouncy cut that looked stuck in perpetual motion because she laughed loudly and shook her head often. She’d been sweet when she’d walked in the house today and greeted Lacey. Even though Lacey had wanted to deck her in the face, she’d plastered on a fake smile. It was everyone’s Christmas and she wasn’t going to ruin it with a catfight.
Lacey hated Oliver. She didn’t know why he’d thought it would be okay to confess to her about cheating on her. It was a bit disconcerting when she watched Linda and Oliver whispering and holding hands and stealing kisses. It made her want to puke when she thought of how she’d wanted that. Right? She’d wanted to be that girl.
Oliver had met her gaze a couple of times, and she’d quickly looked away and refocused on Dom or what her cousins were discussing. It was amazing how much she really couldn’t stand the sight of Oliver today.
When her father announced the football game, she’d volunteered to clean up with her aunts and her mother.
Her grandpa stood next to her, drying the dishes. “The boy can play, I’ll say that.” He peered out the window, and she smiled as she watched Mike throw a pass to Dom down the field. When he caught it, all the cousins on that team started celebrating.
The other team had Oliver, Linda, her father, and some strong cousins. Granted, Dom and Mike probably shouldn’t be on the same team, but for the most part, they seemed evenly matched. “Yeah, he’s in good shape.” She kept washing, scrubbing the dishes. It had felt like she’d been washing forever.
Her grandfather put a pot down and gazed out the window intently. “Did you say that boy is military?”
Feeling caught, she tried to brush off the comment. She hadn’t thought her grandfather would be able to tell. “Uh, he’s getting a MBA at CSU.” Not really an answer to the question.
Her grandfather didn’t move, just watched him.
When she glanced up at Dom, he and Mike were doing a little sparring on the field, just feinting and not really hitting each other. Dom’s moves were cut, succinct, orderly.
She felt a twinge of nerves pulse through her. It would not suit to have her lie revealed today. Silently, she cursed herself, thinking she should have listened to Dom before getting on the plane when he’d recommended there not be so many lies. Why hadn’t she just told the truth about him, that he was a pilot in the Air Force? What did it matter?
Well, she guessed it wouldn’t matter, because she wouldn’t have that much time with him. They’d never be serious, not with him living in Florida and constantly moving around the world doing dangerous missions.
It occurred to her that it must be hard for Dom to maintain a relationships with. He’d mentioned a fiancée who had left him two years ago, but he hadn’t mentioned any current girls. She was sure if Ellie knew about a current girlfriend or something, she would have told her.
As if he could feel people staring at him, Dom turned around and caught her eye. He wore a sweatshirt, a beanie cap that her brother had let him borrow, gloves, his jeans, and some snow boots. The look his eyes seemed to ask if she was okay.
“Humph.” Her grandfather grunted, picking up another plate to dry.
Unable to stop herself, she smiled and waved at Dom. He winked and turned back to the game.
In her peripheral vision, she noticed Oliver staring at her. Then he turned to look at Dom. Off to the side, Linda did little cheerleader moves and squealed. A lot. There was also some pointing to the ball and shouting. So annoying. Lacey rolled her eyes.
“Guess you have two boys to pick from now, don’t you, missy?” Her grandfather let out a chuckle and sighed.
“What?” she asked. “No. What? Grandpa.” She focused on scrubbing.
“I may be old, but I can see better than most.” Picking up another large plate, he asked, “Which are you going to choose?”
Her heart fluttered, and she knew she was turning red. “Grandpa …”
“Oliver or the military one?”
A surge of adrenaline spiked through her. She turned to her grandpa, but he wasn’t looking at her, just whistling a little tune and excessively drying the plate. “Oliver’s engaged, Grandpa.” She wanted to add “and he’s a big, fat cheater,” but she didn’t.
She didn’t want to lie about Dom not being in the military, so she didn’t say anything else. She wondered if there was some code or scent all military guys put off so they could sniff each other out.
Her grandfather let out a stiff laugh that turned into a cough. “You could have your pick of either of those boys.”
Why would her grandfather would say that? Oliver was clearly into Linda. He was going to marry her.
As if the universe wanted to taunt her, the side door opened and Oliver came through. “Hey, Grandpa Hamilton. It’s cold out there.” He took off his coat and hung it. “Why don’t you let me take a shift drying dishes for a bit?”
She paused, hands submerged in sudsy water.
Her grandfather chuckled, taking the dishtowel and tossing it over her shoulder. “Better decide quick, girl, but I would pick military. All the way.”
Before she even had a chance to respond, Oliver grabbed the towel. “Thanks, Grandpa.”
“Wouldn’t call me that quite yet, sonny,” Grandpa said, turning from them. “I’m taking a nap upstairs. Let the womenfolk know if they come after me.”
Oliver stood next to her, lightly pulling on her ponytail. “Hey, pony girl,” he said, picking up a big plate.
Her hackles rose, and she spoke quietly but firmly. “Don’t call me that.”
Standing this close to him, she picked up on his smell. His clothes detergent had been the same since forever, but now there was a hint of women’s perfume. Yes, because his fiancée had been draped all over him.
Turning her attention back to the task at hand, she quickly drained the dirty water and began refilling the sink. “I don’t need any help.” She looked around. Strangely enough, the kitchen had emptied of people. A round of laughter from her aunts and mother echoed in the other room.
“Couldn’t let you have all the fun in here,” he said, efficiently working his way through the pile. “There are a lot of dishes.” He looked around.
Feeling nervous, she asked, “How’s Linda?”
Oliver turned to stare out the window, and Lacey followed his gaze. Outside, Linda looked like she was intent on helping Mike get the ball down the field, tripping and falling and laughing.
“I think she’s having a good time.” Oliver nudged her with his shoulder. “Your parents always put on a good Christmas.”
For the life of her, she could only remember a handful of Christmases he hadn’t been here. Irritation threatened to rise, but she tamped it down. She didn’t want a scene today. “Yeah, they do.”
“How is Dom enjoying the guesthouse?” There was an edge to his voice
Lacey looked at Oliver. He made her sick, and she wanted to yell at him, but everyone here thought she was fine and had a wonderful boyfriend. No one here knew his secret—including his mother, sick with breast cancer, and her entire family.
Dom had been right. Oliver had done her a favor by telling her the truth. Now, at least she knew. She didn’t have to pine for him or feel like she had made a bad choice and given up some great future for him.
Oliver moved across the kitchen and put away some of the pans. Of course Oliver knew where the pans went. How many times had they done this together, washing and drying? Too many. “I just hope he’s good enough for you.” He came back to her side and glared out the window. “Seems pretty cocky to me.”
As if to prove just how cocky he was, Dom caught a pass and juked some people. Then he held the football in the air and hollered while the younger cousins tackled him. Dom fell playfully to the ground, and she could see he was truly in his element.
“Maybe I like cocky.” Lacey hadn’t figured out if it was cocky or just plain confident yet. He had to be both if he was the kind of guy who got out when he was trapped behind enemy lines. “Looks like he was beating you out there on the field.” She was proud of herself for keeping her cool.
Oliver scoffed. “Whatever.” He tugged a pot out of the pile and focused on drying it.
The words spilled out before she could stop them. “Are you jealous? Because you gave up any right to be jealous the moment you cheated on me.” She snapped her fingers. “Wait, and which moment was that? You said you’d been cheating for how long?” Her breath was coming fast, and she wanted to claw at his face. It had haunted her as she’d fallen asleep: just how long had he been cheating on her?
“I only told you about that because I want to do things right by you,” Oliver said, looking baffled by her clear rage. He jerked his head around the kitchen, checking for people.
Sucking in a breath and then letting it out quickly, Lacey couldn’t believe how different Oliver looked to her at this moment. It was like she’d built him up in her mind for so long she couldn’t see the truth. He was a cheater. He’d cheated on her for years.
“Because, Lacey,” he said, his voice level dropping a notch and his eyes turning sincere, “I need to tell you that I’ve been thinking a lot about you. Us.” He wagged his finger between the two of them. “Remember prom, senior year?”