The Hazards of Mistletoe

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “You don’t understand how awkward this is going to be.”

  “Because of Glen?” Jade had heard me recount the embarrassing story a few times. She had her own stories, so I never felt like she was judging me.

  “Yes. And then add on having to meet my dad’s new girlfriend and her kids. This is going to be awful.” I’d completely planned on convincing Dad to let us go somewhere else for the holidays, but he shot that idea down quickly.

  “My holidays are going to be boring. Trust me.” She yawned and leaned back. “So feel free to call me anytime.”

  “I’m going to take you up on that.”

  “Good. Just remember there’s nothing to be embarrassed of. You’re a strong, beautiful girl. He’s the idiot who let you get away.”

  “Have you always been this good at pep talks?”

  “No, but we’ve got to get going, or you’re going to miss your flight.”

  “Okay, okay.” I got up and started collecting my stuff. “You know it’s not too late. You could still go with me.”

  “And my parents would love that.” She laughed. “Not that I wouldn’t jump on an all-expense paid ski vacation.”

  “Fine, I see how it is,” I teased. “Let’s go. I wouldn’t want to be later.” Of course it’s exactly what I wanted to be.

  She grabbed one of my bags. “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.”

  We took the elevator down to the lobby and walked outside. I wasn’t surprised to see Juliet’s car already parked out in front of my dorm. I was running a full ten minutes behind schedule.

  “Hey!” Juliet hopped out of her car. “Ready to go?”

  I smiled at my sorority big sister. She was one of the reasons I’d joined Delta Mu in the first place. “Unfortunately, yes. Sorry I was late.”

  “Don’t worry about being late, and it’s going to be fine. You’ll be back here before you know it.”

  “I was just telling her the exact same thing,” Jade opened the passenger door of Juliet’s car. “And she’s stalling so she’ll miss her flight. She can’t. She needs to go and face Glen.”

  “Yes she does,” Juliet opened her door. “Have a great break, Jade!”

  I hugged Jade goodbye. “I’m calling you tonight.”

  “Good. You’re going to be fine.”

  “Thanks.” I held onto her a moment longer. I was going to miss my college home. It had taken me a while to get used to it, but now I didn’t want to leave.

  As soon as I got in Juliet pulled away from the curb. “You know you can call me anytime too.”

  “I know. And I might.”

  She smiled. “Good.”

  The ride to the airport went entirely too fast, and before I knew it I was saying goodbye to Juliet and sitting in the boarding area for my flight.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, it was my dad. “Hello.”

  “Hey, Dalton’s flight out of Atlanta was cancelled, so he’s going to be on yours. Don’t be alarmed if a guy approaches you.”

  “How would he know it’s me, Dad?” I knew Dalton was the son of my Dad’s new girlfriend, but I had no clue what he looked like.

  “He’s seen your picture.” Dad made it sound like that was obvious. I’d never seen a picture of Dalton.

  “Great.”

  “Just be polite.” I could hear the worry in his voice. “His mother’s important to me.”

  “Got it. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  “I’m excited to see you. This is going to be fun.”

  “Are you sure we’re all going to be able to squeeze in to the condo together? It’s not too late for me to find something else to do for the week.”

  “You’re coming, Savy. The squishing in part is only going to make it more fun.”

  “You already said that.”

  “I’m reminding you.”

  They announced pre-boarding over the loud speaker. “I’ve got to go, Dad. They’re getting ready to board.”

  “Be safe. See you in a few hours.”

  “See you soon.” I slipped my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and got in line to board the plane. I found my seat and closed my eyes. My attempt to sleep lasted all of five minutes before I gave up. I was way too nervous for that.

  The flight to Atlanta was short, and I only had about a thirty minute layover. Hopefully I’d have time to hit up the bathroom and grab something to eat.

  I waited impatiently to get off the plane and high tailed it to the bathroom. I finished and checked the flight boards. My flight had moved. I now had to make it to the C concourse, and I was in A. I was going to have to run if I wanted to make it. It would take too long to wait for the shuttle train. Forget getting a snack.

  Exhausted, I made it to the gate just in time to hear them announce that the flight was delayed.

  “Fabulous, flipping fabulous.” I let my bag slide off my arm onto the floor.

  “Your dad was right, you do have an attitude.”

  I glanced up to see a very amused guy with black hair walking over. He was cute in that boy next door kind of way. “Uh, hi. Are you Dalton?”

  He held out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Savannah.”

  I accepted the handshake. “Nice to meet you too.” I pushed my bag back onto my arm. “Sorry, I ran across half the airport for nothing.”

  “I get that. I did the same thing only to find out my flight was cancelled.”

  “Isn’t it great how they do that? They can’t tell you right when you get off your flight or anything?”

  “That would make things too easy.” He smiled. “Can I take that bag for you?”

  “Oh, no thanks. But I appreciate the offer.”

  “Let me know if you change your mind. By the way, have you eaten? It sounds like we have some time to kill.”

  My stomach growled, answering his question.

  He laughed. “All right, let’s go grab some grub.”

  We settled on a bar and grill. Dalton ordered me a beer, pretending he wanted two for himself. Possible future step-brother was already earning points. I needed something to help cut my nerves.

  “My little sister is going to love you.” Dalton poured some ketchup onto his fries.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “You’re kind of her idol.”

  “Uh, she doesn’t even know me.” The only thing I knew about her was that her name was Laney, and she was a year younger than me.

  “She knows you’re a Delta Mu at Harrison. She’s kind of obsessed.”

  “My dad mentioned she’d applied there.”

  “She applied early decision. She finds out anytime now.”

  “Oh wow.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Hopefully the girl was cool. “But why does she care what sorority I’m in?” I didn’t know anything about Greek life before joining. I probably wouldn’t have at all if it hadn’t been an excuse to get to campus a week earlier.

  “Our mom was Delta Mu at Eastern.”

  “Oh, ok. That makes more sense.”

  “I never really saw the appeal of the Greek thing, but to each their own.” He took a bite of his burger.

  “I didn’t either, but it’s been fun. I’ve made some good friends.”

  “Making friends is good.” He smiled.

  “Is that your way of making fun of me? Of saying I couldn’t make friends another way?”

  He set his burger down. “You’re the one who said it. I was just agreeing with you. Friends are important, especially in college.”

  “Sorry to jump on you like that.” The thought of seeing Glen again had me in a bad mood. I needed to try to stop taking it out on other people.

  “You’re really tense. What’s that about?”

  “No comment.” I sipped my beer.

  He shrugged. “Fair enough.”

  I moved the conversation off of me. “You go to Ridgeview, right?”

  “Yeah, but only for a few more months.”

  “Nice. Excited to graduate?”

 
“Not really.” He sipped his beer. “It just means facing the real world.”

  “I’m just starting, so the thought of being done seems light years away.”

  “It goes fast, really fast.”

  “That’s what everyone says.” I took another bite of my wrap. It wasn’t particularly good or satisfying, but at least I had beer to wash it down.

  “So you’re the resident Vail expert. What exciting things do we have in store for us this week?” Dalton leaned back in his seat.

  “Aside from skiing or snowboarding?”

  “Which do you do?” he asked.

  “I snowboard.”

  “Nice, same here.”

  “To answer your question, there’s everything snow related you could want. It’s a fun time usually.”

  “Only usually?” He asked.

  I shrugged. “Long story.”

  “I don’t mind long stories. Plus we’ve got plenty of time.”

  “Ok, then a long story I don’t want to share.”

  “That’s honest. I’m guessing this has something to do with your bad mood.” Dalton finished off his burger.

  “I’m not in a bad mood.”

  He laughed. “Ok. Relax. I’ll figure it out eventually anyway.”

  We finished up our food and Dalton insisted on paying the tab. I assumed my dad would pay him back for it later. “We should probably head back over to the gate. Let’s hope the flight doesn’t get further delayed.”

  Before long our plane loaded. I was seated about five rows behind Dalton, and someone offered to switch seats so we could sit together. I didn’t mind sitting alone and told the man not to worry about it, but I appreciated the thoughtfulness of the passenger. It looked like some people still had the holiday spirit.

  Chapter Three

  Glen

  “What the hell is going on with you?” Winston yelled from behind me.

  “Nothing.” I continued gazing out at the interstate below. If I looked out the window in the kitchen I could get a tiny view of Vail Mountain across the way.

  “Bullshit. You’ve been moping around all week. Is this about your parents?”

  “No.” I wasn’t looking forward to seeing them, but I was dreading seeing someone else more. Dreading, yet counting down to it. Maybe miraculously she’d have forgotten what had happened—and that I never explained myself. A year later and I still couldn’t get that devastated look of Savy’s out of my head, neither of the devastated looks.

  “Then it’s the girl.”

  “What girl?” I whirled around to look at my roommate. Winston and I weren’t friends when I first moved in the year before, but he’d grown on me. We’d met through a mutual friend, and so far he’d been a decent roommate.

  “The one who stops you from getting any real action.”

  “There’s no girl.” There wasn’t. Not for me. I’d hurt Savy, but it had been the right thing to do. She deserved someone better. Her whole life was about people disappointing her, and I refused to be another one added to her list.

  “There’s a girl. Savy is it?”

  “Where’d you hear that name?” Winston may have been growing on me, but I didn’t want him anywhere near her. I didn’t want anyone near her.

  “I’ve heard it from you. You talk in your sleep.”

  “No really. Where did you hear it?”

  He leaned back against the counter. “Really. She’s the same girl in that picture on your phone. She has to be.”

  “What the hell? Are you stalking me or something?”

  “No. You just leave your phone out all the time. You’re obsessed. How often do you jack off to that picture? Four times a week?”

  More like every night. “Never. She’s just an old friend. Drop it.”

  “What I’m trying to figure out is why you’re obsessing even more right now? It’s got to mean she’s here.”

  I ignored him. Maybe he’d go away.

  “Yes, I’m right. I bet she’s staying over where your parents are at Lionshead.”

  “I told you to drop it.”

  “She’s hot.”

  “Shut up.”

  “No really. I’ve seen the picture. I get it.”

  I spun around. “Don’t even talk about her.”

  “I get it.”

  “What do you get?” I snapped. Winston was seriously getting on my nerves. He had no idea what he was talking about and needed to stay out of it.

  “She’s underage. That’s the problem.”

  “She’s not underage.”

  “She looks pretty young.”

  “She’s nineteen now.” Nineteen and three months and six days. Not that I was obsessed enough to know those details.

  “How old was she in the picture?”

  “Eighteen. Okay. She’s not a kid.” Not by age. She was only a year younger than me, but sometimes she seemed so much younger. She was so trusting of the wrong people.

  “And have you done her?”

  “This conversation is over. I’m going out for a run.”

  “It’s dark.”

  “Like that matters.” I put on my shoes and zipped up my jacket before heading out into the cold night.

  I’d almost had her. I’d almost experienced what I’d craved for years. The small taste I’d had still drove me crazy a year later. I could picture every inch of that amazing body of hers, and when I let myself, I could imagine another outcome. An outcome where I’d taken what she’d offered. But I hadn’t. I’d left her better off. She’d blocked me from every social media platform imaginable so I had no idea how she’d been. I hoped she’d found someone better. Someone who deserved her.

  I’d started to call her a few times, but I’d always stopped. What could I possible say? I’d destroyed our friendship that night, and a phone call wasn’t going to change that. Nothing could change it.

  I pushed myself as hard as I could during my run. I needed to burn off the stress so I could face whatever this week held.

  Chapter Four

  Savannah

  “When did you get so skinny?” Dad pulled me into a hug as soon as I entered baggage claim.

  “Gee, great to see you too.” I self-consciously wrapped my Delta Mu sweatshirt tighter around me.

  “I am paying for a full meal plan for you, aren’t I?” Dad was hard to read. Sometimes it was tough to tell if he was joking or not.

  “I eat, Dad. I’m not too skinny, this sweatshirt is just oversized.”

  “You’re skin and bones.”

  I wasn’t. I wasn’t overweight, but I wasn’t under. I was in the best shape I’d been in my whole life thanks to living near the campus fitness center. “And you look fantastic. Let’s move on.”

  “Hi, George. It’s great to see you.” Dalton held out his hand to Dad. He winked at me. Maybe he understood how frustrating parents could be.

  “Hey, Dalton. It’s great to see you again.” Dad did that whole guy half hug thing.

  Dalton stepped back after the hug. “How’s it going? I’m guessing my mom’s back at the place?”

  “Yeah, we knew it would be tight to pile everyone in.”

  “And you drew the short straw.”

  Dad laughed. “No, I couldn’t wait to see you guys. I haven’t seen Savy in months it feels like.”

  “It’s been four months. Not too bad for us.”

  Dad patted my back. “Glad you’re still full of all that sunshine and rainbows.”

  “That’s our plane.” I walked over to the baggage carousel that displayed our flight number. Dad had embarrassed me with the weight comment. Did he have to say it in front of Dalton?

  The carousel started up, and I watched for my bag. I usually avoided checking bags when I could, but it’s hard in the winter when everything you need to wear is big and bulky. At least I hadn’t had to worry about bringing my snowboard or anything. My dad always took care of that for me.

  Dalton reached around me to grab his bag. The crowd started to thin out.

>   “Looks like your bag didn’t make it, hun,” Dad said calmly from behind me.

  “It’s here. It has to be here.” There was no way I was spending the week with only the one extra set of clothes I’d packed in my carry on.

  After watching the same two bags circle around another few times I was ready to face the truth. I groaned. “I’ll go fill out the lost luggage form.”

  Dad put a hand on my shoulder. “They’ll find it and bring it over. Until then I’m sure you can borrow some clothes from Laney. You’re nearly the same size.”

  “I’ll wear my own.” Borrowing clothes from his girlfriend’s daughter? Not exactly ideal.

  Twenty minutes later we were finally getting into Dad’s rental car.

  I gladly took the passenger seat. Sometimes it was perfectly fine to play the girl card.

  “Cheer up, you’ll get your stuff.”

  “I’m fine. Really.” I certainly wasn’t going to tell him what really had me in a bad mood. There was a strong likelihood that I was going to be facing Glen in just a few hours. Hopefully I could avoid seeing him alone at all.

  “How were your flights?” Dad asked casually. “In the end it worked out that you both got in at the same time.”

  “They went fine. It was nice getting to meet Savannah early too.” Dalton hadn’t struck me as a kiss up. Maybe he was telling the truth.

  “That is nice. I think you guys are really going to have fun this week. We have some great activities planned.”

  Planned activities? That wasn’t something we ever did.

  “Oh, great. I’m excited. This is my first time out in Vail,” Dalton chatted away.

  “It’s probably too late to head out tonight, but tomorrow morning the weather’s supposed to be great.”

  “Great. I can’t wait.” I couldn’t. Despite my dislike of the cold, I did love snowboarding when I was wearing the right gear. I’d stuffed my ski jacket into my carry on. That was a lucky break.

  “How are the rooms going to work?” Dalton asked.

  “That depends.”

  “On?” I asked quickly. This had better not be when my dad told me I’d be sleeping on the pull out couch.

  “Your mom and I thought it might be nice to let the girls have the third bedroom together if you’d be ok with the couch, Dalton.”