Holiday Spice & Everything Nice

by Conn, Claudy

  “I didn't know at first what was wrong with Dad. He hid it behind binge drinking. When the trouble first started, I was afraid, so I ran away. The town we're heading to is where I ended up, and a woman helped me get through. She runs a program for at risk teens. It's been a long time since I've been over there to say hi and volunteer my time.” True, so when Liz saw her, it wouldn't be a dead giveaway that Sasha hadn't been out in a while.

  “Are you thinking about that kid from last night? Is that what brought it on?”

  “Yeah. Well, one thing anyway.” Another partial truth. “I know, I should have asked. I guess-”

  His hand landed on her knee. She tensed for a second before wanting him to keep it there. “I don't mind. In fact, I think it's a great idea. If this is what helps you, then I'll gladly go along with it.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Hey, I give back, too. I'm not the Scrooge everyone says I am.” Real hurt laced his voice.

  “That's not what I meant at all!”

  He sighed. “I know. I'm sensitive right now. This whole Scrooge thing has been blown way out of proportion. I'm so tired of it.”

  Sasha could only imagine. She'd been at the brunt of people's jokes, teasing, and comments off and on for years, but Kevin had it worse. He'd become a household name. Many people knew his movies. Good or bad, they knew of him.

  She'd bet not many people knew the real Kevin.

  Neither did she, but at least now, Sasha had been learning the different sides of the man. He had a sarcastic, playful attitude, but she wondered if it was to hide how he really felt. His family was so different from him. She'd seen that last night.

  Maybe what she thought was snobbery back in high school was really shyness or something. She'd pegged him all wrong for years, hadn't she? “So...why acting?”

  “Huh?” Kevin finally moved his hand from her knee. Sasha wished he'd put it back. When she realized her trail of thoughts, she silently swore. She should not be thinking about stuff like that.

  “What made you go into acting?”

  “Oh!” He forced out a laugh. “Sorry, got lost in my own world. Your question threw me off.”

  Sasha would like to throw him off in other ways.

  “It started off as a favor for a friend in high school. He took drama to impress a girl, but sucked at learning the lines. I helped him, and then discovered I enjoyed it. Acting helped me get away from the life I was expected to live.” His tone grew angry at his last sentence.

  “What life is that?” she asked softly, wondering if he'd tell her.

  “My father wants me to run the family company one day. I've never been interested. You should have seen his face when I told him a few months before graduating that I'd be taking off to Hollywood. I've disappointed him many times in my life, but this one took the cake.”

  “I'm sorry.”

  Before her father's disease, he'd always been proud. Sasha had been his pride and joy. She'd rather have Dad look at her with disappointment than for him to look at her with absolutely no recognition at all.

  Which reminded her why she was doing this in the first place. For her father.

  *****

  Kevin wished he hadn't said anything about his father and disappointment. He hated talking about it. The playful conversation had changed once again after he said that. At least a good distraction changed things after they arrived to their destination. He had a feeling Sasha hadn't thought it through and that this had become her spur of the moment escape today. Kevin didn't mind. It meant getting out of town, away from his family, and away from any media that wanted to spin last night's story in a million different ways.

  And he had a chance to get to know Sasha better.

  A very light drizzle fell as they entered the building. Kevin studied it. The place needed some repairs. He noted that right away. Was this a non-profit place? If this meant so much to Sasha, then he wanted to do what he could to help.

  Who would have thought coming home this time, that he'd be face to face with the once shy girl he'd been a little infatuated with in high school? She'd grown up for sure, but still hid in a shell. Her life had gone to shit after he graduated. Living in her car. He couldn't even fathom that idea! How had her friends never done anything to help? Did she not tell them? What did she do about school? Food, drink, proper hygiene?

  This was all because of her father's illness and the people his family surrounded themselves with not leaving him alone? What exactly had he done, anyway?

  In a quick, impulsive move, Kevin grabbed her hand, gently pulling her toward him. “Can I ask you a favor?”

  Her full, pink lips parted, and he had to fight the urge not to lean forward and kiss them. They were tempting. Damn tempting. “W-what kind of favor?”

  He made her nervous. Wonder why that was? “Be my date to any wedding functions, including the wedding itself.”

  “What? You're serious?” Gorgeous, confused eyes stared back at him.

  “I'm very serious.”

  “Why me?”

  He could list a thousand reasons why her, but he stuck to one. For now. “I'm intrigued by you and enjoy your company.” Maybe before he left for his next shoot, he'd tell her how far back his interest in her had gone.

  “This is probably a bad idea. Your family and friends-”

  Kevin cut her off. “-don't get a say in the matter. I don't care what your father did or didn't do. I like you, and I would really like someone I get along with at these things. Might take the edge off for me a little.” He flashed her his million watt smile. “Please? Yes, I'm resorting to begging. Do I have to get on my knees?”

  She giggled. “For now, no. But I might have to call you out on it in the near future. Okay, but if things get too awkward...”

  “Then I'll whisk you away from there immediately,” he promised. Hell, he'd probably follow her and not return. At times, there was only so much of his family he could take.

  *****

  “Sasha! Long time no see! You're looking great!” Liz gathered her in a huge motherly hug. When she finally gave her a little breathing space, her gaze landed on Kevin. “You look like Kevin Wright. Anybody ever tell you that?”

  Stifling a laugh, Sasha wondered how Kevin would field this one. Did he plan to admit who he was, or let it play off as a perfect shoe-in for the actor?

  “You know, I get that all my life.” He shot her a cheesy grin. “Don't tell anyone, but he's my twin. I don't know how he got the acting gig and I ended up left out, but one day I'll become his stunt double, get rid of him, and take my rightful place as movie star king.”

  “He's pulling my leg, isn't he?” Liz nudged Sasha, unsure.

  “I'm pulling your leg,” he admitted.

  “Then you have some explaining to do. How did you wind up with my best girl here? What are your intentions with Sasha?”

  “Liz!” she protested, heat flushing to her cheeks. So not funny!

  “I intend to...” Kevin set his heated gaze on her while thinking. “Give her the best Christmas possible,” he said softly and very seriously.

  “He's a keeper!” Liz grinned. “So what brings you by?”

  “I haven't been here in a while, and I thought I'd check in with you, see what I can do to help.” Sasha stumbled over her words.

  “Well, you've come on a perfect day! Come see what we've got going on. You too, Kevin!”

  No turning back now, right?

  Chapter Eight

  Three days after spending time with Sasha, Kevin had barely heard a word from her. He'd contemplated going by her apartment to say hi, but couldn't bring himself to do it for some reason. Maybe she needed her space. He'd watched her at the at-risk center and realized how much passion she had for helping people. Kevin had played a few games of chess with one boy. He thought it was nothing, but to that troubled kid it meant the world. He'd recognized Kevin from one of the action movies he'd starred in about two years ago. When the boy shyly asked for his autograph, Kevin h
ad no problem with it. They'd talked for an hour about good and bad movies. He'd learned the boy's name- Aaron, and a little about his life.

  It hit Kevin hard. Sure, he had a family with some issues and may not get along with them, but he had it made. If his father being disappointed in him was the largest of his worries, then he should consider himself lucky. Aaron's father had been an abusive drunk. He'd overdosed on pills and booze, leaving Aaron and his mother alone.

  Hell. Double hell. That poor kid.

  Even the shit with Marianne was minuscule compared to young Aaron's troubles.

  “Keeee-vvvviiiiiin!” Marly Jean wailed in her whiny voice. “Why aren't you listening to me?”

  He snapped to attention. “Huh?”

  Her lips turned down in a pout. “Why are you always spaced out?”

  “Thinking about stuff.” Things she'd never understand. Marly Jean lived and breathed wedding plans right now, and after she was married, she'd still never come down to earth.

  “What could be more important than my wedding plans?” She stomped her foot. Damn, this girl had her fit down pat. Always the same thing. The pout, the voice, the foot stomping. Poor Rocky. Kevin held back a snicker.

  Oh, how many things could he list? “Why are you still making wedding plans, anyway? Shouldn't this have been done ages ago?”

  “Ugh. You men know nothing. The wedding is already perfectly planned. These plans are for the parties leading up to the wedding.” She threw her hands up in the air, then rolled her eyes.

  “And why are you doing these?”

  “Must I explain everything to you? Hello! It's the wedding of the decade! We have to do this in style!” His sister flicked him with her long, bright red nails. “Now pay attention. Oh, and who's your date for the dance?”

  “Dance?” Was this on the itinerary? Damn, he hated dancing!

  “Yes. We're doing ballroom dancing. Lessons, you know. I had the best team brought together to do this. That's what tonight's event is. So again, I ask. Who is your date?”

  “Sasha will be my date for all these occasions.” Let's see her reaction.

  “Sasha? Why would you bring her?”

  Kevin held up a finger. “One, I like her.” Second finger. “Two, she's fun.” Three he kept to himself. Sasha wasn't like anyone he'd ever met, and he liked that about her.

  “Oookay. Well, whatever. She better not bring any drama with her.” Marly Jean's warning was clear.

  “Why would you say that? Sasha hasn't done anything.” He glared at his sister, daring her to even say anything bad about Sasha. What the hell?

  “Oh, Kevin, you're living in your perfect world. You should have been around the last few years. Sasha's name is trouble. Look at her father. I bet she's just like him. Watch it, or she'll be the next Marianne.”

  He flew to his feet, slamming his fist on the table. “Don't you dare say that again. Any of it! How about you get to know a person before you judge? How would you like it if I went looking for information on your husband-to-be, huh? I hardly see him around. What's his story?”

  “Don't you dare say anything bad about Rocky! He's amazing! Go ahead! Find something on him. He'll tell you anything you want to know.” Marly Jean shrieked, also jumping to her feet. “Why do you have to ruin everything?”

  “I give up.” Kevin held back a retort and left the house to cool off.

  This Christmas wedding and all of the events beforehand needed to end quick. He couldn't take much more of his family's dramatics.

  *****

  Sasha finally hit send on the photos and email to Jack. Queasiness took over, and she debated about canceling with Kevin tonight, even though she wanted to see him.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Her father roared from the doorway of her bedroom.

  With a gasp, Sasha whirled around. For a split second, she thought maybe he'd seen what she just sent. That couldn't be possible! Even if so, it wasn't like he knew what the photos were. No, this had to do with something else. But-

  Ooooh. He found her stupid pregnancy test. Sasha shot to her feet and attempted to snatch it from him. “Why do you have this? Give it back!”

  “You're way too young to be having a baby! Who's the idiot that knocked you up. I'll kill him!” Dad jerked his arm away, still gripping the pregnancy test.

  Sasha was about to tell him to look at the negative results, but what good would that do? She wasn't sure how old he thought she was, but there was a hint of recognition. Damn this stupid disease.

  “I thought I raised you better than that, Sasha! No fifteen year old of mine is going to be having a baby!” He lunged at her, his old gray eyes full of fury.

  “Dad, stop! Stop! I'm not fifteen! This is me, now, as an adult. I'm not pregnant. Dad!” she shrieked. Sasha tripped on her shoe and fell backward, nearly hitting her head on the corner of her bed. Dad toppled over, unable to stop. “Dad!”

  “What's going on in here?” a voice asked from the doorway. “Sasha!”

  Sasha blinked as she tried to get to her feet, her father still yelling. Kevin! What was he doing here?

  “Is he the fool who knocked you up?” Dad roared, attempting to get to his feet. He stumbled once, but regained his composure and barreled toward Kevin, who prepared himself well. He caught Dad and kept him from punching his lights out.

  “I didn't get anyone pregnant, sir. Your daughter and I are friends,” he said calmly, still holding his hands. Kevin's gaze flicked to Sasha, uncertain and confused.

  “He thinks I'm fifteen,” she whispered, defeated. “He recognizes me, just the wrong time.”

  “You knocked my baby girl up!” Dad continued to attempt to fight Kevin. “You ruined her life!”

  “Dad, you need to stop before you hurt yourself.” Sasha blew out a breath and tried to field the frustrations he hurled toward Kevin. “Look at me. I'm not the fifteen year old you think I am.”

  He stopped and stared at her. “How did you grow up so fast? You don't look fifteen. How can you mess up like that?”

  “It's because I'm not, Dad. I'm twenty-five. I didn't mess anything up.” Her voice came out small. Sasha trembled. Don't fall apart. Don't fall apart. He doesn't know any better.

  “Twenty-five and pregnant? Still too young!”

  “I'm not pregnant. It's negative. Now let me have it, and forget all about the stupid test. What about some lunch and a movie until Arlene gets here? Want to do that?” Sasha waited, holding her breath for his answer.

  “Who is this?” Dad stopped fighting back, but he sent Kevin a wary stare.

  “He's my friend. Nothing more,” Sasha swore, wishing for a second that it wasn't true. What she'd give for someone to take care of her, even for a little while. She shot that thought down immediately. It was just stress and the overwhelming feeling talking. That's all.

  No one needed to take care of her. She'd been taking care of everyone else for so long now.

  *****

  Sasha's father fell asleep halfway through the movie. Kevin took that moment to move next to her. She huddled under a blanket on the couch with a somber expression. She'd invited him to stay for a while, but hadn't asked why he showed up in the first place. It was probably the last thing on her mind. Kevin was glad he arrived when he had, otherwise who knows how things would have turned out.

  Tears filled her eyes when she glanced up at him. Kevin wanted to reach for her and wipe them away. “Why did you come by, anyway?” There was the question he'd been waiting for. “Did you need something?”

  “I wanted to see you,” he said simply. “When I heard your dad yelling and you screaming, I thought the worst. I never meant to barge in.”

  “I'm really glad you did, honestly,” she admitted, resting her head on his shoulder. The simple act gave Kevin the impression that this woman's strength was wavering. Sasha had kept herself fairly well put together the night of the attempted robbery, but every time something happened with her father that he'd seen so far, her strong front chipped
away slowly.

  Kevin slipped an arm around her shoulders, allowing her to move closer. He ran his hand through her blond locks in lazy gestures. “Do you want to skip tonight?” He broke the silence. His sister would kill him if he missed, but Sasha had no obligations to the dance lessons.

  She raised her head from his shoulder. All evidence of her tears had been wiped away, but he could tell she carried a lot of pain. It was in her eyes. “No. Arlene will be here. Is it bad that sometimes I can't wait to get away from my own place? Days like today- they kill me emotionally. You won't...say anything about this to anyone, right?”

  “Of course not. Your secrets are safe with me.” He made a cross over his heart.

  “Thank you.”

  When Sasha leaned into him again, Kevin knew he was in way over his head with this woman. Just a few days visiting home, and he could see himself finding reasons to visit her more often.

  His piqued interested, which started in high school, was turning into something more.

  Chapter Nine

  For a few hours, Sasha made a promise to enjoy the time out tonight. After today's scare with Dad, she most definitely needed it. He went from one extreme to the other. When he woke from his nap, he'd looked right through her again. No memory of his earlier outburst. He had no idea she was his daughter.

  Since Kevin had stayed with her the entire day, she never got a chance to check her email for a reply from Jack. With all of Kevin's attentiveness, what she'd done only made her feel worse. She couldn't convince herself a few harmless photos were okay.

  Time was running out. Dad wouldn't be able to stay at home forever. Sasha was only one person, and she couldn't stay home 24/7 to take care of him. Damn it if the decision didn't weigh heavy on her heart.

  “Be honest. How good of a dancer are you?” Kevin reached for her hand, closing his fingers over hers as they were seated. His sister stood in the middle of the room wearing a long red dress that seemed to catch the light in every angle, enhancing the sequins. Her hair was pinned up in a neat bun, her makeup thick. She scanned the room, her gaze lingering on Kevin and Sasha longer than anyone else, before she focused back on the instructor.