Holiday Spice & Everything Nice

by Conn, Claudy

  “How about we take this to go? I’ll eat it when I get back up to my room.”

  He waved his hand to our waiter and asked for the check and minutes later, we were sitting in his car not saying a word to each other. The silence was deafening and I couldn’t take it any longer so I turned around in my seat and faced him.

  “What’s wrong?” No answer so I continued, “All right, I’m sorry that I had them bring you a birthday cake and yes, I was making fun of your name, a little bit, but you keep making fun of mine as well.”

  He snapped his head around quickly.

  “No, I don’t. I love your name.”

  “Well, I don’t, and I would prefer for you to quit calling me by it. My name is Gemma.”

  He turned back around to face the steering well and very quietly said, “Okay, I’ll stop.”

  As soon as he reached up to start the car, I grabbed his hand to stop him.

  “What’s wrong? Why are you so pissed off?”

  He shook his head at me. “I’m not pissed.”

  “Yes, you are. I can feel it oozing out of you.” I grabbed his bicep and could feel his whole body tense up as soon as I grabbed him. “Flynn, talk to me.”

  He turned to face me and I saw a look in his eyes that I had never seen come from him and it looked like sadness and my heart went out to him.

  “Did you order the cake just so that you could make fun of my name?” He gave me a serious look.

  “No, I ordered the cake because today is your birthday and everyone should have cake on their birthday. I have been waiting to bring your name up and when I told the waitress what to put on your cake; I decided to have Huck put on it. Why? Are you mad that I had them make you a cake for your birthday? Do you not celebrate birthdays?”

  His face softened a little, but I could still see something in his eyes, letting me know that he was holding back his feelings.

  “Are you still mad at me? About the possible wife issue?” he asked nervously.

  “Why do you care if I’m upset with you about that or not? Granted, I feel for the poor girl because I know what it feels like to be tossed away like that.” I said through gritted teeth. Maybe I was mad at him, but I had no right to be.

  “You’re judging me based on something that I did years ago and to be honest, wouldn’t you have done the same thing? Could you have stayed in a village that didn’t speak your language and you didn’t know a soul, except for the one person you were attracted to and on a whim, ended up in their bed? You can only stay for so long before you realize that you don’t belong there.”

  He made a valid point, so I nodded. “You’re right. I would have done the same thing because I wouldn’t have seen a future there, but let’s get back to the cake. Why are you upset about the cake?”

  “I’m not upset about the cake at all. I’m just reminiscing about the last time I actually had a birthday cake and it is a little bittersweet that the last time anyone did anything for my birthday, or even told me Happy Birthday, was my last birthday with my mother, a few months before she died. She’s also the only one in the world who ever called me Huck, so, I am having a few 'dejavu' moments right now.”

  Eight years?

  He has gone eight years without anyone acknowledging his birthday? No wonder he had seemed so sad when the cake was sitting in front of him and I just now realized that I never told him Happy Birthday. I also didn’t miss what he said about his name.

  I leaned towards him and grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer to me and said, “Happy Birthday, Huck Finn.”

  I brushed my lips against his as he grabbed the back of my neck with his hands, pulling me closer to him and deepening the kiss. I hadn’t forgotten how good of a kisser he is and I wanted more from him than just a little make out session in his car.

  “Wanna go back to your room, where we can finish this? I could give you a proper birthday present.” I whispered against his lips.

  He shook his head at me as he continued to kiss my jaw and kept plying me with kisses down my neck, turning my whole body into jelly with need for him.

  “I can’t. We’ve already done more than I wanted to already. We need to back up a little and forget that the other night never happened.”

  I pulled away from him and his body was telling me that he wanted to go back to the room, but his words were telling me the complete opposite.

  I couldn’t hold back my anger.

  “Are you serious?”

  He ignored my words and pulled me back to him and started kissing me again, but I pushed his hands off of me and retreated to the other side of the car.

  “Gemma, I’m sorry, but…”

  I was furious. “What the hell? I was kidding when I said I didn’t like you, I really do and I’m very attracted to you and from the way you’re kissing me; I can tell that you’re attracted to me, too.”

  He gave me a heated look. “I am attracted to you. I’m very attracted to you, but I feel bad about how we started things up. We weren’t supposed to have met until I went into your store today. I had no intention of coming here and having a one-night-stand with anyone and I should have stayed in my room that night instead of going to that bar.”

  I was so confused. This isn’t the first time that he’s mentioned regretting our one-night-stand. Granted, it was my first and only and at first I was a little ashamed of myself for agreeing to have one with him, but our magnetic attraction had me feeling that it was normal and that I wasn’t being slutty. Is that what he thinks I am now? A slut? Someone he can toss away when he damn well feels like it? Like Brett did?

  “Take me home. Now! And I want you to bring me my family ring tomorrow and I’ll have a check for you in a few days when I get the accounts straightened out.”

  I sat back in my seat and put my seat belt on and waited for him to start the car and prayed that I could keep my tears at bay until I was safely inside my home and alone in my bed.

  After waiting a couple of minutes for him to start the car, I glanced at him and he was staring at me with a defeated look on his face. When I started glaring daggers into his eyes, he let out a sigh and started the car and pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards my house.

  As soon as we reached the house, I jumped out of the car and ignored his pleas for me to stop and listen to him. After shutting the front door, glad that everyone seemed to be in bed, I crawled into bed and cried myself to sleep for the first time in years.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  I woke up an extra hour early the next morning because I needed to quit procrastinating and try to find out what information I can on the bank account that my father had told me about. When our parents died, the business was doing great and thankfully we weren’t strapped with any outstanding bills that needed to be paid because my father had always kept everything in running order.

  Thankfully the building, that the jewelry store is in on the bottom floor, and our upstairs four-bedroom apartment, was paid for over a decade ago and we didn’t have to worry about using any of the income from the business to pay it off.

  Once the life insurance policies paid out, I split the money between the four of us and that is how we’ve all been able to pay for our college tuitions and still have some set aside for Blue. I’m very curious about this other account that I didn’t have any information on and after a few calls; I am finally set up to check out the account online.

  I stopped what I was doing when Blue walked past me and headed straight for the coffee pot, not saying a word to me.

  “Good morning.” I said, wondering if he was still upset with me.

  He nodded over the brim of his cup and started to walk into the living room, but I stopped him.

  “Hey, I am cooking dinner for Thanksgiving, whether you want to be here or not, I’m just putting it on the table that there will be dinner. I’m going to try to talk Ruby into coming home as well.”

  “You don’t have to because I asked you to. I already told you that I was fine with goin
g to Skyler’s this year.” He said coolly.

  “I know and that’s fine, if that’s what you want to do, but, I’m kind of looking forward to it now and I just wanted to let you know that I was cooking.”

  After my exchange with Flynn last night, the saddened look on his face over me doing something as simple as ordering him a birthday cake, made me think of Blue and how he is even younger than Flynn was when he lost both parents. Blue is a great kid who makes straight A’s and I’ve never had a problem with his temper and he’s always obeyed what few rules we have set for him, so dinner is the least I could do to make him happy. Having the letter that Flynn wrote for my father also opened my heart to the closure that I didn’t realize I so desperately needed after my parents death.

  “What made you change your mind?” He asked and the curious look on his face reminded me of our father.

  Onyx and Blue could pass for twins if they were closer in age and they both took after our father in regards to their dark complexion, dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. Ruby and I took after our mother with our fair complexion and light blue eyes and light brown, almost blonde hair. Ruby of course experiments with colors and the last time we saw her, as she was headed to her dorm, her hair was bright blue. On anyone else, it would have looked ridiculous, but with her skin tone and eye color, it looked great on her.

  I went into my bedroom and grabbed the envelope with the letter and came back into the room and handed it to Blue.

  “Here. Onyx has already read it and it made me feel better, knowing that they weren’t alone and someone was taking care of them at the end.”

  Blue gave me a curious look and hesitantly took it out of my hands and I saw his eyes mist up when he read the beginning of the letter. He walked into his room so that he could read it privately, which I understood completely so I sat back down at the table to see if the computer had pulled the website up yet since our wifi was acting up and taking its sweet time this morning.

  I stopped breathing when I was able to get into the account and I didn’t know whether to laugh at the absurd amount that was in the account or to cry that I didn’t have to worry anymore about what we would do if the jewelry store quit doing so well.

  “Is that the account Dad was talking about in this letter?” Blue asked behind me while waving the letter in the air.

  I still had my hands over my mouth when I turned around and nodded at him.

  “Wow!” I’ve never seen his eyes bigger. “Can I get an upgrade on my car?”

  I started to say yes, but then my frugal mind and the fact that he wasn’t 18 yet stopped me before I answered so I back pedaled.

  “A newer car would make a great graduation gift and anyway, there’s nothing wrong with the car you have now. It’s only a few years old.” I reminded him.

  “I know, but a brand new Ford Mustang would work instead of that four door sedan you bought me.” He was grinning from ear to ear.

  “That’s what scares me. That four door sedan of yours is a lot safer than a Mustang.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “I’m not a baby anymore and you know I’m a good kid and a good driver and I never cause you any trouble. I should be rewarded.” He gave me a full grin as I shook my head at him.

  “Nice try. I’ll reward you when you have that high school diploma in a frame.”

  “For real? Will you let me pick it out?” He asked as I saw him stare away at nothing, probably picturing what color he wanted.

  “Yes, I will.”

  “Thank you!” He ran up to me and lifted me off of my feet and hugged me tight.

  I wiped my cheeks of the happy tears that had fallen and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  “Put me down you Neanderthal. When did you get so tall?” I looked up at him when he sat me back down.

  “I’m 6’ 4” now, an inch taller than Onyx. He can’t refer to me as his little brother anymore.” Blue said with enthusiasm.

  “Yes, I can. You’re always going to be my little kid brother, no matter how big you get, Squirt.” Onyx walked into the kitchen scrubbing his eyes and I didn’t miss the shocked look on his face when he looked down at my computer.

  “Holy shit! Am I seeing this right? Ten fucking million dollars?”

  I nodded. “And some change, yeah.” I grinned.

  “Fuck me!” Onyx headed to the coffee pot and by the shock of the amount, I doubt that he needed any coffee to wake up.

  “Onyx, watch your language in front of Blue.” I warned.

  “At least you’re calling him what he wants you to call him now. Fuck, that’s a lot of damn money!” He shook his head when I gave him a glare. “Sorry, but the kid is almost 18, he hears more curse words in that rap music he listens to.”

  “True.” Blue nodded with a laugh.

  “Looks like the Ginger showing up was a great thing. How did your date go last night?”

  I shook my head at Onyx, letting him know that I didn’t want to talk about it.”

  “The Ginger?” Blue asked.

  Onyx ignored my silent plea and filled Blue in on Flynn, but thank God he left out that we’ve shared more than just one little date.

  “That’s awesome. He sounds like a great guy and honestly, he could have gone and done what Brett tried to do and find someone to sell the ring to. At least he brought it back to us and brought us the letter from Dad.” Blue looked to me for confirmation and I nodded at him because he was right.

  “He even said that he didn’t want the money so that saves us fifty grand. Ya know, since we’re hurting for money now.” Onyx was full of sarcasm this morning, which let me know that he was going to drive me crazy when we go downstairs to work.

  “I’m giving him the money.” I grabbed my coffee cup and rinsed it out and put it in the dishwasher, but didn’t miss Onyx cocking his head and I knew he was staring at me in my peripheral vision.

  “Okay, I was kidding. Obviously we can afford it, but I remember him saying very clearly that he didn’t want the money and only wanted three dates with you. What am I missing here? Did last night not go the way you had planned?” I glared at him, warning him to drop the conversation.

  “We should probably go downstairs and get everything ready to open up. Blue, have you updated the website for the sales?” He nodded, so I glanced at Onyx, “have the orders come in for our Black Friday sale yet?”

  “They should be here by Tuesday, but Gemma, I know what you’re doing and I hope you’re not making a mistake.” Onyx said with concern in his voice.

  I jutted my chin at him and asked, “What is it you think I’m doing?”

  “Paying the Ginger instead of going out on the rest of your dates because you’re scared of what you two might have. Something obviously happened last night, but I’m sure that whatever it is, he has an explanation for it. I actually like the guy and feel that he’s genuine and I can tell that he cares about you by the way he looks at you when you’re not paying attention.” He gave me a knowing look.

  “You don’t know him the way I do.”

  “Maybe not, but I know a good guy when I see one and he’s one of the good guys. Blue’s right, he didn’t have to come here and bring us that letter or the ring unless he cared about doing the right thing and trust me, that’s a rare trait for people to have in this day and age.”

  I hated that my brother knew me so well, but I didn’t even acknowledge what he said and left the room to finish getting ready for our busy day. It was bad enough that everything Onyx said was exactly what I’ve been feeling since I got over my cry last night.

  I truly did feel that Flynn was a great guy and couldn’t forget the hopeless look that he gave me when we were in the car out of my mind. It was like he was struggling with doing the right thing, but for what reason, I didn’t know, but I felt that I owed it to him to find out.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Saturday’s tend to get a little crazy and we were so busy in the shop that I had to call Monica to see if she would bring me, and my brothe
rs some lunch, because none of us could find the time to even head upstairs to make a sandwich. One of the perks of living above your business is the money you save on not having to eat out, but when we are so busy that we can’t even do that, Monica has always helped us out and will sometimes work the register for us during the holidays.

  “Here’s your turkey sandwich, Gemma.”

  I looked up and jumped back in surprise because I was blown away by the scarlet red hair on my best friend and the bright red lipstick that she was wearing.

  “Whoa! What’d you do to your hair? Is that a wig, because yesterday you were definitely a blonde.” I couldn’t hide the frown on my face.

  “You’re going to hurt my feelings if you don’t quit looking at me like that.” She looked around the room and I knew who she was looking for.

  “He’s busy and I wish you’d quit trying to get my brother’s attention.” I gave her a warning glare. Looking at her hair though reminded me of how mean she was about Flynn’s whole name so I couldn’t help but to make a little jab at her. “The last time I checked, Onyx wasn’t into Ronald McDonald’s long lost sister.”

  “But he’s so hot, I can’t help it and ooh… that was mean, Gemma.” She gave me a hurt look and started patting her hair down.

  Onyx chose that time to walk up to us and saw my sandwich sitting in front of me and frowned.

  “Why do you have your sandwich? Where’s mine and Blue’s? Did I miss Monica come in or did she only bring your lunch and forget about us?” Onyx sounded a little put off.

  “Here ya go, Ony.” I rolled my eyes at the nickname Monica gave him years ago, but let out a chuckle when she handed him a brown paper bag while leaning over the counter, putting her cleavage on display. Instead of getting the reaction out of my brother that she usually gets from him when she tries to show him her goods, he jumped back a foot from shock and wiped out one of our display cases. I had to hide my grin because I knew his reaction was because of her hair color.

  “Oh hey, Monica. Um, wow, I like what you did with your hair. It looks um, nice.”