“Were you expecting it to be someone else?” Snip! “How did that date with Damien go? You came home late on Sunday night, so I thought maybe you hit it off, but all week it’s been kind of icy in here. You want to talk about that?”
“No, not really.”
“Are you more interested in your co-worker? I’m following him on social media, not that you’re on it, but I sent him a few messages.”
Collette shot right up, “You what?”
“He hasn’t responded back though.” Brooklyn tossed the empty cardboard tube in the pile with the others. Their younger cousins were going to love beating the daylights out of each other with them at the reunion. “I understand I’m forward, but I don’t think he’s ever going to be interested, because I think the only person he’s interested in is you.”
“No. He’s only pretending.”
“Why would he bother? He probably has girls lined up to be with him, yet he chooses to devote his time and attention to you.”
Damien Junior meowed; like his little kitten voice was prompting her to tell the truth. From Bryson cheating on her, to Jesse’s prank, to the kiss with Damien, she poured it all out to Brooklyn—everything. When she was done, her tissue box was empty and her stomach was gorged with shortbread pinwheels.
“Girl,” Brooklyn dug through her sister’s walk-in-closet, and tossed her parka at her, boots next. “You need to go and get your soulmate. I repeat, you cannot and I mean cannot, let him spend Christmas alone. That guy is going to marry you.”
“Why are you joining his side?”
“Because if you forgive him, I’m going to be an aunt. If you go back to your cheating ex, I’m going to have to spend every holiday listening to you ramble on about how you want your marriage with him to work, but you’re sick of keeping up appearances.”
“Jesse won’t propose. It was just a mistletoe kiss.”
“That was not a mistletoe kiss. That was a heart-thumping, cheater-dumping, something-something kiss.” Brooklyn flopped onto the carpet, “I’m running out of diva dust, just go find him.”
“Fine!” Collette zipped up her coat. “But I’m going to fix my makeup first.”
“Where is my brother and what have you done to him?” Jaxson released his brother from the gripping hug, and slumped onto the bench bolted to the floor. He leaned over the table, scanning Jesse head to toe, flabbergasted. “What the heck, man. Did you get lice? Is your trailer infested with bed bugs?” He reached out to rub his shaved head, but the guard gave him a dirty look, so he sat back in his seat.
“Merry Christmas,” Jesse placed the gift bag on the table, not exactly wanting to delve into the details quite yet, but if he was going to pour out the garbage his heart played on repeat, Jaxson was his man.
“I wanted to wrap it, but apparently your friends think I do a terrible job, that or they’re jealous. They took a peek for themselves.” He held his hands up, “I behaved... for once.” This open meeting had been booked in advance; he wasn’t going to let heartache prevent him from visiting what little family he had left.
When Collette walked out on him, he wasn’t sure if he should follow her or give her more space. How much space did she need before she could see, in a way, he had been both men all along?
Security had him remove his festive sweater for being too flashy, so there he was on Christmas Eve, in a plain t-shirt and jeans in a room much like their high school cafeteria.
“Being strip-searched is not necessarily how I expected to spend my holidays, not by a married man at least.” He winked, but Jaxson shook his head, returning his focus to the present in hand. He pulled out a comic book and a how-to drawing book by the same artist. Jesse tapped on the glossy envelope on top. “I brought pictures. There’s a few of Nessie in there too,” he winked again.
But his brother glanced down, swallowing hard.
“It means a lot to me you’ve taken care of her. You didn’t have to.”
“She wouldn’t have a roof over her head if I hadn’t. You love her.”
“In a way I do, yeah.”
“In a way?” Jesse tilted his head, inspecting his brother. “What do you mean, ‘in a way?’ You’re here because you sacrificed your morals to take care of her. You should’ve joined rehab long before this and slaved away at a crappy job. I miss you. I don’t want our Christmases to be like this.”
“I don’t need you to remind me I got greedy.” Jaxson cussed. “All my life, I’ve had to look up to you to take care of me. I know I’m not smart, never have been. But I wanted to show I could take care of myself by helping her, yeah? But I’m not that idiot-head anymore. I’ve changed, more than I thought, so yeah. I mean, you’re not the drunken idiot-head either. Mom would be proud of you... not that stupid buzz-cut though, what the heck. You had her curly hair. Why, man?”
“Well, you see there’s this girl...”
“Story of my life. Look where it got me.” Jaxson gestured to the room around them. Brick walls painted light gray. The laminate floor was a faded sage. The most exciting feature in the room was the vending machine, which hadn’t been repaired since his last visit.
“I haven’t broken the law for her. Not yet.” He smirked at the guards, to reassure them he was only kidding.
“Don’t. Girls say they want bad boys, but they don’t. They want someone useful, and I’ll be honest with you, I’m not that useful locked away, now am I?”
“First off, I’m not going to join you here. I’m going to get you out... somehow. Second, it doesn’t matter, because I poked one too many buttons, and she won’t ever talk to me again.” Jesse sucked in his lips, then updated him on the whole love letter gone wrong scheme. “I got it bad, like I am whipped.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Except Nessie talks to you... besides today, I begged her to come, but I think her stomach has been bothering her.”
“It’s not her stomach.” Jaxson slung his head back, staring up into the fluorescent lighting, “Genesis broke up with me two months ago.”
“What?”
“She would never admit it. You know her. She’d been wanting to for a long while, but she felt guilty. Like the second you’d find out, you’d kick her out to the curb.”
“I would never!”
“I know! I told her that. We Thorne boys give with a jolly heart. No regrets.” He licked his lips and swallowed again, “Don’t be hard on her, okay? Apparently, she’s found herself a pretty boy.”
“No. That can’t be true. I’ll talk to her.”
“Drop it, okay? I don’t want to spend our Christmas talking about girls, especially exes. Now go buy me a bag of chips.”
“But the machine’s broken.”
Collette followed the directions Ezekiel had texted her, driving slower once she entered the trailer park to avoid hitting the stray dog chasing after her car. She pulled into the vacant driveway.
Did Jesse not have a vehicle?
The decorations around his trailer were limited to a string of lights around the front entrance, with a shoddily handmade wreath hanging on the door. Rushing up to the steps, she took a deep breath to compose herself then knocked.
She wasn’t promising anything. No kisses, or happy bounce-backs, or any romantic fluff. They would talk, or she would listen. Yes, she would zip her lips and hear him out for all he had to say. If he actually loved her... well, that increased the fluttering of butterflies in her stomach.
Jesse Thorne really did clean up nicely. With more time to assess their situation, tears, and home baking, she could think much clearer. Without the hairy cover up, that man was irresistibly gorgeous.
Unbelievably so. She felt his abs, not that muscles were everything, but perhaps it could be another reason for giving him another shot.
The door opened and her eyes darted wide open, her whole body froze, her breath hitched.
“Hi?” The young woman hugged her chest, shivering from the blast of icy air. “Is everything alright?”
“Is Jesse here?” She didn’t want to hear the answer. No, she wouldn’t listen.
“Now isn’t the best time...” she glanced behind the door nervously, like she was smuggling a fugitive. Ugh, she was interrupting a moment, wasn’t she? Twice in one month, what luck.
“You know he kissed me, right?” Collette yelled. “Your boyfriend cheated on you with me. At the Winter Carnival, we were backstage and—”
“I’m going to make a wild guess here and say you’re Collette?” The lady combed her overgrown bangs into the rest of her hair. “I’m Genesis, though you’ve probably heard him call me Nessie. Hey, um... It’s not what it looks like. Would you like to come inside? My boyfriend and I are just watching a movie.”
“No! You’ve said enough.” Collette broke into tears.
“It’s really not like that!”
“I don’t want to hear it.” Genesis could talk to her hand. Collette wasn’t going to have any more of it. Jesse Thorne truly was the thorn in her side. As the door shut, an Audi pulled up to the curb near her car.
“Hey,” Bryson called out. “You want to talk?” He stepped out of his car, but left the vehicle idling for warmth.
“No!” she pouted, much like a dramatic toddler more than a grown woman. She didn’t appreciate him talking to her family behind her back or upping the ante by physically hunting her down. No! They were over.
“Did you get my flowers? I had one of your guys deliver them.”
“The red ones?”
“Yeah.” He reached for her arm, but she brushed him off. Jesse said they were from... of course. If he lived in a place like this, how could he afford a bouquet like that? Why would he waste what little money he had on a co-worker when he had a girlfriend? Yes. Jesse took the flowers and switched the note cards. That was so like him to fool her—anything for his stupid Damien scheme.
He really had no heart, but that didn’t mean she had the patience to put up with her ex either.
“What are you doing here? Are you following me?” she snapped, fiddling though her purse for her keys. Man, she just put them in there, how could they sink into the great abyss?
“You’re not answering your calls.”
“And you’re not keeping your hands to yourself. Call it even.”
“You realize if you answered my calls, you wouldn’t be in this mess. You would be in my arms.” Bryson unzipped his coat, and fished for the handkerchief inside, dabbing her tears. “Those Thorne boys are trouble. I should know. I had his brother locked behind bars.”
Collette’s jaw dropped.
“They’re criminals. You mentioned that Jesse guy was stealing your snacks. First, it’s lunch, then it’s your necklace.” He unzipped the top of her parka. She was too dazed to fight back, as his warm fingers pushed away the layers of fabric to reveal a bare neck. “And it’s missing.”
“Because I chose not to wear it. They say necklaces are like collars. I’m not yours anymore, Bryson. Move on.”
“Jaxson Thorne was charged with theft, burglary, trespassing and dealing drugs.” Collette turned away, but he pivoted in front of her. “But he and his brother have a strong bond. They’re like two peas in a pod. You want to know what his older brother Jesse has been charged with?”
“Don’t ruin Christmas.”
“Don’t put yourself in harm’s way.”
“He has changed.” Not enough to stop stealing her cookies, but enough that he wasn’t dealing drugs. Really, did Bryson have to be so dramatic? With that tone, he made Jesse sound like a cold-blooded murderer.
I wouldn’t count on it, Lottie. Your baking is to die for.
Her eyes widened. What if he was a killer? Where was he? On the hunt for her? Was Jesse Thorne going to murder her before Christmas?
“You don’t look convinced.”
Neighbours were peeking through their blinds watching them. His hand gripped her arm, tighter than she was comfortable with. She glared at him and tugged it free. Would Jesse really murder over her baking?
Bryson returned to his sleek black car, with the door open he reminded her, “People like him don’t change.”
“What!” It wasn’t a question. Jesse roared again, slamming the front door. It was long after dinner when he arrived home to find Ezekiel with his arm around Genesis, who moments ago was snuggled cozily in the crook of his neck. The sound of Jesse’s voice startled them, the girlfriend more so.
“I can explain,” he said willingly, but Genesis slapped her hand over his mouth.
“I don’t want you to. I can explain.”
Jesse threw his jacket on the coat tree; it missed, dropping to the ground with a thud. If his phone screen cracked, he would have to fuss about it later. Genesis lied, using his friend in the process.
“Why?”
“Because I like her,” Ezekiel said rather bluntly.
Genesis slapped her hand on his mouth again. He lowered it and kissed her knuckles. Ezekiel stood, but Jesse pushed him back on the couch, gripping his girlfriend’s elbow, dragging her into the kitchen.
“Don’t you love my brother?”
“Don’t bring him up.” Genesis looked out the kitchen window. Their neighbour had decorated the doghouse for their lethargic mutt. It had a wrinkly face that would often cheer her up. “I’ve waited long enough. The honeymoon phase is over, okay? How could I tell you I wasn’t in love with him? I wanted to, I tried really hard.” She turned to him, peeking at Ezekiel over his shoulder.
“Please, let me stay longer, at least until I can find a place.”
Ezekiel joined them in the kitchen. “Jesse, I swear I didn’t go for the rebound. I... it killed me to hang out with you guys knowing she was his. We love your brother. I... I wanted to tell you, but Gen said she would. I dropped the hints where I could. I’m sorry. Don’t...” Ezekiel swallowed, wrapping his arm around Genesis’ shoulders and pulling her into his side.
“Oh and Collette’s coming by. She said she had something to say.”
Genesis flicked him.
“She was already here. Where were you, dopey-head?” They bickered about how he was sucked into the movie they were watching, and how mad she was that he didn’t pause. Their meandering bickering stole a good ten minutes of his life. Sheesh, they were like a married couple already. Though he had pleasant memories of Genesis with his brother, he would step back and let time reveal who was a better fit.
“Guys. Collette?” Jesse snapped his fingers, “You said Collette stopped by?”
He could care less about their movie or Genesis hiding a boyfriend at that moment in time. Collette wanted to start over. All that pitying he felt on his drive to jail washed away at the mention of the recent news.
“Why?” Jesse didn’t care about the reason. He’d talk about literally anything if it meant she would actually look at him in the eyes. Genesis stuttered, so he asked, “When?”
Jesse blinked, dumbfounded when he spotted a sapphire necklace around her neck. Whoa, talk about jumping the gun. Another time, he had his own lady troubles.
“She’s perfect for you,” Genesis said, picking on a loose thread.
“Yeah well...” Jesse combed his fingers through—his hand slid over his fuzzy scalp.
Ezekiel stepped towards the door, “You too have a lot to work out so I best be going.”
Jesse caught his arm, “You are so lucky it’s Christmas.”
“Christmas Eve,” he corrected.
“Which is Christmas somewhere. Stay. I forgive you, both of you.” Jesse brought Ezekiel’s hand to Genesis. He too had wanted a woman he couldn’t have unless he waited, much like the pain of waiting for Christmas day to receive his gift, his precious gift.
“Why?” Genesis tilted, skeptical of his sudden change.
Jesse crossed h
is fingers over his chest, “I’m a Thorne boy. Sometimes that means second chances. Glad to see my bribery money is going somewhere besides chips.” Picking up his guitar, he carried it to his bedroom, then locked the door.
“They’re my chips!” Ezekiel hollered.
“My money,” Jesse shouted back.
“A gift’s a gift. No takesie-backsies!”
Chapter 9
“There is no way Collette’s position pays this well,” Jesse muttered, pulling the work truck through the circular driveway Christmas afternoon. This was her address? This three-storey brick suburbia mansion with mirroring galley windows on either side, and what looked like a three-car garage? There was a fountain in the center, not in use but decorated with multi-coloured Christmas lights. Wire framed deer lights filled the lawn.
He knocked on the door, with the first bin of supplies under his arm. It was the photo booth props which he agreed would make for an interesting family photo. Personally, he wasn’t going to leave until he caught at least one snapshot of her with a handlebar moustache. There was something cavalier about them, much like her attitude. Perhaps he would have to grow one out just for her.
Behind the door, the building was humming with activity.
The gold ribbon wreath hanging over the stained glass rattled when he knocked again.
“Just a minute!” a woman squealed from the other side. The voice was similar, but it wasn’t her.
“Hey Brooklyn, is your sister...”
Collette ran down the carpeted stairs, “Shut the door!”
Jesse was taken by surprise again. Maybe it had nothing to do with the clothes she wore or how her hair was styled, but that her presence had made him weak in the knees. He hadn’t said or done anything, yet her face was already cranberry red.
“Isn’t he your boyf—” The door slammed in his face. He knocked again.
“I have your deliv—” Collette pushed Brooklyn aside, closing the door again. He leaned against the door to hear their muffled conversation.
'Tis the Season for Love: A Charity Box Set Page 100