Mistletoe Bully

by Amy Brown

  His eyes soften. “You nut.” He leans in and kisses me, and I sigh and lean into him. His arms come around me, and he deepens the kiss. He doesn’t seem to care that kids are walking past and giggling at us. When the kiss ends, he strokes my cheek, and then grimaces. “Shit. You’re covered in sticky soda.”

  “Yeah. I know.”

  He sighs. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to stop that happening.”

  “You came through in the end.” For a moment there, I’d thought he wouldn’t. But he did. He admitted in front of the whole school that he wants me. My heart swells with pride, and I stand on my toes and kiss him again.

  When the bell rings we both jump and break apart, laughing. He walks with me to my class, and when he walks away, I watch him go feeling happy. Sabrina will probably always be a thorn in my side, but I don’t care. So long as Palmer is mine, she can be the biggest bitch in the world and I won’t mind.

  I take my seat in history class, and my entire body is warm. I listen to my teacher drone on about ancient Rome, with my lips still tingling from Palmer’s kiss. Life is pretty fucking sweet right now.

  Chapter Twenty

  Palmer

  I arrive at Adalee’s house for Christmas dinner, and I’m surprised by how damn nervous I am. I’ve never met her Aunt Julie, although I’ve heard a lot about her. I’ve met Uncle Joe because he drops Adalee off at my house sometimes.

  When the door opens, Adalee stands there looking like a Christmas present in a gold dress with a bow at the waist. I really hope I get to unwrap her like a present later tonight at my house. Dad’s out of town as usual for Christmas, and I can’t wait to get Adalee in my new flannel sheets.

  She throws her arms around me, and says cheerfully, “Merry Christmas.”

  I kiss her offered mouth, but make sure not to use tongue just in case Aunt Julie is hovering nearby. When she finally pulls away, I grin. “That’s the nicest Merry Christmas I’ve ever gotten.”

  “Plenty more where that came from.” She pulls me inside the house.

  The house is roomy and there is silver and gold garland strung around the ceiling. Green faux boxwood garland curls around the long, winding staircase banister, and the house smells of roasting turkey, nutmeg, and cloves. I haven’t had a real Christmas meal since Mom died. A lump rises in my throat as the warmth of this home settles in my chest.

  A tall woman whose features remind me of Adalee approaches. She ignores my outstretched hand and hugs me. She has an apron on over her red dress, and when she steps back, her smile is welcoming.

  “I’ve heard so much about you, Palmer. It’s so wonderful to finally meet you.” She sounds sincere.

  “Thank you for having me. It’s smells great in here.” I feel a bit awkward because I’m not really sure what to say. I haven’t been to anyone’s house for the holidays ever.

  “We’re happy you made it.” Aunt Julie smiles at Adalee. “Why don’t you get Palmer a soda and show him where the appetizers are?”

  “Sure thing.” Adalee pulls me after her down a long hallway. Eventually, she takes me to a spacious room with tables stacked with water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, miniature quiches, and every kind of dip you could imagine. “I can get you a real drink if you want,” she whispers.

  The last thing I want to do is break the rules on my first visit to her aunt’s house. “Soda is fine.”

  She gets me a Coke and she joins me on the sofa. There are mostly adults in the room, and they all seem pretty friendly. I don’t see Luke anywhere.

  “Where’s Luke?” I ask.

  “He’s upstairs with Dirk playing his new game he got for Christmas.” She laughs. “I swear he’s the same age as me, but he seems like he’s twelve.”

  “Games are awesome.” I grin. “I spent many a Christmas locked in my room battling zombies.”

  “It must be a guy thing.” She smooths her hand over her stocking legs.

  My cock warms because she looks so sexy. “You look beautiful,” I say softly.

  “You look handsome. I’ve never seen you so dressed up.” She runs her gaze over my body, and then flicks her eyes to mine. “I can’t wait to get to your house later.”

  I blow out a shaky breath because of the look in her eyes. “Steady, Adalee. You’re gonna get me in trouble.”

  “I’ll behave.” She winks. “Until we get to your place.”

  My face warms. “You don’t play fair.”

  “I know.” She sighs and then she straightens, her expression bright. “Oh, guess what?”

  “What?”

  “My grades were posted online already today. I passed my math final with a C! That means I got a C in the class.” Her fingers dig into my arm. “Thanks to you, Palmer.”

  Relief washes through me. “You did all the work.”

  Her expression is serious. “I’d have failed without your help. We both know that.”

  I grin. “Yeah. You’d have crashed and burned big time.”

  She laughs and punches my arm.

  I’m going to really enjoy my Christmas vacation for once because of Adalee. Usually I get pretty bored by the second week because Rudy’s family often goes away for Christmas. This time I have Adalee to hang out with. I can’t wait to go see movies and just do couple type things together. I never saw myself as that kind of guy, but I’m looking forward to spending all my free time with her.

  When it’s time to eat, everybody takes a spot at the long table. Adalee is across from me, and Luke and Dirk are at the other end. I have to hand it to Dirk, he’s still friendly to me even though I know he has a crush on Adalee. He really is a nice guy. Maybe I’ll try to set him up with one of the nicer girls at school. I know a ton of girls.

  The turkey is tender and the mashed potatoes buttery and delicious. There’s stuffing and cranberries, and when the meal is over Aunt Julie serves pumpkin pie with whip cream. I’m so full by the time the meal is over. Full and happy. This is what family gatherings should be like. Aunt Julie and Uncle Joe have created a home. This isn’t just a house, this is a small loving ecosystem, and I’m proud to be invited into it.

  Whenever I glance at Adalee her cheeks are pink and her eyes sparkle with affection. I’ve fallen hook line and sinker for this girl, and I want to tell her so today. I’m pretty sure she feels the same way toward me. I can see it in her eyes because she doesn’t bother to hide her emotions. She’s warm and giving, and I can’t believe she wants me.

  There’s no question this is the best Christmas I’ve had in years, and it’s all because of Adalee. The girl who walked into Harbor Academy with her nose in the air, now has my heart in the palm of her hand.

  Sometimes life is bewildering, but I’m beginning to see it can also be magnificent.

  Epilogue

  Adalee

  By the time dinner is over, I’m tired but happy. I helped Aunt Julie cook the meal and get everything ready until Palmer arrived. Once he was here, I didn’t leave his side. I wanted to spend every minute I could with him. Plus, I could sense he was nervous. Especially at first. I knew his dad didn’t do anything for the holidays anymore, and Palmer hadn’t had a real Christmas since his mom died.

  Once he realized everyone was going to welcome him with open arms, he relaxed. I love looking over and seeing him in my home. He looks so handsome in his dark gray suit. It looks expensive and it hugs his body to perfection. I feel like my hormones are out of control lately because all I can think about is sex with Palmer. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of kissing him, or having him inside me. I shiver, and when I glance up, Palmer is watching me.

  I smile and suggest we take a walk. It rained earlier and I can see my breath in front of my face. Palmer puts his arm around me as we stroll along the sidewalk, admiring all the houses decorations.

  “Thanks for inviting me to your house for Christmas.” His voice is husky.

  “I was so glad you came.” I rest my head on his shoulder. “This was my first Christmas without my parents. Having yo
u here made it easier.”

  “I’m glad.” His arm tightens around my waist. “I know the first year is horrible.”

  “I suspect every year will be hard.”

  “Yeah.” He nods. “It’ll never be the same.”

  I don’t want to get depressed because I’m having such a nice day. “Where is your dad today?”

  “Germany.”

  “He travels a lot.”

  He laughs. “Yeah. Thankfully.”

  “You turn eighteen soon, right?” I’ve been a little worried about that. I’d be heartbroken if he decided to move away from Harbor Town. He hasn’t said he plans on leaving, but when his trust fund money comes through, who knows what he might do?

  “Yep. Six months.”

  “Any big plans?”

  He doesn’t respond right away, but then he stops walking. “I think I might move out of my Dad’s house. Get a place of my own.”

  My stomach tenses. “In Harbor Town?”

  He studies my face, and he brushes my hair off my brow tenderly. “Would you care if I left town?”

  My face falls. I can’t even hide my feelings. It’s as if I have no pride. “Of course I’d care.”

  His eyes are enigmatic. “I could go anywhere because I’ll have a lot of money.”

  “No, Palmer,” I say softly. “Don’t go away.”

  He smiles suddenly, and he pulls me tight against him. “I couldn’t leave you, Adalee. No way. I just wanted to know if you’d miss me.”

  “I’d miss you horribly.” My voice is muffled against his coat.

  He chuckles. “I like that you tell me how you feel.”

  I lift my head, searching his face. “You can tell me how you feel too.”

  He swallows. “It’s hard to do sometimes.”

  “I know.” I touch his cheek. “You don’t have to.”

  His jaw is tight but then he says quietly, “I love you, Adalee.”

  Surprise rolls through me along with a happy jolt. “You love me?”

  He nods. “I think I loved you the second you came walking up to Harbor Academy looking gorgeously snooty.”

  “I wasn’t snooty. I was nervous.”

  “I know that now.” He kisses me gently.

  I wind my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder. “I love you too, Palmer.”

  “Promise, Adalee?” His voice wobbles.

  “With all my heart.”

  He exhales roughly, as if relieved. “Thank goodness.”

  “I thought my life was over when I first came here.” I sigh. “But now, after finding you, it feels like maybe it’s just beginning.”

  Against all odds, I’ve managed to pass my math class, and Palmer Jackson just admitted he loves me. That can only mean one thing; my life is now officially out of the toilet.

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  Copyright (c) 2019 by Amy Brown

  Mistletoe Bully

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  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.