Page 60 of Frost Bitten
“Well, as grown adults do, you have your own schedule. I’ve tried to find times that either she wasn’t busy, and you were in town, or we didn’t have to work, but nothing lined up. I was hoping today would work. Given today was a family day, I took the liberty of inviting her and her family over for Christmas Dinner. I know you have your meet-up with Bast and Corey, but that wasn’t going to last all day, right? Would you be able to be here? I’ve had catering brought in, and I’d really appreciate your support.”
“I guess. I mean, I need to meet who you’ve tied yourself to. Where has she been since you married her?”
“She has a family and her own home. She had to tend to them, but she’ll bring her two daughters tonight for you to meet.”
Lovely, an insta-family.
“Is she going to end up moving in here?”
“Yes, I would think so. I hope you wouldn’t expect my wife and me to live in separate houses,” he says with a laugh. “We’ll have more stuff to discuss tonight, as a family, but that’s the majority of the situation.”
Well then. I don’t know what to think about this. I look at my new watch, seeing it’s already ten-thirty. I’m going to have to run upstairs and get ready. Corey told us all eleven-thirty this week. I sigh with the reminder of his squirrel energy today, and I just need to be able to take a breath.
“Alright, Dad, I’ll be here. What time?”
“Seven, please. Dinner will be served at seven-thirty, but I am paying a company to bring people out to heat everything for a prompt dinner.”
“Ok, I’ll be here,” I grumble as I gather the gifts he bought me. Climbing the stairs, I can’t help but wonder what fresh hell tonight will bring.
* * *
I shower and dress quickly, wanting to get out of the house as soon as possible. I push everything with my dad out of my mind and focus on meeting up with my brothers and my girl. My Star. God, I can’t wait to walk in and claim her lips in front of them.Fuck. I mean, yeah, butdamn it…They’re all going to cheer or some shit.
I pull up into the driveway, parking next to Corey and Dom. Grabbing the gifts for the guys and Star, I head inside. Corey is sitting with Star in his lap, and while I didn’t know what I thought I’d feel when I saw them with her, now that I’m with her too, but it’s not jealousy. It’s… pride? Comfort? Family. That’s what I feel.
I move toward the tree Cait and Dom set up here as well, and I deposited my gifts below it. Turning, I set her in my sights. Walking right up to them both, I reach down and lift Star out of his arms and kiss her as deeply as I did last night. I’m sure I heard some sort of noise from Corey and Bast, but I tuned them all out. I have my Star in my arms, and that’s all that matters. Pulling away slightly, I lean my forehead against hers.
“Hi,” she pants, a smile spread wide across her face.
“Hi,” I reply. Eloquent, I know.
“Woooooo! Goddamn, that was fucking hot! Way to show me up, asshole!” Corey teases from his seat, not giving a damn. We all know he’s just teasing me, and I’ll suffer a bit; I deserve the teasing. I’ve got my Star; that’s all I care about.
Eventually, I do give her up. Bast comes to collect her to sit with him while we all open presents, and then Dom lays claim to having her sit with him while we eat lunch. It’s afterward, when Corey is cleaning up the dishes with her, that he speaks up to everyone.
“Hey, yo, what does everyone have planned for dinner? Jayden is currently in town for a few days before the Avs head out on a road trip, and suggested we find a movie?”
“I can’t,” I immediately chime in. “Dad asked for my presence at dinner.”
“Your dad? And Christmas dinner?” Bast asks, completely confused.
“Yeah, don’t ask,” I say with an eye roll.
Star also declines. “Yeah, I have dinner with Mom and Lily tonight.”
“Depending on the movie, I might be in,” Bast offers.
Immediately, Corey’s gloom brightens. “Alright, at least someone loves me!” His incessant teasing is annoying, but pure Corey. I say my goodbyes early, flipping him off as I do. After saying goodbye to the other two guys, I pull Star toward the door.
“You and me? Can I get a date sometime this next week?”
Her bright smile gives me false hope, unfortunately. “Cam, I made plans with Dom for Tuesday night, and Mom said she needs some help to plan an event for New Year’s Eve, so I bet my other nights will be occupied. Maybe after the New Year?” Her question starts off happy, but then I can see something pass behind her eyes, and she seems sad about pushing our date.
“That’s fine with me. I just can’t wait to spend more time with you.” I lean in, brush my lips against hers, and whisper, “I can’t wait to get you all by myself. I plan on showing you just how much I treasure you.” Leaning back, I smirk down at her. I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to see my Star next, but I’ll definitely be checking on it via text in the next day or so. I head back to my car, planning on working out for a bit before going home to whatever chaos awaits me at dinner tonight. All I know is I’ll be counting those minutes till I see her again.
* * *
At six fifty-five, I walk downstairs and head straight for the bar. I know whoever this woman he married is, she’ll be a character, for sure. I pour three fingers of my bourbon that I keep stocked here, down that in one go, and then pour another glass. Just as I place the cork back in the bottle, the doorbell rings. Why do I feel a sense of impending doom?
