Page 5 of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
I don’t hate Milo for that. But I hate Lilah for making me want her.
I am fucked-up.
Milo kicks off the bike and unclips his helmet. He runs a hand through his hair, shooting me a grin.
“I realize I’m a sexy beast, but it’s been a while since you looked at me like that, Ev.” He blows me a kiss.
I groan. “You’re an idiot.”
“It’s why you love me, boo.”
“Jesus Christ,” I say with a roll of my eyes. “Any sign of Finn?”
He shrugs. “He left his house when I did. Should be here any minute. Lilah’s here?”
My vision shouldn’t turn red at the way he says her name, at the way he gestures to her car. But shouldn’t and don’t are two different things.
“Yeah.”
“Were you a dick to her again?”
“No.”
Milo raises an eyebrow and keeps his gaze steady on me.
“Maybe,” I correct.
“Ev.”
“She started it.”
He scoffs. “Yeah, okay.”
“Are you two coming inside?” Chris barks at us from the front door.
“We’re waiting on Finn.”
Finn’s Tesla pulls silently into the driveway.
“You were saying?” Chris turns and leaves the door open for the three of us to follow.
I turn, ready to follow, when Milo calls my name.
“Ev.”
“What?”
“Don’t be a grinch. It’s Christmas.”
“I’m not being a grinch.”
I stalk inside, barely making it past the door when Chris’s five-year-old son, Gage, rushes to me and wraps his arms around my legs.
“Evan! Guess what!”
“What’s up, buddy?” I lift him and hold him upside down, smiling at his giggles.
“Santa’s coming soon.”
