Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
The holiday season definitely isn’t the time for talking about heavy stuff. There’ll be plenty of time for that in the new year, after I figure out exactly what to say to them. If, that is, I can figure out how to end things without also ending our friendship in the process.
“I think staying in would be best,” I tell Thorn, “but I don’t want to keep you from your usual plans.”
Gage has stood to clear plates, and he bends to kiss the top of my head. “You’re funny sometimes.” He says this as if I’ve said something very silly.
“I know you said you’re full, but do you have room for hot chocolate?” Thorn asks. As I start to shake my head, he adds, “Peppermint hot chocolate, with whipped cream and dark chocolate chips?”
“Ooh, I guess I can find some room for that.” Knowing Thorn, the drink will not come from a little packet, and the cream will probably be freshly whipped.
Kai and Gage clear away the plates and platters and won’t let me help. Instead, I’m instructed to relax in the living room. Soft holiday instrumentals are playing, and the white lights on Thorn’s small tree are twinkling in the dimly-lit room.
I close my eyes for a beat, and seal this night into my memory. I’m warm, extremely well fed, and with three of the people who are most important to me. And I may never have this particular moment again.
The drink turns out to be even more creamy and decadent than I imagined, and I know it tastes even better since I’m enjoying it while surrounded by my three men, Thorn and Gage on either side of me on the sofa, Kai just to the side in a chair.
“We’ll miss you while you’re gone,” Thorn says.
I swallow a gulp of the drink—and the lump in my throat. “I’m sure the time will pass quickly. It’s just a week. Will you have some time off over the holiday?” I ask Thorn.
“Most of Christmas Day. I might go in, since you won’t be here.”
“Will your parents be hosting the family as usual?”
“They will.” He slides his hand behind my back, pulling me a little closer. “They’ll miss you being here, too.”
“Please give them my very best wishes. I sent them a card and a little gift.”
“That was nice of you.” Thorn brushes his lips along my cheek to my ear, giving it a little nibble.
“How about you, Gage?” I ask through a giggle as I squirm in Thorn’s arms. “How will you be spending Christmas?”
“I’m flying out to see my family,” he says. “I have a lot of catching up to do with them.”
“They’ll be so glad to see you.” I have fond memories of Gage’s family, and wonder what they would think of our new adult relationship. They might not mind, but I’m not at all sure about that.
“Speaking of gifts …” Kai reaches down on the opposite side of his chair and brings out a small garnet-colored bag that had been concealed there.
I jump up. “Wait, let me get the gifts I brought.” I have three thin boxes, all the same size, each wrapped in different paper and tied with ribbons.
“Open them at the same time,” I instruct as I hand them each one of the boxes.
All three men tear into the boxes as if it’s a contest, and then each of them pulls out a frame. The photos in the frames are identical, but I chose each frame to specially match each man’s home decor.
“I remember this day,” Thorn says first. “It was epic.”
A low laugh rumbles from Kai’s throat. “I still say you cheated,” he accuses his brother.
“You’re just a sore loser. Look who’s wearing the gold medal.”
In the picture, I’m standing between Gage and Kai, who have their arms around my shoulders. Thorn’s hamming it up, stretched out on his side on the grass in front of us, one hand holding out the construction-paper medal that hangs around his neck, so that it shows well for the camera.
The four of us spent at least a week of our summer vacation that year creating silly games to include in our own personal Olympics competition. My mom officiated with a stopwatch, and when it was all over, she had the difficult job of getting the four of us to stop laughing long enough to pose, so she could capture the moment.
Gage stands and pulls me into a hug before pressing his lips to mine. “How thoughtful of you to find this old picture. Thank you.”
“There’s a gift card, too,” I say.
The pictures didn’t seem like enough on their own, so I got Gage and Kai gift cards for the coffee shop that’s around the corner from Beasts Ink. Thorn’s card is from a spot near his apartment.
Thorn reaches for my hand and pulls me over to him. “Come get a kiss from the Olympic champion.” He shoots Kai a cocky look before putting all of his focus on me. “Our three-legged race was the highlight of that day for me,” he says.