Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Oh, look,” Yolanda says, pointing ahead. “Clara is already here.”
I tense up at the mention of her name. I’ve avoided the love of my life these past few days, choosing to hide out with James at his house. While it was nice getting to know him, I also felt terrible for hiding from my problems.
Coward.
Eventually, I’d had enough, and knew I needed to face our parents, since that was still unsettled. Dad raked me over the coals for a solid hour over my stupidity, but then it changed.
“Everything’s going to work out, Son,” Yolanda says, shooting me an encouraging smile. “Enjoy tonight with our family. Like old times.”
Guilt claws at the inside of my chest. I spent so many Christmasses away and I hate that. I’ve been a horribly absent part of this family.
That ends now.
We pull up along the curb and I put Dad’s truck in park. I climb out and then walk up to the house with Yolanda. Before we reach the front door, I can hear “Jingle Bell Rock” blasting from the speakers. Yolanda chuckles and shakes her head. Nothing’s changed on that front in this Christmas-loving household.
Inside, we interrupt a festive dance party. Dad has both Layla and Ruthie clinging to him as he dances around like he’s Elvis. It’s comical and such a far stretch from the bitch-out he gave me hours before.
Where’s Clara?
Sitting on the loveseat with Frosty on her lap, she watches them with a small, sad smile on her lips. Her eyes are swollen like she’s been crying. I feel like a monster.
Frosty barks happily when he sees me, bouncing off Clara’s lap, and racing to me. I shut the door behind me and scoop him up. He spends a good solid minute licking my face.
“I missed you, little guy,” I murmur, scratching behind his ears. “How’ve you been?”
Once I’ve had enough, I set him down, and he then runs circles around Dad and the girls. Clara doesn’t look at me, even when I sit down beside her. My heart sinks.
I ache to talk to Clara, but she’s upset with me. Understandably so. All I want is to make it all better. To make her happy again.
“Eric,” Yolanda calls out. “I need help, remember?”
With a groan, I rise to my feet and stride past Dad. He rolls his eyes at me and mouths, “Coward.”
Ignoring him, I make my way into the kitchen. Yolanda grips my arms and forces me to look at her.
“You know how to fix this, Eric. What fixes everything?”
I blink in confusion at first before I finally understand. Then, I set to making the most badass, delicious hot chocolate ever. Once I have two mugs filled, I head to the living room and sit beside Clara again.
Yolanda calls for Dad and the girls to help her. He lowers the volume of the music and ushers them into the kitchen.
“Here,” I say, handing Clara the drink.
She frowns, but once she smells the chocolatey goodness, she folds and accepts the peace offering. I stare at her pretty sad face as she sips it.
“Thanks,” she mutters.
Frosty hops up onto the sofa, nestling himself between us. I pet him with my free hand. She does the same and our hands rub against each other. A zing of electricity shoots through me.
“I’m sorry.”
Clara says nothing.
“When shit gets hard, I leave. It’s what I do,” I tell her bitterly. “But, I’m tired of running. I’m facing my problems and dealing with them like a man. I don’t deserve a woman like you, but I want to be that man who does.”
She jerks her head my way, eyebrows pinched together. “What? We can’t.”
“Why not?” I demand with a growl.
Her lip curls up as if she thinks I’m dumb for asking. “We’re family, remember?”
I burst out laughing. “Not a good enough reason.”
“Are you insane?” she hisses, glancing over her shoulder. “They’ll hear you. We’re already in enough trouble over this.”
I take her hand in mine and refuse to let go. At first, she glowers at me as she tries to remove it, but eventually gives up with a long sigh. I relax and stroke her hand with my thumb. This feels right. Fucking terrifying, but right.
I’m tired of being a coward.
Dad walks back into the room and I tense up, but don’t let go of Clara’s hand. I meet his gaze with a firm stare of my own. He smirks. Yolanda follows him and winks my way.
“Who’s ready for presents?” Dad calls out.
Everyone cheers. Even Clara. Even Frosty.
The living room is a mess and gifts are strewn everywhere. My chest is warm with happiness. I can’t believe I missed out on this for years.
Clara’s favorite gift is the one I got for her. It’s a zip-up onesie with snowflakes all over it. She wanted to change into it, but I asked her to hold off. I still have a surprise for her and she needs to be dressed for it. Hopefully, later, I’ll get the pleasure of unzipping her like a gift.