At the skating rink, which was a madhouse of families, we didn’t exactly pair off. Everyone’s interest was the twins and making sure they had a fun experience. I’d been so caught up in my plans of destruction that I hadn’t really stopped to enjoy the holiday spirit, but it was hard to miss here.
The sound of Xmas carols piping through the loudspeakers, the scent of chestnuts roasting from the concession stand, and the twinkling lights that bordered the rink was finally bringing it home for me. While everyone was focused on the girls, I kept mine on Deidre, making sure that she was okay with all this. Of everyone here, she’d been hurt the most. But in watching over Deidre, I happened to notice something else. I noticed that Tessa couldn’t seem to help trying to catch Jared’s attention. This trick, tomorrow can’t come fast enough.
Samantha
Deidre begged off coming inside when we got back to the house after a few hours spent having fun. Although she hadn’t spent any time with Tom, she told me secretly that being around him was taking its toll, and she was running out of steam. I totally understood and covered for her as she left with the girls. “Do you want us to come get you tomorrow, or are you good to come on your own?”
I asked as I walked her outside. “No, I’ll be fine. What time should I come, though? Are you sure this is okay with your parents?” It was obvious that she was getting cold feet now that we were close to crunch time. “I think you should come early in the morning. We’ll help mom in the kitchen the way we used to.” I looked at her, hopefully knowing that I might be crossing boundaries. But there is nothing I won’t do to make things right for her.
If she wanted someone else, I would’ve cheered her on and been her maid of honor at her next wedding, but she was still hung up on Tom. The funny thing is, although she doesn’t know the whole story herself, she’s always believed that one day he’d come to his senses. She, more than me, has faith in him and is convinced that Tessa, her once best friend, must’ve sold him a very convincing story. She’s better than me; if Jared pulled that crap, I’d scalp him and leave him for dead.
“What, crap? And why are you scalping me this time?” Jared came up behind me just as she and the girls walked away.
“Oh, for fuck sake.” He just grinned and dropped it, thank heavens, and we walked back inside. “What are you doing out here? I left you with dad.”
“Yeah, but that…” From the way he blushed even as an angry glint entered his eyes, I knew it had something to do with Tessa.
“She on your dick again? Let me at ‘er.”
Alas, I didn’t get to torment Tessa the tramp that night because mom kept me busy doing prep for the next day. If I skinned one more onion or peeled one more potato, I’m gonna go postal. Thankfully she didn’t invite Tessa to help, not that she would’ve anyway. She was too busy trying to hit on my man with her stupid self. It’s only because I knew what he thought of her that I didn’t go upside her damn head, that and the fact that Tom had a front-row seat to her true calling.
“Why are you drinking so much?” I asked my brother when I saw him hit the liquor cabinet for the third time in less than an hour. He just shook his head, looking morose before tossing back the liquor and leaving the room. I’m hoping this new attitude of his has something to do with him seeing Deidre for the first time in forever.
It must’ve galled him that the woman who once fawned over him hadn’t even spared him a glance all day. Serves his dumb ass right. I followed the sound of voices into the great room where dad was holding court. My blood boiled when I saw Tessa sitting way too close to what’s mine. I gauged the distance between her and the fireplace and figured I could twat punt her into it no problem.
* * *
JARED
* * *
Talk about a fire-breathing dragon. She’d left me in here for hours while she played around in the kitchen with her mom. I didn’t mind, though, since I found her dad as entertaining as mine. What is it about men of a certain age and the shit they get into? I was listening attentively to another one of his fishing stories when Tessa found herself getting closer. I’ve been clocking her movements all day, and she kept inching closer and closer as the situation allowed.
I looked at Tom to see if he was seeing this, but he looked to be a million miles away. No doubt where his mind was. He’s been mooning over Deidre and his girls all day. It makes me wonder why he ever left if he feels that way about her. The guy is like his sister. She says everything out loud while he wears his thoughts on his face.