Falling for the Grinch ✔️

Ten | Tree

Holly

Wait... he's coming here?

This guy is nuts.

Absolutely nuts.

He can't just show up unannounced somewhere and secondly, I didn't even say it was okay if he came. What if I was in the middle of a shower for God's sake?

The call ended abruptly, startling me as I stared down at my phone to make sure he didn't just hang up on me. Yep. He most definitely did. Once I make it inside, I slip off my booties at the door to let my feet breathe. That walk was much needed, but can't a girl get a foot rub around here? As much as my feet might hate me right now, they need to get over it and take a few more steps toward the window.

My eyes peek out through the blinds while I wait for Rhett's truck to pull into the driveway. It doesn't take long for him to arrive, making me suddenly become nervous. I watch him as he quickly gets out and shortly after there's a knock at the door.

I take in a deep breath before turning the knob to let him in. When I find his green eyes staring back at mine it's like I forget everything that just happened in the last thirty minutes. I don't remember why he's here and I don't remember anything that happened at my Aunt's house. The only thing I can focus on is the way he looks down at me.

A muffled voice grabs my attention, almost reminding me of the Peanuts movie.

"Holly?"

My eyes blink before coming back to reality. "Yeah?"

He's shivering at this point. "Can I come in? It's freezing."

With a nod, I step back and motion him inside. I'm greeted with a hint of his cologne as he moves past me toward the living room. It's hard to keep a straight face with how incredible he smells. He looks incredible too. In a pair of dark jeans and a gray hooded pullover with white sneakers— his casual attire shouldn't be so attractive. But, God it is. Once he finds his way in, we are seated near the Christmas tree across from each other on separate love seats. He seems... different than before, but yet he looks the same.

Something has changed.

I don't want to be so direct, but I have to ask. "Are you okay?"

His knee bounces from nerves while he shakes his head, "Not really."

Those two words shouldn't affect me so much.

I continue staring at the leg that is constantly moving up and down. When my eyes lift back up to find his they are full of sorrow. I've never seen him look so distraught before and even though he might aggravate me at times, I don't want Rhett feeling sad about anything.

"Rhett—

"My parents died on Christmas."

All the air in the room slowly starts to suffocate me. I remain puzzled as he keeps his eyes on me and then they gradually move to the floor. No words enter my brain. Absolutely none. I'm taken back by his words. My thumbs rub together, almost needing something to do while I stare at him. Is there a manual for this? How do I continue this conversation?

I want to reach out and bring his calloused hands in mine. I want to bring his eyes to me by touching his cheek, to feel his scruff against my fingers. It suddenly starts to make sense— Why he dreads Christmas. Why he hates everything about it.

His parents.

I swallow hard and say his name again, only this time more softer and barely a whisper, "Rhett..."

He holds up his hand. "It's okay. I don't want your pity or anything, but I wanted to let you know why I didn't show up tonight," his knee stops bouncing. "I was at the graveyard."