Bed & Breakfast

Ch. 25 Don't Ruin Me

*** Andie's POV ***

"Okay, you weirdo. I'll see what I can decipher." I heard Riley tell her brother in a rushed whisper. She hung up and came back into the kitchen where I was rolling cookies out.

"Are the boys staying out of trouble?" I asked.

"Kinda. I talked them out of a hokey gift for you, so you're welcome." She joked.

I laughed. "I'll return the favor if I get a say."

"You mentioned you've spent Christmas alone. Is that what you had planned for this year too?" She asked, changing the tone of the conversation completely.

"Uh...I..." I invited Bennett over, only because he asked what I was doing and I knew his parents snowbird on the Gulf coast.  It was just platonic so I have nothing to hide. "Bennett was going to come over for a bit. He's alone too."

"You might want to inform him that your plans changed." Riley responded softly.

"Oh shoot!" I exclaimed. I hurried to the sink to wash my hands. In the hubbub of everything, I completely forgot! Not to mention there might be some confusion anyway since last we talked, we fought.

"Do you like that guy?" Riley questioned.

"Hmm?" I pretended like I didn't hear her although I did, well and clear.

"I'm just curious. He seems so different from my uncle." She observed.

I sighed. "He is. I had a crush on Bennett when we were younger. He was handsome, popular, all those things. I was nerdy and nearly as outspoken as I am now. I thought he was out of my league back then."

"That's not what his friend seemed to imply." She commented. I furrowed my brow and she hurried to explain. "That guy said he has liked you for awhile."

It dawned on me who and what she was referencing. "Wade...uh yeah. That came as a surprise, but even when... when you all left, it wasn't like I could just flip a switch. Maybe...with enough time, if Lou hadn't returned. I'm going to call Bennett right now."

I took my phone and stepped outside into the crisp December air. I was warm from working in the kitchen so the air felt nice. With all of Riley's questions, I was feeling a little flustered as well. I suddenly felt like I was losing my nerve to cancel on Bennett. Yeah, he has been pushy, but we were friends and did I really want to doom him to the same lonely existence that I suffered these past holidays?

I stared at the phone in my hand for I don't know how long before Riley poked her head outside. "Andie? Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be right in."

Instead of calling Bennett I texted Lou.

I think I'd like to be home on Christmas Day.  I'll still come and support you and the kids but I'll drive separately so I can come home early. I'll explain more later.

I knew he didn't like Bennett but hopefully he would understand why I couldn't abandon him.

***

Lou and Parker still weren't back by the time Riley and I were finishing up the cookies. I was starting to sweat my decision as I kept glancing at the clock and my dark phone screen. I sighed and turned to ask Riley what she wanted for dinner when I saw headlights headed up the driveway. I was relieved to see Lou and Parker exit, pulling shopping bags and pizza boxes from the backseat.

We greeted them at the door. Parker scurried away, likely to hide his purchases. Lou handed the pizzas over to Riley who immediately started popping the lids to inspect the ingredient selections. Lou turned to me and gave me his wide smile. My heart slowed its hammering a bit.