[18+]
College student Hadley Bell is eager to return home for the holidays, but there's a problem. Her ex-no. 44 Nick Baker, Professional Snocross Racer and member of the Bell Race Team, still resides under her parent's roof.
Tensions run high, and...
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Our apartment wasn't huge, but it was homey and a comfort this Christmas despite my loneliness.
The smells of garlic, rosemary, and thyme lined my nose as Christmas Vacation played on the flatscreen above the gas fireplace, reminding me of home. My mom was likely working over the stove while my brothers lounged around in sweats in the living room.
My heart wept, but I didn't pay it any mind, even if it was the first Christmas I spent without them.
I stood before the mantle, lining it with garland, candles and string lights Janelle and I picked up a few days ago when she peeled me from my bed and took me out.
The candles flickered, my appetite slowly returning as Janelle busied herself in the kitchen. She spent most of the day cooking while I decorated. I watched her take the roaster from the oven—her black hair thrown up in a messy bun, a baggy shirt and sweats hanging off her curves. "It's almost done," she said, not noticing my stare.
Which meant it was time for me to set the table.
I made my way to the kitchen, reaching into the cupboard. I looked just as casual as her in my black shorts and a baggy grey sweatshirt.
It didn't matter. It was just the two of us this year. "Did you talk to your sister?" I asked as Janelle maneuvered around me in the tight space.
"Earlier," she replied, whisking homemade gravy. "Jessica's busy. Apparently–" Tossing a hefty cube of butter in the potatoes. "—her mother-in-law is worse than she is at Christmas."
I chuckled, grabbing a bottle of wine from the fridge.
"She's having fun though," she said, wiping her hands on a tea towel.
At least someone was.
Together we set the table, lit the candles and exchanged the sounds of Chevy Chase for soft Christmas music.
We loaded our plates in silence. I wasn't as hungry as I wanted to be. I was lonesome for home. And I could tell Janelle was too. "Are you upset?" I asked, passing her the bread basket and exchanging it for the stuffing.
Her dark brows pinched together as she reached across. "About what?"
I shrugged, spooning stuffing onto my plate next to the potatoes. "I ruined your holiday."
Janelle cut me a look. "You didn't ruin anything, Hadley—" Going back to her plate. "—Dallas did."
I said nothing, poking at my turkey. He'd called so many times from different numbers I had to change mine.
I didn't notice Janelle's gaze across the table until she said, "I heard Dallas's father is pissed."
So was mine, but I didn't say as much. He called a few days ago asking if I was okay.
I didn't know how to answer. I didn't want him to be angry with Baker or the boys, but he'd seen the fight between my brothers and me in the kitchen the morning I left and heard everything I said.
