The Bad Boy and the Piano Girl (Book #1)

Chapter Thirty Six: Dad the Turkey's on Fire!

Chapter Thirty Six: Dad the Turkey's on Fire!

If I would've known how stressful making Christmas absolutely perfect for Landon's family was, I would've kept my big mouth shut and not invited them. Who am I kidding, I can never keep my big mouth shut.

"The potato salad is done, sweetie."

"Thanks Dad." I draw a tick on my checklist. "Sorry for inviting the Knights without asking you first."

"Don't be silly. The more the merrier!" He ruffles my hair. "Is Gigi still coming?"

I nod. "She wouldn't miss it."

"And what about trouble?"

"Yes Carter is too." Dad groans, making me laugh.

"You know what? I think we're done, once the turkey's out of the oven." I smile.

"You're gonna love the turkey this year." He states proudly.

"I highly doubt that." Ryan joins us. "Name one year the turkey's been good."

"NO NEGATIVITY ON CHRISTMAS. I lightly smack Ryan. "But I agree."

Dad tuts at us. "You're both just haters. My turkey's gonna be fire."

The fire alarm suddenly screeches. Our heads quickly whip towards the direction of the kitchen.

I run following the direction of the smoke. "DAD THE TURKEY'S ON FIRE!"

Dad quickly follows me into the kitchen, eyes wide. "Hot! Hot! Hot!" He carefully takes the burnt turkey out of the oven, placing it on the kitchen counter.

We both stare in shock at the burnt black mess in front of us. Ryan joins us. "Congrats Dad, the turkey's literal fire." We both shoot daggers with our gaze at him.

"I guess we'll just have a... turkey-less Christmas?" I sadly pick at the remains of the turkey.

"I'm sorry Dee. I should've checked on it sooner..." Dad frowns.

"It's not your fault Dad-" I'm interrupted by the shrill of my phone. "I'll be right back." I quickly exit the kitchen.

I fan the smoke in the air with one hand, answering my phone with the other. "Hello?"

"You sound glum." Landon replies, instantly noticing my tone.

"No no, I was just uh... preoccupied?"

"What's really wrong?"

I sigh. "Christmas is officially ruined."

"Hey no, what's wrong? More importantly who do I need to kill?"

I laugh slightly.

"I'll have you know I'm being very serious." I can picture him smiling through the phone.

"I'm sure you are." I smile. "And the turkey's burnt."

"Jesus Gem, I thought it was something serious."

"This is majorly serious!"

"We can have Christmas without a turkey. It's not that important." He says nonchalantly, making me want to stab myself with the holly decorations.

"Listen carefully Landy. THERE'S NO CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A TURKEY!"

"Did you just call me Landy? Gross."

"Are you even listening to me?!" I huff.

He pauses a second. "No not really."

"I'm hanging up now."

"Hey no wait-"

"BAD NETWORK. CAN'T HEAR YOU." I start making 'believable' crackling sounds with my mouth.

"You can very well hear me!" He protests.

"BYE!"

"Gem I swear to-" I quickly hang up before he can finish his threat.

I make my way back to the kitchen, only to find Dad and Ryan suspiciously leaning over the turkey.

"What are you guys doing?" I cautiously ask.

"This was all him..." Ryan starts.

My dad continues. "Isn't it adorable?" He turns the turkey towards me, which now has a face drawn onto it.

I stare at the hideous 'turkey', who knew it could get worse. "I'm... speechless."

"So you love it?" He smiles.

"Uhm... sure Dad." I give him a thumbs up, before heading to the living room.

Ryan carries in a box of decorations. "More? We've done them all, haven't we?" I question.

"You forgot the most important thing, Dee." He points to the tree. SHIT THE TREE!

"How did I forget the tree! Everyone's gonna be here any minute!" I quickly rummage through the box, taking out all the decorations.

"Hey hey, sit down." He slowly removes the baubles from my hands and guides me to the coach. By this point, I'm too exhausted to even protest.

He starts decorating the tree with tinsel. "Literally everything is perfect, Dee. Plus what's the point of Christmas if you're gonna spend the day stressed out?"

"I guess you're right."

"Wow you're actually agreeing? It's a Christmas miracle!" I throw a cushion at him, making him laugh harder. "So Knight..."

I groan. "Please be nice today. I'm literally begging."

"You know how I feel about him."

"Ryan-"

He cuts me off. "But, I promise not to start anything if he doesn't."

"Thank you." I join him in decorating the tree.

"I'm not a... bad person right?" He says, avoiding eye contact with me.

"No of course not. Where did that come from?" I laugh slightly.

"Nothing. Here, you put the star on." He hands me the star, before quickly rushing off. Well that wasn't weird at all.

I shake off the thought and grab a stool. I stand on it carefully, making sure not to lose balance. I'm a clutz when it comes to... well everything, so stools are no exception.

I neatly place the star on the top of the tree and smile. Ryan and I did a good job. I step back, wanting to get a better look of the tree, however I step a little too far. The stool tips and before I know it I'm falling.

I never hit the ground.

Instead, I fall into something... muscular? The all too familiar cologne fills my nostrils, and I'm suddenly aware what I've fallen into, or who.

My eyes flutter open to find my very own hero smirking down at me.

"Well this isn't cliché at all."

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Ily and till next time, adios!

~ H <3