Against The Wall

Chapter Twelve

Matty and I spend most of the time leading
up to Christmas at my house, messing around, watching movies, playing video games, and eating. Mel makes an appearance a few times, but for the most part we just exist ... happily ... together.
I'm clearing our dessert plates when Matty
asks me, "So what are you doing for the holidays?"

"Going to my parent's house on Christmas Eve, and then to Mel's Christmas day. You?"

"I'm going to my folk's house too. I'm actually gonna leave tomorrow and won't be back until the day after Christmas," he explains.

"Holy shit. I'm not gonna see you for four days." My heart suddenly feels like a brick in my chest and I can't believe I'm so affected by the thought of being
away from Matty for such a short time. Four days really isn't that long, but right now it feels like an eternity and he hasn't even left yet.

Matty takes a spoon from my hand and places
it in the sink. He faces me and runs his long fingers through my wavy hair. "Two really. I'm not gonna leave here until the morning and I'll see you the day I come back."

He reels me in for a hug, and smacks a kiss on my mouth. It eases my heartache just a little, but not much. I've gotten so used to having him around, it's going to be quiet and lonely without him.

"You're gonna be so busy with your parents and Mel, you won't even miss me."

"Fine," I tell him, not entirely convinced. Resting my head on his chest, I soak in his familiar citrusy scent that brings the outdoors in to me. I gaze up into his sparkling blue eyes that crinkle at the edges and stretch my face toward his. He meets me the rest of the way for a kiss that's soft and gentle but has enough heat to send sparks all the way down to my girl parts.

"We better make tonight count then." And we do. Make it count.

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Matty leaves my house in the morning to pack for his two-hour trip up the coast to see his parents.

"I miss him already," I tell Mel over coffee and donuts.

"Oh, shut your ass. He's been gone for like two seconds," she sneers, chomping on a maple bar. No sympathy from her.

"Look at us," I say, peering around my place. Not a single holiday decoration on display. "You wouldn't know it's Christmas time. I didn't even decorate around here. Neither did you."

I didn't put out stockings, I didn't get a tree, and all the presents I have are wrapped in gift bags in the trunk of my car. The only thing representing the
holidays is the dish of Dove chocolates on my coffee table. And that was just chance. I didn't go shopping for chocolates in green and red foils.

She waves me off, taking a drink of her
Amaretto splashed cup of Joe. "What the hell for? It's not like I'm going to dig out all the shit by myself just for me. Too much trouble for nothing."

She's right. I nibble on my glazed donut, savoring every bite, trying to make it last as long as possible.

"This is our first holiday without Chase and Nick. Weird huh?"

"It's so fucking crazy. I can't believe it. We're gonna go home and everyone's going to be hovering all over us, checking to see if we're okay. People are gonna be talking shit, saying we can't keep a man. I bet you some people think we're lesbians."

We both laugh so hard we snort.

"I really don't look forward to my family asking questions," I confide. "They're all gonna say what a shock it was and they thought we'd be together forever. And they're sure I'll meet a decent man soon, yada yada yada."