by L A Cotton
“Lo?” Laurie stared at me as I blinked away the thoughts.
“I’m fine.” I slipped my arm through hers. “Let’s stay a little longer. It’s so magical out here.” Because out here it was easy to forget—the drama, uncertainty, and constant surprises—and only remember all the good things.
Chapter 7
Devon
If someone had told me eighteen months ago, I’d be waking up on Christmas morning in South Lake Tahoe with Macey Prince and her family, I would have split my sides laughing. But here I was, watching her as she slept peacefully, the harshness of her expression gone.
I reached out, tracing the lines of her face. Every day, I woke before her. At first, I think it was my subconscious way of checking she hadn’t done a runner in the middle of the night. But as we settled into our relationship, and I realized Macey intended on sticking around, it became my chance to watch her, knowing I’d be the first person she saw when she opened her big brown eyes.
“I can feel you watching me.” Her lip curved slightly, but she didn’t open her eyes. I dropped down beside her and drew her body close.
“I like watching you sleep. It’s my thing.”
“I know.” Her lips found mine and she kissed me. “Merry Christmas, Devon.”
“Merry Christmas.” I stole another kiss before saying, “Wait right there.” Clambering off the bed, I felt Macey’s eyes on me as I went to my backpack and pulled out the small box.
“Please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”
“What? Oh shit, no. No!” My heart skipped a beat. “Although is the idea of me proposing that disturbing?” I sat on the edge of the bed and handed her the box.
“Actually, don’t answer that,” I added quickly, flashing her a playful smile. “Go on, open it.”
Macey tore into the gift-wrap until a black velvet box rested in her palm. Nervous energy zipped through me as she slowly flipped the lid.
“Devon, it’s beautiful.” She lifted the charm out of the box.
The silver pick gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the curtains. “It’s engraved, see.”
She leaned in, reading the words. “It’s from my song. I love it, thank you.”
“I love you, Macey.” I loved her so fucking much that most days I had to pinch myself. “And I want you to know that no matter where things go with my music, it’s you and me, okay?”
Macey rose to her knees and slipped her leg over mine until she was straddling me. “You mean when you’re a famous rock star you’ll still want me?” She was joking but something about her words made my chest tighten. I leaned in, pressing my forehead to hers. “Promise me you’ll always keep me grounded.” Ever since moving to UCLA, my music had exploded. I’d played a few gigs at the local open mic night, but it had opened doors.
Ones I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
“Promise me, you’ll be right by my side.”
“I promise.” Macey sealed her words with a kiss. But it wasn’t enough, I needed to feel her. I gently rocked her over my dick, wishing there were no layers between us.
“Devon, more. I need—”
Bang! Bang! The door rattled in its frame from the overzealous knock.
“Lions, get the fuck off my sister and get your asses out here.” Maverick’s deep voice filled our room. “Mom’s fed up of waiting. Oh, and Merry Christmas.”
Macey smiled against my lips, but all I could manage was a groan. Even though we were good, Maverick still managed to cock block me at every opportunity. In fact, I was beginning to think it was payback for all my past mistakes.
“His timing is impeccable,” I grumbled as Macey slowly retreated from me.
My eyes raked down her body. Smooth tan skin, toned stomach, legs that wrapped around me just right, her tight little ass. She was a walking talking wet dream, and she was all mine.
“What?” she asked as she pulled on some leggings.
“You,” I replied. “Just you.”
Her smile grew, her eyes darkening with desire. “Do you think it’s acceptable to murder my brother on Christmas Day?” Her hungry gaze moved down my body.
“Don’t start something we can’t finish, Macey.”
She stalked toward me but the second she was close enough, I hooked my arm around the backs of her thighs and pulled her onto me. What I really wanted was to sink inside her and hear her moan my name. But I also wanted to keep my head, something I wasn’t sure would happen if we didn’t leave the room in the next couple of minutes.
“Tonight,” I said against her lips. “Tonight, I’m going to worship every inch of you.”
Macey gripped my chin and stared at me. “I’m already counting down the hours.”
“MERRY CHRISTMAS, SON. How are you enjoying the lake?”
“It’s good, Dad. Really good. The connection is poor though, I can barely hear you.” I moved further out onto the deck. “Tell Ginny I said hi.”
“I will. She’s currently filling her face.”
“I heard that,” Ginny’s muffled voice filtered over the line. “Merry Christmas, Devon.”
“Merry Christmas. Listen, Dad, I should probably go. Mrs. Prince wants us to open gifts.”
“Did Macey like her gift?”
“Yeah, she did.”
“You enjoy the rest of your vacation, Son. You’ve earned it. I’ll see you when we get back.”
We said bye and hung up. When Macey had first asked me about the trip, I’d been unsure. It was only our second Christmas without Mom, and I didn’t want to leave him alone. But Ginny had surprised him with tickets for a week’s cruise around the Caribbean.
“Lions.” Maverick appeared in the door. “We’re waiting.”
“Yeah, sorry. I’m coming.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” I reached the door, but he made no effort to move.
“Listen,” he said. “I know things haven’t always been easy between us, but I just wanted you to know, I’m glad she has you. She’s different.”
“I love her.” I loved her more than anything.
“I know you do.” He held my stare, conveying some silent message. “Come on, before Beth destroys the pile of gifts.”
“Does she remind you of a younger Kyle?”
“You saw that too, huh?”
“Stella and Rob are going to have their work cut out for them when she grows up.”
We shared an amused look before entering the vast living space. Beth was waiting eagerly at the pile of gifts that had appeared under the tree overnight while Rebecca began to distribute them.
“Maverick,” she said handing him one as he moved toward Lo. “This one’s from me and Gentry. Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks.” He ran his fingers over the small gift.
“Okay, who's next.” Rebecca scouted the gift tags, plucking out ones for Summer and Macey. Repeating the action until everyone had a gift. Even Jack.
“She didn’t have to do this,” I whispered to Macey, who perched on my lap.
“She wanted it to be perfect.”
My arms tightened around her waist, as I added, “When do I get your gift?”
Macey twisted her head until we’d carved out our own secret space. “Later. You get your gift later.”
Fuck.
“Yo, Lions.” I was almost relieved this time when it was Kyle and not Maverick shouting me. “And what did you the big red man bring you?”
My eyes found him across the room, a smirk plastered on his face. “I haven’t opened it yet.”
“I bet you haven’t.”
“Stone,” Maverick’s voice was full of warning, matching the one in his eyes as he glared at me.
Thankfully, everyone was too busy with their carefully thought out gifts to pay us any attention.
I discreetly flipped Kyle off, and he bellowed with laughter. “You’re one of us now, Lions,” he mouthed. There was a time when his words would have struck fear into my heart but now it
held a whole other meaning.
I was in their inner circle. Whether I wanted it or not, I’d been invited into a place few people ever got to go. Unlike poor Jack who, no mattered how hard he tried to fit in, was on the receiving end of Kyle’s permanent death stare.
“You got her a football?” Rob’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I watched as he frowned at Kyle. “She’s an eight-year-old girl.”
“She has more than enough attitude to play. Isn’t that right, short stuff?”
Beth turned the ball in her hands. “You think I can play?”
“I think I can teach you.”
“For real?” A wide smile split her face. “You’re going to teach me to play?”
“Damn right I am. Did you see your other gifts?” He flicked his head to the pile of gifts and she wasted no time tearing through them.
“He got me a Trojan’s jersey.”
Stella and Rob groaned as Beth flung herself at Kyle and hugged him.
“Looks like someone has a new admirer,” August said from his armchair.
“God help us,” Rob muttered, but Beth wasn’t deterred. She peeled herself off Kyle and pulled her jersey over her sweater, fierce determination glittering in her eyes.
“Look, Mom. I’m the prettiest footballer there ever was.”
The room filled with laughter as we watched Kyle-the-second come to life right in front of our eyes.
AFTER DINNER WE ALL congregated back in the living room. I was desperate to get Macey alone, to discover just exactly what my gift was. But there was no chance of that anytime soon. Not if the mountain of board games was anything to go by.
“Does Kyle look a little green to you?” I asked Maverick as the guys stood huddled together watching the adults and girls make asses of themselves playing charades.
“Did you see how much he ate? I don’t know where he puts it all.”
He had eaten a lot, but he didn’t look sick because he’d overindulged, he looked sick because he was nervous. I knew; it was how I felt every time I got up on stage. The stomach-knotting puke-inducing fear. But what did he possibly have to be nervous about? His football career had gotten off to a flying start at USC, and there were already whispers he could go all the way to the NFL. He had Laurie by his side, and a family who supported him. Kyle Stone had everything he could ever want.
So why did he look ready to puke all over Beatrice’s Christmas cake?
Chapter 8
Kyle
It was now or never.
Shit.
I hadn’t felt this nervous since the Championship game senior year. My palms were slick in my pockets as everyone chatted and laughed and drank eggnog, remnants of gift wrap discarded on the floor.
“Are you okay?” Rick asked me. “You look a little green.”
“Fine,” I rushed out a little too quickly. “I’m fine.”
He eyed me suspiciously, but I glanced away, taking a long pull on my beer. He was going to be shocked as shit in about five minutes. They all were. But my mind was made up. It had been for a while now. I was just waiting for the perfect time.
And it didn’t get more perfect than this.
Swallowing the fear gnawing at my stomach, I stepped forward clearing my throat. “Everyone,” I said, “I’d like to make a toast.”
Someone—probably Beth—groaned loudly, but I didn’t search her out. I was too busy looking at Laurie across the room where she sat with Lo and Summer. She gave me a warm smile. The one that made my chest swell with all the good things in life: love, comfort, promises of things to come.
“When Dad first suggested this trip,” I said, “I’m not going to lie, I thought it was a recipe for disaster. All of us crammed in a cabin for four nights, no thank you! But now I’m here, I honestly couldn’t think of a better way to spend the holidays. My girl, my family, my friends... even you Jack.” The sly fucker actually grinned, but I didn’t let him distract me from the task at hand.
“These last couple of years have been full of change. Some good, some bad, but all of it necessary. What’s that saying, life is a bitch—”
“Kyle August Stone!” Grandma B shrieked at the time same as Dad grumbled, “Tone it down please, Son,” under his breath.
“Okay, that was a bad analogy. But what I’m trying to say is, without all the drama and hurt and bad stuff, we wouldn’t be here now. Together, and stronger than we’ve ever been.”
“Are you getting to the point soon, I’m not getting any younger?” Grandpa August chimed in.
“Just keeping up the family tradition of long-assed speeches.” I shot him a wink, and he rolled his eyes disapprovingly. “What can I say, old man? I learned from the best. Babe, can you come up here a second?”
Laurie’s eyes widened with surprise. “Kyle, what are you—”
“Just get up here.” I beckoned her over, unable to look anyone else in the eye.
When Laurie reached me, I hooked my arm around her and brushed my nose over hers, forgetting we had an audience. “I love you, Laurie Davison. I love you more than life.”
“Kyle,” she hissed between gritted teeth, pressing her hand against my chest. “Are you drunk? Everyone’s watching and you’re embarrassing me.”
Strained laughter rumbled in my chest. “If you think this is bad, you’re going to lose your shit in say three, two, one—” I lowered to one knee, slipping my hand into my back pocket.
Someone gasped; then the room seemed to explode with gasps and muffled whispers, but I only had eyes for the girl staring down at me with love and surprise glittering in her eyes.
“I have loved you since I was a thirteen-year-old kid unsure what love was. I know we’re young. I know everyone here will probably tell us this is a bad idea, but I told you once I only needed two things in life: football and you. But it’s you, Laurie. Football is the dream, but you’re my future.” I pulled out the ring, a simple band with a princess cut diamond set in the middle and held it up to her. “So, what do you say, babe? Will you meet me halfway to crazy, and marry me?”
The gasps grew louder. Someone was crying. Grandpa August was muttering something about me ‘losing my goddamn mind’. But it all drowned out when Laurie dropped to her knees and threw her arms around me. “Yes, I’ll marry you, even if it is the craziest idea I’ve ever heard.”
“You will?” I stuttered. I’d played this moment over and over in my head. I’d picked out the ring months ago, before we moved to USC together. Imagined the day I dropped to one knee and asked my best friend to become my everything. But I’d never once let myself jump ahead to the part where she gave me her answer. Because deep down, I knew this was a crazy fucking idea. We were young. Childhood sweethearts. I was most likely heading to the NFL in two to three years’ time. Life would change, and like any couple, we would face new obstacles.
But Laurie was it for me.
I’d known it since the first time I ever laid eyes on her.
She swiped her tears away and smiled at me, nothing but love shining in her eyes. “Yes, I’ll marry you, you crazy idiot.”
“Geez, babe, is that anyway to talk to your future husband?”
“Husband.” She rolled the word on her tongue. “I like the sound of that.”
It was my turn to grin like a fool. “I love you so fuck—”
“Kyle!” The whole room bellowed. Except Beth who was watching me with a smug smirk. One that reminded me eerily of myself.
I pulled Laurie to her feet, tugging her into my side. “Give me a break, I just got engaged.”
We found ourselves engulfed in a chorus of congratulations and hugs. Lo was first, throwing herself around us both. “I love you both so much, but if I’m not maid of honor, we will have problems.”
“Hey, don’t look at me,” I said. “That’s not my department.”
“And, you,” she shot back. “How did I not know about this?”
“No one did.” I confessed, my eyes finding Rick across the room. He watched us, a s
trange expression crossing his face. “Well, no one except Mr. and Mrs. Davison.”
“You mean...” Laurie teared up again.
“Of course I asked them. I might be a fool but I’m not a complete idiot.”
“Boy did good.” Lo winked at me, moving aside to make room for Rebecca and Dad.
“Congratulations, Son, Laurie.” He squeezed my shoulder. “A little heads up would’ve been nice, but we’re both very happy for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I held his conflicted gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I wasn’t sure it was going to happen yet, and I didn’t—”
“Kyle, Son, you don’t have to apologize.”
“Gosh, you two.” Rebecca pulled us both into a hug. “You’re so young. Just promise me you won’t rush into anything.”
“We won’t, Rebecca,” Laurie assured her.
“Oh hell, you might as well start calling me Momma P too.” She gathered my girl into her arms.
“Are you... crying?” I leaned in to inspect her face. “Holy shit, the stepmomster sheds tears you guys, actual—”
“Kyle!”
Macey and Summer came next, wedging me into a sister-sandwich. “You almost gave your dad a heart attack,” Macey whispered. “You should have seen his face.”
Oh, I had. But he’d get over it. He knew how I felt about Laurie. He knew what we’d been through, what I’d been through. My eyes slid to Kiera over Macey’s shoulder. She was looking at me with a softness she rarely showed the world. Macey realized I’d stopped listening to her and released me. “Go talk to her.”
I left them and made my way over to Kiera and Jack. I really didn’t know what she saw in him, but Lo and Macey had insisted I go easy on him—and her.
“Stone, congrats, man,” he said thrusting his hand at me. “Engaged, fuck me. I can barely get my head around going steady.”
