“Coffee sounds great, especially right about now.”
“There is a really cute café right next door, they are open twenty-four hours. I usually go before work. You will love it.”
“Perfect. I might go down there now and get something. My friends are driving me a bit nuts. Which is another reason I came down here. I needed to get away and talk to someone else. And since I am new and don’t know anyone here besides them, I figure I’d bother you.”
“So, your whole ‘I am checking up on you’ was just a rouse on your search for other entertainment.” I smirked.
“Pretty much. Don’t hate me.” He cocked his head to the side.
“Too much energy, and I have bigger fish to fry. I will just note that you are not to be trusted,” I teased
“I guess that is fair enough, even though I did attempt to redeem myself by offering you a ride to the airport in the morning.” He grinned.
“I am sure it is for your own selfish reasons again: entertainment for the ride, gas money, who knows?” I folded my arms across my chest pretending to be very a matter of fact.
“You got me there.” He said, scanning my face.
There was silence between us as we just looked at each other. Usually I would feel awkward having someone stare at me and looking back into their eyes. But it was comfortable. Like we were still talking just with our eyes.
“Would you like to join me?” He asked breaking the silence.
“I told you I was not going to your party.”
“I mean to go get some coffee. Do they have food there? I haven’t had dinner yet. Have you?” His eyes still never leaving mine.
I blushed, “No, not yet.”
“Then, let’s go.” He stood up off the door frame.
I looked at him questioning for a moment. Things like this just didn’t happen to me. People didn’t just appear and ask me out, and the few times that someone did invite me out, I never accepted. Most of my dates came from me meeting someone through a mutual friend.
“I mean, I do have to eat, and they have this amazing salad that I just can’t say no to.” I said grabbing my keys from the key hook by the door.
“You couldn’t let me think you actually wanted to have dinner with me.” He chuckled backing away from the door as I came out into the hallway and closing the door to lock it.
“Why would I lie to you?” I turned and gave him a cheesy smile.
####
I shot up from my couch with the sound of my alarm going off on my phone. I honestly didn’t even remember falling asleep. I was exhausted by the time Ray and I finally left the café. I was surprised how easy it was to talk to him. The next thing I saw, it was two in the morning.
Ray walked me home and like a gentleman said goodnight and left. His looks and his personality defiantly did not match. By looks alone, I would have assumed he was a cocky asshole who knew he was hot, but last night he was anything but. He listened to everything I had to say, asked questioned, and even shared. A few times I felt like I should pinch myself to make sure I was still not passed out at the elevator. He was way too nice. But, then again, I just met him, and everyone puts on the best of them when first meeting someone. Who knew who he actually was? We enjoyed enough of last night to agree to do it again once I got back.
After a quick shower and a to-go coffee, I was out the door and heading to wake up Ivy to take me to the airport. I was already running late so I was surprised she wasn’t already at my door telling me to hurry up. I pushed the button on the elevator, and Ivy came out with Ray, mid laugh. I looked at them both questioningly. As silly as this may sound, I was a little jealous seeing them together.
“Hey, you two.” I giggled because that is the natural reaction when you come up to people in mid laugh, right?
“Hey, sleepy head, you’re going to be late. Let’s shake a leg,” Ivy said.
“I am all set; I was coming down to get you. Where are you guys coming from?” I asked.
“Coffee,” Ray answered looking into my eyes.
Dreamy, that is what he was. Dreamy in a dangerous way. They stepped back into the elevator, and I joined them. Ray leaned against the wall of the elevator looking at me while Ivy continued to talk to him about something. I couldn’t hear what she was saying; all I could hear was my own heart as I switched between looking forward and then over to him. I am so glad that I was leaving. This weird little infatuation of mine needed to be over just as fast as it started. I did not have time for games or some stupid little crush that I made up in my head. I prayed for the elevator to hurry up so I could get out of there as fast as possible. I almost ran out of the elevator when the doors reopened again, but I came to a dead stop when I saw my sister and Travis walking toward me. I flew back trying to close the elevator doors again but lost my step and started to fall backwards, dropping my coffee on the floor. Ray quickly grabbed me and help me back up.
“Are you okay?” He asked looking confused.
“What is your sister doing here? Did you not tell her I was driving to the airport this morning?” Ivy questioned.
“Alexia!” Cecilia called to me.
I just looked down at the coffee at my feet and let out a breath preparing myself for whatever was about to happen. Her beige heels came into view. I closed my eyes, giving myself one last moment of peace before looking back up at her trying to hide my embarrassment.
“Cecilia, what are you doing here? I thought you were meeting me there?”
“We came to give you a ride to the airport. Mom wanted me to make sure you didn’t try to skip out since you have been so weird lately.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I got her. We will see you there.” Ivy jumped in. She hated Cecilia and often came to my defense when she was around.
“Hello, Ivy, I didn’t see you there. How are you?” Cecilia said dryly, turning her nose up.
“Well, I can see you have been going through Alex’s trash…. Hey there, Travis,” Ivy smiled as Travis gave her a dirty look.
“As you can see, she has a ride so let’s go, CeCe,” Travis mumbled walking back toward the door.
“Are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend? You can be so rude sometimes.” Cecilia pouted looking at Ray up and down. By the look in her eyes I already knew what she was thinking, and all I had to say was bye bye, Travis.
“He is not…” I started to say.
“This is Ray,” Ivy interrupted.
“So, he is your boyfriend, Ivy? Makes sense. I don’t think my sister would be his type--not saying I would think you would be either, but you definitely would be less of a challenge.”
“Are you trying to say I am easy?!”
Ray grabbed her and pulled her back, putting his body in front of his.
“Ray,” he said extending his hand to Cecilia.
She slowly put her hand in his looking like she was waiting for him to kiss it more than shake it. Ray seemed amused.
“I hope you know what you are getting into with that one. Feisty doesn’t even cover it when it comes to her.” Cecilia glared over Rays shoulder at Ivy
“I don’t know what you are talking about. Alex is always so calm. If anything, she reminds to breathe sometimes.” Ray smiled watching my sister’s expression change as she looked over at me in shock. I started to choke on air.
“You’re dating Alexia?” She questioned sounding confused.
Ray chuckled as he walked back towards me and put his arm around my shoulder.
“Are you okay, darling? Choking on air?” He rubbed my back.
“Yea,” I coughed out.
Cecilia looked at us both with an unreadable face—possibly a mix between thinking and confusion. She didn’t say anything just glanced back and forth between us, and every once in a while, she would look at Ray up and down then back to me even more puzzled.
“Don’t you have a plane to catch?” Ivy finally broke the silence.
“Yeah, we better head out. I will see you at mom and
dad’s, Cecilia,” I said wiggling out of Rays grasp and picking up my bags.
“Um, yeah see you guys there.” She seemed to come back to reality.
“It will be just…” I started to say.
“Look forward to it,” Ray interrupted me again.
I looked up at him with my eyes huge. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. He was not actually coming with me, and what am I going to say to everyone when I show up alone? I knew as soon as my sister walked out that door, she was going to be calling my mother to fill her in on the all the gossip, and by the end of the day our whole little community would know. Cecilia didn’t say anything. She just gave us a fake smile and turned and left. A part of me knew that smile was more as a “let’s see you pull this off.” Why did he do this to me? I was already okay with showing up alone and dealing with the same old questions, advice, and looks of disappointment, but now, I would have to explain why my fake boyfriend isn’t with me and maybe even be called a liar. Who knew with my family?
I waited until the door closed completely before turning around and slapping Ray hard on the shoulder.
“What was that for?” He laughed.
“Why would you do that?” I growled.
“Your sister is a bitch. I could see what she was doing, and I felt bad.”
“Yeah, well now what am I supposed to say when I show up without you?”
He shrugged, “I can come if you want, it’s not like my plans were any better. My parents will be drunk and passed out before I even get there. Doubt they will even notice if I didn’t show up.”
“Yeah, right.” I scoffed, pushing passed him and heading to the door.
“Why not?” He called after me.
I stopped and turned around completely ignoring his question and looking at Ivy mouthing to her to come. She shook her head smiling and started towards me. I turned back around and headed out the door.
####
“Can you believe that guy?” I huffed once Ivy and I were out the door.
“He was just trying to help. Plus, I wouldn’t mind being with him for a weekend, even if it was pretend. He is mmm mmm good looking.”
“You need help.” I laughed finally reaching her car and going around to the trunk.
Ivy came around the other side and unlocked the trunk exposing a huge heap of stuff. Looking through it, I could see it was a mix of clothing and trash. This girl lived in her car.
“And where am I supposed to fit this?” I held up my suitcase and gave her funny look.
“You should see the backseat,” she giggled moving some of her mess to the side so I could attempt to squeeze my bags inside of it. Luckily, I didn’t pack very much.
Somehow, we were able to get everything inside. I lectured Ivy on the importance of cleaning out her car as she headed to the driver side of the car waving me off as I closed the trunk. I half expected to have to sit on it to close, but the hood closed with ease. As I slammed it shut, it revealed Ray standing on the other side of the car holding his bags. Rolling my eyes, I walked pass him to the passenger side.
“Come on, I think it will be fun,” he said as I started to open the car door.
I sighed turning to face him with my hand on my hip. “One, I don’t need your help. Two, I don’t know you. And three, I have enough drama to handle this weekend; I don’t need you adding to it.”
“I thought we really hit it off last night. Plus, I promise to behave.” He smirked.
“No,” I said, deadpan.
My phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I took it out and saw that my mother was calling. My sister wasted no time.
“Hello, mother.” I answered.
“Your sister just told me about your gentleman friend! I am so excited to meet him,” she squealed in my ear. “From what she is saying he is quite a looker as well. Oh, I am so happy. Both my girls are bringing men home for the holiday. I never thought I would see the day.”
“Mom, I…” I stopped looking at Ray who was smiling back at me with his eyebrow raised.
“I already told your father, and he is planning a couple’s game night tonight. He is so excited.” She sounded so giddy.
“Sounds like fun. I will see you in a little bit,” I said.
“I can’t wait!” She squealed once more before I disconnected.
Ray was still looking at me, even more smug then before. I couldn’t believe I was doing this.
“Fine.” I sighed feeling defeated.
He didn’t say anything as he opened up the backseat of Ivy’s car, pushing her mountain of clothing to the side and climbing in. I took a breath not believing that I was actually doing this, but like Ivy said, it was only a weekend. How much could really happen in a weekend?
####
I didn’t really start to fully regret my decision until we were on the plane, and it was too late. I sat at the window seat and looked out at the birds trying to keep up with the plane, wishing I could feel as free as they looked. If I didn’t care what my family thought, I wouldn’t be in this predicament. No matter how many times I told myself I didn’t care, the happiness that I heard in my mother’s voice touched me, and I didn’t want to disappoint her again. I guessed I would forever be that little girl seeking my mother’s approval.
“So, should we learn some things about each other?” Ray interrupted my inner monologue.
“Ugh, I feel like I am in one of those cheesy Christmas romance movies.” I lay back in my chair.
“So, we get to know each other, fall in love, and live happily ever after?” He laughed.
“That’s how it usually goes.” I sighed. “But in our case, we will have my family being awkwardly nice to you and giving me the side eye. My sister will probably try to hit on you to make me jealous. We’ll go to my family Christmas party and be back on a plane home the next day. Sorry, love is not on the agenda this weekend.”
“Probably for the better; I don’t think you’re ready.”
“What do you mean?” I sat up in my chair and faced him
“Ivy told me about that Travis dude, and I could see it all over your face when you walked out of the elevator. I have to hand it to you though, where I come from your sister would have definetely caught an ass beating for being with someone’s ex. She is a class act.”
“And where exactly are you from?” I asked.
“Now you want to get to know me?” He smirked.
“Oh, shut up.” I pushed his arm.
“Vegas,” he answered.
For some reason, I felt like he was going to say Vegas, New York, or even California. He looked like he came from a fast-paced background. I wonder what he would think of my hometown of Summit Park, Utah. Better yet, what he would think of my crazy family. I don’t think he would ever be ready to meet them even if we were dating and he felt like he needed to make a good impression. The thought of that made my stomach flip. He was not here for me. This was some weird sort of entertainment for him, but either way it helped me out. At least this year I would not be the leper.
It was a running joke of my sister that she would try to sit me at the kids table at dinner. Thinking of all the embarrassing jokes and comments made by her got me right back to regretting bringing Ray. But at least he wasn’t really my boyfriend, and I could care less what he thought of me. Still, it’s going to be so embarrassing.
“Vegas that bad that I have stunned you into silence?” He joked.
“Oh, no, sorry. Just got lost in thought again.”
“What’s going on in there?” He touched my forehead.
“I just want to apologize ahead of time for my family” I confessed.
“Honestly, they cannot be any worse than my family. So, don’t even worry about it. In the long run, you are saving me from another very merry drunkmas,” he uttered almost seeming a little embarrassed to have said that.
“I didn’t say it wasn’t going to be drunkmas.”
“Well, then, I will be right at home” He smiled becoming relaxed aga
in.
The rest of the trip, we exchanged stories of our childhood and past Christmases with our families. It got to the point where we were actually trying to one up each other on who had the worse story, but by the time the plane was landing, we decided to call it a tie and agreed that we should be collecting some sort of settlement for pain and suffering from our families. I was thankful that we decided to tell our stories. Not only did it make the ride go by faster, but I was feeling more like I was bringing a friend home for Christmas than a complete stranger.
Yes, I knew we weren’t actually friends, but I could see us very much becoming friends. Just like last night, it was so easy to talk to him, and he made me feel comfortable. It had been a long time since I’d felt that way. Even around Ivy I was tense because I never knew what she was going to say or do. We were so opposite, but she was my best friend and had been at my side for so much of my life.
I was half expecting my sister to be the first person waiting for me at the airport to see if I actually was bringing Ray. But thankfully, she wasn’t. My mother did send a car, though. Once we grabbed our bags from the baggage claim, we followed a suited man holding up my name on a white board to a black town car waiting for us outside. Thankfully the heat was on and the car was warm and toasty. It was colder than it had been in past years. I instantly wished I put more care into what I had packed and prayed my mother had stuff for me at home. With my luck, with all my past complaints, this would be the year she actually listened to me and didn’t have a new wardrobe waiting.
####
I couldn’t help but laugh watching Rays face as he looked around, lost as the car rode miles on an empty single road in the middle of nowhere to my parents’ house. He almost looked relived when he saw their two-story house come into view. The House of Windows was what I always called it. There were more windows then actually solid walls, but it was beautiful. At least that was one thing I could be proud of. Ray was going to love the house. The beige walls complimented the marble finishes and dark wood floors. My parents had talked about moving somewhere warm soon, and I told them I would take over this house in a heartbeat.
Going Home for Christmas Page 2
