Going Home for Christmas

by E A Stripling

  “Either way, like I said, thank you. If the rest of this weekend goes as good as tonight, you might be stuck coming every year,” I joked.

  “I wouldn’t mind it. Like is said, way better than I would be doing with my own family right now.”

  I looked him trying to read his thoughts, but he gave nothing away.

  “I am going to go to bed,” I said breaking the awkward silence.

  “I am going to go for a run, then I’m going to change and be up in a bit if that is okay. I need to work off that dinner.” He patted his belly.

  I knew there was nothing to work off under that shirt, but I didn’t need to think of things like that.

  “Yeah, no problem.” Again, I found myself just looking at him. What was my problem!

  We both walked upstairs, and I quickly grabbed my pajamas and headed to the bathroom. I heard him come in and, not to long after, leave again. I let out a sigh and turned to the clothes I brought in, changing into them and then washing my face in the sink. The cold water felt great on my flushed skin. I really needed to get it together. I was not some needy girl that was going to fall for some guy just because he knew how to act well in front of my family.

  Climbing into bed, I couldn’t stop playing the evening over and over in my head. My father looked so happy and for once I felt like I belonged. Who knew, maybe Ray and I will become great friends, and he could come back next year? Be part of the family.

  ####

  I was a little thrown off when I got up the next morning and Ray was already gone. I even questioned if he came back at all because I didn’t wake up the whole night. I quickly took a shower and got ready for the day. When I got downstairs, I was surprised to see Ray at the kitchen table having coffee with my mom. I was going to join them, but as soon as he saw me, he pulled me aside and asked to take him into town to go Christmas shopping for the family. The thought of last-minute shopping with the large crowds and monstrous lines instantly gave me a headache. But I also thought it was incredible cute and sweet that he wanted to get everyone a gift. He could have easily just added his name to the tags on the gifts I already had for them. So, of course I agreed.

  And just as I thought, we were soon pushing through the sea of other last-minute shoppers at the mall. The mall was the last place I would rather be on Christmas Eve, but I couldn’t help but smile watching him pick out gifts.

  By the fourth store, not only had I already gathered a few bags of goodies for myself, but he had already gotten my grandmother, grandfather, father, and, believe it or not, Cecelia and Travis. Now, he was on the prowl for my mother.

  She was always the hardest for me as well. What do you get the woman who has everything? I usually would take a peek at her online shopping carts. One habit of hers that I had picked up over the years was her love of online window-shopping. We would both place items in the shopping cart and never check out. I couldn’t tell you all the different stores I had done imaginary shopping sprees at. But, since she did this too, and I knew the passwords to all of her accounts because I was the one that set it up, I thought I’d simply go in and purchase one of the carts, request for them to be gift-wrapped and sent to my parents’ house. Now that I think of it, I guess that means my mother was the easiest. For the rest of my family, I actually went store to store looking for the perfect gift. Another competition between my sister and me.

  By the seventh store, I needed a break. I told him to go on without me, and I sat with the husbands waiting for their shopping wives in the middle of the courtyard. I was just about to pop off my heels and stretch my feet for a moment when it hit me. Here he was, buying all my family gifts, and he would have nothing. I sprang to my feet running back toward the stores. I had seen a few items along the way I thought would look nice on him, so I already knew where I was headed.

  “Welcome back.” One of the sale associates smiled as I rushed in.

  “Hey,” I smiled back, “Can you please help me?”

  “Of course!”

  “Do you remember the man I was in here with? I wanted to grab a few items as a surprise. I could use some help figure out a good size.”

  “Oh, I happen to actually have his sizes, let me go get my note pad. Ray was looking at a few things when you are trying on that beautiful dress you bought. I could show you a few of those things.” She giggled running to the register and grabbing a note pad and running back to me.

  “Alright, let’s see. Ray was looking at the…” Her voice just kind of trailed off to me as I watched her talk about the items he has looked at and saying his name like she knew him. But then again, she probably knew him as well as I did since I had just met him myself. This weekend was playing with my head and making me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling. Suddenly the joy of shopping for him was gone.

  “That’s fine. Whatever he picked, ring it up.” I sighed handing her my card.

  “Oh, okay” She hesitated to take my card and walked away while I took a seat in the waiting area.

  I started a text to Ivy to tell her what was going on and see how she was doing as I watched the saleswoman go back and forth collecting items and bringing them to the register.

  IVY

  (555) 212 5213

  I need you to slap me from afar

  Let me guess….Ray?

  I am really that pathetic?

  No

  Then how did you know?

  One, I know you and, two, have you seen the boy?!

  Blah blah blah

  So what’s going on?

  Honestly I think it is just me being all in my head

  but one second I am getting the feels and

  the next something happens to remind me

  that he isn’t my boyfriend…not even my date…

  but my NEW neighbor doing me favor

  because he was bored.

  Definitely reading way too into it.

  I know

  Just enjoy the weekend and then come home. Who knows what could happen?

  I don’t need you added things to my mind

  Oh, just relax. Enjoy making your sister green with envy with a hunk on your arm.

  I will try

  I looked up and saw the saleswoman coming toward me with a handful of bags.

  I will talk to you later.

  It looks like I just bought half the store for him

  LOL!

  ####

  “Think you bought enough stuff?” Ray teased helping me bring in all my bags into my room.

  “You better be nice because there might be a thing or two in there for you,” I teased back.

  “Oh, yeah?” He looked surprised.

  “Maybe.” I shrugged, putting the bags in my closet.

  “Knock knock,” I heard my sister behind me.

  I took a deep breath before facing her. She was leaning against my door frame with her arms crossed.

  “It’s funny. You would think your boyfriend would have already bought the family gifts.” She snickered.

  “Some people like to travel light.” I sighed.

  “Then have them delivered to the house like you did.” She smirked.

  “I thought a tour around town while Christmas shopping would make for a romantic afternoon.” Ray came around kissing my shoulder. “What did you a Travis do today?”

  The smirk was gone from her face as she rolled her eyes and left the room.

  I laughed. “That was great. Thank you!”

  “No problem,” he said in a low voice.

  I then realized he was sitting behind me and lingering over my shoulder where he just kissed. My heart started to pick up speed, and I was very aware of my breathing. His hands came up, caressing my arms.

  “I wasn’t lying. I had a wonderful time with you today. It just keeps getting better and better every day. How are you single?” He breathed on to my neck .

  “Well, you have met my ex,” I replied bluntly, moving away from him.

  He had a sly smile on his face knowing he had me
flustered. He moved back in close to me.

  “You might as well get used to be close to me. I plan on dancing with you at the party as much as I can.” He ran his hand down the side of my body until he got to my hand. He cupped it in his, looking down at me.

  My body was tingling everywhere as I looked back up at him. This was going too far. We could not blur the lines. If we didn’t touch each other, at least we could leave this weekend with a friendship.

  “I…I am going to get ready for dinner.”

  “You going to wear something like you did last night? God, you looked hot,” he whispered.

  What was he doing? I let out a staggered breath looking down at my feet to try to break our stare before something happened that we couldn’t take back. I felt his other hand on the bottom of my chin slowly forcing my head back up to look at him.

  “I’ll see you at dinner,” he said, kissing my forehead.

  I didn’t move as he gathered some clothing and his toiletries and left the room, closing the door behind him. Once I heard the door close, I swallowed hard, leaning against my bed. Damn, that was hot. I needed to be careful around him for sure.

  I quickly grabbed my phone to send Ivy a text on what just happened when I noticed it wasn’t my phone. On the screen there was a photo of Ray and a few of the other guys from the elevator at a bar set as his background. I laughed, going to turn off the phone and grab my own when a message popped up from a girl named Nicole asking him to call her. I threw the phone on the bed before my curiosity got the best of me. It was none of my business. I was not his girlfriend, and he could talk to whoever he wanted to. I decided not to text Ivy and just get ready for dinner. My mood had changed, and I didn’t need her telling me that was making up things in my head.

  Once I was done getting ready, I headed downstairs. Ray was already there laughing with my father. I walked into the room, and he looked directly at me like he could sense my presence. He took in a deep breath and came to my side.

  “You look…I mean, wow.” He smiled.

  “Thank you.” I blushed.

  “Uh oh, look up guys.” My dad laughed.

  Ray and I both looked up at the same time to see mistletoe above us. I was about to pull away, but he brought me close to him.

  “Please, don’t.” I whispered looking over at my father putting on a happy face, but inside, I was trembling.

  “Oh, come on, guys. Don’t be shy!” My father cheered us on.

  Ray kissed my forehead and then brought my hand to his mouth kissing it as well. I smiled at him thankfully, and then we went in to enjoy our last family dinner before the big party tomorrow.

  ####

  After dinner, Ray invited me for a walk outside, and I gladly went. My sister was grilling us for most of the meal. On how we meet, how well we knew each other, and so much more. But Ray didn’t let it phase him. He answered every question honestly, laughed with the rest of the family, and, from time to time, kissed the hand he held most of the dinner. The same hand he was still holding as we walked along the snow-covered roadway.

  “I am actually going to miss this place after tomorrow,” he said.

  “Yeah?”

  “This is one of the best Christmas vacations I have been on.” He stopped walking, pulling me in front of him.

  “Wow, your life must suck then” I teased trying to kill the sexual tension between us.

  “I didn’t realize how much until now.” He looked into my eyes

  He started to move in slowly towards me. I moved back quickly losing my balance and started to fall, bringing him down with me. We both landed in the snow laughing. I started to get up but fell again which only made him laugh harder. He motioned for me to wait as he started to get up but was unsuccessful, slipping and falling back down.

  “What is on the ground?” He chuckled.

  No matter what we tried, we could not get back up, so we crawled back toward the house where the road was less slippery. By the time we got back, my sides were where hurting from laughing so hard, and we were soaked from the water and snow.

  “You really know how to show a girl a good time,” I joked finally standing up on two feet again.

  “Oh, you know it.” Ray laughed also getting up.

  Once we went back inside, we went upstairs to get dried off. I wrapped myself in one of my mom’s big plush towels while he gathered some stuff to go take a shower.

  “After our showers, I could use something warm to drink. Meet me downstairs for some hot cocoa?” I asked.

  “That sounds great.” He smiled heading to the door.

  I grabbed my own clothes and started toward my bathroom when I notice that his boxers were mixed in with my clothing. I turned to give them to him.

  “I left my,” He started to say, turning around at the same time I did.

  We bumped right into each other. I looked up at him ready to explain, but he didn’t give me a chance his mouth collided into mine. His kiss made me weak. I melted into his arms, kissing him back. He wrapped his arms around me bringing me as close to him as he could, devouring my mouth. I couldn’t help but moan. Slowly, I could feel us backing up, and soon my back was against the wall. Should I stop this? It had gone far enough. I needed to stop this. But I couldn’t. I grabbed the back of his head getting more into the kiss, and he lost it, scooping me up in his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pushed me harder against the wall.

  With each kiss I wanted more. I started for his shirt. He pulled back, taking it off, and I was in awe with the tattooed muscles underneath. I couldn’t help but stare. As soon as the shirt hit the floor, he was back on me. I started to feel something weird in my hand. Suddenly I realized it was his phone buzzing in his pocket. My mind went straight to the message from that girl Nicole.

  “Stop,” I breathed heavily, pushing him away.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t.” I unwrapped my legs from around him.

  He placed me down looking confused and then noticed his phone going off in his pocket. He didn’t answer, which I had to give him credit for, but I was not about to go any further with someone without knowing their situation. I had been hurt enough this year.

  “Did I do something wrong?” He questioned.

  “Who is Nicole?” I blurted out.

  He looked at me shocked opening his mouth to speak but was stopped by my sister.

  “His fiancé” Cecelia said tossing me her phone.

  I looked down, and there was Ray with this beautiful blonde. I scrolled through picture after picture before I finally landed on one with her showing off a huge diamond ring. I looked up at Ray and then at my sister. She stood there smirking. I wanted to smack her smile right off her face. If anyone could dig up dirt on anyone it was her and her sleazy gold-digging friends. I threw her phone on the bed. Ray looked at it and then looked back at me.

  “Alex,” he said stepping forward.

  “Save it. You don’t owe me anything.” I put my hand up to stop him.

  “You have to let me explain,” he pleaded.

  “I don’t have to do anything.” I assured him.

  “You always knew how to pick ‘em, I knew this so-called relationship was full of shit” My sister laughed behind him.

  “Says the person with my ex,” I hissed.

  “Can you give us a moment?” Ray asked turning to Cecelia

  She shook her head, “I am not missing this.”

  Ray kicked the door close slamming it in my sister’s face. I jumped at the sound of the door closing.

  “Listen,” he started.

  “I do not want to hear it.” I choked out holding back tears.

  “I have feelings for you,” he announced.

  “The same kind as your fiancée?” I spat.

  “Ex fiancée,” he corrected me.

  “That’s what they all say.” I growled storming to my bathroom slamming the door behind me.

  ####

  I watched the cab Ray called to
take him to the airport pull out of my parents’ driveway. I wanted to cry, but for what? I felt empty. How was I supposed to explain this to my parents in the morning? He should have never come here. He should have told me. So many should haves. I was surprised that my sister didn’t go running to my parents’ right after Ray stepped out the door, but I am sure she was waiting to say something when we are all together in the morning.

  “Hey,” I heard behind me.

  I turned around unexpectedly wishing it were Ray, but instead I was faced with Travis.

  “Can I help you?” I asked crossing my arms in front of my body.

  “I was coming to see if Ray left yet,” he said.

  “Yes, he is gone. Why?” I growled

  “I was going to see if he wanted to share a cab to the airport.” He sighed.

  “What?” I questioned. “You’re leaving too?”

  “Yeah, after I saw what your sister did…Alexia regardless of what you think, I never meant to hurt you. Being with your sister, I have realized how shallow I was when we broke up. Our relationship was something not only that I needed, but I wanted. I took it and you for granted, and I am very sorry.”

  “Um” I started.

  “I am not saying that we should get back together. I am not that much of an asshole. Just letting you know and thanking you for letting me see what I deserve. I hope we can be friends.” He smiled.

  “Yes, I would like that.” I nodded trying not to look as if I were in complete shock.

  “You know what? Come with me. Let’s leave CeCe here to explain everything.” He joked.

  I thought about it for a moment. Picturing my parents disappointed face when they found out who Ray really was. I didn’t want to see that.

  “Let’s go. Give me a few minutes to pack, and we will get out of here?” I said grabbing my suitcase.

  “Are you serious?” He asked.

  I nodded. “As a heart attack.”

  I quickly packed my bag and headed down the stairs. I was about to reach the front door when I was stopped by my father.

  “Leaving so soon?” He asked.

  I turned, feeling like a child being caught sneaking out of the house on a school night. I didn’t know what it was, but as soon as I saw my father, all my bravery was gone, and tears started to fall down my face. He walked towards me with his arms open. I went straight into them crying on his chest as he cradled me in his arms.