Together for Christmas

by Debbie Macomber

  “You’ll get through this.”

  “Do you think she did it on purpose?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

  “Me, neither,” she responded. “I wish I could talk to Cheyenne about it. But...it’s not the same with Kyle’s friends now. They have to be...have to be loyal to him. They were his friends first. I know they feel bad about what’s happened, but...what can they do? No more Fridays at the coffee shop for me.” She’d added a singsong quality to her voice, but that quickly fell away. “I wish... I wish it could be different. I wish—”

  “Olivia?” He interrupted because he’d heard her voice crack and knew she was about to break down again. “Don’t think about Cheyenne or any of Kyle’s other friends—”

  “Who aren’t my friends anymore,” she broke in, but he didn’t let her distract him.

  “I’m coming, okay? I’ve got my keys in my hand. I’ll talk to you when I get there.”

  “I’m sorry, Brandon. You shouldn’t have to come out so late.”

  “I don’t mind,” he said. “Just stay put. I’m on my way.”

  “Thank you. I’m so tired. Maybe if I get some sleep tomorrow will be better.”

  “Of course it will. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of you.” He strode to his front door. “Now let me talk to Fisk.”

  She didn’t need to ask who Fisk was. He’d been bartending at Sexy Sadie’s since they were kids. “Sure. Goodbye, Brandon. You’re coming for me, right? You’re coming now? And you’ll show me the stars?”

  A smile tugged at his lips. “If that’s what you want, honey. Give the phone to Fisk.”

  “Okay....”

  The music got even louder as the phone changed hands. Then Brandon heard the boom of Fisk’s deep voice. “’Lo?”

  “Fisk, Brandon Lucero.”

  “Oh, hey, Brandon. What’s up?”

  “I wanted to ask if you’d keep an eye on Olivia until I get there. Can you do that for me?”

  “I would, but—”

  “No buts. Don’t let her go anywhere.”

  Fisk lowered his voice. “I doubt she could make it to the door. That’s why I called Kyle a few minutes ago. I know he’s seeing her sister these days—what a mess that is—but as soon as I said I was going to call Noelle she wouldn’t give me her phone, and I didn’t have the number for any of her friends or family. So it was Kyle or no one.”

  Brandon had been jogging to his truck. At this, he stopped. “Don’t let him take her.”

  “I just wanted someone to get her home safe.”

  “I’ll see to that.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop him, Brandon. You’d better get here quick.”

  “Shit.” Brandon hit the end button as he fired up his truck and roared out of his driveway.

  * * *

  By the time Brandon arrived at Sexy Sadie’s, Kyle was already there. But he didn’t have to worry about Olivia leaving with his stepbrother. She was clutching the bar for all she was worth, wouldn’t even stand, despite Kyle gripping her shoulders and urging her to get up.

  “Let go of her,” Brandon said, coming up on him from behind.

  At the sound of his voice, Kyle whipped around. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I came to take her home.”

  Fisk had watched him walk in. Now he hurried over to address them. “I don’t want any trouble, boys.”

  Brandon lifted a hand to reassure the bartender that they weren’t going to cause a scene but kept his focus on Kyle. “She doesn’t need your help, bro. I’ve got it from here.”

  Olivia turned a beseeching expression on him. “Don’t let him take me, Brandon.”

  “I won’t, honey. Just get your purse off the floor, and we’ll go home and look through the telescope.”

  Her pretty blue eyes filled with tears but she blinked them back. “That’s...good.” Releasing the bar, she got up, managed to sidestep Kyle even though he reached for her and staggered right into Brandon’s arms.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, clinging tightly to him.

  He let his arms close around her, once again feeling that inexplicable protectiveness he’d experienced all those years ago when they danced at prom.

  The menacing look on Kyle’s face made Brandon wonder if he’d be able to keep the promise he’d just given Fisk. Kyle didn’t seem willing to let Olivia go without a fight. “You need to take her to her parents’,” he said, his voice threatening, low.

  Fisk stepped forward. “Come on now. Let Brandon handle it, Kyle. I shouldn’t have called you. You have no say anymore.”

  “I’ll let her leave with someone else but not him,” Kyle shot back.

  Brandon arched an eyebrow. “She’s the one who called me.”

  “Olivia—” Kyle started but she wouldn’t even look at him.

  Brandon backed off enough to see into her face. “Do you want to go to your parents’ house? Your sister’s probably waiting up for you. You know how concerned she is about your welfare. You wouldn’t want Noelle to worry, right?”

  “You son of a bitch,” Kyle ground out.

  “I’m just asking the question.” Brandon spread his hands, smiling when Olivia insisted she definitely didn’t want to see her sister.

  “That comes as a real surprise, honey,” Brandon said and returned his gaze to Kyle. “I think she’s made her desires clear.”

  A growl sounded deep in Kyle’s throat and he clenched his fist as if he’d throw a punch.

  Prepared to put Olivia behind him in case he had to defend himself, Brandon stiffened. But Fisk grabbed Kyle before he could do anything stupid.

  “Calm down, buddy,” Fisk said in a low voice. “I’m sure you could cause some serious damage, but I think your brother could, too. You don’t want to wind up with a shiner for your wedding.”

  “Don’t hurt him!” Fresh tears caught in Olivia’s long lashes when she saw Fisk shoving Kyle back. “Please, don’t hurt him.”

  Her panic over Kyle’s well-being showed that she still cared about him, and that took the fight out of him. Dropping his hands to his sides, he watched her with such agony that, for the first time ever, Brandon felt a degree of sympathy for his stepbrother. Maybe the way Kyle’s life had intersected with his own wasn’t what Brandon would’ve wished for, but Kyle was obviously in a great deal of pain.

  “I’m sorry.” Kyle shook his head. “I’m so sorry.”

  He was speaking to Olivia, but she didn’t respond to him. She’d already closed her eyes and turned as if she couldn’t bear to look at him another second.

  “I won’t let anything happen to her.” Brandon had to offer his stepbrother that much comfort as he guided her out.

  Seven

  BRANDON FELT AS if he deserved a medal. He’d managed to stop Olivia when she’d started peeling off her clothes. There’d been one moment when he’d almost succumbed—when she locked her arms around his neck and tried to pull him into bed with her. She kept insisting she could do casual sex, and, Lord, did he want to believe her. With her body up against his, the silk of her panties coming out the back of her loosened shorts, he’d nearly thrown honor and decency to the wind. Thoughts like, “Just one kiss, one taste, one touch...” went through his head but considering the desire raging through him, he’d known that was all the spark it would take to start a conflagration. Sternly reminding himself that she wasn’t in any condition to give consent, he helped her remove the shorts she was so intent on getting off but refused every advance.

  And now he was paying the price. Tense and completely unsatisfied, he tossed and turned while the girl he’d dreamed about for over a decade lay in the next room wearing nothing but her T-shirt and a pair of pretty panties. He felt her soft skin in his mind every time he closed his eyes.

  The
memory alone made him hard.

  He could only hope she’d want him as badly in the morning, but he knew her better judgment would take over by then. As much as she thought she wanted a wild affair, something to fill the sudden loneliness, it was all too typical of being on the rebound. She wasn’t the type to take sex lightly, which was why he’d always been careful to keep a safe distance. He wouldn’t be good for someone like her. He was too devoted to his freedom.

  Frustrated with his inability to shut down, he rolled over to search for his phone on the nightstand. For the past hour, he’d been debating whether to send Kyle a text. He figured he might as well be gallant all the way around.

  She’s in the guest room asleep. Safe and sound. Get some rest. Big weekend ahead.

  He hoped that would bring Kyle some peace.

  A return text quickly confirmed that Kyle was still awake, which wasn’t a surprise. If Kyle felt half as torn about his upcoming marriage as Brandon suspected, he might walk the floor all night.

  You better not have touched her.

  “So much for trying to do you a favor,” he grumbled and scrolled through his pictures, looking for one his mother had sent him, months ago, from Thanksgiving. It was a group shot with Kyle and Olivia and the whole family.

  As he stared at her image, at her and Kyle smiling for the camera, he remembered how difficult it had been to see them together. He didn’t want to sacrifice the life he had, but she’d always been a temptation. He’d hated the idea that his stepbrother, of all people, would end up with her, knew it would make every family event a challenge.

  The ding signaling another text drew Brandon from his thoughts.

  Have you been calling her since we took our break? Did you wait even that long before making your move?

  What does it matter to you? he replied. Aren’t you getting married this weekend?

  Have you been chasing her?

  Brandon didn’t bother to deny the attraction. Was waiting to see if you were going to wake up and realize you’re ruining your life.

  This time when there was no response, Brandon figured it was just as well. They weren’t close enough to be so blunt with each other. He leaned over to return his phone to the nightstand—but another message appeared.

  I have no choice.

  Propping his pillows behind his back, he typed, Yes, you do. Don’t let your sense of duty drag you into making a bad situation worse.

  What about the baby?

  What about it? Did you ever think she might’ve gotten pregnant on purpose? That she’s manipulating you? Brandon wouldn’t put it past her.

  She’s still pregnant. You’re telling me you wouldn’t even try to create a family?

  You can support the baby, be a good father regardless. Maybe it’s not optimal to do it single, but you can make it work. That sort of thing happens all the time.

  There was a long wait before the next text came in. Brandon had just decided Kyle must’ve gone to sleep when he heard the reply arrive.

  Not to me it doesn’t. I want my kid to have my name, my presence. I don’t want to be a part-time dad with a stepparent joining the action.

  Brandon could sense the resolve in those words. He could easily understand the sentiment behind them, too. But he was afraid that Kyle’s background and misguided nobility were pulling him into a nightmare of catastrophic proportions.

  So how should he answer? What Kyle did or didn’t do wasn’t any of his business. He’d spent the past decade telling himself he didn’t really care about his stepbrother. But...he couldn’t help admiring Kyle’s determination to fall on his sword. He was a much better person than Brandon had ever given him credit for. Maybe Bob had a right to be so damn proud. Brandon couldn’t have made himself marry Noelle.

  But no one—even Olivia—knew her the way he did. Although he was trying to believe she’d grown up and changed, he’d seen her at her worst, when she was obsessed and unrelenting and so narcissistic he couldn’t even like her. He’d done everything he could to discourage her from pursuing him eight years ago, to let her know he wasn’t interested. But it made no impact whatsoever. If anything, she became more determined. He’d come home to find her waiting in his driveway, turn to see her staring in his window, “bump” into her so many times a day she could only be following him. He couldn’t imagine a woman so out of touch with reality and the wants and desires of other people being successful in a marriage, even to a white knight like Kyle, who was willing to do 90 percent of the work.

  I wish you’d listen to me, he wrote. There’s something missing in Noelle.

  I already know she had a crush on you. She was just being young and stupid and too forward.

  Too forward? Her behavior went far beyond that. You’re saying the Noelle she is now would never cross the lines she crossed back then?

  Of course not, Kyle responded. Anyway, I could never undo the damage I’ve done. I can’t go back to Olivia while Noelle has my baby. I might as well have some integrity and stand up and take responsibility for my actions.

  Brandon wanted to reiterate that he’d be sorry if he married Noelle. But what good would it do? Kyle had made up his mind and nothing was going to change it. Then you need to let go of Olivia.

  Again, Kyle’s answer took a while to arrive. But Brandon waited because he knew it would come.

  Won’t be easy.

  * * *

  Olivia woke up to a splitting headache. It took effort just to open her eyes. Thank God the room was dark. She could see sunlight peeking around the cracks in the blinds, enough that she could make out an overburdened desk, a computer, a ship in a bottle and some tribal masks on the wall—but she didn’t recognize any of it. Where was she?

  Then it came to her. She’d gotten drunk last night, and Brandon had brought her home. She could remember him fighting to keep her clothes on. She could also remember trying to kiss him. She’d wanted him so badly....

  Surprisingly enough, he was the one who’d resisted. “You’re not interested?” she’d breathed.

  “Not like this, sweetheart,” he’d told her and helped her remove only her shorts before tucking her in. She’d gotten the impression he’d been tempted despite those words, was fairly certain he’d almost turned back at the door. But she was embarrassed all the same. Now both of the Arnold girls had thrown themselves at him.

  Kyle’s actions had knocked her on her butt and she couldn’t seem to get her legs under her again. She never would’ve behaved like that otherwise.

  Brandon interrupted her moment of regret with a brisk knock. “Olivia? You awake?”

  She cringed at the fact that she was going to have to face him, and so soon. She’d made a complete fool of herself last night, first by getting drunk, then by trying to get him into bed. She still wasn’t sure what he’d meant by, “Not like this.” Was he saying he didn’t want to take advantage of her while she was under the influence of alcohol? Or that he didn’t want to become a surrogate for Kyle?

  She couldn’t imagine he’d refrain because of Kyle. Brandon probably preferred she be in love with someone else. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about her falling in love with him.

  “I’m awake, but I’m not very happy about it,” she replied.

  He poked his head inside. Freshly showered and wearing a black V-neck T-shirt with a pair of well-worn jeans and flip-flops, he looked better than ever—which was saying a lot. She wasn’t sure what accounted for that, unless just getting to know him made him more and more attractive. Maybe it was that she finally had some respect for him, since he’d rejected her advances.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  She shoved a hand through her messy hair. “Like roadkill.”

  He chuckled. “I was afraid of that. Would you like something to eat?”

  Could her stomach tolerate food? She didn’t dare take the risk. “No,
but a pain pill would be nice.” She knew he had some; he’d provided it yesterday. “What time is it?”

  “Nearly nine.”

  “Oh, no!” She shot out of bed, then staggered and nearly fell.

  Somehow, he managed to get inside the room quickly enough to catch her and guide her back to the bed.

  “I’ve missed my first appointment,” she explained, raising her good hand to her pounding head. “I was supposed to meet Abby, the event planner at the Pullman Mansion, at eight. I’ve got to go!”

  He frowned at her. “I don’t think you’re up to it.”

  She’d been stupid to drink last night. She wasn’t used to that much alcohol. “I don’t have any choice.” Her tongue felt thick and unwieldy. “Have you seen my phone?” She glanced around but couldn’t locate it.

  “Your purse is out on the counter.”

  When she started to get up, he pressed her back. “I’ll get it.”

  He returned with a glass of water, two ibuprofen tablets and her purse, which contained her phone. At least she hadn’t left it at the bar last night. She figured, at this point, she should be grateful for the little things.

  “She’s tried to reach me five times,” she said as she checked her call record. “My mother and Noelle have both called twice.” She lifted her eyes to his. “What am I going to tell them?”

  “I say you tell them that you’re not feeling well and to get by the best they can without you.”

  “I can’t do that! The wedding’s tomorrow night.” She rubbed her temples, hoping to mitigate some of the pain. The hand she’d injured was no longer swollen, but it was still sore, which didn’t help with her hangover.

  He urged her to swallow the painkillers and watched as she obeyed. “Fine. Get in the shower. I’ll call and tell them you’re on your way.” He took the glass. “Then I’ll drive you to your car.”

  It wouldn’t go over very well to have Brandon act as her secretary when she’d blown such an important appointment. They’d assume she was purposely causing problems, that it was a vindictive attempt to strike back at Noelle. But it would postpone the confrontation until she felt more equipped to handle it. And letting them believe she was having an affair was better than the pathetic truth that she wasn’t handling Kyle and Noelle’s union quite as nonchalantly as she’d planned.