Lucky Number Four
Page 14
Tonight was different. Dora was different. How long do I have to wait until she notices how much I want her in my life? What will I do if she doesn’t want me? Do I wait longer? Will it make a difference? Oh, what the hell? I have to be patient. Yeah, patient. I can’t lose her.
Christmas is easily one of my favorite times of the year, especially when my mom tells me she has threatened the senior women to behave again. Way to go, Mom! Jeff and I have all of our presents wrapped and placed in huge bags that I found for a buck each at a nearby dollar store.
“Jeff, go tell Drew we’re ready to head out. You’re going to drive my car, right?” He nods as he opens the door.
“Hey, Drew, you ready?” he yells.
“No need to yell. I’m right here,” I hear Drew’s deep voice answer.
“Wow, what’s all this?” Jeff asks, causing me to turn and watch Drew walk into the room with several bags.
“Presents. It is Christmas, right? The time for giving.” He laughs after looking at both Jeff and me. We’re stunned. The bags are barely able hold the plethora of brightly wrapped items.
“Yes, but you didn’t have to buy anything,” I say. “My family invited you to dinner. They don’t expect presents.”
“Well, I guess that’s too bad, because here they are.” He shrugs his wide shoulders and takes a seat on the bed.
“I don’t know how we’ll fit everything in my car.” I shake my head at the idea of trying to.
“No worries. We’ll take the sedan. It’ll all fit in the trunk. I love big trunks.” He beams before leaving the room, and returns seconds later with his coat in one hand and a Santa hat in the other. “Have I mentioned to you two that I love Christmas? Well, if I haven’t, I do. Hurry, get your coats on so we can get on the road.”
Drew takes his bags, and we grab ours before following him to the elevator. I’m rush to catch up with Jeff and Drew after making sure the door is locked. Drew holds the elevator open for me with a grin on his face, and I just can’t help but grin back at him. He looks so adorable in his Santa hat.
Jeff helps Drew put the bags in the trunk, and I scramble into backseat, loving the feel of the soft leather. My car has more than a hundred thousand miles and crappy cloth seats. I’m not into cars, but I know luxury when I feel it. The few times I’ve ridden in Drew’s car, I failed to notice how decadent it is, and I immediately have a vision of Drew and some girl utilizing the backseat. The girl is blocked by Drew’s head and I feel a little jealous of whoever she is.
Damn, where the hell did the word “jealous” come from? I’m sure this backseat and his bedroom have seen some action. The tabloids have field days with his love life, or should I say sex life? A different woman every night. Okay, so maybe it’s more like once a week.
Nope, not jealous. In fact, I pity them, falling for someone they can’t hold on to. I feel that Colin would be different. According to all the info I’ve found on him, he likes long-term relationships, and isn’t into one-night stands.
Dora, wake up. You don’t need any more drama in your life, so forget about Colin and never in a million years think about Drew in this way again … even though he bought presents for your whole family and can be so sweet when he wants to.
“Are you asleep?” Jeff asks, and I open my eyes to see him and Drew looking at me.
“Nope, just enjoying the fact I have this awesome, leathery backseat all to myself. Drew, drive on. God forbid we’re late. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Both guys turn back around, and I hear the engine purr to life before we roll smoothly out of our garage.
“Dora, we’re here.”
Jeff opens my door, startling me. I can’t believe I fell asleep. Did I snore? I feel my face. At least I didn’t drool. Drew is hidden by the trunk as I let Jeff help me out of the car.
“It snowed.” I look around in wonder at the light layer of white stuff covering everything.
“You were out cold. I thought your snoring would shake the car, but thank goodness it has good shocks.”
“I didn’t snore,” I stammer. “Did I?” I smack Jeff’s shoulder as he gives me a wicked grin.
“Ow. You’re so gullible.”
“What did I miss?” Drew chimes in, his hands full of bags. I relieve Drew of a couple of the bags while sending him a smile, but then turn back to glare at Jeff.
“Nothing. Here, Jeff, you get the rest.” I start up the driveway, careful to avoid the black ice, with Drew following closely behind. Before I can knock, the door swings open and my dad’s beaming face greets us.
“Merry Christmas, all. Drew, I love your hat.” My dad points to his own identical Santa hat.
“Seems we have good taste, sir.” Drew attempts to shake hands with my dad, but it’s awkward with his hands full.
“What did I tell you about calling me sir? It’s Alex, and here, let me help you with those.” He grabs some of the bags and moves out of the way so we can move inside. Behind us we hear a “whoa,” and Jeff slides on the slick driveway, somehow managing to stay on his feet.
“Wow, that was smooth, Jeff.” Bridget peeks her head around us and gives him a thumbs up. Is it bad that I’m secretly happy his grin is a little wobbly?
“Hey, Bridget, it’s good to see you again,” Drew says.
She blushes bright red as he leans down to give her a hug. “Yeah, you too. Have to go and help Mom,” she mumbles, and I see her grab her phone from her pocket. I’d bet a million dollars that she’s conference calling her posse as she runs into the house.
“Did I hear my name?” My beautiful mom looks amazing in her red Christmas sweater and long black skirt, and even her fuzzy bunny slippers don’t seem to ruin the outfit.
“Yeah, Bridget said she was coming to help you, but unless that means going upstairs and making a phone call, she forgot,” I say dryly.
“For gosh sakes, Alex, let everyone in. Are you trying to heat the outdoors?” Mom pulls us in and Jeff follows right behind us.
Dad shakes his head, and the white bobble thing on the top of his hat jumps around. “FYI, I was admiring Drew’s car and the snow.”
“Oh my goodness, look at all of these presents.” Mom says. “Let’s get them under the tree. I have to hurry back into the kitchen. Your grandmothers are in there by themselves. Dora, you come with me. I need to have you there just in case we need a referee. Alex, take Jeff and Drew into the living room, and make sure you wake up Dad. He’s had a long enough nap. Dinner is going to be a little late. It seems the turducken needs more time than the roast. Oh, I forgot hugs.”
She motions for Jeff to lean down and gives him a big hug and then motions for Drew and gives him the same. My heart jumps a little at the look on Drew’s face when my mom hugs him. He even closes his eyes.
“Now, off you men go and leave the cooking to us. That doesn’t mean you won’t get out of doing dishes though.” She pivots and I follow her into the oddly quiet kitchen.
Grandma stands at the stove stirring something, and Grandmother is sitting at the kitchen table peeling potatoes. The kitchen smells lovely and my stomach growls, letting me know it didn’t have breakfast this morning.
Grandmother looks at me sternly. “I heard that, young lady. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
“I was too busy wrapping presents, but I usually do eat breakfast.” A lecture on Christmas Day is just what I need.
“A body is a machine that will not work if not properly maintained,” she continues. Oh brother. How many times have I heard this in my life? A times million at least. “When I was your age, I ate a nutritional meal three times a day. Not like you youngsters who drink those power drinks and eat doughnuts. I swear, our country is in trouble with the shape of the youth today.”
It’s best to not say anything and just let her rant. I hope when I’m her age—okay, if I make it to her age—I will not act anything like the woman peeling potatoes in front of me.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
Grandma grabs me in a hug and smacks a kiss on my cheek. Then she turns to her adversary. “Take the stick out. It’s Christmas for Pete’s sake.” And with that, she goes back to the stove with a wide smile on her face. I look at my mom, who’s trying to keep a straight face, but fails to as she opens the refrigerator pretending to look for something.
Yes, it’s a typical start to Christmas. Love, family, and comments about my grandmother’s stick…what more could I ask for?
“So, Dora, only Drew could make it? Where’s his family at this time of year? Are they Jewish? Do they know he’s queer?”
Grandma doesn’t even take a breath, and I’m left wondering if I should answer or let her grill him herself. In light of the holiday I decide to answer her questions. “His parents are divorced and are off with their new families, and his sister is visiting her boyfriend’s family in Spain. Yes, the country Spain. No, they’re not Jewish, and finally, he’s not gay.”
“As usual, your insensitivity is spot on,” Grandmother says. “Wait, what? He’s not gay? I only allowed you to live there under the assumption they were all gay. I think we need to discuss this.”
Allow me to live with them? For all that is holy, I don’t need her permission. But I keep my mouth shut and look to my mom, who has finally come out of the fridge empty-handed but in control of her emotions.
“Beatrice, Dora is an adult, and she has her own little apartment within their loft. I think she’s sensible and levelheaded.” Good ol’ Mom always comes through for me.
“Yeah, Beatrice, butt out. Our Dora is not looking for some eye candy, who may or may not be gay,” Grandma adds.
“If she had gone to finishing school, this wouldn’t have happened. She would have graduated by now, and we’d be planning a society wedding. She would most definitely not be living in sin with three men. I can assure you of that.”
Should I keep my mouth shut, or should I blast away? It’s a family holiday, so I bite my tongue. I’m getting tired of her attitude toward me though. I guess I’ll be a wimp and let it slide like I always do.
“Beatrice,” my mom says in a shocked voice. “She is not living in sin. That would mean she’s sleeping with one of them, and …” My mom’s face is full of anger.
“Mother, you apologize to Dora.” Dad snuck by us and is now standing in front of Grandmother. His face is flushed and as he puts an arm around my mom.
“I just meant that we would have never thought of—”
“I know what you meant, and I don’t like it. So apologize right now.” His tone is stern and Grandmother’s eyes widen as she realizes her mistake.
“Dora, sweetheart, you know what I meant. I have only your best interests at heart. I’m sorry if what I said was inappropriate.” She sniffles at the end, and I swear I see tears glistening in her eyes.
“You’re forgiven, Grandmother.” I lean down, side hug her and place a kiss on her cheek. Deep down, I know she means well.
“Turducken’s done!” Grandma says, opening the oven and pulling out the roasting dish.
“Dora, you go out and entertain Jeff and Drew. We’ll handle this.” My mom shoos me out of the kitchen before I can say another word.
The door shuts behind me, and I spy Drew standing in the foyer with a huge grin on his face.
“Tell me you didn’t hear all that.”
“I’m afraid I did. Jeff got a phone call, so I stepped out to give him some privacy. I couldn’t help but hear how sinful you are. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me before we let you move in with us.”
He laughs and I join in. I move closer and he startles me when he takes hold of my arm and pulls me toward him. My heart misses a beat, and then it starts racing, thumping so loudly he must hear it. With his other hand, he points up to the ceiling and I see not one, but several pieces of mistletoe hanging above us.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to kiss you. Those are the rules.” I’m almost drooling at the sexy look he’s giving me. It’s also making my palms sweat.
“Would that be considered sinful? I’m already branded, so what the heck?” I giggle as I see his eyes widen at my statement, and I pull down his head and plant a loud kiss on his cheek. He pulls back and smiles wickedly.
“You call that a sinful kiss? Let me show you sin.” He grasps my arms, holding them firmly while pulling me close.
“Oh my.” A voice sounds behind me just as his lips are planted on mine. We break apart quickly and I turn to see both matriarchs standing there, one with a grin plastered on her face and the other one a deep frown.
“I see you two have found the mistletoe. I made your granddad put that up when we got here this morning. So glad you two are making good use of it,” Grandma says, dragging my grandmother into the dining room behind her.
The doorbell rings. I move to the door and shiver as a blast of cold air greets me when I open it. Julie and Kevin are standing on the step, their hands full of presents.
“Hey, Dora, are we late?” Julie asks, pushing past me, dumping her presents into my arms. Kevin follows, kissing my cheek, and Taylor suddenly appears, grabbing the presents from me before leading Kevin into the living room toward the highly festive Christmas tree.
“I’m starved, and it looks like people are being seated. Hurry up, Kevin.” Julie fails to wait for him and makes a beeline to the dining room. “Holy shit, it smells delish in here.”
Drew is still standing under the mistletoe, looking bemused at the tornado that has just blown through the house. He raises one eyebrow at me and looks up at the mistletoe. “Mmm, I guess we better follow them,” I say.
What a geek I am, and a chicken too. Drew sighs as I walk past him. I wonder what his kiss would have tasted like. Just once I’d like a kiss from a “bad boy.” Blushing, I remember his naked body in art class.
Great. Just what I need … sinful, X-rated thoughts on Christmas Day. I’m going to get a seat in hell for sure.
“Are you okay, Dora? You look a little flushed.” Jeff’s voice brings me back to the present, and I feel myself getting redder as he smiles like he knows what I was just thinking about. I elbow him on my way past him to the table and laugh when I hear his “oof.”
“No, I don’t want any of that mess,” Grandmother sniffs as the plate of turducken is passed to her.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Beatrice. It’s just turkey, duck, and chicken, not arsenic.” Grandma is so eloquent.
“Mrs. Phillips, it’s quite good,” Jeff says from the left side of me.
“I’m a traditionalist—roast beef for me, none of this newfangled food.”
Can she sound any snootier? Drew sends me a quick half-smile from across the table and my stomach jumps. I really have to get control of myself. If I want to take a plunge on the wild side, Drew isn’t my choice. Colin, yes. I mean, maybe.
“Well, I like it,” Julie interjects, stuffing more food into her mouth.
“I’m with Grandmother. It’s weird.” Bridget, the traitor, speaks up and then looks down again when she notices Drew peering over at her.
No female is immune to him. When we go out, it’s not normal, especially when all three of them are together. But Drew is the center, the eye of the storm, so to speak. But damn, he is adorable, smexy, and delicious all in one. And well-endowed too. Okay, so I’m not an expert. I’ve seen only a few in my whole life—four in real life, and, no, I’m not giving names, and some in magazines—but Drew’s most definitely measures up.
“Dora, please pass the potatoes.” My mom’s voice penetrates my musings, and when I look up, Drew is staring at me like I’m the only person in the room. Or maybe I’ve got something on my face.
“Jeff,” I whisper, turning my head to him. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No. Why?” he whispers back.
“Drew is staring at me like I do.”
“I think he wants to take a bite of you, Red.”
“Some help you are. And you have gravy on your chin, by the way.”
“I’m so full,” Dad says while leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach.
“I agree. I’ll be hitting up the gym next week for sure … or maybe after New Year’s.” Julie pats her stomach and I realize she’s gained weight. How could I have missed that? She sees me looking at her and winks. Oh, sweet fertile mother, she’s pregnant. I want to say something, but it’s not my place to blab the news.
“Me too. Hey, Julie, why don’t you help me put some of this away?” I raise my hand as Drew and Jeff get up and start grabbing plates from the table. “No, Julie and I will do that. Everyone else go into the living room. It won’t take us long, since there’s not much left.” I grab a few dishes and so does Julie before we move into the kitchen.
“Okay, explain the belly.” I grab Julie and turn her to face me.
“I’m fucking pregnant. Oh shit, I’ve really got to stop cussing. They say the baby can hear everything.” Julie’s eyes are shining with unshed tears, and I pull her in for a hug.
“I don’t think the baby hears yet, so you’re safe. When did you find out? I’m so happy! You and Kevin are happy, right? How could you not be? A baby. How far along are you? How many others know?” Julie pulls back from me as I continue to ramble and wipes the tears trickling down her face.
“I’m about two months in. I go to the doctor on January fifth. We’re so happy, Dora. At first, I thought Kevin wouldn’t be. We hadn’t really talked about kids, but he’s so excited. We told our parents last night, and they’re beyond happy for us. At first I thought I had the stomach flu, like everyone in my office, but after I threw up, I felt good and the sick feeling didn’t linger. I still can’t believe it.” Julie’s face glows with glee.
“Are you going to tell my family today?”
“Hell yeah we are, but I wanted you to know first. I don’t know the first thing about being a mother. What if I’m a terrible at it?” The tears return and begin to travel slowly down her cheeks.