The Holiday Gamble

by Sam E. Kraemer

“Not yet, but if things don’t work out with Dad, I’m not saying never. It’s for an excellent cause. Can you send them to me? I’m trying to help a friend,” Ridge asked.

  “Sure. Give me an address to give to Patsy. They’re all at the manse,” Eve replied.

  “Let me figure something out first, okay? Just, uh, talk to your friends and see if they have any they want to dump as well. I’ll find a space for them and call you back. Get them to me by Friday, okay?” he instructed his sister.

  “Sure, Ridge. What are you up to?” Eve asked.

  Ridge chuckled. “I’m not exactly sure, but I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”

  By Thursday, he’d secured a storefront with the help of Elliot after he explained the method behind the madness to his older brother. Some teens didn’t have the proper attire to attend holiday parties, and Ridge wanted to ensure they all had the opportunity to find clothes to enjoy the season’s celebrations, so he called in a favor.

  Holiday Toys had backed Ridge in a charitable endeavor to offer formal dresses to high school students in West Philly neighborhood schools to attend their winter formals. They’d also partnered with a formalwear rental company to provide tuxedos for those who preferred them over the dresses.

  Elliot had sent Ridge a text that some of the staffers at Holiday Toys were willing to volunteer to work with the holiday formal outreach. It seemed they had friends who were also anxious to assist with such a worthy effort. The news plastered a big smile on Ridge’s face that he couldn’t let go.

  Friday morning, Ridge met Mrs. Halloran, his uncle Todd’s executive assistant, and Miss Willoughby, his brother’s assistant. Both women had contacted other friends of theirs who could sew, and they were all set to fit the formalwear as necessary.

  When the dresses his sister had rounded up from her friends and her own closet arrived at the small store that morning, Ridge assisted the volunteers with filling twenty-five clothing racks with sparkling gowns and puffy dresses in a variety of sizes.

  Miss Willoughby had sent out an email requesting employees from Holiday Toys to volunteer at the storefront in the afternoons and on weekends to assist the young people with their formal attire needs, and the response had been tremendous.

  Mrs. Halloran had sent a letter with his uncle’s signature to all of the high schools in the neighborhoods surrounding the West Philly store, asking that the students be notified of the availability of the formalwear shop. The tuxedo store had sent over two sales representatives to take measurements for the tuxedos that would be made available as well, and things were off to a fantastic start.

  When Ridge drove by the store later that afternoon, he was happy to see the banner across the awning. “Formally Yours.” It appeared to be a booming success.

  There was a line of young people on the sidewalk outside the place, which made him feel warm inside that he’d actually done a selfless thing. He’d been able to do actually perform a charitable act without focusing on himself, or how it would benefit him. Feeling good about it was a new thing.

  Ridge hoped his efforts were enough to help Cris’ sister with her date, and maybe some of the other young people like her in the community who wanted to go to a dance, but just needed the wardrobe for it. Never in his life had Ridge considered how it must be for teens who, like Hannah, didn’t have a black card to buy everything they wanted.

  Ridge hoped to meet Cris’ sister someday. She sounded like an intelligent, confident young woman, based on the stories Cris shared during their breaks. He’d be honored to meet the young woman. Ridge decided he could likely learn a lot from her.

  On Saturday morning, Ridge was in the breakroom when Cris came in through the back door from the loading dock. “Are Nicole or Mandy here yet?” Cris asked as he kept his sunglasses secured to his face.

  Ridge glanced at the clock to see it was just nine o’clock in the morning, and since Santa didn’t make his appearance before ten, he wondered why Cris was asking about the other two elves. “Not that I know. Why?” Ridge asked.

  “I got hit in the face by an exploding tire this morning,” Cris told him, taking off his sunglasses to reveal two blooming black eyes and a swollen bump on his nose.

  “Fuck, that looks broken,” Ridge stated as he went to the ice bin in the kitchen and loaded some cubes into a towel he’d pulled from a drawer. He twisted it before he handed it to Cris. “Put this on your face, Kringle.”

  Cris sat down at the table and did as Ridge instructed. “What time do you work on Saturdays at the garage?” Ridge asked.

  “I go in at five and work until nine, usually. The shop closes at noon, but my boss lets me come in early during the holidays and work until I need to be here. I can’t go out there with black eyes. Santa’s not a cage fighter,” Cris lamented.

  Ridge didn’t expect to laugh at his comment, but it struck him as funny. He couldn’t hold it back, and when Cris started laughing as well, Ridge felt his heart jolt in his chest at the sound.

  “Will you cover for me if I run to the drug store? I used to wear makeup in high school to piss off my family. I can help cover that up, but keep the ice on it,” Ridge instructed.

  Cris nodded, so Ridge rushed out the back door and jogged across the parking lot to the strip mall behind the toy store. He headed inside and went to the makeup aisle, finding what he deemed to be the best budget concealer and a little blush for Santa because if Ridge were going to cover up the bruises, Santa would need a little color in his cheeks, so he didn’t scare the kids. Sugarplum was on the job!

  With the debit card his father had given him, Ridge was able to pay for the makeup, but he didn’t exactly remember how much money his dad had put on the card before he gave it to him. He was definitely relieved and grateful when the transaction went through without an embarrassing hitch.

  Ridge kept telling himself it was only a temporary setback, his lack of finances and horrible living arrangements. He was—relatively—confident if he went over his limit, his father would have mercy on him if it was for the right reason. Well, he hoped so anyway...

  When Ridge rushed through the loading dock and into the back room of Holiday Toys after his impromptu shopping trip to the drug store, he found Cris still holding the ice on his nose as he tried to tuck the padding into his Santa suit, obviously worried about the time.

  Cris had removed his t-shirt and was trying to use his right hand to adjust the padding, but Ridge couldn’t tear his eyes away from the muscles revealed to him. They were spectacular.

  “I thought I told you to sit with that ice on your nose,” Ridge chastised.

  “I know, but I was trying to get ready for the kids. I can hear them out there, and I don’t want to disappoint them. From ten o’clock until noon, we have special needs kids. I don’t want to keep them waiting, and I darn well don’t want to scare them,” Cris explained.

  Ridge couldn’t help himself. He stepped closer to Santa Cris. “I don’t know if I’ve ever met a sweeter man in my life, but you’re perfect,” he whispered before he kissed Cris on the cheek, fully expecting a punch in the face when it was over.

  When he heard the makeshift cold compress hit the floor and felt two strong hands on his cheeks, Ridge froze until he felt his face being directed to Cris’ soft lips. When they met his mouth, it was the best surprise Ridge had ever received in his life.

  Ridge felt a velvety tongue tickling his lips, so he opened his mouth and accepted Cris inside. Their tongues tangled for a few minutes before Ridge felt Cris wrap his arms around his waist, pulling him closer. The larger man was gentle, which wasn’t anything Ridge was accustomed to, but it felt incredible.

  “Oh, sorry,” they both heard, before they jerked apart.

  Ridge turned to see the store manager entering the break room, and he hoped to fuck the guy wouldn’t hold it against Cris that they’d been making out on company time. Ridge looked back at Cris, expecting to be shoved away, but instead, he saw a glowing smile on Santa’s face. “Your timin
g still sucks, Kirby. What’s up?” Cris asked, seeming unabashed by the disruption.

  “Corporate sent us another elf, and I’m under orders to give her a job. Can you figure out something for her to do, Satan… I mean, Santa? Amazing how that works, isn’t it,” the manager, Kirby, stated with a big grin, before he stepped aside to reveal Ridge’s little sister, Eve, standing there with a glowing smile.

  “Fucking hell,” Ridge complained under his breath.

  “It’s okay, David. There’s always room in Santa’s sleigh for another elf. Hi, I’m Cristian Gamble… Cris Kringle to my friends,” Cris joked with a broad grin.

  “What happened to your face?” Eve asked. She’d given the gasp that could have been heard around the world, and Ridge could see a little pink on Cris’ cheeks under the purple bruising.

  “It’s a long story. Why don’t you get ready for your shift? We’re hosting special needs kids beginning at ten,” Ridge ordered as he pulled one of the female elf costumes from the rack and attempted to get rid of his sister so he could go back to kissing the gorgeous man.

  Of course, Eve wasn’t one to be bullied. “Let me help Santa with those black eyes. I’m Lou, um, Cris. Who’s this character?” Evelyn Louise Holiday asked, smirking at her brother.

  “I’m David Palmer,” Ridge answered, using their mother’s maiden name.

  Evie giggled. “Louise Ridges,” she responded with a smirk.

  Ridge wasn’t sure what Eve was doing at the store, but Cris didn’t disappoint him. “Welcome to the family, Lou,” Cris offered, flashing his beautiful smile Eve’s way.

  When his sister winked at Ridge, he could see she knew there was more between the two men, and she was offering her approval. Ridge hoped like hell she was onto something.

  Chapter 5

  For Cris, after the drama of his black eyes and the addition of a new elf that Saturday, the session had actually been fun, especially with the dynamic between Lou and David. The two of them continued to throw barbs at each other between the visits of the special needs kids, and Cris, Cocoa, and Cookie couldn’t stop laughing at them.

  When they took a break between noon and one, they were surprised to find a tray of sandwiches in the break room for them. There was no card identifying who had treated them to food, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise.

  “This looks incredible,” Cris offered, grateful to see the food, because he hadn’t brought anything with him from home to eat. Cris grabbed two half sandwiches, one for now and one to give to Hannah later. He’d planned to take a minute to call his sister on the cell phone they shared, to get her to come down to the store after she finished studying at the library. There was an excellent reason for the trip, and Cris hoped she didn’t give him shit about it.

  There was a new storefront down the street that advertised free formal attire for teens, and he wanted Hannah to take the bus down so she could go look for a dress. It was as if someone knew he was searching for second-hand dresses and had answered his prayer.

  “It’s nice to be here, and look! Treats! Anyway, I’m only able to work on weekends, because I go to school, and we’re not out yet for the holidays,” the newest elf explained as she pointed to a tray of sweets.

  Cris saw Nicole and Mandy scrutinizing the young woman, so before they could say something rude, Santa spoke up. “This is Mandy, and that’s Nicole. Ladies, this is Lou. She was sent by corporate to help out on weekends. It’s nice to have another member of the team, isn’t it?” Cris prompted with an arched eyebrow.

  The other two women gave him patronizing smiles as they nodded in agreement. “Where do you go to school?” Mandy asked with an appraising glare, or so it looked to Cris.

  Lou coughed, having just taken a bite of her cookie. David quickly banged her on the back as he offered her the bottle of water she’d chosen from the refrigerator. After the young woman finally quit hacking, she wiped her mouth and smiled at David, nodding she was okay. “I’m taking classes at Community College of Philadelphia. I’m studying communications,” the young woman offered with a smile.

  “That’s great, Lou. Welcome to the team. We’re glad to have you,” Cris assured as they all dug into the sweets. Cris watched David give the newest elf a few looks that were less than encouraging.

  He wasn’t sure what had David so on edge, but Cris wanted to get to the bottom of it to ensure there wasn’t an issue between him and Lou… or between Santa and Sugarplum. The kiss they’d shared before everyone arrived had been fantastic, but Cris was starting to wonder if maybe David was regretting it? Perhaps he could take David out for a late dinner one night after they finished at the store and clarify things? It was worth an ask.

  The group was back in the breakroom for their afternoon break. The first morning of the quiet visits with Santa had gone wonderfully, and everyone was excited to get back to the excited, rowdy children waiting for their shot at seeing the Head Elf.

  David suggested they touch up Santa’s makeup when everyone had finished eating, so Lou handed over her makeup kit from her purse while she went to the restroom. The others were finishing up the food, and Cris made a mental note to check with Kirby if there was someone to thank for the treats. It had been a lovely surprise.

  Cris studied David as he gently dabbed on some thick foundation and concealer, before he used the sponge to smooth the look. Once the bruising was under cover, Cris saw David glide his thumb over a small compact before he smoothed a little pink blush on his cheeks to apply the happy glow Santa sported in all of his pictures.

  “Looks good, Santa. Anyway, I’ll go out and fluff the tree before your grand entrance. Mandy, Nicole, would you like to come with me?” Lou asked, offering Cris a wink. When the three women left the break room, Cris looked at David, seeing his toothy smile.

  “So, Santa, can I have you over to my house for a drink some night?” David asked as he washed his hands free of the makeup, before grabbing a few paper towels to dry them.

  Cris chuckled. “Actually, I was going to offer the same invitation, because I don’t really like to leave Hannah alone at night. I’d also like you to meet her.”

  Cris watched as David flashed him a crooked grin, which had Cris’ heart skipping a beat.

  “I’d love to meet her. Tell me when. I’ll bring… something,” David offered with a shrug and a soft laugh.

  “Just bring your glowing personality,” Cris replied as he took David’s hand, then kissed his knuckles before the two of them cleaned up the mess from the breakroom, and redressed for their afternoon of making merry.

  Cris didn’t believe he’d had as much fun playing Santa since the first year he’d been hired to portray the red-suited man. Since he’d become the Jolly Old Elf, Christmas had become his favorite time of year. With David around, every day was better than the one before.

  Cris was standing outside the back door of the store, waiting for David to come out, so he could give the man his cut of the night’s tips. He’d given the ladies their cut, having received a good deal of money from the parents of the special needs’ kids that morning. He actually tried to turn them down, because it wasn’t a chore to give the kids their time, but the parents had insisted, so Santa took the money, grateful for every penny.

  Cris assumed all of the employees working in Santa’s Wonderland were in similar situations regarding a lack of finances during the holidays, so he didn’t fight too hard with the parents. The cut ended up being thirty dollars each, and Cris was sure David could use the cash as much as him.

  When the door opened, Cris smiled as David stepped out with a wool cap covering his blond hair. David jumped when Cris touched his shoulder, bringing a laugh from both men. “You scared the fuck outta me,” David responded as his hand clutched his chest.

  Cris reached out to touch his cheek with an ungloved hand. “I’m sorry I scared you. I just wanted to make sure you got your cut of the tip. I, uh, I’m looking forward to getting together tomorrow night. I really want to get to know you bett
er.”

  “I feel like I’ve spilled my guts about myself long enough. I don’t know much about you, and I’d like to rectify it. I also wondered if maybe we could exchange cell numbers? I don’t have my phone here because Hannah and I share it, but I wrote down my number for you. I usually have the phone with me when I’m not here for work in the evenings, so if you wanted to maybe text me, that would be fine,” he offered, feeling nerves like he hadn’t felt in quite a while.

  When David bashfully grinned at him and offered his simple smartphone, Cris couldn’t keep the smile from his face. He quickly typed in his number and returned the phone to the gorgeous man. “So, tomorrow night?” he asked.

  “Sure. I can’t wait to meet your sister,” David responded, and Cris believed the man meant it.

  Cris stepped forward and touched David’s cheek before he dipped a bit to touch his lips to David’s tantalizing mouth. Cris remembered how soft that kiss had been, before Kirby burst into the break room to interrupt what could have been one of the best kisses Cris had ever experienced.

  David returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around Cris’ shoulders. He didn’t deepen the kiss to indecency, but when David pulled away, Cris wasn’t exactly ready to let him go. He opened his eyes to look into David’s beautiful blues, catching his breath for a second. “So, uh, I’ll see you tomorrow evening?”

  “Yes, Santa,” David told him as the two of them walked down the stairs from the loading dock. Cris walked David to his car and stole another kiss before he hurried around the store to the bus stop.

  Cris was looking forward to the date which had butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He didn’t believe he’d ever been so interested in another man as he was in David. Cris was certain there was a lot of promise between them, and he was looking forward to exploring the possibility of something more with the sexy blond. Things were looking up for sure.

  “I’ll be home at eight with David. Did you go to that store to look at the dresses?” Cris asked his sister on Sunday morning.