Ridge quickly dressed in a suit he hadn’t worn in a while, seeing the pants were a little loose, and when he pulled the tie around his neck, his hands were shaking so much he couldn’t tie it.
Ridge took a deep breath and looked in the mirror over his bathroom vanity. “Suck it up, buttercup. It just wasn’t meant to be. You’ll survive.” He gave himself a pep talk. He chuckled as he looked at his bloodshot eyes. “You swore you’d never lie to Cris, but you have no problem lying to yourself, do you?”
The mirror didn’t respond.
Ridge exited behind Eve from the BMW 750i his parents used as their means of transportation around Philly. Eve didn’t say anything to the driver, but Ridge did. “Mr. Tuttle, thank you for picking me up. I won’t bother you again.”
Craig Tuttle looked over the back of the front seat to where Ridge stood, leaning into the car to address the man. “You said that last time.” Ridge felt embarrassed at having to beg the man for a ride, so he nodded and closed the door before he followed his sister into the building.
Ridge caught up to Eve and opened the door for her, which prompted his little sister to turn to him and stop, smoothing his blond hair out of his eyes. “Did you call the police about your car? I hate that you live there.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine,” Ridge offered, as he led his sister to the executive elevator. It had been a while since he’d ridden it, but he still had his key, though he honestly wondered if it worked. He found it on his keyring and slid it into the lock, while Eve pressed the button to summon it to the first floor.
A few seconds later, the gold elevator opened, and they both heard the awful music from the speakers. It was the genre his father loved—seventies soft rock, and it actually made Ridge smile. He turned to his sister. “When you are running the Holiday world, what music will you play on this elevator?”
Eve looked at him and smiled. “Shawn Mendes and Gaga, of course. When it’s your turn? Sam Smith or Adele?” Eve teased.
Ridge kissed her temple. “I don’t want a turn. I want a normal life, you know? I want to dance in a small apartment with the man I love, while listening to every sappy love song ever made.
“I want his sister to make fun of us because we’re so sickeningly in love, but she’s happy we’re making a family, the three of us. I want the impossible, but I’m not gonna get it.
“As far as Holiday Toys is concerned? I want to work in another area, which is why I’m here to meet with Dad. I have a proposal, actually,” he told Eve as the elevator stopped on the floor housing the executive suites.
When the doors slid open, Ridge was transported back in time to being seven years old, and being taken to the office by Jennings, their former driver. He’d misbehaved, and his mother was tired of dealing with his ‘destructive behavior’, as she called it.
When Jennings delivered him to JD’s office door, Ridge could tell his father was pissed and wouldn’t put up with him throwing a tantrum, not unlike when he’d demanded Ridge return from Greece. In both instances, Ridge knew better than to ignore JD’s rules.
That summer day so many years before, Ridge was ordered to sit in the corner of his father’s office all day, only getting to come out when he had to go to the bathroom or when it was time for lunch, which was eaten in his father’s office instead of in the cafeteria where the middle Holiday child could talk to all of the other people he loved at Holiday Toys, especially his grandfather.
Ridge remembered later that day, being in the car on the way back to the manse with his father, who was looking at one report or another, not giving Ridge any attention at all. The little boy’s heart was broken, because he never seemed to get anyone’s attention in his family… until he misbehaved.
His crime that day was that he’d thrown Elliot’s model plane out the second-story window. It was one of Elliot’s most treasured possessions, because JD had helped him make it, and Ridge wasn’t included in the activity. He was never allowed to participate in the things his father did with Elliot.
Ridge had followed his older brother around the house and grounds all morning, begging him to bring the model—a WWII bomber—outside, so he and Ridge could fly the motorized, remote-controlled plane together. Elliot told him not to touch it, because it was “mine and Daddy’s, and you’re not included.”
Out of a fit of rage, Ridge opened the window in his brother’s room and tossed the plane out to where Elliot was kicking a soccer ball in the backyard, yet another thing he didn’t want to do with Ridge.
When it hit the ground and smashed into a million pieces, Elliot’s screaming could have been heard in the next county. All Ridge wanted to do was be a part of the relationship Elliot had with their father, because he knew he could never compete with Elliot in their mother’s eyes, and Ridge was lonely.
Of course, Elliot’s shrieking brought his mother’s wrath, and with that came the punishment of having to go to the steel and glass structure without a soul where his father worked. It wasn’t the first time Ridge had been ordered to sit in that small chair in the corner of his father’s office, while everyone ignored him. It wasn’t called “Ridge’s Corner” for nothing.
As Grown Ridge glanced around the executive hallway, he could see where things were much different than he thought as a little boy. The place wasn’t as cold as he used to believe, but maybe that had more to do with the perspective one gained with age.
Ridge was no longer intimidated by the building, nor his right to be there. Ridge knew in his heart, he had relevant ideas that fitted into the culture of Holiday Toys, he just had to find a way to present them to convince his father to finally listen to him. He was done acting out to get JD’s or Elaine’s attention. He had a lot to offer as a human and a member of the Holiday family, and if they refused to, or couldn’t, see it, he’d just go around them and succeed on his own.
Even the punishment of having to work at Holiday Toys his father had imposed, was laced with the family dynamic into which Ridge had been born. Eve was the baby. She was gorgeous, and their father wanted her to be happy, so he’d give her everything she ever wanted. If she joined the company, JD would be thrilled, but if she found an appropriate young man and settled down to have babies, his father would be joyful.
Elliot was the eldest, and the weight of the Holiday family’s expectations must have rested heavily on his shoulders, or so Ridge imagined. He’d always suspected his brother had a bevy of beautiful women tucked away somewhere that he didn’t bring around the family, because he wanted to keep one thing for himself, his love life.
Ridge was sure his parents expected Elliot to meet a Philadelphia socialite and have a tribe of kids, doing the Holiday family name proud. Maybe it wasn’t what his brother wanted for himself at all?
Ridge couldn’t remember asking his brother about his love life once. Ridge made it a point to keep his sex life front and center, because until Cris Gamble came along, Ridge didn’t have a love life. Heaven knew his parents didn’t want to discuss his sex life, so they stayed out of his business, making his life much easier.
It occurred to Ridge that if he wanted the family to be supportive of him and approve of his plans for Holiday Toys, he’d need to engage with all of them on a more personal level. He believed he was ready to do it, though he was sure it would be so much more comfortable with Cris Gamble by his side.
As he thought about it, Ridge was sure the burden of being the spouse of a Holiday was huge. He suspected his brother was putting it off as long as he could. Observing his mother’s interaction with his grandmother was enough to make anyone scared to death to join the family. Ridge knew, though, Cris Gamble would have been able to pull it off effortlessly.
Ridge stood in the familiar spot outside his father’s grand office like he’d done many times. This time, he was there with something to offer for the benefit of the organization, not to receive a scolding for his thoughtless behavior. He was ready to give it a try.
Taking a breath and blowing it ou
t slowly, Ridge lifted his hand and knocked on his father’s door. “Come in,” he heard as he reached for the handle.
Ridge Holiday had a feeling he wouldn’t come out of that room the same man who had gone inside, but he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was ready for the next chapter of his life. He believed he’d finally found his place.
Chapter 16
Cris was under a Nissan Pathfinder, examining damage to the shocks, which was quite extensive. Yes, it was a smaller SUV, but the damn thing should have been high enough off the ground that it shouldn’t have made such a mess to the shocks and exhaust system by hitting a pothole. The customer’s son told Bobby Jobe he hit one of the many potholes on the downtown streets, but Cris was skeptical of that explanation. He wondered what the son had really been doing with the vehicle.
“Cris?” he heard, as he was trying to decide whether it would be a better idea to put the vehicle on the rack to replace the rear shocks and fix the remainder of the damage. Cris rolled out from under the SUV to see Jorge Costa, one of the other mechanics who worked for Bobby, holding up the phone. He rested it on top of Cris’ toolbox and walked away, going back to the Honda he was servicing.
Cris picked up the phone. “Cris Gamble,” he answered.
“Hi, Santa… oh, I guess you go by your birth name after the holidays… Hello, Mr. Kringle. It’s Eve Holiday. How was your Christmas?” he heard over the phone.
“It was just fine. What can I do for you? I turned in the Santa suit, but I didn’t get it dry cleaned. If I need to, I’ll pick it up after the first of the year and take care of it,” Cris replied, not happy to hear from any member of the Holiday family.
“No, that’s not the case. Don’t worry about it. Look, we appreciate all the work you put into making this holiday season so productive at Holiday Toys. I’m calling to personally extend an invitation to you and Hannah to attend a party at my parents’ home on New Year’s Eve.
“My grandfather, Leo, wants to thank everyone, personally, for making this such a successful season at the company, so I hope you won’t disappoint him by declining the invitation, especially with how impressed he was that you came up with the idea for the quiet visits,” Cris heard Eve Holiday seeming to try to guilt him into doing her bidding. Is she trying to emotionally blackmail me by using her grandfather?
Cristian Gamble had no desire to have anything to do with the Holiday family, directly or indirectly. As far as he was concerned, he’d fulfilled his obligation as their seasonal Santa, and except for Ridge Holiday’s deception, he’d enjoyed his time there. Hell, he’d probably go back next year if they asked him.
Finally, Cris had reached a decision. “I truly appreciate the invitation, Miss Holiday, but Hannah’s having a sleepover at our place on New Year’s Eve. I need to be at home with her and her friends to make sure they don’t get into any trouble, so I don’t think I can come by. Thank you again for everything. Goodbye.”
“That’s a lie, Cristian!” he heard as he was about to hang up, and really, Cris didn’t want to be known as a liar. “I talked to Hannah last night, and she’s excited about coming to the party. This year’s theme is ugly sweaters at her suggestion, as a matter of fact.
“Look, I know why you’re pissed at Ridge, but you don’t have the full story behind the scenes. Quite frankly, I’m surprised you’d be upset with him and judge him so harshly,” Eve snapped in response.
Cris didn’t like her tone, but she was right. A part of him did feel guilty for judging Ridge since he hadn’t volunteered his bonus as everyone else in Santa’s Wonderland at the West Philly store had done. Everyone knew Ridge Holiday came from a privileged family, and the employees at the West Philly store needed the money a lot more than him.
“I’m not upset with him, Miss Holiday. I was surprised to learn that we simply have different values when it comes to helping other people. It’s a difference that makes us incompatible, and it wasn’t what I expected, so I was surprised.”
“Your brother has money. I’m a working man. We have nothing in common, case closed,” Cris explained before he disconnected the call.
He left the phone on top of his toolbox as he prepared the Pathfinder to put it on the service rack. Cris closed his eyes and tried to remind himself of the differences between himself and Ridge Holiday in an attempt to put the physical attraction aside.
Yes, he still loved the man, but they didn’t have a future. Cris had Hannah, and they were doing just fine without anyone butting into their lives. That was the most essential thing requiring his care and concern.
When he finished work that day, Cris caught the bus at the corner and took it to the apartment, trying his best not to think about the phone call with Eve Holiday from earlier in the afternoon. When he found the note from Hannah on the kitchen table, he was pissed.
I’m at Livy’s for a girl’s night. I called your cell, but it went straight to voicemail. I’ll be home in the morning. Love you.
After a shower, Cris settled on the couch in pajama pants and a t-shirt to watch something on television. Unfortunately, nothing he turned on could take his mind off Ridge Holiday.
How could he fall in love so fast with a man he found to be his polar opposite? That was the question Cris couldn’t understand, nor could he answer. He couldn’t imagine the guy who would take extra time with kids who weren’t comfortable seeing Santa under normal circumstances, could possibly be the selfish man who wouldn’t offer to help his coworkers during the holidays. It made no sense.
Later that night, Cris was dozing on the couch, having not slept well since before Christmas, when the doorbell buzzed. Hannah had called him earlier to ask if it was okay if she and Livy went with Bauer Mays and his little brothers, Kevin and Kenneth, to see the hot Christmas movie of the season, but maybe she’d forgotten something or changed her mind?
Cris hopped up and walked to the door, opening it before he looked out the peephole. “Hannah Banana, what…”
Standing in front of him was a very agitated Eve Holiday. She was accompanied by her older brother, Elliot, who had taken Cris’ place as Santa on the Saturday night of the Winter Formal. It was the night Cris was trying to start over with Ridge. That ended up being a colossal mistake.
“Miss Holiday. Mister Holiday. What…” Cris began before Eve pushed by him and pulled her brother along with her.
“Hannah is…?” Eve enquired with a cocked eyebrow.
“Out,” Cris answered, not happy with the young woman’s presumption she was invited into his home.
“Good. I don’t want that sweet girl to hear this shit and think any worse of our family than I do right now. I’m not sure you’re so hot either, bub,” she snarled at him as she snapped her fingers at her brother and pointed to the couch, before she took a seat in a chair to the left.
Cris sat down and stared between them, not sure to whom he should give his attention. Finally, Elliot Holiday cleared his throat. “I, uh, I did something a bit underhanded to my little brother that might have affected your opinion of him.
“See, Dad meant for him to actually earn a salary while he worked at Holiday for the season, but I didn’t put through his paperwork. He’s been living on the thousand dollars Dad gave him at Thanksgiving. That’s why he didn’t have any money to donate toward the staff pool at the West Philly store.”
Eve shook her head. “I’m ashamed of him, but he’s still my brother, or so Mom swears.”
Cris looked at Elliot, who nodded. “Yeah, it’s my fault, but I didn’t want him to take my car.”
Eve didn’t hesitate to speak up. “You’re an asshole, Elliot. By the way, Ridge’s car was stolen on Christmas night from the parking lot of his building, but he didn’t tell anyone. Daddy actually got a call from a cop friend of his to tell him they’d found the car in Lansdowne on the twenty-sixth. It’s totaled,” Eve told them.
Cris stood. “Is he okay? Was Ridge carjacked?”
Eve’s phone began to ring, so she held up her finger an
d walked away, leaving Elliot and Cris alone in the living room.
“Why would you do that to your own brother?” Cris quizzed Ridge’s older brother.
“We’ve always been competitive, Ridge and me. I wanted him to rise to the challenge Dad leveled, but I didn’t want him taking my car. It took me a long time to find it. I figured he’d run out of money and come ask to borrow some from me, but since he borrowed money from Eve for a cab, he forfeited his shot at the Porsche. I think he’ll end up being a better person because of this little object lesson. That was my goal,” Elliot Holiday boasted. Cris decided he was the biggest ass he’d ever met.
Eve came running into the living room, a look of fear on her face. “Ridge is at the hospital. He was mugged outside his apartment.” She then grabbed her purse and rushed toward the door, Elliot hot on her heels.
“What hospital?” Cris asked.
“Come on, dumbass,” Eve commanded.
Cris slipped on his shoes and grabbed his parka and keys, not giving a shit that he was still in his pajamas. He pulled the door closed and ran down the stairs behind Eve and Elliot Holiday, not even sure whether he locked the door. At that moment, it didn’t matter. He needed to get to Ridge to see that he was okay.
Cris needed to apologize for being such a jerk, now that he’d heard the whole story and knew why Ridge didn’t volunteer his bonus check. It made much more sense after he had heard the details.
Cris wanted to apologize for being such a sanctimonious ass and implore the man to take him back. He prayed he wasn’t too late.
The two Holidays and the Gamble shot into the emergency parking lot of Gramercy-West Philadelphia Hospital, and Cris was never so happy for a car to stop in his life. He was thrilled that the day Eve had taken Hannah shopping they had the Holiday’s driver with them because Eve Holiday was scary as fuck behind the wheel. Cris felt as if he’d aged ten years in the seven-minute ride.
The Holiday Gamble Page 14
