Her Christmas Miracles (Dunam Prep Boys #1)

by Lux Carmine

  “I think we should talk,” I said.

  Skylar’s eyes were red-rimmed and her breath was shaky as she exhaled. “Okay. You can talk, Max. Nobody else.”

  “Why only Max?” Devin asked, because he could never keep his mouth shut when he needed to.

  Skylar glared at him. “Because I said so.”

  I swallowed hard. “Parker said you asked how many other girls we’ve done this to.”

  Skylar took a deep breath. “Yeah. How many times did you bait a girl into liking all three of you? How many, Max?”

  “None. That’s the honest truth.” I reached out and took her hand in both of mine. Devin shifted uncomfortably and Parker grimaced. She started to pull away. “Skylar, I wouldn’t lie to you. Remember the movie theater? How I took care of Bella? I’m still that guy.” She relaxed her tension a little, and instead of pulling her hand back, she adjusted her hold on me.

  “Why would you do this to me then?” Her voice was low, almost a whisper, and she blinked rapidly, her chin wavering. It seemed like she might cry.

  “We—” Devin started, but I looked at him with narrowed eyes.

  “Just me, Dev. You don’t get to speak yet. She said so.” I turned back to Skylar. “We all like you. That’s why. Once we realized we all liked the same girl, we agreed to see which one you liked best, and once we figured it out, the other two would back off. We thought that would be the fairest way to approach it. We never meant to hurt you.”

  Skylar took her hand back from me and wiped her eyes with her sleeve, nodding. “Well, you did. And now look where we are. I can’t date any of you now, not like this.”

  I shifted in my seat, an idea forming. I didn’t know if it were true she couldn’t date any of us. I didn’t see why she couldn’t … “Skylar, what about …” I hesitated, not sure if she would go for the idea. Or if the guys would.

  “What about, what?”

  “Well, what if you dated all three of us? At once. Not on the same date, I mean, but concurrently.”

  Skylar’s eyebrows shot up and drew together. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about you having three boyfriends.” I glanced at Devin and Parker, whose eyes were wide. Neither said a word for once.

  When Skylar finally responded, she spoke slowly. “What about you three?”

  “We’re like brothers. We share everything. It just makes sense we would share you, too. We each like you, and you like each of us. It stands to reason none of us should stand in the way of the others.”

  Skylar took a deep, shaky breath. “I don’t know. That’s … a lot.” She looked at Devin and Parker. “What do you two think about all this? Is it something you guys have talked about?”

  They both shook their heads. Devin brushed his hair out of his eyes. “No, never. But, I mean, it’s worth a shot.”

  “We’re a pack, the three of us. I don’t see any problem with it. Like Max said, we share everything. I don’t see why this has to be any different.” Parker stood up. “But if you need to think about it, go ahead. I don’t want to rush you into making any decisions tonight.”

  “Okay,” Skylar said, nodding. “Okay. Now what?”

  Parker grinned, and grabbed a game controller. “Now, we play video games.”

  SKYLAR

  I woke later than I’d wanted to, light streaming into the window of the guest room I’d settled in around two that morning. The boys had played some stupid game that involved killing things and going on quests for hours while I watched. Their enthusiasm was almost enough to make it interesting. Almost.

  I lay there, thinking about what Max suggested. It was a lot to take in. Did I want that? Three boyfriends? And even if I did, how would I explain it to anyone, much less my parents? I crawled out of bed and went to the window. I was nearly blinded by the sunlight bouncing off the blanket of snow that covered everything. At least it wasn’t still snowing.

  I turned around, glancing at the bedroom door. My stomach hurt just thinking about this whole mess. I didn’t really want to go out there and face any of them. I didn’t want to see them until I’d made up my mind. My throat hurt and my head swam from anxiety over the situation. I tucked my hands safely under my arms and left the safety of the room, in search of some breakfast. There were voices coming from downstairs. I paused and listened.

  “She’s never going to agree to it,” Devin said. The sizzling of meat in a pan almost drowned out his words, and I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. My stomach grumbled in response.

  “I mean …” Parker paused. “Let’s say three smoking hot girls told me I could date all of them at once—”

  Devin snorted. “You’d have a panic attack.”

  Parker ignored him. “I would have some reservations too. I’d think they were either crazy, or playing a prank on me, or delusional because I could see it ending in a major cat fight. She’s smart to think about it.”

  “I was trying to figure out why I like her so much,” Devin said.

  “Because she’s hot. That’s why you like any girl.”

  I bit my lower lip and almost turned away, my heart thrumming so fast. I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping on them.

  “Sure, she’s attractive. And I thought it was because she was not like the other girls at school. She’s not concerned with makeup and fake eyelashes and fake nails and fake hair.”

  “She’s not fake.”

  “Right. She’s real and authentic and …”

  “And when she looks at you, you feel like you could do anything,” Parker finished.

  Devin paused and I could imagine him looking off towards the ceiling in thought. “No. She seems like the kind of girl who wouldn’t be hanging out with someone she didn’t care about. I feel like I could depend on her to be there for me, to keep my secrets.”

  “Right. The secret micro-penis in your pants?”

  I grinned and rolled my eyes, stomping downstairs to announce my arrival before they started beating on each other again. They were throwing wooden spoons back and forth. I let out a whimper as one went flying by my head. Quickly they straightened and cleared their throats.

  “Hey, Skylar. Good morning. Do you want some bacon? Sausage?” Parker asked innocently.

  I looked between the two. “Good morning? I was almost attacked by a wooden spoon!”

  Devin grabbed a glass of orange juice already sitting on the pristine white marble countertop, and brought it over to me, holding it out. “That was my bad. I was aiming for Parker. Forgive me?”

  I accepted the glass with a nod. “Forgiven,” I said before taking a sip. I nodded to the skillet as I took a seat at the breakfast bar. “Do you do that every morning?”

  “Ah, yeah,” Parker said, his cheeks flushing slightly. “My mom doesn’t want me to grow up being entitled or something … do you like them on the lighter side or more crispy?”

  “Crispy, definitely. My mom usually serves them slightly less than burnt.”

  He smiled, and my cheeks flared up. I sipped at my orange juice and the three of us sat in silence. Finally, Devin broke it. “So, it looks like you don’t have school today. That’s exciting, right? You’re officially on winter break?”

  I nodded. “True. Only nine more days of seeing Santa and then we’re done.”

  Somehow the joy we should’ve felt was overshadowed by the painful awareness that the end of Santa, also meant the end of our after school hang outs. I swallowed the last of my orange juice and set it on the counter. “How would this even work?” I glanced between Parker and Devin.

  “What do you mean?” Parked asked, pushing a sausage around on the skillet.

  “I mean the only reason we see each other right now is because of work.”

  “We can hang out after school,” Devin said.

  I shook my head. “No. I’m going to have to work.”

  Devin scoffed. “Come on. That’s what parents are for.”

  I looked down and stared into my empty glass. Of course D
evin wouldn’t understand.

  “Devin, don’t be a jerk. Your mom lost her job, right?” Parker coaxed, his voice soft.

  “She did, but she’s found a new one. It’s not enough, though.”

  “Okay … How about we pay you? To hang out with us?” Devin asked. I jolted at the suggestion and saw Parker jolt too. “What?” Devin asked, brows furrowing.

  “You’re making her sound like a prostitute!” Parker’s voice boomed through the kitchen.

  I shook my head and sighed. “Look, even if it didn’t sound like that, I couldn’t take your money. I didn’t do anything to earn it.”

  “I mean, you could come clean my room and I could pay you for—”

  “Oh, God, Devin, just stop! You’re making it worse,” Parker said.

  Devin huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, eyes shooting daggers at Parker. “I don’t see you coming up with any genius ideas.”

  I smiled sadly. “I love that you guys have this infatuation with me or whatever, but I don’t think it will work. So … we have until the roads are clear enough for a ride home.”

  “Told you she wouldn’t go for it,” Devin mumbled, grabbing a few slices of bacon on his way out of the kitchen.

  When I no longer heard footsteps, I glanced at Parker whose face crumpled. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way,” I said.

  He nodded curtly, avoiding my eyes. “Yeah. Us too.” He put the last of the sausages on a platter and turned off the stove. He held the platter up and forced a smile. “Breakfast is served.”

  Chapter 19

  SKYLAR

  The rest of the day with the guys had been awkward. There was no flirting, no touching. It just felt off, stifled … terrible. As soon as the roads were open, Parker drove me home. We said maybe two words the entire ride. I was about to get out of the Jeep when he tugged on my hand and made me look at him.

  “If you change your mind, Skylar, the offer will always be there.”

  Always was a really long time. I agonized over it the following day, staying in my bed for most of it unless I had to make Bella or my father food. There were only seven more days until Christmas Eve, and I should’ve been planning which presents Santa would leave under the tree for Bella. Instead I was running through every possible scenario, struggling to think of a way to make dating three Dunam Prep guys work, in a schedule that was going to already be packed with homework, an after school job, and the occasional outing with Bella.

  I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Parker’s yellow Jeep waiting as I stepped outside, three days later, heading to work. I figured since I’d told them no they would’ve gotten the hint and left me alone. I felt a tug at my heart that they weren’t giving up on me so easily. Was that wrong?

  I hesitated as I got closer to the car, and wrapping my arms around myself, I peered inside. Three doors opened and they all stepped out, smiles pasted to their lips. “Hey …”

  Max cleared his throat. “Will you ride with us to work?”

  “Sure. Thanks,” I said, unable to help the small smile that crept onto my lips. I climbed in and we drove in near silence, the radio gently playing some country music in the background. It was interrupted a few moments later by a phone call. Parker accepted it.

  “Hello?”

  “Parker, it’s me.”

  Max leaned over and whispered, “His mom.”

  Backseat Bethany. Thanks, Dad, for that image of Parker’s mom.

  I glanced out the window, pretending I wasn’t listening even though it was impossible not to.

  “Yeah. You’re on speakerphone with me and the guys.”

  “Tell them I said hi.”

  “Mom, you can say hi, you’re on sp … never mind. What’s up?”

  “I’m just calling to let you know you’ve fulfilled the requirements of your punishment. Your dad is signing over the check today so you need to bring your donation to Santa’s Wishes. And you really should try to get the other boys to donate their earnings too. They certainly don’t need the mon—”

  Parker fumbled with the stereo and pressed a button, cutting her off. He grabbed his phone and held it to his ear. “Okay. I’ll try to convince them. Do I have to do it right now? We’re on the way to work,” he said. I could still hear his mother’s voice, but I couldn’t make out any other words. They were all mumbled together. “Okay.” He paused, listening. “Okay, Mom.” He paused again. “Yeah, I’ll be home in time for dinner with the scout tonight. Just give him some beer until I get there. I have to drop everyone off too.” He paused one last time. “Alright. Love you too. Bye.” He hung up the phone and set it down on his thigh. “Sorry, guys. I have to stop at my dad’s office. Good thing Skylar goes to work so early, huh?” he said, laughing to himself.

  I leaned forward, my hands on either side of his head rest. “You’re donating all your earnings to charity?”

  He shrugged. “Yeah.”

  “Was that something your mom made you do?”

  He paused and glanced at me in the rear view mirror, assessing me.

  Max beat him to it. “No. Parker likes to give to charity. He’s been the head of the Toys for Tots drive at Dunam since Freshman year. Every year it gets bigger and bigger because anyone who donates a toy gets put into a raffle. Very smart,” Max said, nodding his head.

  I leaned into my seat and stared at the back of Parker’s dirty blonde head. He was such a good guy.

  “I’ll donate mine too,” Devin said. “I didn’t know you were doing that.”

  Max glanced around the car and cleared his throat. “Yeah, me too.”

  I nibbled on the inside of my cheek, feeling excluded. “I could donate maybe twenty …”

  Parker’s eyes met mine in the rearview. “No, Sky, it’s fine. One day when you’re rolling in the real estate riches you can give too. But you need that. Bella needs that.”

  I looked out the window, my eyes prickling with tears. He was right. I hated that he was right. And then I tried to get out of my own head. I was being selfish. Here he was being caring and giving, and I wanted to contribute to make myself look good. It wasn’t right. When we stopped at his dad’s office he put his emergency blinkers on and climbed out of the Jeep. I climbed out too and grabbed onto his arm before he got too far away. “I’m sorry,” I said, looking up at him.

  He smiled. “Nothing to be sorry for. I know how much it hurts to want to be able to share what you have and not be able to do it. My mom didn’t understand why I would come home with holey tennis shoes after I’d started kindergarten.”

  My eyes stung and I had to look away. “You’re incredible,” I said.

  “No. Just an average All-American guy.” He put his hand on my cheek and I shivered. “Go back in the car or we’re going to be late.” I didn’t want to go, but I did.

  Once inside, Devin turned around and nodded. “We’ve all been there, Skylar. He’s just a pure hearted man. He makes us better.”

  I smiled and scratched at my earlobe. “I’m sure he would say the same about both of you. What would the three of you be like without having the other two?” I raised my eyebrows and my eyes began to burn again. I glanced away. It made me sad to think that I couldn’t explore a relationship with any of them. I’d only known them for two weeks and I’d already started to feel like a part of their group.

  Max’s hand reached for mine. I squeezed it and held it until we got to work. I’d allowed myself the smallest comfort, but it wasn’t fair to Max or Devin or Parker to keep up a facade. Once we arrived at work, I parted ways, not waiting around for them to change and come out of the locker room. I was on stage, preparing the camera. Gwendolyn wasn’t around and the line wasn’t full like it had been. Perhaps the snow storm had scared parents away from the mall.

  “Hey, Skylar. Where have you been hiding?”

  I jumped, goosebumps rising on my arms as nasty Santa came up behind me and whispered my name.

  “Leave me alone,” I said, my jaw clenched tight. I was not in
the mood for this.

  He laughed and leaned on the table to the right of me. “I love your feistiness.” He reached out to push some hair behind my ear and I jerked back, shooting daggers at him. “Just like that,” he laughed again.

  “Touch me again and I’m going to tell Gwendolyn.”

  He smiled so wide it made my stomach churn. It was a dark smile. “Gwendolyn wouldn’t believe you. Just like she didn’t believe the other girls who complained. And she’ll fire you. Just like the others.”

  My cheeks burned. It was probably true. I set the camera on its stand and reminded myself I only had to get through four more days. Santa came up behind me, his hands caging me in as they gripped the legs of the tripod.

  “Santa will miss his favorite elf …”

  I spun around and pulled my hand back. Before it met with his face, he was jerked away from me. An angry Devin had him by the Santa suit. He threw him down onto the red carpeted stage with a growl.

  “Get your hands off of her!”

  Santa pushed to his feet, his angry face rivaling the color of his suit. He glanced from me to Devin and laughed. “You have a thing for Skylar? That’s too bad. She’s a prude, and probably a lesbian.”

  Devin’s jaw twitched and he took a swing. Santa dodged, laughing some more, his arms out to the side, his fingers wiggling, motioning to Devin he was ready to fight.

  I wasn’t sure who was going to win, but I didn’t need Devin going to jail. I ran off the stage in search of Max and Parker. I found him around the corner, behind Santa’s Village, taming the long line. Max caught me and gently pushed me back away from him so he could look at me. “Hey. What’s wrong? Your eyes look frantic.”

  “Devin … Santa … fight!”

  Parker was right behind Max. He sidestepped us and went running to Devin’s aid. Max grabbed my hand and together we joined them on the stage. Santa had Devin pinned to the ground. He was hurling insults and nasty words. I glanced behind me, mortified that people were bearing witness to this. Witness … I quickly pulled out my phone and hit the record button, aiming at nasty Santa and his raised fist. I couldn’t do much, but when the cops got there I’d have some video evidence of the brawl.