was so much bigger than the last time I saw him just a few weeks ago.
“Merry Christmas, baby Alex.” I cooed to him, and he grabbed a hold of my finger. He was so sweet and handsome. He looked so much like Jackson, with a little touch of Chloe.
A knock echoed over the living room. Cooper swooped in and grabbed Alex from my arms, so I greeted our guest.
Dominic.
Shit!
“Merry Christmas,” Dominic said.
“Um, Merry Christmas. What are you doing here?” I asked. I didn’t need there to be a fight on Christmas.
“I just wanted to stop by and say thanks.” He ran his hand over his jaw.
Huh? “What are you talking about? Look, Hunter is going to be here any minute and I don’t want there to be another fight.”
Cooper came up behind me. “What the fuck are you doing here? Did you not learn your damn lesson over Thanksgiving?”
“I’m not here to start any shit, Cooper. I came by to let your sister know that Brittany isn’t pregnant. She lied about the whole damn thing.”
Wow, I’m not really surprised by this. Brittany was the type who seemed like she always needed attention. I’m glad for Dominic that this wasn’t true but it wouldn’t change my feelings for him.
“That’s good and it explains why she was at the bar the other night with Logan.”
“She was at the bar with Logan? You sure?” Dominic asked.
Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. “Yeah. Look, you really should leave before Hunter shows. I’m glad you got an extra Christmas present this year.”
I shut the door and spun to face Cooper. “Not a word that he was here, got it?”
“Whatever.” Cooper snorted, stalking off towards the kitchen.
Hailey was helping my Mom and Chloe make breakfast.
“Merry Christmas, Hails.” I kissed her cheek.
“Get off my girl,” Mason said, sneaking up on me.
“Your girl? I think she was mine first.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Kenz. What are you doing for New Year’s?”
Shit! “Umm, I don’t have any plans just yet; maybe hang out. ”
“Maybe we should invite everyone over here and have a party. I don’t really feel like going out anywhere.”
Hailey didn’t look up from her pancake batter mixture.
”Yeah. Maybe.”
Hunter, Mrs. McCormick, and Jaylinn eventually visited, armed with gifts.
Alone in the pantry, Hunter wrapped his arms around me. “Merry Christmas, CC.”
“Merry Christmas.” Turning around in his arms, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. He grabbed the back of my head with one hand and let his other slide down my sides and around my waist to caress my ass. His tongue brushed my lips, wanting access into my mouth.
“What the fuck!” Mason yelled.
Hunter and I broke apart but Hunter grabbed my hand, started pulling me back in the kitchen, towards Mason. Mason stopped us from passing.
“I told you to leave my sister alone, dude.” Mason gritted through his teeth.
Hailey came up behind Mason and tried to grab his hand, but he moved his hand away from hers. Looking at me with his jaw set, he was waiting for one of us to answer him.
No one said anything. It was Christmas. I didn’t want there to be a fight. Hailey walked away. Jackson came up behind Mason and put his hands on Mason’s shoulders, pulling him backwards. Hunter and I walked out to the dining room, still hand in hand.
Mason walked out a few minutes later and took a seat next to me but didn’t say a word. Hailey gave me a sympathetic smile. Even with everyone seated around the table, you could still feel the tension in the air. Cooper was doing his best to make everyone laugh as he normally did, but not this time.
I couldn’t finish my breakfast. I dumped my plate in the sink and snuck outside for some air. Chloe followed close behind.
“You ok?” She asked, zipping up her jacket.
“Kind of. I just wish Mase didn’t have such a problem with Hunter and me. I don’t have a problem with him dating Hailey.”
“He’s protecting you; you know how they are.”
“Am I supposed to just stay single the rest of my life?” I gripped the railing a little harder, trying to keep myself calm. This was why I didn’t want to go to school with them; I needed to live my life, away from my brothers who always felt the need to interfere with everything I did.
“They’ll get over it. You’re smart enough to make smart decisions; they just have to trust you and let you