“Damn.” He put her hand over his crotch and groaned when she squeezed. “I’ll wait I guess.”
“Wait for me,” she said with a smile in her eyes. Finally. His Piper had returned.
“I will.” For as long as it takes.
She stared into his gaze, her smile fading. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings by staying away.”
“I’m sorry I pressured you by telling you I love you.” He had to say it again. “But I do love you. And I always will. No matter what. Friends, lovers. I’m yours.”
“How can you say that, though?” She looked ready to run again, and he sighed.
“I’m not wrong for my feelings, Piper. And you’re not wrong for yours.” He smiled. “This holiday is about family and togetherness. There’s nowhere I’d rather be. That’s what you need to think about. Okay? Just enjoy all of us being here. No pressure to feel anything but happy for the holidays.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m sorry. I—”
“Stop being stupid,” he said.
She glared. “You know, you might be hot stuff and a wonder at gift giving, but you’re a huge pain too.”
“There we go. That’s the Piper I know and like.” He smirked at her.
She snorted as she turned and left the room. “Compose yourself, Weston. Then come on out so I can gush about how much I love my flowers and candy.”
He rejoined the group, once again in control of himself. Piper had changed and offered to make dinner, but a smart Jenna had already fixed them meatloaf and salad.
The four of them ate and laughed and ate some more. Then they continued decorating, going through yet another box of family pictures and holiday treasures.
“Are you sure your mom isn’t going to care that we decorated for her?” Simon asked Jenna.
“Who cares?” Piper shoved up her sleeves. “The Masons are out chilling in wine country and Disneyland while we’re here working and taking tests and winning championships.”
Grant grinned. “No kidding. You guys won State?” he asked Simon.
“Sure did.” Simon pumped his fist. “It was awesome. We won by a field goal, and I ran two touchdowns.”
“Amazing. Even for a footballer.”
“Ha ha.” Simon laughed. “You should have seen Mitch. He was hoarse by the end of the game. Deacon too.”
“And me,” Jenna said proudly. “After I took my test, of course, I hustled to the game and cheered on this slowpoke.”
Simon flushed. “Aw, she was so cute screaming at me to get off my sorry butt when a guy three times my size tackled me.”
“Ouch. And this is why I play baseball.” Grant laughed. “The only guy I worry about is the pitcher. He once nailed me in the head, and even with the mask on, I was woozy after the hit. But no way would I want to be smacked by those three hundred pound linemen.”
“Simon won the game, and Jenna finally got her SATs out of the way. No wonder you two look so relaxed.” Piper dusted a side table and put out a ceramic Santa holding a picture frame of Jenna and her family from years ago.
Piper gasped. “Oh my gosh. Look at Jared’s hair.”
“Is that a mullet?” Grant asked, which caused Simon to sputter and cough up popcorn.
“I want to see.” Jenna giggled. “Wow, it looks bad. Mom’s hair isn’t much better. I like it longer. But I’m still cute.”
“Of course you are.” Piper snorted.
“She’s a lot like you, you know,” Grant murmured.
Simon snorted. “Ha. You were cute, Jenna, even with those buck teeth.”
