“Jesus.” Josh drags a hand down his rough jaw. “You Brits argue like you’re auditioning for a period drama.”
“What’s a period drama?” Franks asks, setting off a chorus of laughter. “What did I say?”
“Enough, I’m Jesse Ward,” Jesse bellows.
“We know.” I slam my head back down on the pillow. “You mention it every eight seconds.”
“I hate Christmas,” Theo whispers, his back now against the wall.
“You hate joy,” Ty mutters.
Theo turns his head inch by inch slowly until his dangerous gaze is holding Ty in place. “Say that again.”
“See that?” Ty asks, pointing at Theo. “That’s passion.”
“You’re exhausting,” Luke breathes.
“I’m charming, that’s what I am.” Ty lifts my feet and sits himself down. “Want a foot massage?”
“No.” I withdraw and sit up.
“Tree’s leaning,” Ryan announces, redirecting everyone back to my Christmas tree.
Danny hums. “Like Becker’s moral compass.”
“And Josh’s career before the princess,” Brad adds on a chuckle.
Josh gasps dramatically, like the actor he is. “That wasonescandal.”
Becker’s back on the ladder. “While you’re all bickering, I’ll take the top.” He freezes when James appears behind him, looking menacing. Bored. “Do you teleport?” Becker asks.
“Get down from the ladder, white-collar boy.”
Danny’s drink stills at his lips. “I’d listen. It’s been a while since he’s let off some steam, if you know what I mean.”
“Had sex?”
“Cut someone up.”
Becker recoils so hard, he nearly topples off the ladder.
“Alright,” I say, jumping up from the couch. I can’t take anymore. “Decision made.” I go to the tree and point to the top. “The top goes to . . .”
There’s silence. Expectation. Egos are trembling.
Every man is looking at me.
“. . . none of you.”
There’s collective outrage.
“You’re joking?” Jesse laughs, again, not in humour.
“I’m not joking,” I assure him. Shoulders back, chin high, I point to the door. “Now, if you don’t mind, my husband will be home from work any minute and you can’t be here when he arrives.”
“Oh, the real-life man,” Brad muses. “The poor, deluded fuck who thinks we’re all based on him?”
I blink my surprise, and Frank blows out his cheeks. “I may be from two-hundred years ago, but I do know what a fuck-up is, and you, my friend, in my humble opinion, and I’m sure that of the others also, just made a very sizable fuck-up.”
