Chapter 21
Christmas Eve was indeed a little strange. Davis and Luna arrived together again, but after Grant and Alex had already arrived. Alex wondered why they always traveled together if they didn’t live together, but she didn’t ask. She really liked Luna, but Davis had a great sense of humor. She could tell by the way Hudson would tense his shoulders every time Davis told a joke that he wasn’t fond of him. To her, if he had never made a move toward Reagan or hit on her or anything, she couldn’t see what Hudson didn’t like about him. He was friendly, and he liked hugs, so maybe that was all it was. He hugged Reagan when they arrived and after dinner to thank her, but he also hugged Alex. Grant had no problem with him, and nobody else seemed to, either. Maybe Hudson was the enigma in this situation, and not Grant as she originally thought.
“I think running around after a girl that’s clearly not into you is disgusting,” she overheard in low tones the one time she caught Hudson and Davis alone in the same room.
“Just because Reagan caved and agreed to date you after you followed her around like a dog doesn’t give you the right to judge me,” Davis hissed in return.
“Luna is Reagan’s best friend. You cause strife by insisting on chasing her.”
“You’re so full of shit your eyes are brown.” Davis walked out of the kitchen and came to an abrupt stop as he saw Alex in the living room.
“I won’t tell anyone,” she whispered.
He nodded and moved past her to find the others. They’d gone outside to see the neighbor’s Christmas lights. They’d strung them over their balcony and added a blow up Santa that looked like he had his pants around his ankles. Alex wasn’t interested in looking at it.
She took a deep breath and marched into the kitchen, taking the nearest dirty plate and tucking it into the dishwasher. Hudson paused in running water over a plate and stared at her.
“I know I’m the new guy, but I don’t see why you think you have the right to ostracize Davis the way you do.”
“You don’t have to listen to Reagan complain that Luna is devastated every time Davis comes on to her. You don’t see the worry in Luna’s eyes when she asks Reagan if she’s doing the right thing by remaining his friend. It would be easier overall if he left her alone.”
“But none of that is up to you. Even if Luna asks for your advice directly, it’s not your job to tell Davis what he should and shouldn’t be doing. You’re driving a wedge between him and Luna and Reagan, and it’s not helpful. The wedge between you and Davis is making it harder for Reagan to invite her friend over for fear she’s hurting you.”
Hudson looked at her for a long time. Finally, he sighed and put the plate he was still holding in the dishwasher. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Look, I’m assuming that you’re a good guy because I think Reagan is a smart, mature woman. I want Grant to have a good relationship with you, because Reagan is the most important person in the world to him, and this isn’t helping you win any points. It just gives him fodder for antagonizing you.”
He nodded, and Alex decided she’d done enough damage. She headed into the living room and watched the tree lights blink steadily. They’d chosen all white lights, and Alex admitted it looked nice. There were presents underneath it, and she wondered yet again if she should give Grant his gift at the hotel or at the house. She wasn’t sure how he felt being the center of attention, but it wasn’t incredibly personal or emotional. She couldn’t decide.
The door opened, and the others came in. Grant spotted her and came over, sitting next to her on the couch and kissing her cheek.
“Your lips are cold!”
He chuckled. “Sorry.”
“So are your hands,” she added when he picked hers up.
He chafed their hands together and smiled when she muttered about ice cubes.
“Do we want to open any gifts tonight?” Reagan asked. She darted her gaze to Hudson, who had stayed in the kitchen. She plopped down in the floor in the middle of the room.
“Maybe tomorrow morning before we eat,” Luna suggested. “Would that be okay with everyone else?”
“Yeah, then Reagan won’t have to entertain us,” Davis tacked on.
“It’s fine with me. I’ve already given Alex her gift before we came,” Grant added.
“Oh, what was it?” Reagan asked. She looked at Alex but didn’t see anything obvious.
Alex lifted the necklace she’d worn every day since he gave it to her. Reagan scooted closer and looked at it.
“Good job, Grant.”
He smiled at his baby sister. “Thanks.”
“It’s pretty,” Luna commented.
Grant was grinning ear to ear, and Alex nudged him in the side. “See, you did good.”
