Page 56 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Anthony held out his arms with a laugh. “The black sheep has arrived.”

“None of that, you boob.” Bradley enveloped Anthony in a tight, backslapping hug. “I miss you, kid.”

“I miss you, too.” Anthony knew he should make more effort to travel north to see Bradley and his family, especially with their mom gone.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Bradley whispered, pulling back. “Audrey insisted we come down and make an appearance but if you’re the black sheep, I’m the odd duck.”

“Maybe that’s why we get along so well.”

“Probably,” Bradley said, throwing his arm around Anthony’s shoulders. He let his brother lead him out of the entryway and into the large recessed living room where Cam, Grant, and Paul sat on a large gray sectional, hollering at the TV. Gregory Russo sat clutching a beer in an oversized recliner, his sour expression glued to the screen. His gray hair was cut short, and although his shoulders were still broad, the round paunch of a beer gut stretched the confines of his gray T-shirt. It was like walking back into one of his childhood memories, only the people were older, and the setting differed.

“Look who decided to join us?” Bradley said, shaking Anthony by the shoulders.

The four men looked his way, but only Grant got up to greet him. “Glad you changed your mind.”

“Thanks,” he said.

“Unca Antney!” a small voice screamed, followed by shoes running across wood floors. Anthony turned in time to catch his five-year-old niece as she launched herself at him.

“Whoa, lil’ bit! You almost took out your uncle’s throat,” Bradley laughed.

“She still might,” Anthony rasped as skinny arms squeezed his neck tight. “Lillianne, Unca can’t breathe.”

She loosened her hold but kept her arms around his neck. “You wanna see my new doll? She looks like me but Mama says I have to take care of her cause she is super ’spensive! She is in with Mama helping cook dinner.”

“Wow, your doll sounds awesome, Lills.”

“She is! You wanna play with her? I didn’t bring another one but Mama says—”

“Bradley, can’t you shush that girl up? We’re trying to watch the game.”

Anthony felt his niece curl into him and he splayed his hand over her protectively. “Come on, Lills, let’s go see this doll of yours.”

Lillianne buried her face in his neck and wailed as he carried her down the hall. Anthony heard Bradley snap, “Real nice, Grandpa.”

Audrey appeared in the hallway with a dark-haired toddler on her hip. Audrey was a tall, full-figured woman with curly blond hair and light brown eyes. She and Bradley had met in college and married shortly after graduation. She was an amazing woman with a kind heart. Even though they only visited a couple of times a year, Audrey had always been good to his mom, and Anthony would always adore her for that alone.

“What happened?” she asked.

“She was telling me about her new doll; some people said she was too loud.”

Audrey’s mouth pinched together. “Do you want me to take her?”

Lillianne’s arms tightened around his neck, and Anthony shook his head. “Nah, I’ve got her. Just point me in the direction of this awesome doll. I heard it can cook.”

“It’s in the kitchen. Come on.” Audrey shot a disgruntled look over Anthony’s shoulder, presumably at her husband.

“Hey, don’t look at me that way. I wasn’t the one who suggested we come.”

Audrey shook her head, leading the way into a spacious kitchen where Anthony’s brothers’ wives sat at the table, scrolling through their phones. Evelyn Russo, his father’s second wife, stood before the oven, pressing buttons. She’d put on some weight since he’d last seen her, and when she turned around and saw him, Anthony noticed her eyes were puffy, and her shoulders were stooped, as if she was carrying the weight of the world.

“Hey, Evelyn,” Anthony said.

Evelyn gave Anthony a tight smile. “Hello, Anthony. I’m glad you could make it.”

Funny, because you don’t sound glad.

“We’re looking for Lill’s doll. Have you seen it?”