Page 41 of Amy's Santa

He’s misunderstood. “Drew, if we walk in together, what will people think? We agreed we’d give it a month before making a commitment. Everyone will get the wrong idea. I don’t want to make it difficult for you.”

“You think I give a fuck?” he rasps. “You and I are together, and I’ve no fuckin’ doubt we’ll stay that way. If it doesn’t work out, well, I won’t be the first man jilted.”

“You jilt people at the altar,” I say with a small laugh.

“Oh, I’ll get you to the altar sooner or later.” Drew sounds solemn. “You’ll be my ol’ ladyandmy wife.” His tone lightens as he adds, “Going to tie you to me in every fuckin’ way that I can.”

I cover my mouth with my hand, then manage to get out, “Is that a proposal?”

“Nah,” he sounds serious again. “That will come at the end of the month. Then you can start planning our wedding.”

I stand open mouthed. He wants everything. I remember the first time I said I’d marry him, I’d been about six. He’d laughed. When I’d repeated it a few years later, he’d looked awkward. Now that everything I wanted since I was young is being handed to me on a platter, I’m beginning to think he’s right. At the end of the month I’ll be able to commit to him completely. I can’t now. I need time to get my head around the whirlwind changes. Time to think when I’m not under pressure to make a decision.

“Come on then.” Again, he holds out his hand.

This time I take it, but resist his little tug to get me moving. “What are people going to think, Drew? One minute I was with Xander, and now…”

“I don’t give a fuck, and you shouldn’t either. You and me, babe, that’s all that matters.”

I stare at him for a moment, then realise he’s right. We shouldn’t need to sneak around hiding our relationship. I’m the girl who walked into kink clubs alone, I can walk into a clubhouse full of my family with my man by my side.My man?Jeez, he’s already got me thinking that way.

It’s not as if we have to rub people’s noses in it. All we need to show publicly is that our friendship has been rekindled. Take things slow. Then, at the end of the month, it won’t come as a shock to anyone. Me sitting beside Drew during Christmas dinner shouldn’t raise any eyebrows at all. I did it enough when I was a kid. Me sleeping in his room? Again, I can slip down to his discreetly when everyone thinks I’ve gone back to my own suite.

This time his pressure gets me putting one foot in front of the other.

The walk down to the clubhouse only takes a few minutes. Drew stops me outside and chuckles. “Sounds like Peg’s got control of the music again.”

I smile back as I hear strains of Wizard’sI Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Daybellowing out. Then I start giggling.

When Drew looks at me as if I’ve gone mad, I point out the coincidence. “You do realise this is your song, don’t you? It sounds like they’re expecting you to make an entrance.”

“Apt,” he agrees, smirking. “Now, come on.”

He opens the door to the clubhouse, and then guides me through with his hand at the small of my back, a tactile comfort which no one else can see.That’s right, be inconspicuous, let them get used to the fact we’re friends once again.

But it seems Drew has different ideas. As soon as we’re inside, he pulls me against him, my back against his front and holds me tight to him, in a sign no one can interpret incorrectly.

Dad gets to his feet and comes across, looking behind us. His eyes narrow. “Where’s Xander?”

“Gone,” Drew answers for me.

“What the fuck is this Wizard?” I notice Dad doesn’t respect him with his title.

Drew holds me tighter and replies, “This is me doing what’s right. What’s always been in the cards. Me and Amy, together.”

Dad’s eyes now find mine. He’s searching my face, trying to read my expression. Then he says sternly, “You alright with this, Amy? Is this what you want? Because if it’s not, don’t fuckin’ care if he’s the Prez, he’s going six foot under.”

My eyes widen as I see his hand rest on the butt of his gun.He wouldn’t shoot him, would he?Drew hasn’t tensed, as if he’s unconcerned with a threat issued by one of his members, but while it might not be to the death, I don’t want a fight between Drew and my dad. I swallow fast and realise much as I wanted not to immediately go public, to avoid bloodshed at Christmas, I have to admit the truth.

“I’ve wanted it forever, Dad.”

“Wizard’s the reason you fuckin’ left in the first place.” He rakes his hands through his hair.

I gasp.Had I been that transparent?“But it was right, Dad. I was too young, and Drew put the club first. You should understand that.”

I notice the room’s gone quiet, and even the music has been turned down. I view everyone looking on, the main expressions are bemusement and surprise—it’s not an everyday occurrence that the prez takes an old lady. Even more not so, that said old lady’s dad threatens his president.

Dad’s moved his gaze to the man behind me. “You’re serious, Wizard? Have you thought about this?”

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