Page 49 of Unveiled Wishes

“What do you mean, Wreck made it?” Pretty moved his plate towards the middle of the table and stared at the top of Thunder’s head until it became uncomfortable for the rest of us.

Thunder eventually felt the uneasiness floating around and explained. “Liz sat in the kitchen and supervised, and Wreck made it.” Thunder continued to eat the brisket, but I snuck a look at Pretty. He looked like he was going to hyperventilate. His forehead was shiny, and his chest looked like it was working double time.

Pretty stood from the table and ran. I watched as Wreck walked into the kitchen after him. I wanted to help fix whatever was going on, but it wasn’t my place.

Sabre’s hand wrapped around my thigh underneath the table. “Don’t meddle. It’s going to get worse before it ever gets better.”

Chapter 19

Christmas Eve Dinner, Part Deux

Grace

The dishes were done, and the main room’s atmosphere was festive as I walked back in. The jokes were flowing, and the kids were playing quietly on the floor. As I scanned the crowd, my eyes landed on Meredith. I did a double take, surprised to see her curled up beside Grizz, their heads close as they whispered to each other. My heart swelled with hope, making a quick Christmas wish it would last.

I moved on, scanning the room for Sabre. I found him sitting on one couch, cradling JR as he fed him his Christmas bottle. JR’s eyelids were growing heavy, and it wouldn’t be long before he drifted off to sleep, though I wasn’t sure how long it would last with all the commotion in the main room.

“Thank you,” Sabre murmured as I settled beside him. “This has been one of the better Christmases I can remember here.”

I smiled warmly at him, opening my mouth to respond, but a loud, “Ho, ho, ho!” interrupted me. Everyone turned towards the back staircase. The adults weren’t sure what was about tohappen, but the kids jumped up and down with excitement. “Ho, ho, ho,” the booming voice rang out again.

I flashed a smile at Sabre before turning to look at the back staircase with everyone else.

“Ho, ho, ho!” Santa walked out from one of the back rooms.

The kids were hysterical. “Santa! Santa!” they called out as they jumped around excitedly.

Thunder had been the perfect choice to ask. He walked around and spoke a few words to each child, asking them if they had made the nice list and how school was. When he approached Bear, he asked her if she’d been good this year. “You know I am always naughty,” she retorted, and the room filled with laughter.

Thunder worked the room until he landed in front of my aunt. Slate was sitting at the bar behind her, and my father was right next to her.

“Have you been a good girl?” he asked her, getting down on one knee so that they were eye level.

“I think…so,” she said. I watched her closely, trying to gauge whether she was frightened or simply overwhelmed by the attention.

“Well, you should be a bad girl, and sit on Santa’s lap later.” He stood and moved on, leaving my aunt speechless. Thunder had just staked his claim in the middle of the main room. “I have some elves with me to pass out the gifts,” Santa boomed. Everyone’s heads instantly shot to look at the back staircase, waiting for the next surprise.

“You didn’t,” Sabre whispered in my ear. I had done this for him and the other brothers who had been around long enough to remember Christmas pasts.

“You know I did.” I leaned over and lightly pecked his lips.

“Santa’s little elves are here,” Pretty called out as he walked into the room, wiggling his feet so that the bells on the toeswould jingle. He had on a green elf costume, complete with hat and tights.

“You’re not little,” one of the club girls called out.

“Thank you, thank you, I’ll be here every night,” he said like he was a comedian on stage. “Santa, you need to put her on the naughty list.” He paused. “On second thought, she might like that.”

There was a chuckle that floated through the room.

“I need help from my other elves,” he called behind him.

Berry, Pint, and Twig all walked out, dressed in the same costume, including the tights. The room exploded with laughter. The three of them were physically the biggest men in the club. As long as they hadn’t cared, I thought it would be hilarious to see them dressed as elves. When Pretty had asked, they’d agreed instantly. I hadn’t needed to bribe them.

“Come on, elves. We have to distribute the stockings. Right, Santa?” Pretty called out.

“Skip the naughty ones,” Santa replied.

“That’s the entire room,” someone called out.

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