Page 49 of The Comeback Road
Maybe it was more than just Christmas. Perhaps it was the beginning of understanding who I was, who I could be. I placed the last dish on the counter and turned off the faucet, drying my hands as my mind swirled. Jace’s laughter mixed with Raya’s, pulling me closer to the light instead of the dark that I’d been drowning in.
I gathered the ingredients for hot chocolate—rich cocoa powder, milk, and a splash of vanilla, along with a handful of marshmallows and some butterscotch schnapps for the adults. I put the ingredients in a pot and started to stir. The sweet aroma filled the space around me, and I found myself smiling again.
Once the hot chocolate was ready, I poured the steaming liquid into mugs, topping each one with a generous heap of fluffy marshmallows, and assembled them on a tray with the butterscotch schnapps in the center. I carefully carried the tray into the living room, where everyone seemed to be making themselves comfortable.
“Hot chocolate for everyone! With a little kick for adults.” I winked over at Raya, who had Mac on his back, giving him lots of scratches while Peaches had Sweet Potato and Pie snoozing next to her on the floor by the door.
Magnolia brought her hands together, her eyes glistening in the lights of the tree. “Perfect! It’s present time!”
My good mood shifted, and my heart stuttered a bit at the mention of presents. I definitely hadn’t been prepared. In the dark corners of the past weeks, I hadn’t even thought about gifts, just making it to the next day. I couldn’t help the way my cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I glanced around the room.
“What Magnolia means is presents for Raya,” Jace said, and I realized he had made his way next to me. “Don’t worry,” he whispered in my ear, and I couldn’t help the shivers that seemed to erupt all over my body. He stepped around me as Raya was jumping up and down in excitement. “Here you go, kid. This one is from me. And Lexie’s is out in my truck. Once you finish here, we can go outside.”
I whipped my head toward him in question, and he just shrugged at me and mouthed,I got you.
Raya started tearing at the paper before Remi could interject and tossing it everywhere. Jace had gotten her a pink Polly Pocket set she was thrilled about.
Dexter, who’d been quiet the entire night, seemed to light up at Raya’s antics. And I realized it was the first Christmas in a long time that he was single and without his witch of an ex, Lydia. And I definitely didn’t miss the way he kept watching Remi out of the corner of his eye.Hm.
As Raya kept opening her gifts and cackling with glee, Sloan made a gross comment to Magnolia about how she’d get her gift later, and I wanted to gag.Gross.I told him so, and he just laughed me off, nuzzling into her neck.
Luke sat still, not engaging with anyone, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Jess just looked happy to be included, and once again, my heart went out to her.
“Are you ready to give Raya your gift?” Jace asked me, and I finally brought myself to look at him even though I had felt hiseyes on me the entire time. Jess’ words kept replaying in my head, and I couldn’t help but flush.
“Do you mind giving me a hint?” I raised my eyebrows at him.
“Nah, it’s better this way. Come on.” He held his hand out to me, and I found myself taking it.
As we corralled everyone outside—even a grumbling Luke. Jace made his way to his truck. I followed him over to it, slightly shocked when I saw blankets and pillows in the back. Confusion settled in. “Did you get kicked out or something?” I joked.
“I, uh…” Embarrassment coated his features. “No.”
“He sleeps out here,” Sloan said as he took a sip of his hot cocoa, which I was sure was cold by then.What a shit starter.
“Youwhat?Why?”
“Because you’re here,” he stated. No room for argument, just a simple fact. Before I could get my thoughts together, Jace was unloading a large box from the back. Raya was hopping up and down, squealing. It was one of those large, automatic-battery cars that was the exact replica of the pink truck I saw her carry around out the front.
“Oh my gosh, OH MY GOSH.” Raya started running around in circles. “This is the best Christmas ever!” Her happiness was infectious, and every single one of us was laughing, breathing in the moment. Even Luke smiled, while Remi had a tear in her eye.
Family.The thought rocked through me and settled in my core.This is my family.
Chapter Fifty
Lexie
Everyone started to filter out after that, the evening ending on a high note. I saw Jace slip on his coat. Even though his eyes were already trained on me and my movements, he started to make his way toward me.
“Starlight, it’s time for your present.”
“I thought you already gave me mine…The swing…it’s perfect. I haven’t had the time to thank you yet.” The swing really was perfect, like something crafted from my dreams, and I could already see the nights I would spend on it. Winter, spring, summer, and fall.
“What kind of guy would I be if I didn’t get you something to drink on the swing?” He handed me a card—aMoscato of the monthclub card—and I couldn’t help but squeal and throw my arms around him.
“How did you find this?” I asked, still not letting him go, and I felt the way his chest rumbled with laughter. I had to put some space between us so he wouldn’t feel the way my nipples pebbled at the sound.
“I have my ways, Starlight.” His voice was gruff-sounding, and I knew that he definitely didn’t miss the way my body had reacted to him. Jace looked down at me, fingers digging intomy side, almost like he was unwilling to let me go, but creating enough space to let me know the ball was entirely in my court.
