Page 1 of Hensley Manor
Chapter One
“If I hearJingle Bellsone more damn time, I’m going to hurt someone,” I muttered, glaring at the approaching carolers.
Christmas was overrated. Yeah, I understood the religious part of it. But the rest? All the lights, corny music, and maxing out credit cards to buy gifts for people who’d just return them to get cash instead? Seemed stupid to me.
“Stop being a Grinch, Cole,” Lance said, shoulder-bumping me. He was my best friend—even if I wanted to throttle him sometimes. “You’re the only person I know who hates Christmas. Like, how can youhate Christmas?It’s the best time of year.”
“I don’t hate it.” I shoved my hands into my coat pockets and shivered at the nipping cold. “I just don’t see a point in it, I guess.”
Somehow, I had let Lance talk me into walking through the downtown area that evening to see the decorations. Our town went all out for Christmas each year, starting the day after Thanksgiving. Every lamppost along the street glowed with icicle lights, storefronts showcased their products with the addition of garland and fake snow, vendors shouted Happy Holidays at passers-by, and it was all just…too much.
“You want some hot chocolate?” he asked.
“No.”
“What, are you afraid the chocolatey goodness will melt the ice around your heart? Afraid it might put a little jolly into your holly?”
I stopped on the sidewalk and looked at him. “You’re so fucking weird, dude.”
“You love it.”
Rolling my eyes, I continued walking. Christmas Eve was a week away, and the weather seemed just as eager as everyone else in this damn town to jump on the winter wonderland train. The sky was clear, but snow was expected later tonight and into early tomorrow.
“Fine. Let’s get hot chocolate,” I said with a defeated sigh. “It’ll help warm me up at least.”
“There’s the spirit.” Lance grinned and led us to the café across the street.
Best Cocoa in Town!the sign in the window read with an advertisement for peppermint mocha coffee beside it.
We entered the café, and I welcomed the sudden rush of warmth. The smells of coffee beans and sweets weren’t half-bad, either. My cheeks burned from the cold. Even my hair was cold. Forks clanking against plates, scattered conversations, and the grind of a coffee machine filled the room as we walked to an empty table.
After we ordered our drinks, I sipped at mine as Lance talked about some girl he’d started seeing. Just another poor unfortunate soul to be tricked by his charm. She would be history within a week. Maybe less. He went through girls like they were candy. And Lance liked many different flavors.
“Not sure where it’ll go, but she’s really hot.” He gulped his hot chocolate and lowered the mug. Whipped cream was on his upper lip, and I did my best not to laugh. His eyes narrowed. “What?”
“Nothing.” I cleared my throat.
“What about you?” he asked before wiping at his mouth. Seeing the cream on his hand, he shook his head at me. “Asshole. Any dudes on your radar?”
I shrugged.
The sad truth was I hadn’t been laid in a while. Then again, I hadn’t really tried finding anyone. Maybe Iwasdepressed, as Lance sometimes pointed out to me. This was my least favorite time of year—not just Christmas, but holidays in general. I hated seeing all the happy families and in-love couples. The cold weather only made it even more miserable.
“You could always download a hookup app,” Lance suggested. “Say you’re looking for a Daddy to jingle your bells this holiday season.”
I snorted, nearly choking on my hot chocolate. “No thanks.”
“You need to spice up your life, Cole. I mean it. Do something spontaneous.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Have wild sex with a stranger. Dress like a fuckboy and hit the club. Maybe take a trip somewhere far away. Just do something other than sitting in your apartment and sulking. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Unlikely.
I gazed out the window and watched a family pass by on the sidewalk, all of them bundled up and smiling. A little boy pointed at a mechanical Santa Claus that moved in the window of an antiques store.
“Are you done looking at shit, or can we go?” I asked, ready to be back at home and away from all the holiday cheer. Just had to hold on for another two weeks then this Christmas shit would be over.
