Page 9 of Meeting Mr. Christmas
Fuck. Wrong move, Kent. Wrong fucking move.
“It’s floral design, not flower arranging.” Noel winced. Had that strangled squeak really been him? “Jed’s training under a world renowned floral artist.” Was that what Lucian was?
“All credit to you, Jed.” Kent held up his hands, palms out, as though sensing — and backing away from — the danger he was dancing with. Noel’s panic abated. “Just saw you more as a workshop kind of guy. Fixing engines.” Noel’s panic shot to the top of the measure and hit the bell hard.
Jed’s tiny hesitation, so small he doubted either Kent or Cora would have noticed it, rang loud and discordant in Noel’s skull.
“That’s my old man. Just shows that looks can be deceptive. We need some more of these.” Jed turned away from Kent and called over for more hot ciders.
“So what are you guys doing for the holidays?” Cora’s friendly, bubbly chat washed in like a wave to fill the silence, smiling as she looked from Noel to Kent.
Jesus, did this woman never stop grinning? Noel shot the mean spirited thought down before it could get fully airborne. Cora was warm and friendly. She was lovely. She was a ray of sunshine piercing through the gathering storm clouds. Noel could have picked her up and swung her around, as the talk turned to the holidays, and family, and what everybody’s favorite festive dish was.
“You’re coming to us, right?” Jed locked all his attention on Noel.
Noel’s heart skipped one, two, three beats, maybe more. “If you’re sure?”
Jed’s brow furrowed as his lips turned up in a lop-sided smile. It was fond, familiar, and indulgent. He leaned across thetable and gently flicked Noel’s nose, just like he’d done a million and one times before, and Noel made a show of batting his hand away, just as he’d done a million and two times, before he returned Jed’s smile.
“Come on, you know it wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t there. And there’s no way I’d let you spend it on your own. You know that.”
“You spend Christmas together?” Cora’s voice cut through, and Noel dragged his gaze from Jed’s. She was still smiling, but it was different now, too rigid, too fixed in place.
Kent wasn’t smiling at all. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be home alone for Christmas?” Kent’s question sounded more like an accusation. “I’m not seeing my folks until the new year. You can spend it with me.”
“No need, Ken. We’ve already got this covered.” Jed’s smile was as cool as his voice. He threw back the last of his hot cider.
“I’ve told you, it’sKent. With a ‘t’ on the end,” Kent gritted out.
“I’ve spent Christmas with Jed’s family for years.” The words rushed from Noel, tumbling out, one after the other. “Ever since I was a kid. Me, mom, dad, and my sister Carol. But it’s only me this year, because my parents now live in Florida. It was always a tradition we had, and now it’s only me left in the Creek I guess I’m kind of carrying it on.”
“Just one of many rock solid traditions, Kent, just one of many. That’s what comes with being best buds since we were in diapers together. How many dates did you say you and Noel have been on?”
“I didn’t.”
“This is our third.” Noel cast a glance at Kent. The third and last by the look on Kent’s face.
“The third? Hey, you’re practically engaged.”
“What’s that supposed to?—”
“Hey, Cora, I’ll walk you home.” Jed turned away, the dismissal crude as he pushed himself up from the table.
Cora’s eyes widened. “But it’s only just eight-thirty. I thought we could all go on to Randy’s — the Cowboy Combo are playing later.”
“Not for me. I’ve got an early start in the morning — all those festive table displays and bouquets won’t make themselves,” he said, throwing a glance Kent’s way.
Cora shook her head. Her smile had finally given up, her face a picture of both hurt and annoyance at Jed’s high handedness. Noel didn’t blame her one bit. This total fiasco was Jed’s fault and neither Cora nor Kent deserved to be exposed to Jed acting like a dick.
“Well, I’m sorry, Jed, but Ihaven’tgot an early start. I stopped being home by 9:00pm years ago. You go if you want to, but I’m not.”
“Cora, stay with us if Jed’s got to go.”Please stay with us…
“Thanks Noel,” she said, dredging up a smile, “but I don’t want two dates to be ruined.” Her smile disappeared as she looked squarely at Jed. Getting up, she nodded to a group of women gathered at another table. “I’m gonna join my friends. See you around, guys.”
“Hey, Cora, I said I couldn’t be too late. I’ll call you, okay?” Jed called out after her.
“Whatever.” A second later, she was gone.
