Page 1 of Merry Mayhem
CHAPTER 1
THEA
“Areyousureyou don’t want me to take your shift tonight?” I ask my sister for the second time.
Violet shakes her head. “No. I’m fine. No big deal. I knew he’d be home for the holidays.”
Yes, of course, her ex is home for Christmas. His parents, grandparents, and two sisters live here.
“But Ashley’s with him,” I say.
I’d seen Scumbag Sam and his new girlfriend earlier at the grocery store. I’d been chatting with Brian Watkins about his elbow surgery, so I couldn’t flip Sam off, or turn my back on him, or even duck behind the display of pie filling to avoid him. Unfortunately, as the physical therapist in town—a healthcare provider and business owner—I have to act professionally and maturely, at least in public.
So, when Sam said, “Hey, Thea,” I had to smile and say, “Hi, Sam.” I had to be friendly and pleasant to the asshole who had broken my sister’s heart. The same asshole who made her quit the job where they’d worked together, and move out of the apartment they’d shared, which is why, ten months later, she’s still back home, working for our grandpa.
“I figured he would be,” Violet says. “But I’m fine to work. Everything is fine.”
I look around Perks and Rec, our grandfather’s coffee shop/bar/café. It’s busy right now due to the dinner rush, which will keep her distracted, but it will clear out quickly after everyone has eaten.
Merry Mayhem, the town’s annual Christmas celebration, starts the day after tomorrow, and people will head home to get ready.
Yes, Merry Mayhem requires days of preparation. Weeks, even. And not just by the town’s Parks and Recreation department, which is solely responsible for the various events and decorations around town, but foreveryone. Because everyone in town participates. Everyone.
And then they’ll all do it again for Valentine’s Day. And then for St. Patrick’s Day. And then…
I love my hometown.
I really do.
But it’s exhausting at times.
Like now.
Not only is Merry Mayhem only a couple of days away, but my sister is having a personal crisis in the middle of it—actuallybecauseof it—and I just really want to put on pajamas, pop some popcorn, and put in afunnyChristmas movie. Nothing with tears. Nothing likeThe Family Stone.I love that freaking movie, but I don’t want to cry. I’m too tired to cry. I want to laugh. We’re talkingChristmas VacationorElfhere.
But I won’t. At least not until I know for sure Violet is okay.
“Okay, what can we do?” I ask, looking from Violet, who is bartending and waiting tables, to my cousin, Nora, and best friend, Anderson.
Nora is practically bouncing on her stool. Getting her to sit still this long is a miracle, honestly. It’s a testament to howmuch she loves Violet. Nora is the head of Parks and Rec, and Merry Mayhem not only falls under her purview but also her invention. She is dying to wrap something in twinkle lights or stick more paper snowflakes somewhere. Though I can’t imagine she’s missed a single surface.
Anderson is the one I should focus on. She’s the most likely of us to come up with a way to really torture Violet’s exandto make it look like an accident. Or, better yet, make it look like his new girlfriend’s fault. Andi has a mean streak, but only when it comes to men andalmostonly when it comes to scumbag men.
“Nothing,” Violet says, waving her hand as if brushing a fly away. “It’s fine.”
That’s the fourth ‘fine’ I’ve gotten.
“Violet,” Nora says gently, taking Violet’s hand. “Sam told me they’re signing up for Merry Mayhem.” She says it carefully, as if preparing for Violet to freak out.
That’s exactly what we’re expecting.
Violet does take a deep breath, but then she nods. “I expected that, too.”
“You did?” I frown and look at Nora, then Andi.
“You’re shocked?” Andi asks me.
Sam and Violet were together forfour years.I thought I knew him well, too. “I honestly didn’t think he’d be a big enough asshole to sign up for Mayhem without Violet thefirstyear he’s back.”
