Page 22 of Decking the Halls
“Boundaries?” I laugh. More like a hiccup, really. “Like when Nick knew I liked her and went after her anyway? Like when he brought her to Christmas dinner just to rub it in my face?”
“That’s not—” Nick starts.
“December, two years ago,” I cut in. “You showed me her picture at Thanksgiving. Saw my face. Months later, you asked her out.” I meet his gaze dead-on. “Tell them that’s not true.”
Nick’s silence is all the confirmation I need.
Dad turns toward him. “You pursued a woman because your sister wanted her?”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Then whatwasit like?” I demand. “Because from where I’m standing, you saw something I wanted and had to take it. Just like always. My guitar when we were kids. My role in the high school play. My friends. Myspace.”
“You’re bringing up high school?”
“I’m establishing a pattern.” I rake a hand through my hair. “But this time, you didn’t just steal something—you broke it. You got the girl, then tossed her aside because she wasn’t shiny enough for your goddamn image.”
“She wasn’t right for me…”
“No, she’s perfect for me.” The words come out rougher than I mean them to, but I don’t care. “And now she’s mine.”
Mom’s hand flies to her chest like she’s been slapped.
“For how long?” Nick sneers. “Until you get bored? Until the next woman shows up at your shop with a sob story?”
“Forever, if she’ll have me.”
That shuts him up. The room goes still, the air heavy with disbelief. Even I can hear how much truth sits in those words. Two years of wanting her, watching her shrink under him—and now that I’ve had her, there’s no going back.
“You can’t be serious,” Mom says softly. “You’ve known her for what, two days?”
“I’ve known her our whole lives!” I remind them. “And I’ve watched her kill pieces of herself trying to be what Nick wanted. Saw the light go out of her eyes every time he corrected her. Every time he made her smaller.” I glance at him. “You had a woman who lit up a room, and you treated her like a broken light bulb.”
“I tried to help her—”
“You tried tochangeher.”
My phone buzzes on the table. It’s a text from Edie.“Parked outside your place. Your neighbors are getting a show. Changing in my car.”
My breath stutters. I can almost see her, with that red dress bunched around her waist, and heat rushes through me. I’m slightly embarrassed. I pocket the phone before anyone notices.
“I’m leaving,” I announce.
“Wren, we’re not finished,” Dad bloviates.
“I am.” I head to the door. “Nick, if you show up at my place, I’ll call the cops. Mom, Dad, I love you both, but this isn’t your fight. And if anyone else here has opinions… for the Lord’s sake, keep them to yourselves.”
“You’re really choosing her over your family?” Mom’s voice trembles, as if that were ever a cause for concern.
“I’m choosing her over Nick’s ego. There’s a difference. The rest of you can decide whether you want to be part of our lives or not.”
I’m halfway through the doorway when Nick barks at me. “She’s only with you to get back at me.”
I turn, beholding the desperation in his eyes. He really believes that, huh? “No, man. She’s with me because I see her. The real her. Not some project to be improved, but a goddess whodeserves to be worshipped.” I pause long enough for the silence to sting. “And tonight, that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“I’m honest. Something you might try sometime.”
