Page 12 of Mr. Winter
She pulls me into a hug but uses the opportunity to pinch the hell out of me.
What is my draw to abusive women?
“I’m taking a dollar off your bonus,” I threaten.
She pinches me four more times. “That last one was for Arden. She was ready to fight you.”
I laugh at the reminder. Lara is the only one I’ve really spoken to since returning. Part of me feels she had something going on with my grandfather, but I have no proof.
“I felt it.” Sobering, I expand on my issue. “I just took over. I cannot have the kind of distractions she’s capable of providing.”
“Honey, your grandfather found balance. You will, too. How else will you have heirs?” She taps her temple before she disappears. I see I didn’t have to convince her too many times to go on vacation.
Once the last employee leaves, I take a deep breath. This is my first time alone. They do not bother me much, but I’m always aware that they’re there. My walks around town tell me Papa would’ve been proud that their Christmas spirit remained, but I can’t get myself to be okay with the reminders around the house. It’s already hard enough living here.
Every day I stare out into the yard where he played with me while teaching me how to use my powers. We started simple with snowball fights or building snowmen; it’s some of my best memories and the most painful. I feel the tears threatening, but I freeze them. I close my eyes to attempt to quell the turmoil within, but the memories are too much. Cupping my head, I release a growl, but I know what I’ve done before I open my eyes.
Deacon shortly confirms it. “Good job, asshole. You froze everything.”
Chapter 6
Arden
“Holy crap! My nuts are freezing!”
Mack opens the door for me to allow me to scurry into the department store. The freak cold front found me unprepared for the drop in temperature.
“You don’t have nuts, dumbass,” He mumbles as he pulls up his list on his phone. “After we get you some winter clothes, it looks like there are about five things we can accomplish for our part in this wedding.”
I hold up my finger to shoosh him.“Weare not doing a damn thing until I get a hot, holiday beverage and maybe a warm pretzel.”
He scoffs and pulls me toward the food court. “Bring your greedy ass on. I swear when you find a man, he’s going to have one hell of a grocery bill.”
“Look who’s talking Mr. 'Both of These Burgers Are Mine.'”
Mack takes off his Stetson and swats me with it. “I’m a big man. I need big man meals. You’re like five-six at best. The food has nowhere to go but your ass.”
“And yours is about to get beat.” My threat didn’t have enough heat because my favorite cousin is video calling. “Kerri-berry! What the fuck is up?”
She scoffs and shakes her head. “Arden, language.”
If people think I’m particular, they need to meet my cousin. Kerri is always the voice of reason and decorum like a little mother in your pocket.
“You should try it, Kerri. Even magazine CEOs need to let loose. It’s not too late to come for Christmas. You’d love it.”
She’s never been to Fairhope. First, she’d gone far too long without obtaining a passport and now one of her best friends, Heaven, has her running her magazine.
“Maybe next year. I do have a passport now. What are you doing?”
Her question is barely out of her mouth when Mack leans his big ass head over to be seen on the screen. Her surprise makes me realize they’ve never really met. We find a table, and I scoot in close to my asshole sidekick.
“Maverick Hirschel Fairhope, this is my cousin Kerri Josephine Hinsen. I thought y’all would’ve met before now. Mack, she’s such a sweetheart, she makes me look like a wild child.”
“You are a wild child, Ardi B. Nice to meetcha.”
Kerri stares at Mack for a beat. “You have a southern accent in a different country,” she whispers in awe.
“Yes, Ma’am. We were founded by southerners. Where are you?”
