Page 84 of See You in Your Dreams

“There you are, sleepyhead,” Mom says with a grin. “I thought we might have to knock Patrick out if you didn’t get up soon.”

My shoulders tense as Tommy glances at me, but he just bobs his head in acknowledgment. I return the gesture in kind. I doubt we’ll ever be close, but it’s a far cry better than the open hostility between us before our talk at Thanksgiving.

I settle down beside Patrick, grabbing the nearest box. “Okay, let’s see what we’ve got.”

The rest of the morning passes in a flurry of gifts, breakfast, and clean-up, supplemented by eating way too many chocolates Mom had bought. Then, there are preparations to be done for Christmas dinner, including honey ham to cook, vegetables to cut, and more potatoes to mash. At least this time, Mom’s there to help, and to my surprise, even Tommy pitches in a bit before taking his usual spot on the couch in front of the TV.

We’re just putting the finishing touches on dinner when a loud knock comes from the door. “I’ve got it!” I call, rushing to the hall. My heartbeat quickens as I open the door onto Ash and his aunt, both bundled up in heavy coats. Ash carries a stack of packages in his arms.

“Hi, Ms. Brown,” I say, beckoning them inside. “Hi, Ash.”

“Long time no see,” he replies, smirking around the stack of packages.

“Hi, Dylan,” his aunt says, shucking her coat and hanging it on the hook beside the door. “And how many times have I told you to call me Claudette? You’re family now so far as I’m concerned.”

I flush. “Thank you…Claudette. Please, make yourselves at home. Dinner’s almost ready.”

“Let me see if there’s anything I can do to help.” She vanishes down the hall, and I hear her call out a greeting to Mom not long after. They’ve been thick as thieves ever since they found out Ash and I were dating.

As soon as we’re alone, I give Ash a quick peck on the cheek. “Here, let me help with those.”

I take a couple of the packages, and we carry them into the living room, where Patrick and Tommy are deep into aSuper Smash Bros. match. Tommy tosses his controller aside in disgust as Patrick cheers, hopping up to perform a ridiculous victory dance. His grin broadens when he sees us.

“Ash!” My heart melts as he rushes over and hugs Ash as best he can around the packages. Patrick had taken an instant liking to Ash, and we’ve spent plenty of afternoons the past month hanging out here after school, kicking a soccer ball around or playing video games.

“Hey, kid,” Ash says. He sets his bundle by the Christmas tree, and I follow suit. “These are for you and the rest of your family.”

“Sweet, more presents!”

Patrick wastes no time diving into his gift, ripping at the wrapping paper. When he reveals the new PS5 game console hidden within, his mouth falls open. “No. Way. Oh my God, this is the best gift I’ve ever gotten!” He hops up, giving Ash another quick hug before racing to the TV. “We’ve got to set it upright nowso we can play!”

I narrow my eyes at Ash, my stomach sinking. “You know that’s way too expensive for a present, right? You’re going to spoil him.”

Ash shrugs, appearing unrepentant. “It’s the Ellingtons’ money, not mine. Let them do something good with it for a change.”

Tommy grunts when he opens his own gift to reveal a fully stocked toolbox. “Not bad, Ash,” he says, bobbing his head at him. “For a…” He trails off and clears his throat. “Well. For someone I doubt knows a whole lot about tools.”

Beside me, I sense Ash tense. The smile he gives Tommy has a noticeable edge to it. “No problem, Tommy. I wouldn’t have the first clue what to do with any of those long, hard objects in there, but I’m certain you will.”

Tommy squints, a slight furrow appearing in his brow. I can practically hear the gears in his head grinding as he tries to decide whether that had been an insult or not before he offers another grunt and turns back to the toolbox.

Ash meets my eyes and gestures to another of the gifts waiting on the floor. “Aren’t you going to open yours?”

The sinking feeling in my stomach intensifies, and I bow my head. “Ash…I, uh…I couldn’t really afford anything too exciting, so…”

Ash cups my cheek, and I look up to see his soft smile. “Just open it.”

I nod and retrieve the present marked for me. I also snag the package I’d left under the tree for Ash, holding it out to him. “Here. For You.” My smile is strained. “Just don’t go expecting a new PS5 or anything.”

“I’m sure whatever you got me will be as awesome as you are.”

That bolsters my confidence a little bit, even if I still feel woefully unprepared after seeing what he’d gotten everyone else.

“You first,” I say. Better to get my subpar gift out of the way before I open his.

As if he can read my thoughts, Ash purses his lips. Still, he sits down and tears at the wrapping paper, revealing the gift inside. He stares at it for a long moment, his face unreadable.

“It’s a dreamcatcher,” I say, gut twisting at his lack of a reaction. “I didn’t see any at your aunt’s house, and I remember reading about them in that research I gave you. Native Americans believe they protect sleepers from bad dreams. The black leather reminded me of Onyx, and I thought the green beads matched your eyes.”