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As they wandered inside, Matt stepped in beside him, clapped him on the shoulder, and began catching him up on his caseload at the office.
“Thanks.” Seth tried not to sound resentful. Matt had done him one hell of a favor. Many, in fact. “I’ll head in soon to handle the paperwork and return phone calls.”
“Oh, you don’t have to. I’ve already taken care of it so you can kick back and enjoy your holiday. You know…I think I have a knack for this shit.”
It sounded like he did. Not surprising. Matt had always been both strong-willed and snoopy.
“Good for you.” The words popped out, then he winced. “I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Forcing a smile, Seth hurried up to his old bedroom, tossing his duffel on the mattress. He scrubbed a hand over his face. He’d been here three flipping minutes and already he wanted to be alone. It was going to be a long two weeks under one roof during the holidays… Not that he wasn’t happy to see his mom and his brothers, but the usual joy had been obscured by a dark cloud. How long could it possibly take to get over a woman he barely knew?
Maybe he was off-kilter for a different reason. Jet lag. Lack of sleep. Weather change. Or…being rejected by the hottest girl on the planet. He sighed. For whatever reason, his body was in New York, but his mangled heart was still in LA, bleeding and in pieces.
After he rejoined the others, they finished decorating the tree as a family, hung stockings, and sampled some of his mom’s holiday cookies. As afternoon waned into evening, they caught up over chips and beer before sitting down to a big, home-cooked dinner. The raucous mealtime was familiar, but he felt oddly removed, as if he merely watched his brothers laughing and ribbing one another from a distance.
His mother leaned over to him. “You’re quiet.”
“I’m tired.” It was true…but that wasn’t the only reason.
Tomorrow would be better, right?
Shortly after dessert, Seth bid everyone good-night, then wandered back up to his room and stretched out on his bed. Despite his exhaustion, he only managed to stare at the ceiling.
Had Heavenly been interested in Beck all along? Had she used him to make the prick jealous? No. Anger aside, she didn’t have a manipulative bone in her body. She’d simply been honest about her feelings—more honest than he could take.
With a grunt, Seth closed his eyes, resolved to get over her, then fell into a fitful sleep.
But the next day wasn’t better. He found himself measuring every hour by how long it had been since the last time he’d seen Heavenly’s face. The bigger the number, the blacker his mood got.
By evening, he’d decided that enough was enough…and went through a couple of six-packs with his brothers, laughing about old times. He was feeling all right—until he received a text from her.
I’m sorry about the other day. I upset you and I never meant to. I just talked to Raine. She said you’ve gone back to New York. I’ll miss seeing you. Happy holidays.
Translation: Sorry, but I like Beck more than you. Merry fucking Christmas.
He gripped the phone and counted to ten. But no, resentment still simmered. He had things to say, questions to ask. But none of them mattered. He refused to give her more of his energy. And no way would he wish her luck with the sadist who’d break her spirit, her body, and her heart. Seth just wished he’d been smart enough to fuck her out of his system before he left.
Instead, he replied with, It’s fine. Same to you.
Grumbling, he deleted the text, darkened his phone, and shoved it in his pocket.
Was it possible he’d misread her? He was admittedly out of practice actually getting to know a woman.
He didn’t want to care…but he couldn’t stop wondering if he would ever talk to her again. If he did, would it change anything?
Matt leaned in, his expression concerned. “You okay?”
Seth forced a smile. “Oh, don’t act concerned about me and forget to fess up about that time you put an air horn under Sister Mary Rose’s chair in Sunday school.”
The rest of his brothers howled with laughter.
Matt gave him a sly grin. “You’re just mad because you got blamed.”
That made them laugh even harder.
And thankfully no one gave his mood a second thought.
The next morning, he tried to enjoy Christmas Eve with his family. He plastered on a cheerful mask and skated through the long, frustrating day as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
The Cooper family celebrated Christmas Day with a new dusting of snow and a lavish, chaotic, all-too-familiar shit storm of crazy. Presents were waiting to be unwrapped beneath the massive tree in the living room. The fire that never went out crackled and filled the whole house with fragrant pine. Mom had cooked a huge meal. As usual, the overindulgence of feasting, family, and festivities lasted throughout the day and well into the night.
