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James elbows him in his side, and Leo’s wrist gives out. He crashes onto his back, and James jumps to his feet, pumping both fists in the air.
Madison cheers. “JJ is the winner!”
Leo frowns as he stands. “That’s cheating. You should be disqualified for violence.”
James nudges him with his shoulder. “Watch your mouth, and I wouldn’t have to resort to violence.”
“Maybe you’re just worried I’m going to steal your girl.” Leo drapes his arm around me. “What do you say, Nix? I’m the younger stallion with way more stamina than this old man.”
Before James can move toward him, I twist Leo’s nipple.
“Ow! Jesus, fuck, that hurts.”
Madison giggles. “Jesus, fuck!”
“Okay, that’s enough with the cursing.” Denise lifts her daughter and hauls her out of the room like she’s carrying a football.
Jim wipes the corner of his eye as he laughs. “This is the best Christmas we’ve had in a long time.” He rests his hand on my shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Emotion settles in the pit of my stomach. “I’m glad to be here too.”
If my own family doesn’t want me around, at least this one does.
Everyone clears out of the room, but James pins me with a devilish look.
I arch an eyebrow. “What?”
He walks me back against the wall. “That makes two compromising pictures you have of me now.”
A shit-eating grin spreads across my face. “You can’t blame a girl for looking when you have a rear end like yours.”
His hands ball into fists at his sides, like he’s restraining himself from reaching out for me. “I don’t think that’s very fair.”
“I guess you don’t always get your way, Mr. Bossy Pants.” The timer beeps in the kitchen, and I pat his chest before squirming out of the way to head for the dining room.
“Presents! Presents! Presents!”
Leo lowers himself in front of the tree next to Madison and puts on a Santa hat. “Who said you’re getting presents?”
Madison rolls her eyes. “It’s Christmas. Everyone gets presents on Christmas.”
“Only the good children get presents. Haveyoubeen a good child this year?”
She purses her little lips. “Yes. And I’ve been very response-a-vull.”
Leo laughs. “Response-ible. With ab.”
James sits on the couch beside me. I smile and he gives my knee a squeeze but lets his hand rest there. Goose bumps fly up my leg, and I’m glad he can’t see them. I don’t want him to know the way every little touch affects me.
Madison tears into all of her presents within minutes, and she jumps into my arms to thank me for the dog stickers I gave her with a matching dog notepad.
James leans over and whispers, “Thank you. You didn’t have to get her anything.”
“I wanted to.”
Next, Leo sets a shallow square box in my lap. “Your turn, Nixie.”
I peel the tape on the silver wrapping paper and slide out the box from inside. I gasp when I pop open the top. “Leo, this is beautiful.” I inspect each of the charms on the silver bracelet: a dog, a book, a sneaker, and a police shield.
