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Eight
DAKOTA
It turned out we couldn’t talk Aurelius out of pizza, but that was okay. The flatbread “pizza” that arrived was still pretty delicious, made even more delicious by the fact I’d barely eaten all day.
Together we washed it down with whatever beer the guys had in their fridge, while lounging around and talking about life in general. We’d originally planned to go out and walk the city for a while, but just as we finished dinner a tropical storm abruptly rolled in.
“Monsoon season,” Merrick grunted, peering out through a window. He glanced back at me. “You’re in for a real treat.”
I looked on, watching the shadows of the distant trees bend toward the ground. The wind was so fierce that the rain came sideways, obliterating any chance we had of leaving the house.
“Stay in I guess?” Jace had eventually offered. “Listen to Christmas songs, like we used to?”
I grinned back at him, remembering all the times we’d done that together as kids. Our parents had an extensive collection of strangely-cool Christmas music. It had become something of a tradition for Tyler and his friends to spend at least one night getting drunk on my parent’s booze, listening to Christmas carols. Usually while mom and dad were out at one of their overnight holiday excursions to Minneapolis or St. Paul.
A few hours later I was feeling no pain, and the party had moved to the living room. Aurelius and Merrick were dancing merrily to Holly Jolly Christmas, while Jace began mixing some kind of Kahlua-based cocktail I was sure would give me an instant headache.
Take it slow, Dakota.
I frowned, bitterly. The voice in the back of my head sounded more and more like my mother each day. I wanted to tell it that I was in Hawaii, and on vacation. I wanted to tell it I was having fun for once, and I had everything under control.
All of this was something I knew already, so I turned my attention to the tiny, three-foot Christmas tree centered against the wall of the living room. Brightly lit with evenly-spaced lights, it was too perfect. Too plastic.
“Who’s responsible for this?” I pointed egregiously.
“That would be me,” Aurelius grinned proudly. “You like?”
“Are you kidding? It’s a plastic tree!”
“So?”
“That’s sacrilege!” I moved closer, sniffing the air. “And what’s that weird smell?”
“Pine-scented spray,” Aurelius replied, raising his drink proudly. “It’s called ‘Just Like Christmas.’”
I wrinkled my nose. “They should call it ‘Just like Chemicals.’”
Merrick laughed, and Jace joined in too. I whirled on him, theatrically.
“How the hell could you let this happen?”
“Hey, we’re in Hawaii,” he shrugged. “Even if we went out for a real one, they don’t have the same trees we have in Minnesota. They’re all leafy and weird.”
I was busting chops of course. I could picture them huddled around this tiny perfect tree, exchanging whatever gifts military roommates might give each other at a tropical island Christmas. As totally alien and different from all the Christmases I’d spent at home, it still seemed like fun.
“You ready for tomorrow?” Jace asked, handing me something that looked like a glass of milk with chocolate streaks.
Outside the wind howled fiercely, causing the very walls to groan. Inside though, the house was calm, cozy, and toasty warm. The drink smelled creamy and wonderful, and tasted even better. I followed the first sip with an immediate second, letting the alcohol warm me from within.
“The better question is, are you ready for two days from now?” Aurelius interjected, smiling broadly.
“For the last time, she’s not going to your stupid SEALs thing,” Jace grumbled.
His goateed friend looked wounded. “And why not?”
“Because she’s here forthis,” Jace replied. “She’s here for me.”
“Yeah, quit trying to piggyback,” Merrick quipped, poking Aurelius in the ribs. “Go out and find your own best friend’s sister.”
