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Twenty-Two
Christmas Eve would’ve been happier with Hallie at his side.
At his parents’ house, dinner had been fine but the conversation had felt forced. As if the couples ringing the table—every one of his brothers would happen to be in happy relationships right now, wouldn’t they?—had been trying too hard not to mention The Breakup.
Or so he’d thought.
The presents had been opened and his father was taking a bag of discarded wrapping paper to the curb while his mom swept into the bar area holding a tray of mugs filled with hot cocoa. She mentioned “homemade marshmallows” and Luke volleyed by suggesting spiking the cocoa with Bailey’s Irish Cream. Gavin opened his mouth to say “make mine a double” but before he could, a hand wrapped around his arm.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Presley’s fire-red hair matched her mood. “Come with us.”
He glanced over his shoulder to find Hannah and Cassandra standing sentinel, their unhappy expressions mirroring Presley’s.
“What’s going on?”
Pres responded by tugging on his arm. He let her drag him from the bar and into the adjoining room where they’d opened gifts. Boxes holding clothes, bath soaps, trinkets and other gifts were stacked next to everyone’s respective seats.
“What’s wrong? None of you liked the gifts I bought you?” He’d been trying for levity but was met with answering glares.
“This isn’t about gifts,” Hannah stated.
Hell, he knew that. “What did you three say to Hallie, anyway?”
The girls exchanged looks.
“She spent one evening in your company and then came to my house and dumped me on my ass.”
Hannah turned to Cassandra. “I’m not sure whether to verbally berate him or physically castrate him.” Gavin looked toward the bar. His brothers were happily pouring spirits into their cocoa and ignoring him completely. He was on his own.
“Verbally would be cleaner,” Cassandra said, her voice uncharacteristically cold.
“I’ll start.” Presley faced Gavin. “You are a moron for letting Hallie go. You are a self-centered, bullheaded pig with your head up your ass. Do you think you can actually do any better than Hallie Banks?”
“I second all of that,” Hannah said. “Wholeheartedly.”
“Especially the part about his head in his ass,” Cassandra agreed.
“Don’t blame me,” he argued. “I had fun with Hallie.” He kept his voice down so the rest of his family couldn’t hear. Another lecture from his brothers was the last thing he needed. “And I’m not only talking about sex.”
“So, you have your first argument and you let her leave?” Cassandra frowned.
“She was clear about what she wanted.”
“So were you. You want to be unattached. She was too much for you to deal with.” Hannah squared her jaw.
“Now hang on—” He held up a hand in his defense.
Presley pointed at the sofa. “Sit.”
“No, I don’t think I will.” He wasn’t positive they wouldn’t hog-tie him and do a host of other unpleasant things he’d rather not consider.
“We’ve kept quiet long enough.” This from Hannah. Presley and Cassandra shot the blonde wide-eyed warnings. Hannah rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean about that.”
“What do you all know?” he asked, his head swiveling to take in the three women content to bust his balls.
“Don’t change the subject,” Hannah snapped. “Do you want Hallie in your life or not?”
“As more than a friend?” Cassandra tacked on.
