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“I didn’t see a rule that states I can’t.” Grace shrugs, still working away with her back to me.
I reach over and snatch the M&M’s off her roof and she smacks my hand. “Those are my shingles.”
Ignoring her protest I then pull off the Starburst chimney and toss the candies in my mouth.
“Will you control your husband?” She asks Gretchen and my wife rolls her eyes.
“I think we all know that’s never gonna happen, he’s a neanderthal with no manners.”
“Awe, babe, thank you,” I offer her a kiss and she swats me away.
“She loves me,” I state stealing the chocolate drops along the front of Grace's house.
“I swear I am going to tie you to my bumper by your feet and drag you through town if you don’t stop eating my house.”
I arch a brow. Grace opens her mouth to say more and then she closes it as she lets the words she spoke roll around in her head. I watch and wait, knowing it's coming. It’s how every single year has gone before.
“That’s it,” She stands and plucks off the top of her house, “I’m out.” She marches out of the room chomping on her roof and I smile triumphantly. Now that Grace is out, the rest of the competition is harmless. They will all fold, one by one they will drop off and I will be left the victor.
I watch as the room starts to filter out, each person walking off finding something else to do as they leave behind their unfinished gingerbread house. I stand with pride as I look at mine, still not fully completed but enough to win compared to everyone else’s.
I peek over as Gretchen who is watching me like I’ve got two heads.
“I told you I’d win again babe.”
“You didn’t win.”
“Oh my sweet sweet girl,” I turn around and place one hand on each side of her, leaning in and kissing the tip of her nose. “I conquered and destroyed.”
She smiles and I expect her to congratulate me or even tell me I'm the king, because well, I am. But what she does say surprises the hell out of me.
“I hate to tell you almighty God, but Julian kicked your ass.”
Wrinkling my brows, I stare at her, and she points over her left shoulder. That’s when I see it. It's the first time I’ve noticed him tucked back in the corner with his earbuds in his ears.
The guy is so focused that he doesn’t even realize everyone is gone but us. But what amazes me more is the master piece before him. His shingles look like real shingles, all etches and cracked, and the windows I lean in closer. Are those Christmas lights draped above?
“Dude,” I push his shoulder and he looks up, pulling out the ear bud. “What the hell?”
Julian glances around and seemingly appears confused. “Is the contest over?”
I glare at him;he wrinkles his forehead and stares right back and for the first time I do something I’ve never done. I throw my hands up in the air and walk out of the room, only to find everyone in the next room laughing as I enter.
“How’s it feel to get your ass kicked by the rookie? “Rhett leans back and props his feet up on the coffee table.
“You were all in on this?”
“You cheat every single year,” Grace adds. “It was our job to distract you and I say we conquered that quest.” Then she lifts her fist and Terrance fist bumps her.
“Traitors,” I say pointing around at all of them. “You’re all traitors.”
fourteen
Gretchen
“How in thehell do I manage to get myself into these messes, every year?” I stand in front of the mirror and look at myself. Last year it was a freaking reindeer, this year an elf. The pointy ears, the hat and shoes with the bells, oh and the striped socks up to my thighs.
I look ridiculous.
