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“I told you I’d take this shift.”
“It’s okay. I was just going to watch Hallmark Christmas movies and search online for new sparkly derby shorts. I can do it a different day.”
Ten
Knight
Wendyagreestomeetus at the house. I’m tossing dirty laundry into the washing machine while Axel cleans the bathroom and Nova tackles the kitchen. We want to make a good impression when she gets here.
Santa, aka Mammoth, let us know that Wendy was taking a shift unexpectedly today and we rushed to meet her, not thinking ahead to what would happen if she accepted our offer to come back to our house.
She’s so cautious right now, insisted on driving herself. She wants a way out. I can’t falter for being hesitant about getting trapped. She’s been trapped for way too long.
The doorbell ringing is a straight shot to my heart. How can we make so much mess?
“I wasn’t sure if she was going to show,” Axel says, “I thought she might’ve agreed just to get rid of us.”
We help her with her coat and sit casually around the living room. It’s anything but casual. We had to promise each other not to fight to sit next to her. Give her space. She chooses a spot on the couch.
She must have gone home and changed because she’s not wearing the Santa’s helper costume from the mall. The red and white striped stockings had me wanting to lick her like a piece of candy. That hasn’t changed.
She switched to pink sweats and a T-shirt. She looks comfortable. That’s how she should be. In fact, it makes the moment homey. Perfect.
“Did you bring a bag?” I ask, “You know, in case you decide to stay for the night.”
“Mi cama es su cama.” Nova grins.
“It’smi casa es su casa, amigo,” Axel corrects.
“I meant what I said. Cama’s bed in Spanish. You’ve got a place to sleep, or whatever. I’d like another chance to prove myself.”
She lowers her face and tucks her hair behind her ear. “I’m sure you will. We can learn together.”
This opens the conversation for what I’ve been wondering, and also a chance to razz Nova. “I’m happy to play the role of teacher. First of all, Nova, you’re supposed to comeafteryou put your dick in her.”
“Fuck off, Knight. How about we start with a lesson about not judging each other? Tell us what you want to learn, Wendy,” Nova gives me an understanding smile.
“Dad didn’t let me date, so I’ve only stolen a few kisses. Then the heathen, because I refuse to sayhisname, first expressed an interest in me on my seventeenth birthday. At first, it was a badge of honor to have an older guy want me. I thought I was special. So naive. Now I know it’s all a farce. I’m not special. I was a contract. So, basically, I need to learn everything.”
“Whoa.” I jump up, walk over to her, and drop to my knees. I take her hands from where she shoved them between her thighs. I hold them gently. “You are special. He’s just a fucking idiot. And our Dad, he’s power hungry. He always has been. It’s why the three of us started our own accounting firm. We didn’t want our legacy, if we even have one, to be tied to him. We wanted it to be somethingwemade.”
Axel cuts in. “Sorry we didn’t think about you, sis, that he would leverage you like this.”
I tread lightly, “Believe it or not, something seemed off and I was going to object to your wedding in that ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’ moment. But you beat me to it. You didn’t need a hero.” I take a breath. “I hope you want one, though.”
“A hero… You were going to object?”
Axel says, “You wouldn’t have done that. You’re bullshitting.”
Nova rubs his hands over his face. This is bound to dredge up discomfort.
“Check the inside pocket of my tux jacket.”
“What’s in it?” Wendy asks.
I lead her to my closet and point to the tux.
She side-eyes me then reaches inside. Retrieving the two pieces of paper, she holds them side by side and reads the fortune:Claim your destiny with your heart, and the important things will fall into place.
