AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Have you talked to Brooklyn lately?” Ali asks.
“This morning, why?”
“I was just wondering.”
“Mm-hm.”
“She might make an appearance at Jack’s,” Ali offers.
Is it too late to change my mind? I shrug off Ali’s observation. “She hasn’t mentioned anything about it to me. I think she has other plans.”
“Well, you would know better than me.”
One. Two. Three. Do not throttle your best friend, Carter. I know Ali means well. She’s gotten it into her head that there is some hope for Brooklyn and me to “hook up.” She actually used those words the other day.“You seem to have a lot of impromptu sleepovers with Ms. Brady. You two might just hook up one of these late nights.”I don’t want to“hook up” with Brooklyn. That would be the ultimate disaster. Friends with benefits only works when falling in love with said friend is absent the equation. No, thank you. “Don’t start, Ali,” I warn her.
“Me? Carter, I would never try to start something we both know you’re way too chicken shit to finish.”
Ali is nothing if not determined. “Maybe you can find something to start and finish at Dixon’s this year.”
“If Santa gets my letter in time,” she replies seriously.
You know, I believe she wrote that letter. “I hope you already mailed it.”
“I did. Last Wednesday.”
I laugh. “I believe it.”
***
December 23rd
“Glad you decided to have Festivus with the rest of us!”
As lame as Dixon’s greeting may be, I can’t help but laugh. “I wouldn’t miss it.” Mainly because Ali wouldn’t let me, but I leave that part out.
Dixon holds up the bottle of Jameson I brought. “And thank you for this.”
“It’s what I bring.”
“And it’s why you’re invited.”
I laugh again. “I appreciate the honesty.”
“That’s what friends are for—or maybe it’s the alcohol.”
“Is there a difference?”
Dixon is about to reply when he’s pulled away. “Sorry—”
“You are the Master of Ceremonies,” I call after him.
“Indeed!”
“And he’s off,” a voice says from behind me.
I turn to find a pair of mirthful hazel eyes smiling at me. Brooklyn leans in and places a kiss on my cheek. “Merry Christmas, Carter.”
“I didn’t think you’d be here,” I tell her. “I thought you were headed to New Haven tomorrow.”
