“Hey.” My brother, Gabe, sits next to me.
“What’s up?” I’m nursing a whiskey by my parents’ fireplace in the living room.
“Mom told me you’re going to your girlfriend’s house after dinner?”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah.”
“I thought she was confused since I didn’t know you even had a girlfriend.”
“Well, we haven’t talked in a bit.”
“Who is she?”
“It’s complicated.” I give the warning before he lectures me. I may be older, but Gabe has always been the level-headed brother.
“Good thing I have a full glass.” He holds up his whiskey.
I give him the short version, mentioning my harboring crush for Bri, Josh’s death, and her mourning process. Somehow, I fit into all of that.
“Are you sure about this?” Gabe’s mouth is set as straight as the path in life he’s taken.
“I may not have followed protocol like you did with Meagan, but I’m positive about Bri. It’s a rockier road, but the best rides include curves.” My brother and his wife met the traditional way—mutual friends—and dated for the amount of years that were appropriate before he proposed. It works for them, and they’re happy. It’s not the way I do things, though.
“I’m not judging how you got to where you are. I want to make sure you don’t get hurt. You’ve never been one to settle, so I want to make sure the person you settle with is willing to give you what you’re giving her.”
“She is. It hasn’t been easy, and fuck, some days it’s still hard, but she’s one hundred percent in.”
“You’re meeting her folks tonight then?”
I nod. “And her in-laws.” I cringe even as I say it out loud. It doesn’t sound right. Gabe raises his eyebrows, eyes wide. “Fuck, I know what you’re going to say, but they’re her family.”
“Drink up, bro. You’re going to need more than one whiskey to deal with that.”
Gabe and I have always had a great relationship, but he can stay stuck inside the lines at times. I tend to jump out and explore what else lies beyond the lines, which is how I ended up in Rebel Desire. Couldn’t turn Cash down when he came to me with his crazy idea.
I’m careful with the rest of my alcohol intake, despite Gabe’s advice to drink more. I want to be fully aware when I get to Bri’s house. As it is, I’m spending dinner checking my phone. The heater in the house isn’t helping to soothe me. I step outside for a moment to get some fresh air and welcome the cold burn as I inhale.
Bri and I are in a good place. There’s no reason why her parents wouldn’t like me. Josh’s parents, either. It’s not like I stole her away. Besides, I’m a nice guy. I can do this.
After my pep-talk, I go back in the house eager to finish dinner and get to Bri’s.
I dry my palms on my jeans and check for the hundredth time that Bri’s gift is in the back seat. I’m hoping I can give it to her after everyone leaves.
The door opens before I can knock.
“Hey.” Bri is all smiles. She closes the door behind her and I arch an eyebrow. She giggles. “You’ve been sitting in your car for a few minutes. Are you okay?”
“Nervous,” I choke out. “You’re stunning.” Her hair is curled, and she’s wearing a dark red dress, which just became my favorite color. I brush her lips with mine before asking her how dinner was.
“Good. They’re all looking forward to meeting you.” She looks up at me, her eyelashes fanning out. “I’m nervous, too.”
“I brought an apple pie.” I hold up the paper bag in my hand. “My mom made it.”
“Thank you.” Bri’s soft lips touch my cheek and all my nerves dissipate as we walk inside.
“Hey, everyone. I want you to meet Cole,” Bri introduces me to her parents and Josh’s parents. After greeting each of them with a handshake, I take a seat next to Bri.
They all seem nice enough. No one is scowling at me for sitting next to her, so I’ll call that a victory.
“Cole, Bri has told us a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Bri’s mom says. “She said you had dinner with your family, but we have plenty of food if you’d like to eat.”
“No, thanks, ma’am. I ate more than enough or my momma wouldn’t have let me leave.”
Josh’s mom laughs. “Us southern momma’s want to make sure our kids are fed.” A nostalgic smile crosses her face, and her husband puts his hand over hers.
“He was a good man,” I say.
“Thank you,” her smile widens.
I look at Bri and a grateful expression fills her eyes. It’s natural to be sitting here. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are great and welcoming, and I don’t feel any resentment from the Carmichael’s.
I tell them about my family and the band, and they share stories about their lives with me. Bri relaxes into the evening.
“This apple pie is fantastic,” Mrs. Stephens says.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll have to get this recipe from your mom.”
“I think she’ll be willing to share.” The thought of my mom and Mrs. Stephens getting to know each other and sharing apple pie recipes makes me fucking happy.
“Apple pie is my favorite,” Mr. Carmichael adds.
“I’m glad y’all are enjoying it.”
For it being only a few people, they gathered a buffet of dessert.
“The apple pie is good, but this sweet potato pie is my favorite,” Mr. Stephens says.
“Mine too, daddy.”
Although they lost someone significant less than a year ago, they are happy. I was unsure if it would be a despondent mood since it is Christmas. I look over at everyone, talking and laughing. Bri’s hand squeezes mine under the table, and I turn to see a bright grin.
Meeting her family is a success and any worry I had seems insignificant seeing how happy she is.
Her parents and the Carmichael’s leave a short while after dessert, promising to see me again.
“Thank you.” Bri wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me. I pull her in closer to me and lock my arms around her. I’d do anything to make her happy.
“It was fun. Thank you for inviting me and trusting me to be here. Josh’s parents are great.”
“They are,” she murmurs against my neck. The vibrations tease me, but I calm myself down. This is her pace and her needs.
“Walk Dixie with me?” I reluctantly let her pull back to look at me.
“Yes.”
Coats on, we stroll through the neighborhood. My fingers wrap around Bri’s as we let Dixie do her business.
“I can’t believe the year is almost over.” Bri stares up at the dark sky.
“I know. Are you ready for the apartment?”
“I am. I’m ready for everything that move represents.”
“Proud of you.” I squeeze her hand.
We wait in silence until Dixie is ready to head back to the house. “I’ll be right in,” I call out as I jog to my car. Anxiously, I grab the box that has Bri’s gift.
Bri is sitting on the floor with Dixie and a bag full of tissue paper next to her. I chuckle and place the box in front of her.
“Great minds.”
“Guess so. I hope you like it. Merry Christmas, Cole.” I take the bag she hands.
“Ditto, babe.” I watch her pull the lid of the wrapped box. She chooses the CD first. My handwriting scrawled over the cover, Beautifully Broken is written on it. “It’s the song we performed at Riot. Your song. I wanted you to have a copy. We’re adding it in as a bonus track on our new album.”
“I love it.” I see the emotions pushing forward in her eyes and a few tears slide down.
Bri laughs when she holds the small Statue of Liberty. “That’s for Dixie. I got it when we were in New York. Maybe the brat will like me better.”
“She does like you; she’s just protective of me.” She holds the toy to Dixie. “Here, girl. Do you like it?” Dixie sniffs the entire thing and finally licks it and lays her head on it. “I think you just won her over.”
“Who would’ve thought that all it’d take is a toy from New York? There’s more.” I look at the box.
When Bri looks at the rectangular planter and the seeds, I say, “It’s for an indoor garden. I thought we could plant the seeds once you’re settled in the apartment. You’ll have fresh herbs in no time.”
“Thank you. This is…” She looks around at her gifts. “Perfect. Open yours.”
I remove the tissue paper and take out the hat. “Sweet.” I smirk. I try it on and ask her how I look. Her giggles are enough to make my happy. When I see the other gift, I pause. I feel the cover, reading it.
“Open it,” Bri whispers.
Obediently, I turn the first page and see two pictures of us.
“It’s only two pictures, but we can add more as we go.”
I grasp her face and pull her close to me. “I love you. I don’t say it so you feel obligated to repeat it. I want you to know where I stand. I promise to fill this album, and a ton more, with memories of us.”
Bri’s face is streaked with tears when she leans in and kisses me. I swipe my tongue against her lips, hungry for more. When she opens her mouth for me, I push the box and gifts dividing us and pull her to me, her legs on either side.
“Sorry,” I gasp when I pull away.
“Thank you for making this an incredible holiday.” She kisses me again. It’s impossible to hide my reaction. “Want to watch cheesy Christmas movies?”
Thankfully she doesn’t bring up the big guy trying to poke his way toward her. “I’d love to.”
With Bri cuddled into me, it’s the perfect ending to our night.