Epilogue
Loso
My mood was calm when I picked up the phone to return Shiloh’s Facetime call, yet the mean mug on his face put me on edge. Even with him wearing a Santa Claus costume with the white beard included, I could sense his frustration.
“What’s good? You called me?” I asked, breaking the awkward silence.
“Where is my sister?”
“What makes you think she’s here?”
His menacing gaze lowered to splits. “We lying to each other now?”
“I asked a question.”
“So did I, nigga! The snow is picking up. I would hope your sneaky ass didn’t get on the road or leave her at home alone.”
“She’s upstairs. Sleep.” The words were music to my ears though I could see how uncomfortable it made my best friend.
A pained breath passed my teeth. “Listen, I know you’re ready to knock my head off over your sister.
I can’t blame you. Just know, I’m not running from no nigga, and I’m not going to let you throw off her holiday.
If you want to talk shit, call back tomorrow. ”
“Los, that’s my sister! I can do what the fuck I want to do.”
“Not to that one you can’t!”
When I recognized I was yelling, I stepped into my guest bedroom.
“I swear, niggas are foul,” he spat out. “You got the nerve to be huffing and puffing when you’re the one in the wrong. Fucking with my sister while calling yourself my brother is some strange shit.”
“It’s not. When I marry her, we’ll be brothers by law.”
His two-toned brows reached for his nose. “Does it look like I’m joking, Loso?”
“Take off the damn Santa suit then ask me again.” I laughed when he snatched off his hat. “Shiloh, I don’t know what I can say to convince you that your sister is in good hands, but the love and respect I have for you makes me want to figure it out.”
“How long has this been going on?” he quizzed.
“Not long enough for you to feel betrayed. You may not believe me, but I was going to tell you.”
He forced a long exhale through his nose. “Why didn’t you?”
“I started to when we were at the country club. I’m happy I didn’t. It wasn’t my decision to make alone. Me and Essen started planning the party, and things just went from there.”
Over a decade of riding for Shiloh, I could tell when he was conflicted. He didn’t look angry by the realization, more so skeptical.
“Do you love my sister?”
I grinned at the mention of the petite lady blessed with the features of a doll. “Something close to it. I haven’t given my heart to anyone since ol’ girl because I didn’t want to, not because I wasn’t capable.”
He nodded as his attention drifted to something off camera. “You’ve been my best friend for over fifteen years. You know how I’m coming behind my family. If you break her heart, you got to see me.”
“I respect that,” I agreed with a smile. “I can hear the girls getting rowdy in the background. Get off the line and go take care of your family. Tell my god daughters I’ll keep the gifts under the tree until y’all get back.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Shiloh repositioned the fake beard over his face. “Merry Christmas, Los.”
“Merry Christmas, Loh.”
The weight that restricted my shoulders dissolved when I ended the call.
I knew things between me and Shiloh would be different, but I could live with that.
The only way shit would go left was if I stopped showing up for his baby sister, and the only way that would happen was if I was taken from this Earth.
I started to wake Essen up, but thoughts of making her breakfast in bed changed my plans.
As late as she fell asleep, I figured she needed the extra time to rest. She stayed up past midnight worrying about how Shiloh would respond once we got up north.
She even rambled about her pending church date with my parents.
All the time she spent questioning herself was pointless since the weather would keep us indoors for Christmas.
With a smirk on my face, I snatched Essen’s Santa hat off the couch then emptied my coat closet of gifts I bought my little helper.
I had been ordering presents for her since the night after our first kiss without really knowing if I would have the chance to give them to her.
A low laugh rocked my chest when my arm brushed against the pine.
I hadn’t set up a Christmas tree in over six years.
Even when my ex was around, I rejected the idea.
“Look at your simp ass now,” I mumbled, clowning myself.
I hated to admit it, but Essen’s pushy ass clowned me into the Christmas spirit. Over the last five days, I found myself humming to predictable holiday tunes. No matter the song, it birthed a clear image of her.
I was able to start breakfast and enjoy a blunt before my mom interrupted my groove. She had always been an early riser, but I was surprised her long night didn’t keep her in the bed.
“Good morning, Mama. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you, Son! You and Essen still getting on the road? The snow is coming down out there.”
“Nah, not anymore. The weather is trash, and people forget how to drive when it counts the most. I can’t get on that road with Essen.”
She sucked her teeth. “I’m sorry, baby. I know you guys stayed in Silk Hills to take care of the party.”
“No apology needed. I could tell you and Pops had a good time. I haven’t seen that man dance in years. Trust me, that made it worthwhile.”
“Essen seemed to enjoy herself too,” she rushed to say. “Are you finally ready to admit y’all got a thang going on?”
I chuckled. “She’s mine.”
“Your daddy called it! The day she came over, he said you would marry Essen. I mean, it was obvious when we toured the venue for the party.” She snickered. “That’s why I left you two alone to build gingerbread houses.”
I froze with a carton of eggs in my hand. “Wait. What do you mean? I know the church lady didn’t tell a fib.”
“A little white lie never hurt nobody. When y’all were whispering in the ballroom, I assumed you guys needed time together.
I went to church that night, and the pastor asked everyone to write down our Christmas prayer.
I prayed for a resolution, peace, and love.
” She snickered. “Judging by all that noise you’re making in the background, I would say my Christmas prayer evolved into my baby’s blessing. Whew! Shout out to Jesus and Santa!”
I laughed at her dramatic rant. “You know what, Mama? Yeah. Hell yeah.”
Essen
My eyes sprang open. “It’s Christmas. It’s Christmas, Loso!”
I rested on my back then looked to where Loso fell asleep.
The empty space dampened my mood and guided me from his bed.
Shitty weather concluded we would be spending our Christmas in Silk Hills, and I didn’t know how to feel about that.
On one hand, I wouldn’t have to face my brother, but on the other, I was stuck in the house.
After the way Loso spoke to my body last night, I wouldn’t mind spending everyday alone with the smooth talker.
My curiosity led me to check my phone, and as expected, I had a few missed calls from my brother. I called him back a few times, yet he didn’t pick up. I wasn’t sure if he was ignoring me or away from his phone, but I wouldn’t spend the day worrying about it.
Loso’s cold floor led me to slip on his UGG slippers. They had to be at least a size fifteen, but the fur was like a toaster on my feet. Familiar with his home, I freshened up in the guest bathroom then searched for the man of the house.
“Loso.” I sang his name.
The mixture of his voice and the smell of vanilla led me to the kitchen.
Satisfied with my view, my arms intertwined over my chest as I propped my body against the doorframe.
In nothing but the red candy cane briefs I gave him the night before and a Santa hat, Loso was bare.
His muscles made my mouth water as much as the bacon on the stove.
His light humming made my heart skip a beat.
“Merry Christmas, pretty girl,” he said with his back to me.
I dragged my feet when nearing him and wrapped my arms around his chest. “Merry Christmas to you too. It’s snowing.” I sighed. “We aren’t making it up north.”
He twisted around and looked at me. “That’s all right. I’d rather spend the day with you anyway. We can play cards, watch movies, and cook dinner together.”
“Dinner? Do you have enough ingredients? We weren’t planning to stay here.”
“Pretty girl, I’m still a big nigga at heart. We will never go hungry. Now, go sit down so we can eat.”
As I lowered myself into a seat at the kitchen table, I sent a quick breath through my nostrils. “Shiloh called me this morning. I missed his calls.”
He nodded. “We talked.”
My neck stretched high. “What? When?”
My personal chef placed a plate in front of me and showcased a smile I always adored.
“We spoke this morning when the snow got heavier,” he answered.
“Was he still upset?”
“Only that we won’t make it out there. I explained my feelings for you and recapped the loyalty I’ve always shown him. I have never done Shiloh wrong. I wouldn’t start by playing with his sister’s heart.”
My bottom lip tumbled toward my chin. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“You were sleeping good. That was a conversation we needed to have. Today is important to you. If shit went left, I didn’t want that to ruin your holiday.”
Since Loso was intentional on his moves, I stopped questioning him and enjoyed breakfast. Between kisses and bites, we discussed things to do for the New Year, and I was sure to include my family. After dealing with Caleb’s flaky ways, I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
“You want your gifts now or after we start dinner?”
“Come on now. Y’all don’t call me princess for nothing. We have to open at least one present. We can save the rest for later.”
His hand found my throat, forcing my head back. When his lips found mine, I thawed in the seat until Loso pulled me from the chair.
“I’ll be right back. I have to grab something.” I excused myself, purposely leaving in a rush to avoid Loso’s questions. It took a few minutes for me to meet him in the living room, but when I resurfaced, Loso patiently waited with a camera in hand.
“Loso, when did you get a camera?”
“When you spoke life into me,” he answered confidently. “You said the holidays are about making memories. Why not put them on film? If the Lord says the same, we’ll show our kids these videos one day.”
Loso’s honesty made the nurturer in me smile.
In a short time, he had welcomed me into the softest part of him.
He let me know where his reservations lie then allowed me to help resolve his pain.
The little boxes and bags for me under the tree were great, but securing his heart was better than any other gift he could give me.
“It’s way too soon to say I love you, but just know, I like you . . . a lot. Real hard,” I confessed. “I’m going to give you your gift first.”
“I told you I didn’t want anything.”
“Right, but you said I could have whatever I wanted. I wanted to get you something. There was no way I could come to your house empty handed. Don’t fight me on it. Just let me spoil you.”
He slowly slid the Santa hat from his head and ushered his hand into his bottoms. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a woman say that.”
“Welcome to heaven, baby.”
I pulled the envelope from my pocket then lowered myself on the floor across from him. Loso’s eyes shined as he inspected tickets to one of the biggest car shows in the world.
“Damn!” He dropped a laugh into his fist. “How the hell did you get tickets to the show? I thought they were sold out.”
“They are. I made a call, and one of my clients hooked me up with someone at Ticketmaster.”
His eyes hollowed out. “This had to cost a few stacks.”
“Don’t count my pockets. I know you would have done the same for me.”
“You damn right.” He inched forward until he was able to suck on my bottom lip. When he sat up right, he had a long black box in his hand. “This is for you.”
Slowly, I pulled the velvet top back. The diamonds in the tennis bracelet stole my breath, but the unique accents pried my mouth open. Small holiday charms connected the stones, and the clasp was a little pink Santa hat.
“I’m really trying not to cry,” I whined. “This is beautiful.”
Loso moved my hand away from my face and took over the task of wiping away my tears. An intentional man was hard to find, and as I examined the details of the bracelet, I knew I found mine.
“Stop crying, baby. I don’t like to see you cry.”
“The diamonds did it,” I blabbed playfully. “The hat is so damn cute.”
“I’m going to get you one every year until I leave this earth. Aside from making memories, I think Christmas is another opportunity to ice your wrist.” He pulled me into his chest and kissed my nose. “How does that sound?”
“It sounds like I’m making traditions I love with the man I’m starting to.”