58. Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Lisette
W hen I walk into the studio, I immediately regret agreeing to this bullshit.
Christmas music plays from somewhere, and for some reason, it smells like horrendous gingerbread cookies. The chatter of my siblings grow louder with every step I take. Whipping around the corner, my eyes land on all of their Christmas sweaters.
Jesus Christ.
“Lis.” Sage throws her hands up as she smiles over at me. Her red dress looks stunning on her and practically makes her glow as she glides over to me. She quickly pulls me into a hug and no amount of my hatred for Christmas could make me a bit annoyed by this girl.
“This was supposed to be casual.” I pull away to study her designer heels.
“This is casual.” She looks down at her dress before a smile touches her lips. “You all didn’t want to wear a dress, but that wasn’t stopping me. Plus, Hazel is in a skirt.” She shrugs before her eyes practically light up. “I brought your Christmas sweater.”
“Great.” I force a smile. “Burn it,” I add cheerfully before kissing her cheek. Her jaw drops and I rush off before she can object.
Her twin meets me next and flashes me a bright smile. I shake my head at the Christmas tree on his bright red shirt. “Who coordinated these outfits?”
August’s brows furrow as he looks down at himself. “They’re cute.”
So this was his idea.
He breaks into a laugh at whatever face I’m making and I bite back a smile at his contagious laughter.
Sage comes up next to us and the minute she opens her mouth, I interrupt her. “I’m not wearing reindeer ears.”
Her brows furrow as she touches the ears on her head. “I like them.”
I stifle a laugh at her cute pinched brows. “They’re cute on you, but I’m not doing it.”
She agrees and behind her, Liam wraps an arm around her waist before kissing her cheek. “Come finish eating, Dory.”
A smile touches my lips at how in love with my sister he is. “How do you do, soon-to-be Mr. Hale?”
He drags his eyes to me slowly and I bite back my smile at his unamused look. He doesn’t say anything as he takes Sage’s hand and guides her away.
“Great talk as always!”
Beside me, August stifles a laugh when Liam shakes his head at me.
Walking further into the studio, I find Hazel and Vidia who are also in Christmas sweaters. “At least you two aren’t wearing a tree .”
A smile grows on Vidia’s face as she pulls out a sweater from the bag beside her. “This one is yours.” I study the white sweater with nearly twenty trees going around the chest and back.
As I’m about to voice a protest, Sire walks over. He keeps a straight face as he studies me and I truly try not to roll my eyes at him, but before I can stop myself, I’m already looking away in annoyance.
“So we’re still fighting, nice to know.” He nods once as he sits next to his girlfriend.
“Thanks.” I take the sweater from Vidia before turning, but I take one step before Sire speaks up.
“Can we maybe act like a family for this photoshoot?”
I keep walking as I respond. “I’m here for the twins. We don’t need to speak to stand beside each other in a picture.”
“Are you sober?”
I go still at his question and the rest of the room falls quiet. A scoff escapes me as I whip around to him and all I see in his eyes is that patronizing look.
Hazel puts a hand up before I can fight back. “We’re not doing this with you two today.” She glares between the two of us. “We’re taking family pictures to send to our parents. You’re going to wear the cute sweater my boyfriend picked for you and neither of you is going to fight about your sobriety.”
She turns to Sire now. “She’s here and that’s what counts. It doesn’t matter if she’s drunk or high—” She points at Sire when he opens his mouth. “It doesn’t matter right now. ”
She keeps her glare on him before Vidia takes his hand. “You two have been at each other’s throats all week. I know you’re both exhausted from fighting. Give it a rest.”
I look around at them and let out a defeated breath because they’re right and the last thing I want to do is ruin this.
“Fine,” Sire and I speak at the same time and a smile grows on Vidia’s face.
“Good.” She sits up straighter before focusing on me. “Now that everyone is here…” She watches me with a smile that rings an alarm in my head.
“Do you want to share with the class who Santa wrapped in a cute bow for you this year?” I bite back a smile and she breaks into a laugh at me. “You’re blushing.”
“Shut up, V.” I roll my eyes at her and beside her, Sire bites back a smile.
“Wait, you’re seeing someone?” Hazel looks intrigued now. “You talk about boys like you hate them?”
“That’s because she’s not seeing a boy . He screams man.” Vidia shoves Hazel’s arm as she raises her brows at me and I feel my face flush.
“Oh my god.” Hazel’s jaw drops. “Who is this guy?”
I shake my head at Vidia’s obvious excitement and I’m surprised August hasn’t told her. “You’re so annoying.” I try to play it casual as I sit across from them and toy with a loose yarn in the sweater.
“One hint.” Vidia holds Hazel’s hands. “DILF.”
Hazel’s brows furrow before her jaw drops again. Her head whips to me and I bite my cheek so hard I can taste the blood in my mouth.
“Jackson?!” She watches for my reaction and I nod once before they both squeal.
“You’re both so irritating.” I stifle a laugh at the pair.
Hazel sits up in her seat as she watches me like a telenovela. “How’s the sex?” She keeps her tone hushed although right beside her, August’s brows furrow.
“I beg your finest pardon?” He looks between the three of us before focusing on his girlfriend. “Why on Earth would you care?”
“Hush.” Hazel waves him off as she focuses on me. “I don’t care about any dick other than mine. This is standard girl talk.”
August opens his mouth before his brain catches onto what she just said and he bites back a smile as he sits back in his seat.
Vidia pipes in from beside them. “He seems like he’s good.” She nods like she’s impressed.
“How the hell does he seem like that?” Sire asks next.
“Because he walks around with your confidence minus the cocky ego.” Vidia rolls her eyes at him before turning her attention back to me.
Sire stifles a laugh and like the whipped bitches my brothers are, neither of them speaks up against their girlfriends. Both girls are waiting for my response, but I don’t give them one.
“Can we get these pictures started? I have things to do.” I rise from my seat before pulling my sweater on.
“Things to do or a person?” Vidia taunts me and my cheeks are on fire.
“ Things .” I roll my eyes at her and she squints her eyes at me. “I’m going to the bathroom. When I get back can we start?” I look around the room and Sage nods in agreement, her cheeks filled with whatever Liam is feeding her.
Escaping to the bathroom, I immediately let out a breath of relief when the door shuts behind me. I stare at myself in the mirror, convincing myself no one can see through me.
If Sire asked if I was sober then I look sober… right?
Taking a step closer to the mirror, I study my reflection before deciding I don’t look drunk. Turning on my heels, I take a step to exit, but at the sound of my family’s laughter, the guilt begins to seep in.
Shaking my head at my entire life, I pull out the water bottle from my bag and take a few small sips. I let the burning numb the pain and guilt. Letting my eyes fall shut, I pull in a deep breath for courage and hurry out of the bathroom.
Just as I turn the corner, I bump into Vidia.
“My bad.” She quickly catches me before bending over to grab my water bottle just as I reach for my bag.
“Thanks.” I take the bottle from her as she wipes her hand on her shirt.
“I think it’s open.”
I quickly close it, but as she takes a whiff of her fingers, her brows furrow before her entire face is covered in disappointment. “Lis…”
“Save it, V. Just run off to Sire.” I try to move past her, but she places a gentle hand on my arm.
“I’m not going to run to him.” She pulls out a piece of gum from her pocket before handing it to me. “You’re here and that’s all that matters. You two can fight tomorrow.”
I look down at the gum in her hand before looking back up at her. “He’s going to be mad at you for hiding this from him.”
She shrugs before pushing the gum into my hand. “Fighting with you is hurting him and if dealing with his anger means he can have a good day with his sister then I’ll take it.”
I nod to myself as I take the gum. “I shouldn’t make you lie for me…” I shake my head at myself as I recognize I’m slowly burning my bridges.
You’re spiraling.
I shake my head of my thoughts, forcing the gum back into Vidia’s hand.
“I don’t need you to cover for me.”
Her brows furrow as she looks between the gum and me. “I know you think you’re undeserving of all shapes and forms of help, but that’s not true.” A somber smile covers her face before she drops it in my hand and walks off.
I look down at the gum and quickly eat it, sparing myself from the headache that’ll accompany me if anyone knows the decision I made.
When I walk back into the main room, my eyes land on Sage talking to the photographer.
She directs all of us on where to stand and as Vidia makes her way back in, she squeezes next to Sire. I glance around at my siblings and their significant others, each of their smiles pulling at my heartstrings.
I wish Jackson was here.
“That’s my foot,” Liam grumbles, and I stifle a laugh as I step away from him.
“Oops.” I flick the Santa hat he’s wearing and considering he’s over six feet, I need to reach quite a bit. Settling back on my feet disrupts my balance and I bump into Vidia.
“You okay?” She steadies me and I turn to her, a smile on my face as I focus on her.
“I’m going to sit.” I nod in agreement with myself as I settle on the ground.
“You’re covering the banner, Lis.” Sire watches me carefully, but before he can ask me anything, the photographer speaks up.
“No, that’s perfect.” She snaps away and I turn to the camera, the alcohol painting a genuine smile on my face.