Chapter 14
Fourteen
RIVER
Christmas music plays throughout the Woods’ family home.
It is the night of their infamous Christmas party and the whole town is here. Everyone is looking amazing in their festive themed outfits. I love it.
Smiling at the people I know, waving at some across the room, I feel light and festive.
I adore this time of year, from the scents, the food, to the joy of seeing people and families coming together, even though I never got that myself.
It makes my heart warm and fuzzy. Everyone loves Christmas, and there's just something magical about the way the lights glow and laughter fills every room.
Even if my own holidays were quiet and lonely, being here now feels like a gift I didn’t know I needed. That is thanks mainly to Neve and her mom. They gave me this.
“Well look at you, looking all dashing and festive.” I smile widely seeing Helen Woods approach me.
I do a little twirl, loving my outfit for today. It took some planning, but I am really happy with the finished look. I went with festive green velvet pants, a black dress shirt and tie paired with a velvet maroon dinner jacket. I’ve finished the look off with brown dress shoes.
“Thank you, Helen. You look radiant this evening.” And she does in her champagne floor-length dress that sparkles in the light.
No one is ever judged for what they wear here tonight. The Woods just want to be themselves, but if they want to splurge and dress up super fancy, well, that is their choice.
“You are a dear. Thank you.” She kisses both my cheeks, keeping her hands on my forearms. She looks at me, a serious look crossing her face.
“I am glad that you made it tonight, River. You know how much I adore you; we are so honored that you chose our town to settle down in. And believe me, us ladies are more than happy that it is you who does our hair.”
Many times over the years since I arrived here, I have been told that they are lucky to have swept me off my feet, making me fall in love with Silverpine so much that I decided to stay.
“It feels like home. I could not imagine myself anywhere else,” I confess truthfully.
“Good. Let’s keep you here. Now go mingle, enjoy the food and drinks that have been prepared for everyone.” She kisses my cheek again and walks off.
Walking over to the bar, I chuckle seeing Ridley behind it.
“I am sure that you should be on this side of the bar, Mr. Woods,” I joke.
Ridley’s smile fills his handsome face. All of the Woods brothers are freaking hot in their own right.
Ridley is the only one with long hair, and believe me, the ladies love talking about it, especially like tonight when it is up in a knot at the top of his head.
He has a whole Viking vibe going on, making the ladies wet for him.
“I am helping out. The other two waiters got stuck in snow, but they should be here shortly. What can I get you, River?”
“I will take a glass of red wine, please.”
“Starting off slow tonight, huh?” He winks and damn, he is good-looking,
“I want to keep a clear head; you never know when it might be needed.”
“Fair enough.” He goes to ask me a question, but someone calls his attention.
I turn around, people-watching, observing what people are wearing. My gaze lands on Miss Patty, and my heart skips a beat when I do not see Theo with her, but he must be here if she is.
Scanning the room, I see that people from town are here, smiling, laughing, seeing others who they may not have in a while. I do not see him, and my heart aches a little at the thought.
Then I see him.
My heart dips a little, skipping a beat when I see that he is with Colt as they walk into the main ballroom, smiling at people as they pass. They are not touching, but I see the public statement.
Why? Why did neither of them reach out to me?
I brush it off, pushing down my feelings. There is free alcohol, so that is a plus.
I polish off my glass of wine, reaching for the bottle to top up my glass.
The feeling of disappointment fills me—disappointment that neither of them told me that they were coming together. I thought we were going to start something between the three of us, but already they are leaving me out of the loop. The threesome just became a couple by the looks of things.
I let my gaze wash over them, taking in Colt in his black dress pants and a maroon dress shirt, with an embroidered pattern on it. The material hugs his every muscle, making them look more prominent.
Theo, oh, my sweet nerdy Theo. He is dressed in brown pants and black shoes, a dark red V-neck sweater with a charcoal grey shirt and a tie underneath.
Theo must feel me watching him because he looks my way, his gaze connecting to mine, and he smiles. Speaking to Colt, they both walk in my direction, but Colt gets stopped, so he tells Theo to come to me.
The smile they share is like a sucker-punch to the gut, and I know that I should not overreact, but I cannot help it. I want these men to be a part of me, yet I feel left out. Pushed aside.
It is like the room is getting smaller and smaller with every step he takes toward me. My feelings toward them being here together and not telling me fill my senses and I snap back into reality.
“River, it is good to see you,” Theo says, stopping in front of me.
He is so close that the tips of his shoes almost meet mine.
“Theo.” I can’t keep the cold out of my usually cheerful voice.
Fuck, I need to control my emotions better. His smile drops from his face, the festive sparkle fading from his eyes, and I feel like shit. Licking his lips, he looks at the ground before bringing his gaze back to mine, and I could kick myself seeing the doubt looking back at me.
“I was hoping I would see you tonight,” he says.
“Well, you saw me. I am going to talk to the other town folks who enjoy my company.” I know I am acting like a brat but fuck me, the wine is already going to my head, and I can’t stop it before it slips out.
“What’s wrong? Have I done something to upset you?”
I sigh, the grip on my glass tightening. I know I am being stupid, but being hurt for years has left me jaded. I may come off as being bold, flirty, and loud, but I do have scars below the surface and right now, I am letting the pain from them show to Theo.
Licking my slips, I stiffen my spine and square my shoulders. I hate seeing the frown on his handsome face, but I put it there and right now, I am unsure how to make it better for him. My feelings are hurt, and he doesn’t even know why.
This is all on me.
“Listen, I am going to enjoy the party, network, you know. Why don’t you go and find Colt and enjoy the rest of the night?”
“The brush off—” his voice small “—Got it. It always happens. Must be a me thing.” He sighs again and the low sound is like a knife to the heart.
I stand stock still, for once unsure of what to say to him. He looks like I just kicked his reindeer, and I fucking hate it. He nods his head, giving me a half smile, his eyes showing his hurt.
For a moment, the noise of the party seems to fade into the background, leaving just the two of us and the tension hanging thick in the air. I want to reach out, say something to make it right, but the words stick in my throat, and all I can do is watch as he quietly turns away.
I turn my back, not wanting to see Colt’s reaction when Theo comes to him without me. Yet again, I have fucked up a chance at getting what I want because I felt left out.
The story of my life.