16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
“Hey, Dax! Get your cute little tush over here and baste this turkey.”
It’s not actually a turkey. It’s a chicken. When I picked up food for this week, I knew I’d be here for Christmas, but a whole-ass turkey would have been wasted on me. “Here you go,” I say, passing him the baster, which looks like a massive pipette.
“What exactly am I doing?” he inquires.
“Basting. It’s tradition.”
With one eyebrow shooting up, he gives me a look that suggests I’m out of my mind. “I’ve never heard of basting a chicken as a tradition. I always thought it was the Christmas cake you stirred and made a wish on.”
“Eh, semantics.” I shrug. “Mum and I didn’t always have a lot of money to buy ingredients for a cake, so we made the best of what we had. A Christmas baste became our tradition. So, squirt.”
“Yes, sir,” he chuckles, shaking his head.
“Hey, that’s my line!” I give Dax a playful pat on the backside as I fill the pot with water for the potatoes he has just peeled. It’s hard to believe Christmas is already here—the excitement of the day ahead bubbles inside me. I woke up, unable to contain my joy, jumping up and down on the bed—much to Dax’s annoyance. The blow job I gave him more than made up for it, though.
“So, what’s up next, Chef?”
Dax’s voice is close to my ear as he leans over my shoulder, his hands on my hips, sending shivers shooting down my spine. He’s doing this more and more now, touching and staying close to me. And although he hasn’t kissed me yet, I’m enjoying every second spent with him.
“Well, there’s not much we can do right now. The vegetables are prepped and ready, the chicken is cooking in the oven, and I just need to put these potatoes on to boil. Then I thought we could just relax for a bit.”
Dax’s phone buzzes. He pulls it out of his pocket, checks the message, then smirks.
“What?” I ask, curious.
“Jake just texted; he wants to FaceTime.” Dax smiles adorably.
“He does?” I really miss my friend. I’m so glad he’s finally taking some time for himself, and we text almost every day. But I miss hanging out with him. “Cool, let’s sit down at the table.”
Dax sets his phone down by the fruit bowl and sits next to me.
“Do I look all right?” I ask him.
“You look very... edible!” he says, licking his lips and tackling me, tickling me so hard I can’t stop laughing and almost fall off the chair. He just manages to grab me by my skirt and pull me back in place. Dax unwrapped today’s gift, revealing a short red pleated skirt, red-and-white striped stockings, and a sheer silver long-sleeved crop top.
“ Stoooop ,” I laugh, batting his hands away. Just then, his phone rings. We compose ourselves, and Dax answers the call, clearing his throat as he sends me a quiet warning with his eyes.
Jake and Lewis beam at the camera, filling the screen with their infectious smiles.
“Merry Christmas, Dad! Merry Christmas, Tris! Dang, Tristan, you look smoking hot. I can’t believe you’re still single!” Jake chirps.
I blush furiously and give him a look that could kill because he knows I’m head over heels for the man sitting right next to me. His smile is the mirror image of his father’s, both holding the same mischievous twinkle in their eyes.
“Merry Christmas, son. Lewis. To what do we owe the honour of this call?”
“What? I need an excuse to call my dad and best friend on Christmas Day?” Jake says, a mock-offended look on his face.
“Course not.” Dax settles back in the chair, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
“Well...” Jake says, drawing out the word, leaving a lingering hint of intrigue in the air. “Seeing as you asked… Look!”
Jake’s hand, adorned with a gleaming gold band, shoots out towards the screen.
“No fucking way!” I shout, getting closer to the phone. “You’re engaged! Oh my God, Jake. When? How? Give me all the details.”
Jake’s laughter fills the entire cabin. “Lewis surprised me last night by taking me to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. It was so romantic, and then he got down on one knee and asked, didn’t you, babe?” He leans down and gives Lewis a quick, gentle kiss on the lips.
“Lewis, you sneaky devil. You kept that quiet,” I tease.
“Sorry, Tris. You know I love you, but you and Jake talk about everything .” Hmm, not exactly everything . But it’s fair. “I didn’t want to risk ruining the surprise, so I kept my plans a secret. I wanted it to be perfect for Jake. Forgive me?”
Lewis gives me those big, pleading puppy eyes. In fact, they both have them. Stupid love-hearts-shooting-out-their-arse looks on their faces. I realise I want that. I’m not jealous of my friends, but I’m sad that I might never get to look the way they do.
Happy. Content. In love .
“I can’t be mad when you’ve made my best friend look like Dopey .” A smile stretches across my face. “I’m so happy for you both! Congratulations!”
“Thank you, Tris,” Jake says, smiling. “I wanted to make sure you and Dad were the first to find out. Although you’ve been pretty quiet, Dad?”
I watch Dax, a wide grin still plastered across his face, as he stares at the screen.
“You were in on this, weren’t you?” I ask him.
Turning his head slowly, he gives me a mischievous look, wiggling his eyebrows before returning his attention to Jake. “Yeah, I knew already.”
“What?” Jake screeches. He turned to his fiancé, who looks a little sheepish.
“Yeah, I, um... asked your dad if it was okay,” Lewis croaks.
Jake and I both sigh in contentment, the sound of ahhhs escaping our lips. If that isn’t the cutest fucking thing ever. My heart melts at the sight of them, their sweetness filling me with warmth. Watching them kiss and hug, tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Turning to Dax, I offer him a warm smile. My hand rests on my chest, right over my heart. The big softie gives me a smile that warms me from the inside out, the most sincere and genuine one I’ve ever seen from him. He beams with pride, his heart overflowing with joy for his son. He really is a great dad to Jake.
“Okay, okay. Let’s keep this PG around me, yeah?” We all laugh. Dax’s big hand squeezes my leg, a silent gesture of comfort, as I wipe my tears with a napkin. “Seriously, though. I’m so happy for both of you. I have full confidence that Lewis will take good care of you. That’s the one thing I’ve always wanted for you, Jake. To be happy.”
“I am, Dad. You and Mom have taught me so much about what to look for in a partner and how to chase my dreams. I appreciate the sacrifices you’ve both made for me.”
“Always, son,” Dax declares.
“Tristan,” Jake continues. “You’re the best friend anyone could ask for,” he says with a grin, “and I’d be so proud to have you stand by my side as my best man.”
Cue ugly crying. Dax gives in and wraps his arms around me, offering comfort as I cry into his shirt. I could have sworn I felt his lips brush a gentle kiss against my head.
He passes me a fresh napkin from the stack on the table as I wipe myself clean.
With a shaky voice, I turn back to the phone. “Yes. I’d be honoured to be your best man.”
“Thank heavens, I was afraid I had upset you with all that snot you just dripped on Dad’s shirt.”
“Fuck you, asshole! It’s not every day you find out your bestie got engaged.”
Dax’s hand returns to my leg, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest as he looks at me with amusement.
“Now, now, children,” Dax jokes. “Jake and Lewis, we’re absolutely ecstatic for you both! We couldn’t be more thrilled! Are we still on to celebrate New Year’s at my place?” he asks his son and future son-in-law.
“I spoke to Mum last night, and she mentioned she’s staying with her friend, who just went through a breakup. She said she’d message you. So, it’s just going to be Lewis and me.”
“Okay, sounds good. We can catch up then. We’ll let you go,” Dax says. “Tris is whipping up a delicious dinner, and the smells coming from the kitchen are making my mouth water.”
He squeezes my leg, his touch firm and reassuring. God, I hate that I can’t share my happiness with Jake. I want to shout it from the rooftops to show him just how amazing Dax is. How good we are together. But that’s never going to happen. I push those thoughts to the back of my mind, trying to be present and in the moment.
I plaster a smile onto my face, watching my friend’s infectious joy, and desperately choke back the bitter tears threatening to spill, pretending they are tears of happiness for them, not tears of sorrow for myself.
“Tris will take good care of you,” Jake says, winking.
“Oh, I know,” Dax replies, his voice quiet and thoughtful.
I have to shut this down quickly before I end up confessing everything to Jake. “Congrats again to you both! Merry Christmas, Jake! I hope it’s the best one yet, and I can’t wait to hear all about it when we see each other.” I blow a kiss in his direction, and he pretends to grab it and puts it over his heart.
“Bye, kids,” Dax says. “Remember, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. And if you do, be safe.”
A hearty laugh escapes his lips while we all groan in response. I silently mouth, Love you, bye to Jake before ending the call.
“Wow,” I say, exhaling slowly and relaxing back into the chair. “I can’t believe it. Jake is actually getting married!”
“Pretty cool, huh? Hopefully, they’ll give me grandkids one day.”
Kids. ‘ I want them, too, ’ I want to scream. I’m ready for a family. I want to create new traditions with the people around me while sharing the old ones that are important to me. My heart yearns to be a parent, raise tiny humans, and fill a home with love and laughter. I want the whole shebang.
The older I get, the more I fear that my happily ever after is a fading dream, a distant hope that may never come true. I’m only twenty-four, so people say I have my whole life ahead of me, but the thought of being alone forever keeps me up at night. It feels like a constant ache, a nagging fear that whispers I’ll always be lonely. Jake will now be lost in his love bubble, as he deserves. And once Dax leaves the cabin, he will probably move on with his life, not giving me another thought. I’ll be on my own again.
“You ever wish you’d had more kids?” I blurt before realising it.
Dax frowns, looking at me in thought. “Yeah, maybe. I mean, there was a time when I really wanted a sibling for Jake...” he hesitates. “But then, I guess life had other plans for me.” The look in his eyes is indecipherable, but his voice sounds sad. Then he seems to shake himself. “Doesn’t matter now, anyway. Too late at my age.” He smiles at me, and I just want to jump into his lap, screaming, ‘ No, no, it’s not! It’s not too late! I’ll give you all the babies you want !’ But obviously, I don’t. I’m not desperate. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding?
“I’m going to go chop some wood outside. You okay in here?” Dax says, getting up and grabbing his axe by the door. “Is there anything you need me to do?” His question hangs in the air, oblivious to the silent battle going on in my mind. The ‘ Breed me, Dax !’ gets stuck in the back of my throat, thankfully.
Turning towards him, I force on a broad smile. “I’ve got everything under control in here for now,” I assure him. “You go out and do manly things in the freezing cold.”
He chuckles, a soft, throaty sound that fills the air. “All right. Give me a shout if you need anything.”
‘ I need YOU, ’ my heart screams in my chest, but all I can do is nod silently. The door closes behind him with a soft click, leaving me alone in the room. I sink into the soft cushions of the sofa, letting out a quiet sob, indulging in a pity party for one.