Chapter 61
sixty-one
Jeremy
It feels weird being here.” Tristyn snuggles into my chest. “It’s so quiet without everyone.”
She’s not wrong, aside from Jax, who got home about an hour ago, the house is empty. I can’t remember the last time that I just sat in the living room in complete silence like this. Henry crashed about an hour ago, and I moved him into my room not long after that.
My parents and Joey drove down here, and we did Christmas at my place.
Vince came too. It was nice. My mom bought Henry too many presents, as if Santa hadn’t already spoiled him.
I think Tristyn was excited to get Henry things this year, since what she makes at the rec center gives her money for things they can enjoy, not just enough to keep the lights on.
I might’ve gone a little overboard, too.
No one ever told me how fun shopping for a kid is around the holidays. My house is full of toys for him, and I don’t even care.
My parents also gave me a new dining table and chairs. My dad built them himself. It’s a pretty large table, but he made it adjustable, so as our family grows, the table can too.
He also offered me the house. After I graduate in a few months, the bills will be my responsibility, but I think he knows it’s in good hands.
“In a few months, it’ll be like this all the time,” I whisper, pressing my lips to the top of her head. “Once we graduate, the guys will move out and onto bigger and better things.”
“Maybe. Maybe you guys will all live in this house forever.” She jokes.
“Nope. I’d much rather live here with you and Henry.”
She flies up and turns to face me.
“What?”
“Your lease is up in June. Instead of renewing it, I think you guys should move in here,” I begin. “As long as you want to. If you think it’s too soon, I get that too, and you’ll have to be prepared for this house to constantly have people in it around the holidays and—”
Tristyn’s lips crash into mine, her fingers running through my hair, as she sinks deeper into our kiss.
“I’d love to. I think Henry would too. And I like when the house is full, but I also like it when it’s just us. It’ll be nice to continue having both next year.”
“You mean it? You want to move in with me?”
“As long as you want me to.”
“Of course I do, that’s why I asked.”
“Then it’s settled.”
“Best Christmas ever.”
“Yeah.” Tristyn melts back into my arms, and I draw small circles on her back as we lie here in silence.
This moment is nice. It’s like a small glimpse into our future. Someday we’ll be lying on this couch on Christmas, after getting no sleep the night before because we stayed up all night putting out gifts from Santa.
One day, we’ll be lying on this couch as we watch our family grow.
This house will always hold the beginning of our story, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
I start to doze off until there’s a knock on the front door. Tristyn and I both sit up and look at each other, then I grab my phone and look at the time.
“Are you expecting someone?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“No, definitely not at two in the morning.” I stand up.
“Could it be one of the guys?” Tristyn stands up with me as we head to the door.
“No, they have keys. And if they forgot their key, they would’ve called before getting home to make sure they could get in.”
Fletcher went back home for Christmas, so unless he decided to come back early, it is not him.
Declan and Ember are spending an extra night away due to a big snowstorm happening up by them.
Brooks is at his parents' place, and if he decided to come back early, I assume he would’ve gone to the girl he’s been on the rebound with since Liv.
“Jax is upstairs, right? He didn’t like lock himself out of the house somehow?”
I chuckle, and Tristyn smacks my arm as if the idea isn’t that crazy.
I reach for the light switch to turn on the light above the front door, but nothing happens. I try it again, but still nothing.
“Remind me to fix that tomorrow.”
I open the door anyway, but just a crack. I don’t know who would be here on Christmas, or technically the day after, at two in the morning, but I’m not taking any risks when Henry is sleeping a few feet away.
“Brin?” My shoulders relax when I recognize the silhouette. I open the door fully. “What are you doing here?”
“Is Declan here?”
“No, he’s out of town with Ember still. I think they were staying another night because of the storm.”
“Right.” She rocks on her heels. “I forgot, um, sorry to bother you, I know it’s late, so—”
“No, Brin, it’s fine. Do you want to come in?”
I can’t see her in the darkness. She’s too far away from the door that the light from inside isn’t illuminating her, but I can hear it in her voice.
She’s been crying.
“I shouldn’t.”
“Are you okay?” Tristyn asks, peaking over my shoulder to see her.
“Yeah, I’m sorry to bother you guys, I’ll just—”
She steps forward just slightly to turn around, but that’s when I see it. And from the small gasp next to me, I know Tristyn sees it too.
Tristyn pushed past me, grabbing Brinley’s arm to stop her, and pulling her inside, shutting the door behind her.
Tristyn pushes Brinley’s hood off her head and tucks a finger under her chin, taking in her appearance.
I feel sick.
If I didn’t hear her talking, I don’t know if I would realize it’s her. There’s dried blood on her face, masked by bruises and redness. Her tears and snot were mixing with the blood.
Tears sting my eyes, seeing a girl who has always been like a little sister to me, in this condition. I take a small step forward, unsure what to say or do. He hit her. I don’t even need her to tell me for me to know that he did this. Alex did this.
My hands tremble as I reach for my phone—
“I need to call Declan.”