9. Candy
Chapter Nine
CANDY
I’m ready to strangle the cheery elf who laughs every time the door of the store opens. And today, the damn thing is laughing all the time. The day before Christmas Eve is always busy, but today I barely have time to grab a coffee or run to the bathroom. I gulp down the sandwich Mila delivers in record time before heading behind the counter for my afternoon shift.
A steady flow of customers buying last minute decorations keeps me so busy I barely have a moment to process what happened with Dalton. But my body reminds me, a sweet ache between my thighs as I climb the ladder to grab ornaments off the high shelves.
I managed to sneak into the house early, have a shower and get dressed, then leave to open the store before anyone saw me. Dad’s completely preoccupied today, so he hasn’t asked me anything and Mom’s taking Grandma to see friends this morning.
The stream of customers slows as the sun sets, glinting off the freshly-piled snow on the rooftops. Dad sends me down to the basement to get a box of wires for him. My phone beeps.
Juniper: Okay so the story I told Mom is that you got drunk and stayed with your school friend, Mary.
Candy: Mary? I haven’t seen her since we left high school.
Juniper: That’s what Jax said. It was the only name I could remember. And you should be thankful I covered for you. Who were you really with?
Candy: I can’t tell you.
Juniper: I have an idea. Huge, burly, grumpy? Comes for dinner every year?
Candy: I’m taking the Fifth.
Juniper: Jax is going to be SO mad if you don’t tell him, Candy.
My sister’s right. I need to find a way to say something to Jax. I can’t deny how special it was last night. Or that every part of my body yearns to be close to Dalton again. But I have to find out if he feels the same way. I can’t blow everything up with my brother if Dalton thinks this is some kind of holiday fling. Maybe I’ll get to talk to him at the play tonight, if I get him on his own for a moment.
“Candy! I need those wires!” Dad shouts.
Once I’ve carried the heavy box upstairs, Dad takes it. “We have three customers who say their outdoor decorations aren’t working. Might be the snow, or they might not have plugged them in. You’re in charge, okay?”
Once he’s left, I turn off the speaker on the door so I don’t have to hear the elf laughing any more. It might send me over the edge.
I take a deep breath once the last customer leaves. Everything’s moving so fast. I thought I was going to spend the holidays crying into my pillow, and instead I’ve lost my virginity to a guy who I’ve crushed on for years. I haven’t even thought of Aiden for days. But is it all too complicated with Dalton? Even though he makes my stomach flip, can I trust him with my heart?
A blast of cold air sends the red and green bows attached to the counter fluttering.
My heart flutters and a pulse beats between my thighs as Dalton strides over to the counter, his belly jiggling a little under his jacket with each step. Everything about him is big and capable, and it makes me dizzy. A sharp pang of need floods through my core.
“How are you doing, gorgeous?” His voice is low, in case anyone’s around.
“We’re alone. Dad’s gone out. I’m okay. My cover story worked, although I think my sister’s onto us.”
He grimaces. “That’s not good.”
I gulp. “What do you mean?”
“If your sister knows, how long before Jax does too?” His face is set in its familiar slight frown.
“And you want to try and keep this secret? Is that what you mean?” My voice breaks slightly on the last word.
“No, Candy–”
“I wouldn’t have done anything if I knew it was a one-night thing, my brother is too important to me. And I thought he was important to you, too…” Tears flood my eyes.
“You’ve got the wrong idea. That’s why I’m here.” Dalton steps behind the counter and takes me into his arms. I dissolve into sobs, the stress pouring out of me. He holds me calmly in his massive arms as I cry, his body warm and comforting.
Tilting my chin up, he smiles. “You’re everything to me, Candy.”
I stand on tiptoe and press my lips against his. He’s hard against me, his hands moving on my back as I lose myself in the kiss.
“What the ever-living fuck is this?!” Jax shouts, sweeping a carefully piled display of flashing rubber snowman decorations off a table.
I spring away from Dalton, my chest heaving. “Jax…”
“Don’t you dare Jax me, Candy. And Dalton, what the fuck do you think you’re doing with my sister ?”
Dalton holds his hands up, trying to calm my brother down as he walks around the counter to face him. “Keep cool, Jax. We were going to tell you–”
“Keep…cool? Are you kidding me? You both LIED to me!” He stomps forward, kicking a box out of the way.
“Seriously, Jax. Dalton’s–”
“How long has this been going on? I trusted you both. Why didn’t you tell me?” Jax’s voice gets even louder.
Dalton eases closer to Jax. “Why don’t we go get a beer and we can–”
“No, we aren’t getting a beer. Leave me the fuck alone. Both of you.” Jax shoulders past Dalton and rips the door open, stomping out onto the snowy street.
Dalton turns to me. “Shit. I’m going to see if I can talk to him, okay?”
I nod. He closes the door quietly behind him.
What have we done? My brother doesn’t trust me. Dalton’s lost his best friend, and he’s going to hate me for that. I’ve probably ruined Christmas now.
All over again.