36. Kameron
36
KAMERON
I should have known that my trip to the fire department wouldn’t be short and sweet like I had hoped. The chief had questions, which is understandable and he wanted to iron out details of times to make sure his guys were there.
Even though he’s our Santa and his wife is our Mrs. Claus, the entire mini event revolves right around them.
I’ve sent an email to the photographer I had in mind, I think she’d be a good fit and she’s an up and coming photographer, so the publicity from the event would do her wonders. I’m hoping she agrees to donate. I’m trying to throw as much money as I can at the charities in town. The bank is going to set up an ATM for the Stripping Santas show, to make it easier for everyone to get their cash. Or more cash if needed.
And all of that money is being donated to the Children’s Home.
I also hate how every single time I think of the Stripping Santas show I think of Kris. It annoys me, but I can’t seem to stop myself.
Which is why I walk right into something. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a wall, but it’s firm and strong from what I’m feeling beneath my palms, and all thoughts of the Stripping Santa I can’t get out of my head slowly drifts away as I come to realize that my hands are roaming all over Damon’s chest.
“Umm, hi.” He grins, staring down at me.
“Oh, sorry.” I flush. “Hi.”
He looks down to where my hands are still pressed against him, and my eyes follow before I quickly yank them away.
“I haven’t seen you in a while.” His grin grows.
“I’ve been throwing myself into work, I was out of town for about a week around Thanksgiving.”
“Ah, that explains it.” He nods.
“Explains what?” I frown, curious.
“Why I haven’t been able to track you down.” He chuckles. “I missed you at the community Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Yeah, I was in Gatlinburg for a wedding and then I went back home for Thanksgiving with my family,” I explain, thinking back to how my mother constantly asked me what was wrong the entire time I was there.
Normally, Thanksgiving is my favorite. The food is untouchable at that time of year, but this year just sucked. The food was still good, and thank God for that, because the company was brutal and I was more than ready to come back to Birchwood. At one point, I even considered leaving and attending the community dinner instead.
“Where you off to now?” he asks.
“Oh, crap.” I look down at my watch. “I’m supposed to be heading to that new Christmas Tree farm that just opened and they close soon.” I look up at Damon. “I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to go.”
“I can drive you,” he offers and I freeze.
“What?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “What I meant to say was that I could drive you, and the time wouldn’t matter because my brother owns it, he could stay open for us.”
Oh, wow. What a knight in shining armor moment.
Suddenly, I’m comparing Damon and Kris. Everything Kris is, Damon is truly the opposite.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.” But the idea of not having to be so rushed to get there is extremely appealing.
“You didn’t ask.”
He smiles at me, and I catch myself staring at how perfect of a smile it is. But sadly, it’s not doing anything to me the way that Kris’ smile does.
“I offered.”
“If you insist.” I chuckle. “I’d really appreciate not having to break a ton of traffic laws to get there.”
“Say no more.” He gestures toward the parking lot of the fire house.
“Are you off work already?” I ask.
“It’s actually my day off. I was just picking up a few things.”
I nod, following him to his car.
He opens my door, like the perfect gentleman and my mind goes to when Kris opened my door for me during the wedding.
“So, what’s the reason for the trip to the tree farm?” he asks, pulling into traffic.
“Well, you know the Christmas Bazaar kicks off that morning and lasts all day?”
He nods.
“One of the mini events is a tree decorating contest. I was hoping to get a few real trees to make the event a little cozier, and I’m hoping your brother would be interested in donating the trees or at the very least giving me a good discount.”
“I’m sure he would. Kyle is a good dude.” He smiles, looking over at me. “That’s my brother.”
I nod, following along.
“He likes giving back to the community.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ve got to nail down all the little details soon or I might just go crazy.” I laugh.
“Maybe in that busy schedule of yours you could find time to fit a date in with me.”
I’m thankful I’m not driving right now, because what just came out of his mouth would surely have me swerving or slamming on the breaks.
I mean, sure I figured he liked me. He made that pretty clear at the Halloween Festival, but… you know what? Maybe it’s me?
Why am I so shocked that someone would want to ask me out?
Why does the fact someone did ask me out shock the hell out of me?
Why am I just staring at him as if he’s grown a third head?
My phone vibrates in my lap, and I nearly throw the damn thing across the cab from shock. Damon chuckles, I’m sure enjoying seeing me so out of sorts.
I hit the answer button without looking down at the screen once I finally have it in my hand.
“Hello,” I say, sounding flustered. I’m sure I’m three different shades of red right now.
“Hey,” that deep voice says from the other side and my stomach drops.
Shit. No. No. No.
“Kris?” I ask, feeling myself flush. I’m still looking at Damon, and he frowns over at me before looking at the road.
This trip has really gone quickly, maybe he knew a shortcut that I didn’t because we’re driving through the wooden frame that holds the Christmas Tree farm name.
“Uh, yeah?” He sounds unsure, and I am freaking the fuck out on the inside.
“Sorry, I didn’t look at the caller ID before answering.” I change my tone, feeling equally stupid for answering his call and suddenly drawn to the sound of his voice on the other side.
Why am I like this?
“I, uh, wanted to call to, um…”
We pull the truck up to the front of the store.
The rolling land is beautiful, with rows of Christmas trees lining the fields. All different sizes of the gorgeous dark green pine. A large house sits at the top of the hill, overlooking all the trees and I find myself wondering for a minute what it must be like to live here. To have that view every day when you wake up.
The storefront is small, the wooden theme outside seems fitting for all that this place is.
The doors are propped open despite the chill in the air, Tennessee weather is wild these days. It’s warm enough to go with a jacket on sunny days, but you could freeze your ass off at night.
Damon shifts his car into park, and turns to look at me.
“Listen, Kris,” I pause, really trying to not stutter, “I’m kind of in the middle of something with Damon. Can I call you back?”
I hear something that sounds like a growl on the other end before he says, “Yeah, sure.”
And he hangs up.
Why is my life like this?