The Hazards of Mistletoe Read online

  “It’s Dalton. Can I come in?”

  I groaned. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

  He ignored me and pushed open the door.

  “What do you want?”

  “I wanted to apologize.”

  “For?”

  “Being an ass. I shouldn’t have said that stuff to you.”

  I ran a hand through my likely messy hair. “I probably shouldn’t have doused you with water either.”

  He sat down on the edge of my bed. “I deserved that, but can we call a truce?”

  “A truce?” I blinked away the last remnants of sleep. What was he doing? I preferred when people took a position and stuck to it.

  “Yeah. Let’s hang out tonight.”

  “Hang out?” I looked at him skeptically. “What’s in it for you?”

  “I really want to see the new Tarantino movie. It’s playing at some dinner and a movie place, and I know Laney would never watch it. Any chance you’re into that kind of thing?”

  “I’d see the movie, but I’d rather not go with you.” I wasn’t in the mood for more of his interrogations. Whether it was because of misguided concern or not, it didn’t make it any more pleasant.

  “Tough luck. It’s a package deal.”

  “I guess I’ll see it another time then.”

  “Come on. Cut me a break here.”

  “Why? You can easily see the movie alone too. Or ask my Dad. You seem to get along well.”

  “I don’t want to go with your dad. I want to go with you.”

  Wait. What was going on here? Was this all some weird twisted thing because he liked me? Was that why he was being so weird about Glen? Ugh, I didn’t need that. “Ok, our parents are dating. That means don’t go there.”

  “I’m not asking you out.” Then he seemed to think over his words. “Not that you’re not great and all, but you’re right. Our parents are dating. I want to hang out and get to know each other. Whether you like it or not, we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other.”

  “Oh yeah? You know something I don’t?”

  He sighed. “Some, but don’t blow this into something it’s not. I promise to put all my cards on the table if you do the same thing.”

  “Why? Why should I tell you anything?”

  “Because you need someone to talk to. You might not want to admit it, but it’s true. And contrary to my earlier behavior, I’m not judgmental.”

  I laughed dryly. “You’re one of the most judgmental people I’ve ever met.”

  “I was just angry.”

  “You had no reason to be mad.”

  “I was annoyed and worried. Agree to come out. We can talk about all this later.”

  I thought about it. If what Dalton was hinting at was true, then our parents were even more serious than I thought. That meant I’d be seeing Dalton if I ever wanted to see my dad, and considering how awkward visiting my mom was now, I wasn’t interested in making my dad’s visits bad too. “Fine. Truce accepted, but if you’re a jerk again I’m not forgiving you.”

  “Fair terms.” He held out his hand. “Let’s shake on it.”

  I laughed. “You’re something else.”

  “So are you. You’re definitely different than your dad made you sound.”

  “Do I want to know how he described me?”

  “Kind of quiet, shy, and with a little bit of an attitude.”

  “He didn’t.”

  “He did.” Dalton nodded. “Don’t worry. My mom excitedly told him how great it was that I’d have someone just like me around.”

  I laughed. “None of those words describe you.”

  “Nor do they describe you. Obviously our parents don’t know us that well.”

  “Sometimes that’s a good thing. If they knew the real us they probably wouldn’t let us go out on the town.”

  He smiled. “Nope. They’d fear we were heading out for a night of wild clubbing and debauchery.”

  “In Vail?”

  He shrugged. “There has to be some of that here, right? Where do all the rich kids get plastered?”

  Rich kids. That made me think of Glen and my chest tightened. “I wouldn’t know.”

  Dalton seemed to sense the change in me. “All right, I’m leaving before you change your mind. The movie’s at six.”

  “All right. Sounds good.” I stood up and stretched as soon as he closed the door behind him. At least we were going to see a good movie. I needed a distraction.

  I took a quick shower and called Jade.

  “Hey!” She answered right away. “Still having fun?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Did you see him?”

  “Glen?”

  “Who else would I be taking about?” She covered the phone. “Mom, I’m on the phone with a friend. I’ll be down in a little bit.”

  “Making sure she knows your every move?”

  She groaned. “Don’t get me started. She actually tried to set me up on a blind date.”

  “Ugh. That sounds awful.”

  “Luckily the guy got sick.” She must have realized how her words sounded. “I don’t mean lucky he was sick because I want him sick. I meant so I didn’t—”

  “I get it.”

  “Ok, good. Now fill me in. What happened with Glen?”

  “He told me we needed to talk, and I pretty much told him to hit the road.”

  “Good for you. I told you you’d be fine.”

  “Hopefully I can avoid another run-in.”

  “You can do it, and it sounds like you’ve got people to hang out with.”

  “Don’t even get me started there.”

  “Uh oh.” She made some sort of rustling sound, but I didn’t ask what she was doing. “I thought they were cool.”

  “They are. Well, the girl is. The guy, Dalton, is good at pushing my buttons.”

  “Maybe that’s good. It can keep your mind off Glen.”

  “Let’s hope.”

  “Jade!” Someone yelled.

  “I’m guessing you’ve got to go?”

  “I’ll call you later.”

  “Ok, talk soon.” I hung up. It sounded like Jade wasn’t having any more fun than I was.

  ***

  “Why did you tell me the movie started at six?” I glanced at the marquee again. Dalton didn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would get a movie time wrong. He was too precise and calculated for that.

  “I thought we could use the time to hang out before. I knew you wouldn’t have wanted to come early otherwise.”

  I groaned. “Is this punishment for me splashing water on you? Because you are the one who called the truce.”

  “I did call the truce, and I stand by it. Sit down. I’m not going to be able to pull what I did the other day, so what nonalcoholic drink can I get you from the bar?”

  “Pineapple juice.”

  “Pineapple juice? Interesting choice.”

  “It’s sweet but not too sweet. What’s not to like?”

  “If you say so.”

  I took a seat at a long, high table with about ten chairs. I figured there was no reason to look for anything more intimate. I didn’t particularly want to talk to Dalton about anything. I people watched for a few minutes, half listening in on a conversation between two women who were probably in their early thirties. They were bemoaning the guys left in the dating pool after twenty-nine.

  “Interesting conversation?” Dalton nudged me before he set my pineapple juice in front of me. “As tempted as I was to try the juice I went for a Coke.”

  “You could have had something with alcohol.”

  “Technically yes, but what’s the fun in that when you can’t have it?”

  “What’s the fun in any of this?”

  “Let’s pretend for a moment that you weren’t in a depressing and cynical mood, you didn’t answer my question. Interesting conversation?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I glanced over at the two women. They were each sipping
wine. They didn’t appear to have heard Dalton at least.

  “Don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll have trouble landing a guy.” He patted my shoulder and sat down. Had he been eavesdropping too?

  “Because I’m so concerned with your opinion on the subject?”

  “I don’t know what you’re concerned with. I only know what I’m concerned with.”

  “And that is what? Annoying me?”

  “My mom’s happiness.”

  “What?” I wasn’t expecting that.

  “My mom’s in love with your dad. She’s like a different person around him. I haven’t seen her like that in years.”

  “That’s great. What’s your concern then?”

  “You.”

  “Me?” I put a hand to my chest. “What do I have to do with anything?”

  “I’m going to hope you’re oblivious and not doing any of this on purpose.”

  “Meaning?” My chest tightened. What was he about to accuse me of?

  He sipped his Coke. “Your dad’s already worried about you. He’s afraid of making things worse. He won’t propose because of it, and Mom thinks it’s because he’s not committed.”

  “Making what worse? And why is he worried?”

  Dalton looked me straight in the eyes. “What happened last Christmas? I heard your mom got engaged.”

  I sighed. “Please. Do we have to do this?”

  “Yes. Yes we do.”

  “Ok, fine. Yes, my mom got engaged. Her then boyfriend did it when all of his kids were there, and he knew I wouldn’t be. He then planned a family trip knowing I couldn’t come.”

  “Ouch. That sucks.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t see why it has anything to do with my dad. It’s over. Amazingly enough I was invited to the wedding.”

  “And what about you? Are you really that okay with it?”

  “With my mom getting married? Sure. Mac doesn’t like me. There’s nothing I can do to change that, but I love my mom, and she seems happy with him.”

  “So why is your dad convinced you’re going to go off the deep end if he proposes to my mom?”

  “How am I supposed to know? I barely saw him last Christmas. I left early.”

  “Why did you leave early?” Dalton rested his elbows on the table.

  “Not going there.”

  “Ok. So that brings us back to the guy.”

  “Can we please talk about something else? I prefer talking about my mom’s marriage to this.”

  “But if you’re telling me your moodiness didn’t come from your mom, then it’s the guy. You’re dad has it all wrong.”

  “Moodiness?”

  “Yeah. Your dad says you’re like a different person.”

  “That’s not true. I was peppy enough to get into a sorority.” I laughed. “Ok, that sounded bad.”

  “Meaning you can fake it.” He stirred his straw around his glass. “So what I’m trying to figure out is what the guy could have done to make you miserable, weight obsessed, and into dating risky men.”

  “Hey! None of that is true.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No.”

  “Then explain it.”

  “Explain what?” I pushed away my juice. It was too sweet for the mood I was in.

  “Explain why you date older men. Let’s start there.”

  “You’re not my therapist.”

  “But you have one?”

  “Dalton, I’m about to walk out of here.”

  “And walk home?”

  “It’s only a half mile or so.”

  “In the cold.”

  “Then I’ll call my dad.”

  “With what?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He pulled my phone out of his pocket and grinned. “I know it’s creepy, but I’m desperate. My mom is going to give up on your dad if he doesn’t pop the question soon.”

  “Fine. I’ll tell my dad how I can’t imagine better step-siblings, so he needs to propose.”

  Dalton laughed. “Good try, but talking to your dad about your feelings can’t hurt.”

  “Except he’s going to pester me with questions just like you are.”

  “And that’s a bad thing? He’s your parent. He’s supposed to pester you.”

  “But you’re not a parent, or even related to me, so you shouldn’t be pestering me at all.”

  “I’ll stop if you promise to talk to your dad. But I’m here. I really don’t mind listening.”

  “But I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Fair enough, but if you change your mind.”

  “I’m not going to change my mind.”

  “If you say so.” He finished off his Coke.

  Seating is now beginning. The announcement came over the loudspeaker.

  “I hope you’re a sit in the middle type person.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I had to reserve our seats in advance since I knew it would be crowded. We’re in the middle.”

  “Middle’s perfect.” I seemed to always date guys who liked the front or back. Sitting in the front strained my neck, and I needed glasses to see from the back.

  I stood up and took off my coat. I’d been so cold and distracted, I’d never taken it off.

  We started walking toward the doors of the theater when I saw Glen. Seriously? At the movies? “Let’s go.” I grabbed on to Dalton’s arm.

  “What?” He looked over his shoulder. “Oh. I see.”

  “Come on. Get the tickets out. Let’s do this.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” He put his hands on my arms. “Maybe it would be better to face this head on.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “No, I don’t. And whose fault is that?”

  I gritted my teeth. “Please, Dalton.”

  Glen noticed us and walked over. “Savy, what a pleasant surprise.”

  I nudged Dalton. “Thanks, Mr. Slowpoke.”

  “Relax. I have this.” Dalton put an arm around me. “Hi. Can we help you?” He looked right at Glen. At least Glen wasn’t with a girl. He was with a guy with spiky brown hair.

  “Yes, you can help me. I’ve been trying to get a few minutes with Savy here. Mind if I borrow her?”

  “I don’t want to talk to you.” I couldn’t look at him as I spoke. It just brought back memories of how humiliated I’d been.

  “But I want to talk to you, and I’m not going to give up until you agree to it. Come on, just a few minutes.”

  “What is it with this place? I’ve been here twenty-four hours and I have to deal with not one, but two annoying guys asking to talk with me when it’s the last thing I want to do.”

  Glen laughed and looked at Dalton. “I guess you’ve been in the dog house too?”

  The guy with the spiky hair leaned in toward Dalton. “Listen, man. These two have a history. If you think she really likes you then why not let them talk?”

  For a moment I actually considered letting Mr. Spiky and Glen think that Dalton and I were together, but I quickly brushed the thought off. I wasn’t the kind of girl to play games. I didn’t like when people played them with me, so there was no reason to do it myself. “We’re not together that way.”

  “You’re not?” Glen’s face lit up.

  “No. Not that it should matter to you.”

  Glen’s expression didn’t falter. “Can we talk? We have some time before the movie starts.”

  “Since when do you come here?” He’d never mentioned the place before. How random was it that he happened to show up for the same movie showing?

  “Since when do you?”

  “Since Dalton suggested it.”

  “Dalton? Huh?”

  “Is there a problem with my name?” Dalton went on the defensive.

  “No, although I’m still trying to figure this all out. She said you’re not together, so why do I keep seeing you with your hands all over her then?”

  “She’s my friend. That’s a
ll you need to know.”

  “I don’t know what Savy has told you about me, but we’ve been friends for years. You can tone down the anger and over protectiveness. I’m the one who should be worried about you around her.”

  “Except her dad likes to have me around her. Can you say the same thing?”

  “Did you tell your dad?” Glen glanced at me apprehensively. “I haven’t seen him yet.”

  “No, but who cares?”

  “I care. It means I need to explain everything to him too.”

  I took a deep breath. Maybe Dalton was right about hitting this head on. “Okay, Glen. Let’s talk.”

  “Great.” He grinned. “We’ll be just a few minutes.” He reached his hand toward me, but I stepped away. He seemed to get the hint because he started walking. I followed, taking slow deep breaths along the way. When I saw a break in the crowd, I stopped.

  “So what did you want to talk about?”

  “You know what I want to talk about.” He shifted his weight in what seemed like a nervous action. I wasn’t used to seeing Glen look nervous.

  “I’m guessing about what happened, but I don’t want to talk about it. You made your feelings heard loud and clear. It’s over. I left you alone. Let’s move on.”

  “See, that’s the problem. I don’t think I made my real feelings clear.”

  A group of teenagers walked toward us, and I moved to the side to avoid them, nearly falling into Glen. I stepped back. “Sorry.”

  “Please, don’t apologize. Should we sit?” He gestured to a nearby vacant table. Most people were already heading into the theater.

  “Sure.” Maybe I’d be less nervous if I sat down. I needed to get this over with. Then I could forget about everything while watching the movie. Distractions were good.

  He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down. Instead of sitting across from me he sat down right next to me. I let it slide. I’d been closer to Glen than that before. Just thinking about it made my whole body warm—in both good and bad ways. The humiliation was there right along with the attraction. “Why do you think I did what I did?”

  “No way. There is no way you’re doing this to me.” I pushed back my chair.

  “Wait.” He touched my arm. “Hear me out. I promise there’s a point.”

  “I’m not answering that. You can’t make me talk about how you rejected me. It’s not fair.” I tried to blink back the tears. What was wrong with me? I was stronger than that.