Midnight Mistletoe

DEREK

I’m sprawled out on my couch, eyes glued to the ceiling and a beer clutched in my hand, feeling downright pathetic. It’s been over a month since I found out my girlfriend, Amanda, was unfaithful. We’d been together for nearly a year, and I was gearing up to propose before I discovered she’d slept with her ex and ended things. I loved her though. I still do.

I take a sip of my beer, wondering why she threw what we had away. A knock at the door jolts me back to reality.

“Come in!” I yell. The door opens, and I bolt upright, nearly spilling my beer as I see who’s dared to enter. Amanda. “What are you doing here?”

My heart, the idiot, is thrilled to see her. It didn’t get the memo that we’re over, but I won’t let a cheater back into my life. I rise from the couch and walk over toward her, keeping my distance.

“You said you found a box of my stuff in the closet,” she says, standing awkwardly in the entryway.

“I thought you were going to send a friend to get it.” I’m trying to keep my cool and not let her see how much I miss her.

“I thought we could talk,” she says as she heads to what was once our room.

I follow her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To our room.”

“Our room? Are you joking? You slept with your ex, Amanda. There is no us,” I remind her. Feeling my frustration rise, I quickly set my beer down to stop myself from hurling it at the wall.

She turns to face me, her lip trembling and her eyes welling up. Not long ago, I would have done anything to avoid seeing her cry, but that was before she stomped all over my heart. Now, I couldn’t care less.

She wipes her tears with the back of her hand. “And you think you’re any better?”

I frown. “What are you implying? I never cheated on you.”

“Yeah? What about her?” Amanda challenges.

“Her? Who are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. The picture in your wallet. The brunette.”

“Ha!” I laugh. “You mean, Freckles? Our dads are best friends. I’ve known her forever. You think I slept with her? I didn’t.”

“Then why do you have her picture in your wallet?”

“I’ve told you before, Amanda. My mom put that picture in my wallet. She wants us to be together, just like Kate’s mom does.”

She snorts. “Yeah, right!”

Did she cheat because of the picture? I’m sure it’s just an excuse. She needs a reason to justify sleeping with her ex. If it really bothered her, she would have confronted me about it ages ago.

I push past her and head into the bedroom, opening my closet and grabbing the box from the top shelf.

“Here.” I hand her the box, giving her a disapproving look. “I need you to leave. Now.”

She sets the box on the floor and approaches me, reaching for my arm.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I pull away quickly and step back. If she touches me, I might not be able to resist and do something stupid like get back together with her.

“Derek, I’m sorry.” She frowns. “I made a mistake. I want you back.”

“Just go,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “We’re not getting back together, Amanda. You ruined us.”

“But...”

“Just go!” I snap.

Amanda grabs the box, frustrated tears spilling down her cheeks. “You’ll regret this. You’ll beg me to come back.”

She stomps out the door, slamming it behind her. I pick up my beer and lie back on the couch, feeling even worse than before she came barging in.

Take her back? Yeah, right. Even if I still love her, I won’t take that risk again. I can’t believe she thought Freckles and I slept together. I’m not even sure why her picture is still in my wallet.

My thoughts are interrupted by my phone ringing. I pick it up, surprised to see Kate Bennett’s number on the screen. She’s never called me before. Usually, we only see each other when our families get together for holidays and vacations. Curious, I swipe to answer.

“Freckles, to what do I owe this pleasure?” I grumble.

“Ugh! You know I hate that nickname,” she groans.

I can’t help but chuckle. I love teasing her.

“Anyway, I need a favor,” she says. “Can we meet?”

“Sure,” I say as I finish my beer.

“I didn’t think you’d agree so easily.”

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises, Freckles.”

“How about the diner near your place? Fifteen minutes?”

“See you then.” I end the call and get up, looking for my coat.