Midnight Mistletoe

DEREK

“So, you’re telling me that you’re going to play along as Kate’s boyfriend for the Bennett’s Christmas gathering?” My friend Nick asks with a confused look on his face.

I snort. “I can’t believe I agreed to this charade.”

Nick cocks his head. “Why’d you agree then?”

“You know the deal. Our moms have been dreaming of me and Kate getting together forever. Once this is done, they can let go of that silly notion.” I take a deep drag from my cigarette.

“What’s so silly about dating Kate?” Nick asks. “She’s a beautiful woman.”

I frown. “You’re kidding, right?”

Nick looks at me like I’ve sprouted a second head. “Are you blind? Kate’s a good-looking woman.”

I won’t deny she’s good-looking, but I’ve tried very hard not to think about her like that. Hell, our dads are best friends. We grew up together.

“She’s okay,” I say, nonchalantly flicking the ash from my cigarette. “Not really my type.”

“You’re nuts,” Nick continues. “I’d give anything to have her legs wrapped around me while I’m deep inside her. That long, dark hair, those light-green eyes, and those adorable freckles? She’s my idea of a perfect woman.”

“That’s enough. She wouldn’t look twice at you anyway.” I glare at him. If he keeps talking about Kate like this, I’m going to lose it.

The jerk smirks at me. “Look at you, jumping to her defense. What’s that about?” His grin widens. That asshole was just trying to get a rise out of me, and it worked.

“Nothing.” I cross my arms over my chest. “She’s like a sister to me, that’s all.”

Nick raises his eyebrows, challenging me.

“Can we drop it?” I ask. “Talk about something else?”

He nods. “So, how’ve you been?”

“What do you mean?”

He takes a gulp of his beer. “How’ve you been coping since you found out what that bitch did?”

Is he kidding? I ask him to drop the Kate topic, and now he’s asking about my cheating ex. I shake my head before taking another drag from my cigarette.

“What are we? Girls sharing our feelings?”

“I’m just worried about you, dude,” Nick says, setting down his beer.

“Don’t be.” I run my thumb over my bottom lip. “I’m fine.”

He’s about to say more, but thankfully my cell phone rings. I groan when I see who’s calling. Before I can react, Nick grabs my phone.

“Hey, Kate,” he says happily. “How are you, sweetheart?” Nick grins.

Ever since I agreed to her little play, Kate’s been calling me almost daily to make sure our stories match. I’ve known her my whole life and never talked to her as much as I have in the past week. I should have just said no.

Nick’s eyes land on me, a mischievous look in them. “You know you could bring me home to the folks instead of this jerk here. I’d be more than happy to help.”

I snatch my phone from him and put it to my ear. “Not tonight, Freckles. I’m busy.”

“You told Nick!” she shouts.

“What? It’s not like he’s coming for Christmas. I don’t see the problem.”

“I just might,” he dares to say.

I shoot him a warning glare.

“No, you’re right. I’m sorry.” Kate sounds let down. “Can I call you tomorrow?”

I exhale. “I’ll call you.”

I end the call quickly. Nick is grinning at me.

“What?” I ask.

He chuckles. “Nothing.”

My phone rings again. I glance down, ready to tell Kate whatever it is will have to wait, but there’s a different name on the screen.

“Mom, why are you calling so late? Is everything okay?” I ask. I’m starting to think the universe is testing my sanity tonight.

“Can’t a mother call to check on her son?” she replies.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Of course.” I sigh. “Sorry, Mom. I’m fine though, I promise.”

Nick covers his mouth to stifle his laughter. I shoot him a warning glare, but the jerk laughs harder.

“Jenna, why are you calling our son at this hour?”

I can barely hear my dad’s voice in the background.

“I just want to make sure he’s okay. He had his heart broken.”

“Oh for god’s sake, woman! He says he’s fine. Leave him alone. You’re embarrassing him.”

“Derek Nathaniel Sawyer, am I embarrassing you?” my mom asks. “Tell me the truth, honey.”

Don’t answer that, my brain tells me. ~You know it’s a trap. Just say no, dude.~

“Well,” I say, hesitating. “Yeah, a little bit, Mom.”

As soon as I say it, I close my eyes, knowing I made a mistake. Dammit, should have listened to my head, I think as I open my eyes. Nick is shaking from trying not to laugh. I flip him off, which only makes him laugh harder.

“I see,” my mom says with a dramatic sniffle. “I won’t keep you then, honey. We’ll see you next week.”

“Aw, Mom…”

She hangs up before I can say goodbye. Nick bursts out laughing.

“I can’t believe I’m going to miss this,” he says, wiping the tears from his eyes.

“Shut up,” I growl, heading to the fridge for another beer.