Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Ten

R yler watched Pike in the rearview mirror, questioning her behavior toward him. She’d always lectured Alia on how she treated the locals when they visited places, and here she was, practically declaring war against the man who had brought them here. What was it about Pike that pressed every button she didn’t know she had?

“You’re quiet.”

“So?” Ryler asked.

“Is that because you’re thinking about Christmas decorations or world domination?”

“Why can’t it be both?” she quipped.

“Or, does your pensive state have something to do with the man currently following us in a big daddy truck.”

“It’s not his truck. He’s borrowing it from the farm.”

“Doesn’t mean he can’t be Daddy.”

Ryler laughed. “Dude, that’s your kink, not mine.”

“And what is wrong with throwing a little kink in the bedroom play? What, are you seriously telling me you like straight missionary, all eye contact?”

“Oh my God, why are we talking about this?”

“Why not? You hit on a man in a bar, ready to pull the trigger on a casual encounter, which I am ninety-nine-point-nine percent sure is a first for you—”

“It’s not,” Ryler interjected.

“Excuse me?”

Alia’s high, skeptical tone sounded so offended, Ryler glanced at her and burst out laughing at her slack-jawed expression. “I have enjoyed a handful of one-night stands. I’m just discreet and tight-lipped about my sex life.”

“Well, then, if it’s not that you swung and missed for the first time, I think that man seriously gets under your skin.”

Ryler didn’t answer, frustrated by Alia’s analysis because it was too close to the truth. Something about Pike intrigued her from the first time she’d checked out his Instagram, and now that she’d met him in person, despite his initial rejection and her assurance that she was no longer interested, he still sent her pulse racing.

“I can neither confirm nor deny your accusation, but what I can say is that the moment has passed and there will be no more lapses.”

Alia sighed. “Too bad. He’s hot in a small-town, blue-collar way.” Ryler eyeballed her suspiciously, and Alia was quick to add, “Not my type.”

Ryler’s shoulders sagged in relief. “I don’t think we’ve ever shared a type.”

“True, but there is a first time for everything.”

“Ew, please no. I’ve gone through sixteen years without having to compete with you. Let’s not start now.”

Alia squeezed her arm. “I love you.”

“That came out of nowhere,” Ryler said, releasing the wheel to reach across her chest and cover her cousin’s hand, “but I love you, too.”

“I was just thinking that you’re my only real family and the best friend I’ve ever had.” Her voice seemed to choke on the last word, and the rest of it had come out kind of wobbly. “I would never want to lose that.”

Ryler released her hand after another reassuring squeeze. “You’re being really doom and gloom today. Something you want to share?”

“No,” she sobbed. “I was just thinking about how important you are to me.”

Her stomach bottomed out at the sound of her cousin’s emotional meltdown. Alia rarely cried, especially for sentimental reasons.

“And now I’m officially freaked out,” Ryler said, making the right-hand turn into their rental’s driveway. “Are you dying?”

“Can’t a cousin just show her love and appreciation without something drastic occurring?” Alia wailed, wiping at her eyes frantically.

“Alright, I’m gonna let this emotional breakdown slide for now because we are about to stop and I gotta save all my wits for my nemesis,” Ryler said, wagging her finger at Alia as she steered with the other hand. “But we’re going to come back to this later, and do not blame your period!”

Alia didn’t respond for several beats and finally asked, “Are you telling me that Pike guy is your nemesis now?”

“Absolutely.” Ryler noticed the silver SUV in the driveway when the trees cleared and smiled. “Speaking of nemeses, the guys are here.”

“Great,” Alia said, with no real bite to her tone.

Ryler pulled up behind them, saving the closest spot to the walkway for Pike so that they wouldn’t have to go around a car to get the tree up the stairs and into the house.

Ryler rolled down her window and pointed to the empty spot, motioning for Pike to park there. He pulled up past her and the guys’ rental car, and Ryler got out before the truck fully stopped. She paused in the doorway, staring at her cousin’s obvious tear-stained face with a frown, worrying her bottom lip.

“Seriously, are you okay?” Ryler asked.

Alia released a wet laugh. “Yeah. Honestly, it’s probably just this time of year. Nothing like an entire season meant for being with family to remind you how shitty your parents are.”

Or that yours are gone.

Ryler knew that it wasn’t the same thing, which is why she kept it to herself. Ryler had experienced a warm, loving relationship with her parents, whereas Alia spent hers with nannies and a staff in a mansion.

She came around the back of the truck and reached for the tailgate, but suddenly Pike was there.

“I got it,” he said, lowering the tailgate. “That way, if it gets scratched, Nick will want to kill me instead of having to hide his rage for you.”

“Thanks for looking out, but I’m not afraid of Frankenstein,” Ryler said before she could catch herself.

“Frankenstein? Why would you—” Pike’s eyes widened, his face splitting into a grin. “Stalker!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said with a sniff. “He’s tall, and his head is kind of a rectangle shape.”

“I’ll let him know you said so,” Pike said, his voice shaking with laughter, “but that’s not why you called him that.” Pike leaned in close and whispered, “You’ve been creeping on my Instagram.”

“I have—only glanced at it briefly, looking for pictures of the town.”

“Uh-huh. ”

“I’ll grab Neil and Kit to help,” Alia said as she passed by them. “It was very nice to meet you, Pike.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

Ryler caught him watching Alia walk up the stairs and kicked his calf. “Perv.”

“Ow,” Pike yelled, bending over to rub the wound. “What was that for?”

“Checking out my cousin’s backside.”

“I was not.”

“Please, I watched your eyes click like a camera shutter taking a mental picture for later.”

Pike folded his arms and leaned against the tailgate, grinning down at her. “You’re jealous.”

“No, I’m disgusted.”

“I’m a single guy, and I was trying to be discreet.”

“You failed.” Ryler noticed Neil coming down the stairs with Kit following close behind, and her face split into a wide, welcoming grin. “Hi!”

“Hey, we were ordered out here to help carry in a tree?” Neil said, holding out his hand to Pike. Neil was several inches taller, but his build was slimmer, and Pike’s shoulders were nearly double Neil’s width.

He took Neil’s hand, pumping it. “I’m Pike. I work for Adventures in Mistletoe.”

“Right, the guy whose comment brought us here. I’m the producer for Excursions .” Neil released his hand and patted Kit’s shoulder. “This is Kit, our cameraman.”

Kit stepped forward and took Pike’s hand. “Hey, man,” Kit said softly. Kit was the quiet one of the group, whom Neil had introduced to Ryler their sophomore year. Kit had black spiky hair and tan skin. His family had moved to the U.S. before he was born, and when he graduated high school, they’d moved back to the Philippines but visited several times a year since Kit and his siblings had stayed in the States.

“Really great to meet you both,” Pike said.

“Likewise,” Neil said, coming around to sling an arm around Ryler’s shoulders. “Ryler’s been talking up this place and saying how excited she is to be here, so we’re looking forward to exploring.”

She noticed Pike’s gaze linger on Neil’s arm around her, and although she’d never thought about it before, she realized her friendship with Neil was very touchy-feely. They were always hugging and wrestling, and she wondered briefly if Pike thought there was something more to it.

“I’ve got plenty of places to show you,” Pike said, his gaze shifting toward the stairs before his gaze met hers. “Hopefully Alia is as excited as Ryler. Mistletoe is a special place, and I think Excursions will see it has a lot to offer.”

“Eh, we don’t tell everyone this, but Ryler’s the one who wears the pants at this show,” Neil said, grinning down at her. “We’re all her puppets, even Alia, going here and standing there and picking photo spots— Ow!” Neil released her to hop on one foot, grabbing the tip of his shoe where Ryler stepped on him. “I was kidding.”

“Don’t feel bad; she does that,” Pike said, his lips twitching. “I don’t know what kind of tread she has on those boots, but it is hard!”

Neil shot Ryler a disapproving look. “Ryls, what have you told us about being rude to the locals?”

“First of all, you both deserved it,” Ryler said, counting off on her fingers, “and second, my boots are made from recycled tires, which means they are long lasting and good for the environment.”

It wasn’t an epic comeback, and she knew it, since all three men wore identical amused expressions. Well, Kit’s was a little more impatient, and she imagined her type-A cameraman hadn’t finished unpacking and setting up his gear, so he was eager to get back inside.

“Speaking of the environment,” Neil said, addressing Pike, but when his dark gaze met Ryler’s, they sparkled mischievously. “Love the pics of the hot springs. When can we hit that?”

Her cheeks burned as Pike turned her way, eyebrows raised, a slow grin spreading across his face. He turned his focus back to Neil. “Anytime, man. I’ll keep an eye on the weather, and we can plan a day.”

“Great, let’s get this tree,” Neil said before hopping into the truck.

Pike caught her gaze and mouthed, Stalker.

Humiliation crawled up her throat and settled like a lump, and she needed to escape. Ryler stomped past the three of them toward the stairs.

“Aren’t you going to help?” Pike called.

“I think you three strong guys got this.” Ryler stopped on the third step up, hands on her hips. “After all, I cut it down, so feels like my job is done. ”

“Do we have a tree stand for this?” Kit asked.

Ryler paused with her foot in midair and her hand on the banister, making a face. When she turned to face them, she plastered a sheepish grin on her face. “That would be a no.”

“A Shop for All Seasons will have one,” Pike said, shrugging. “Can’t say how expensive it will be.”

“What is that?” Neil asked.

“A little shop on Main Street. There’s ornaments and Christmas decorations.” Pike snapped his fingers. “Actually, have you checked the garage? I bet the Gimbles have one in there.”

“The Gimbles?” Ryler climbed back down the stairs and trailed behind him.

“Yeah, the people who own this place,” Pike called over his shoulder as he rounded the corner of the garage. “They’re snowbirds, so they spend six months in Arizona and come back for the summer months.”

Ryler shot Neil a death glare, and he responded by making a heart shape with his fingers. The shit.

She caught up to Pike on the side, who was turning the doorknob with a rattle. He looked up when she approached. “Do you have a key?”

Ryler reached into her pocket and pulled out the key, holding it out to Pike. He unlocked it and shoved the door open, and Ryler followed him inside. “Yep, they still have the basics in here.” Pike picked up the green tree stand and held it out to her. “Check your rental agreement or shoot them a text, but I bet it’s fine. If not, I can ask the Winters if they have an extra.”

“Thanks, I’ll do that and let you know,” Ryler said.

He handed her back the keys. “You should really pull in your cars before the snow hits. Branches have been known to snap when we get a heavy snowfall, and I’d hate for you to file an insurance claim.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Ryler passed through the door ahead of him but turned around too fast to lock it and bumped into Pike. “Sorry.”

“No problem, I’ll just get out of your way.”

Pike tried stepping to the right as she reached for the door, and she poked him in the stomach with the keys.

“Ow, jeez, what is this overwhelming desire to injure me?” he grumbled.

Ryler laughed. “That time was an accident. ”

“Sure it was.” Pike put his hands up as he sidestepped her, giving Ryler full access to the doorknob. “I’m not making any sudden movements.”

“Man, you are a drama king.” Ryler locked up, and he let her go first. As she walked along the cement path, the back of her neck tingled, and she turned around really fast. Pike jerked his head up, looking off at the trees with a guilty expression.

“Excuse me, were you just looking at my ass?”

Pike met her gaze finally, the corner of his mouth curling up in a smirk. “On the off chance I’m about to be called a perv again, I’m going to go with yes.”

Ryler laughed. “At least you’re honest.”

“There’s no other way to be.”

His words triggered a small measure of guilt for Ryler, who wasn’t being honest with him. Not that she owed him or the world that piece of herself, but she appreciated honesty and knowing exactly who someone was. There was nothing worse than being blindsided.

Both Neil and Kit were gone when they made it back to the truck, as was the tree.

“I guess they didn’t need me after all,” he said.

“Or me,” she joked.

Pike lifted the tailgate up and latched it. “I better get back to the farm. If you do decide to go into town and check out A Shop for All Seasons, tell Holly that I sent you.”

“My, don’t you have all the connections.”

Pike grinned. “She’s another Winters. And if you were wondering, we never dated.”

“I wasn’t.” I was.

“Hey, Pike!” Alia called from the top of the stairs.

Ryler followed Pike, who stopped on the first step. “Yeah?”

“If you’re around this weekend, maybe you could give us a tour of the area?”

“Alia, I told you his calendar was blacked out—”

“Only because it was a holiday,” Pike interjected. “My parents are coming back tomorrow, and I plan on spending the day with them, but what about Sunday?”

“Sunday works. Thank you.” Alia ducked back inside.

Pike turned to Ryler with a grin. “I guess I’ll see you Sunday. ”

“Maybe,” she said casually. “Unless I have a headache that day.”

“Suit yourself, Kitten,” he said, booping her nose with the tip of his finger.

“Next time you stick that in my face, I’m going to bite it off.”

“Oh yeah?” Pike brushed past her, close enough for his shoulder to nudge her as he headed for the truck. Before he climbed inside, Pike called over his shoulders, “You should know, I bite back.”