Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Thirteen

A t half past noon on Saturday, Pike opened the door for his parents, his smile fading when he saw the small ball of fur in their arms.

“What the hell is that?” he asked, staring at the puffball with abject horror.

“This is your Christmas present from your sister,” his mom said.

“Absolutely-the-fuck-not!” Pike roared.

“Watch your mouth and your tone.” Tracy Sutton held out the red Pomeranian expectantly. “Here, take her.”

“Uh-uh.”

“Pike …” she warned.

“Moooom,” he drawled back.

“Pike, take the dog from your mother so we can come in. It’s freezing out here,” Dale Sutton barked, his blue eyes narrowed at his son.

Pike took the animal grudgingly, holding it at arm’s length. The little body was warm and trembling in his hands, and he hoped to God it didn’t decide to pee on him.

“Isn’t she adorable?” his mom asked, pushing past him into the house. “We have all her supplies in the back of the car, but we can get them later.”

Pike shot his father a desperate look, but the man only chuckled. Traitor.

“Don’t look at me,” his dad said. “This was all your sister and your mother. ”

Pike turned to face his mother, who was removing her coat. “Why did you get me a dog?”

“It was your sister’s idea, but I agreed. She’ll be a good companion for you.”

“I don’t need a companion.”

“Nonsense. You live alone,” his mother said, settling onto his couch.

“I like living alone.”

“Plus, she can go on all of your excursions with you, which will help you get a girlfriend. Women are goners for men who love animals.”

“I don’t love animals, especially pint-sized ones. And how am I going to take this thing to work with me? Strap her to the back of the snowmobile?”

His dad closed the front door and offered, “They make those little dog car seats.”

“Don’t help, Dad,” Pike snapped.

“Do not talk to your father that way,” his mother clapped back.

Pike took a deep breath. “I am sorry, but I’m not putting a dog car seat—” Pike stopped himself. “Do you know what? Never mind. I am not going to argue about this.” He walked over to his mom and set the dog in her lap. “Thank you for thinking of me, but please take that thing back to wherever you got it.”

“Your sister got it from a breeder in Arizona, so I cannot take it back.” His mom handed the dog to his father, who passed it back to Pike.

“Then you keep it,” Pike said, heading back for her, but she held up her hands.

“No, I will not keep it. This is your dog.”

Pike looked to his dad for help, but the other man just shrugged. “Women, what are you gonna do, huh?”

Pike looked down at the fluffy puppy, who stared back at him with big brown eyes. The little puffball was cute, but this wasn’t something he’d been looking for.

“I don’t even think I can have a dog here.”

“Well, maybe that’ll be the incentive you need to move out of this bachelor pad,” his mother said. When her husband sat down next to her, his parents faced him like a united front, although Tracy did all the talking. “Really, Pike, don’t you think it’s about time you bought a house and started planning for the future? ”

“Why do I need to buy a house when it is just me?” he asked, bringing the pup against his chest when his arms got tired. The tiny beast snuggled against him, sticking its wet nose in the crook of his neck.

“Now it isn’t just you,” she said, pointing to the dog. “And eventually, you’re going to get married.”

“Considering how my last few relationships worked out, the odds are not really in my favor,” he said.

“You never know what the future will bring.”

This time, Dale acknowledged Pike’s silent plea for assistance and interjected, “Honey, do we have to dive right in to this the minute we see our son?”

“Yeah, Mom, do we?” Pike said snarkily.

His father shot him a glare, and he shut his mouth.

“I’m sorry,” Tracy said, sighing. “It’s just with your sister getting married—”

Pike cut her off. “She’s engaged? Since when?”

“It happened right after Thanksgiving dinner,” his dad said.

“Yes, he proposed to her in front of his family and us. It was so lovely. They’re thinking about having the wedding in August.”

“Wow, good for them.” Pike’s sister was two years older and had been dating her boyfriend, Rick, for four years. Pike knew his sister was getting impatient with Rick not popping the question, and she voiced her concerns that he didn’t want to marry her often. Pike was happy to learn that wasn’t the case.

“I’ll have to say congratulations when I bring this monstrosity back to her,” Pike said, stroking the puppy’s soft fur.

“You should give it a few weeks and see if she grows on you,” his mom said.

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh, I don’t want to argue about this with you,” she said, waving her hands in the air like a queen banishing her subject. “Tell us about your week. What did you do? Lonely without us?”

“It was fine,” Pike said, sitting down on the couch. He tried to shift the dog into his lap, but she cuddled deeper into his neck, so he gave up. “I went to the Winters’ for Thanksgiving. And everyone loved my macaroni and cheese.”

“Oh, you didn’t do the Brussels sprouts this year?” his mom asked .

“No, Anthony said no one liked them.”

“That’s too bad. I thought they were tasty,” his mom said.

“I thought they were foul,” his father said.

Tracy smacked him on the shoulder. “That is because you don’t like anything good for you.”

“That’s incorrect. I like Jamba Juice.”

“That is pure sugar,” Tracy said, shaking her head. “Go ahead, Pike. Don’t mind your father.”

“Not a lot happened this week. I went over to the Winters’ Christmas Tree Farm yesterday and helped with opening day.” Pike racked his brain for something else to talk about. “We had a bonfire afterward, and then I came home.”

“It sounds like a busy week,” his dad said.

“Well, you won’t be alone for Christmas,” his mom said, smiling. “Your sister is talking about coming up with Rick through New Year’s and looking at places here to have the wedding.”

“Really? They don’t wanna have a wedding down in Arizona where all of his family are?” Pike asked.

“No, it’ll be too hot in August. And his family has money, so they’re willing to travel.”

“Well, I guess if they have money, we should make sure they spend it unnecessarily.” Pike knew his mother picked up on the sarcasm from the icy stare she sent him.

“Would you rather we spent our money traveling down to Arizona to sit in the hundred-and-thirty-degree weather?” his mom asked.

“You’re right,” Pike said, adding, “They can come up here.”

“That’s what I thought,” she said.

“Oh, there was one more thing that happened this week,” Pike said. “That travel podcast I listen to is doing an episode about Mistletoe. They booked Adventures in Mistletoe for several outings.”

“Wow, congratulations,” his dad said.

“Honey, that’s incredible,” his mom said. “I hope you made a good first impression.” Pike rolled his eyes.

The puppy squirmed in his hands, and his mom said, “You might want to take her out. She hasn’t gone potty in a few hours.”

Pike grumbled as he took the puppy out the front door and set her on the grass. She sat there for a minute, not moving.

“Go on,” he said .

She finally took a tentative step forward and then another and then she squatted.

“Make sure you praise her,” his mother called from the doorway.

“Praise her for taking a piss?” he asked.

“Yes, you just say things like ‘Good girl!’”

Pike stared down at the little red puffball. “Good girl.”

The dog wagged her tail and trotted back over to him. Pike picked her up and held her at eye level. “You are a cute little sucker, but I’m still not keeping you.”

Pike pulled out his phone and took a picture of him and the dog, making sure to scowl for the camera. He sent a message to Anthony with the selfie attached.

This is why I hate my sister.

His phone beeped seconds later.

LOL what is that thing?

Pike tapped out his response one-handed, tucking the dog against his chest. Apparently, my new dog.

The three message dots popped up. Congrats, man.

I’m not keeping it.

You should. It kind of looks like you.

Pike scowled at his phone and then at the dog.

Jerk.

Just stating facts, man.

Since he had Anthony’s attention, he decided to change the subject. I’m taking Alia and her crew out tomorrow morning. When will you be back?

Probably around nine. What time are you meeting them?

Pike hadn’t solidified the plans with Alia and Ryler yet. Not sure. I’ll confirm and let you know. As an afterthought, Pike asked, Are you having fun with your brother?

It’s been a good visit.

Cool. See you tomorrow.

Pike carried the dog back into his apartment, his fingers twitching to find out if Anthony was still at his father’s house. Should he ask him about it, just to put his mind at ease?

This is your best friend. You have no reason not to trust him.

It wasn’t Delilah and Anthony’s interest in her that bothered him. It was the numerous times he’d asked Anthony if his friend had feelings for Delilah and he’d assured Pike he didn’t. It was the possibility that his best friend was lying to him that had him on edge.

“What are you doing out there?” his mom called.

“Nothing,” he said, putting his concerns to the back of his mind. Whatever the truth was, it would come out eventually. It always did.