Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Fourteen

I t’s finally starting to look a little like Christmas in here,” Alia said from her perch on the couch.

Ryler and Kit had come back from town with their arms loaded down with Christmas décor, and they had to make three trips up and down the stairs to get everything inside. Alia and Neil had been sitting in the living room when they’d arrived, and although Neil helped, Alia told them she wasn’t feeling great.

Ryler, Neil, and Kit got to work decorating the tree, while Alia sat on the couch, directing where the ornaments should be hung. The stockings wouldn’t be ready until Monday, but they covered the top of the fireplace with garland and four stocking holders that spelled out NOEL. Ryler put a little figurine of a Christmas gnome holding presents in the middle of the kitchen table and lit two of the same scented candles that Holly had been burning in the store, placing them at opposite ends of the house. Now that the rental smelled like her mother’s kitchen and the decorations were all in place, it was really starting to feel like Christmas.

“All you need is stockings and a Santa hat, and this will be the jolliest place on Earth,” Alia joked.

Ryler laughed. “And it only took four hours.”

“What should we do tonight?” Neil asked.

“We went to a little bar and grill the other night,” Ryler said. “It had a dance floor and darts.”

“And animal heads on the wall,” Alia said.

Ryler stuck her tongue out at her cousin. “But the food was good.”

Neil pulled up his phone. “I’ll see what our options are. Brews and Chews. ”

“That’s the place we went,” Ryler said.

“There’s axe throwing.”

“That could be fun,” Kit said, pantomiming throwing something overhand.

“There’s another bar that sounds a little sketch,” Neil said.

“Why does it sound sketch?” Ryler asked.

“It’s called the Wolf’s Den.”

“Yeah, let’s not go there,” Alia said.

“Looks like we’re either axe throwing or Brews and Chews,” Neil said.

“We can axe throw before we go get dinner and drinks,” Kit said, checking his watch. “It’s still early.”

“I know we’re getting a guided tour tomorrow, but we could go explore the outskirts of town now,” Neil said.

Alia groaned. “I really don’t want to be stuck in a car for hours if it’s all the same.”

Ryler frowned at her cousin’s pale face. She really didn’t look like she felt good. “Are you going to be okay for tomorrow?”

Alia shrugged. “Neil got me something to help with my stomach, so hopefully that takes care of it.”

Ryler thought about Kit’s revelation that Alia didn’t want to be the face of the podcast’s Instagram anymore. Could the stomachache be a ruse so she didn’t have to admit to Ryler that she wanted to quit?

Ryler said, “What if I asked Pike if he knows of any fun things to do on a Saturday night? I bet there’s lots of events he knows about that we wouldn’t.”

“Sounds good,” Neil said.

Ryler squatted down next to her cousin and placed a hand on her knee. “Why don’t you go lie down and rest while we figure out tonight’s plans?”

Alia got up from the couch and nodded. “Thank you.”

“Do you need anything?” Neil asked in a surprising show of concern.

Alia smiled. “No, I’m alright. Thank you.”

When Alia left the room, Ryler raised her eyebrow at Neil. “Since when are you worried about my cousin’s well-being?”

“Just because I think she is a pain in the ass doesn’t mean I don’t care about her.” His tone was admonishing, and it left Ryler immediately contrite .

“I’m sorry, that was shitty of me.”

Neil laughed. “It’s all right, we haven’t always been the best around each other, but I’m trying to be better.”

“That’s really nice, Neil,” Ryler said, wondering at the change of heart but afraid to ask.

“Why don’t you go ahead and text your friend, and I’ll hop in the shower?” Neil suggested.

“Okay,” Ryler said.

“I’m going to go make a snack,” Kit said, leaving the room and heading into the open kitchen. Ryler sat on the couch and pulled out her phone to text Pike.

Hey, it’s Ryler, Alia’s assistant. What are some things to do in town on a Saturday night?

The three little bubbles flashed, and when she read his response, Ryler laughed.

How did you get this number? (Pensive emoji)

Holly gave it to me. I told her we were supposed to meet tomorrow and I forgot to grab it from you. Why, did you not want me to have this number?

I just didn’t remember giving you a card.

Oh, you have business cards. Sophisticated.

Lol I’m a sophisticated guy.

Well, are you a sophisticated guy who knows what the haps are on a Saturday night?

The haps are a live band at Brews and Chews and that’s about it.

Is the band any good?

I guess it depends on what kind of music you like. This one tends to play mostly country and classic rock.

Oh, and at the Wolf’s Den they have karaoke, but it’s a rougher crowd.

How rough? Coyote Ugly no water in the star rough or Sons of Anarchy toss you out a window rough?

Leaning more toward Sons of Anarchy . The local biker club hangs out there a lot. If you pick the wrong song, you might get heckled.

I don’t think my friends are gonna go for that. I guess live band it is.

I guess I’ll see you there then. My friends and I usually meet there around eight.

Is that an official invite to join you?

You all are welcome to join us. Don’t make it weird.

Ryler laughed, and Kit asked over her shoulder, “What’s so funny? ”

“Nothing,” she said, exiting the chat. “Pike invited us to join him and his crew at Brews and Chews.”

“Sweet,” Kit said, hopping over the back of the couch to sit next to her. “Are Holly and Merry gonna be there?”

“Um, I don’t know, but their significant others probably will be.”

“That’s fine, I just like to look at them,” Kit said.

“Creeper.”

“Besides, if one woman in this town looks like that, I’m sure there are more.”

Ryler shook her head. “I’ve barely heard you say two words to any woman. Even with Mae, I wasn’t sure you guys ever had full conversations.”

“Sometimes talking is overrated.” Kit waggled his eyebrows, and Ryler laughed.

Neil came out with pants on but no shirt. “Where are we going, so I know what to wear?”

“We’re meeting Pike and his friends at Brews and Chews,” Ryler said.

“Alright, so how does one dress for this place?” Neil asked.

“Casual T-shirt and jeans,” Ryler said.

“So, no coonskin hat, then. Got it.”

“Actually, that might work, and I bet you could pull it off,” Ryler said.

“Get the fuck out of here.” Neil laughed.

“I’m going to get in the shower now,” Kit said.

“You showered this morning.”

“Yes, but if I meet the love of my life, I want to be extra clean.”

“What is he going on about?” Neil asked.

“Kit got a glimpse of some of the local women folk, and now he’s fixin’ to find himself a bride,” Ryler said with a fake country twang.

“That’s weird. Especially since he’ll have to leave her before Christmas.”

“Maybe he’ll take her home with him to meet his family,” Ryler said.

“Well, as long as he’s happy, I wish him the best,” Neil said. “I am going to go get on my shirt. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here,” Ryler said.

Neil left the room and Ryler’s phone beeped. It was another message from Pike.

Are you guys going to join us? If so, I’ll make sure to get a bigger table.

We will be there.