Monsters Under Mistletoe

2. Gabe

Chapter 2

Gabe

S he looked as good as ever in her green Christmas dress. The moment I entered, I noticed those long, toned legs standing precariously on a nothing of a footstool, dropping my heart as, in my mind’s eye, I saw her toppling off it before it happened.

My inner bear roared, and a need to protect her—even if it was from herself—rushed through me.

Her red hair shone with blonde and lighter red highlights, something she must have just recently added. It looked stunning, just like her ass, brushed by the last strands of her cascading locks. She was the most beautiful, stunning woman I had ever seen.

For as long as I could remember, I had a crush on Caro, but as my brother’s best friend, she had been off limits to me. Not anymore, though. Not after Patrick hooked up with Ella, Carol’s best friend, opening my eyes to the truth my bear had been trying to tell me for years.

My brother wasn’t into her like this. Yes, they were best friends, but both of them felt more like brother and sister for one another. I had always thought Pat liked her the way I did. It had never crossed my mind that they were only friends.

Idiot , Simon, my bear, echoed in my head. Idiot, idiot, idiot .

Since Patrick’s wedding six months ago, I couldn’t think about anything but Caro. Mostly I had managed successfully to avoid her over the years, but not at the disastrous wedding. She had looked radiant in her maid of honor dress and I would have approached her then, flirted with her, despite the presence of her boyfriend, but first she had seemed busy with her bride’s maid responsibilities and taking care of her boyfriend, and then … the disaster struck, spoiling and ending the wedding reception almost as soon as it began.

Some careful prodding at Patrick over the last few weeks had revealed that Caro had broken up with the guy she had been dating at the wedding, and I finally saw my chance. If only I could temper my sarcasm around her for a minute, I felt hopeful to have a shot at her.

You couldn’t keep your mouth shut, though, could you ? Simon accused. It’s not my fault, I argued back , knowing I would lose. Which, judging by the sarcastic laugh in my head, I already had. Just because she doesn’t drop at your feet like all the other women you claim to be tired of, doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you .

Could have fooled me, I argued back. Truth be told, I always felt intimidated around Caro.

Where did she go anyway?

“Come, let’s go in the kitchen, I have drinks and some hors d'oeuvres ready,” Ella invited.

Two cooks were already working in her oversized kitchen, while a quick glimpse around the corner showed a masterfully decorated family room with a decked out Christmas tree and wrapped presents underneath it. A lonely figure sat on the edge of one of the inviting looking red couches, Caro.

I checked my watch, I didn’t have much time, before more guests would arrive, this was my chance to talk to her.

Patrick’s phone rang and he excused himself, while Ella directed the cooks on what she needed done. I grabbed a small plate, a few hors d'oeuvres and two glasses filled with something bubbly, and walked over to Caro, plopping down on the same couch whose armrest her adorable butt occupied.

“Hello again.” I said as Simon cringed inside me.

“Oh, hey. Looks great in here, doesn’t it?” Caro’s eyes moved over the decorations, the tree, and stopped at the fireplace, while mine remained glued to her.

“Beautiful,” I agreed.

I held out the plate, “Peace offering?”

“Did you put a laxative on it?” she asked, not unjustified, I had played that prank on her a few years ago.

I snagged one of the little appetizers and dropped it into my mouth. Loudly chewing, I said, “No.”

“Gross,” she shook her head, but laughed and selected a morsel for herself. Not daintily like the other women who usually hung around me, but with Caro’s gusto.

“I missed you,” I confessed.

She arched a beautifully plucked eyebrow and finally looked at me, her facial expression was filled with apprehension and doubt. “Missed me?” Her eyes narrowed, “Alright, what prank are you trying to play on me now?”

“I swear none,” I said, crossing my heart for good measure. “God’s honest truth, I missed you. Home. This.” I waved my arm to encompass Ella and Patrick.

“You never come home for Christmas.”

“That’s exactly why I missed this.” I doubled down.

“This is a brand-new house,” she added.

“Ready to make new memories in,” I agreed, realizing I was laying it on too thick, her bullshit detector must have hit red, because now she gave me the good old Caro head tilt glare, the one I swore would have made the most hardcore gangster confess.

“What are you doing here? I thought you had a game to play,” she took one of the glasses from my hand and drank a deep sip. Caro could hold her alcohol like no one I had ever known, she could drink my entire team under the table.

“I do, but I was excused from practice due to my dad’s condition.”

Her face paled a little. “Your dad’s condition,” her eyelashes fluttered adoringly as she tried to remember any mention of dad being sick.

“I stretched the truth a bit,” I admitted.

“You lied about your dad’s health?” she asked.

Careful now , Simon warned, but it was already too late.

“You’re un-fucking-believable, you know that?” Caro asked in a rising voice, shaking her head and getting to her feet. She shook her head at me and went back into the kitchen. Fuck.