Santa’s Mistletoe Playbook

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

brYSON

N either spoke in the truck on the way back to the house. Bryson was aghast at Danica for winding up at Devin Rasmusson’s house, of all people. He’d nearly had a heart attack when he saw the caller ID and heard Danica’s voice.

Remorse jabbed at him for punching Devin. Would his cousin press charges? He shoved the notion from his mind; he had other concerns right now.

After Bryson arranged for a tow truck to fetch the Prius, he and Danica settled in for the night. He busied himself with making tea to calm himself down before he talked to her. He brought her a mug of tea as she sat in one of the large wing chairs in front of the fire he’d made in the hearth. He took the other chair.

She leveled her gaze. “Tell me about Jennifer, since you intended to marry her. Why haven’t you told me about her?”

His chest squeezed. “We were high school sweethearts, and I asked her to marry me. Devin swooped in like a turkey vulture and stole her from me.”

“I take it I’m your second choice,” she said coolly, sipping her tea. “So, you’re settling for me? Is that what this relationship is?”

“No, Danni, you’re the love of my life! If not for Devin, I never would have met you.” He realized it just as the words left his mouth.

She gave him a direct look. “Is he the reason you left Anchorage?”

“Partly. And because ASU in Tucson accepted me to med school.”

“Why did you hit him? He did nothing except help me out.”

“I had to get closure on the past.” He stared at his lap. “You can’t imagine how I felt when I found out you were with Devin Rasmusson.”

“I’ve never seen you so angry,” she said quietly.

Bryson angled toward her. “We have to talk about last night.”

“What is there to say? I screwed up again, just like before.” She lifted her chin but avoided his gaze. “Did you get my flowers? And my cookies?”

“Yes, thank you.” He blew out air. “I’m afraid it’ll take more than flowers and cookies to fix things.”

Remorse settled in her eyes. “How can I make it up to you? What do you want me to do?” She looked away. “I promised you three times and broke all three.”

“That’s what concerns me.” He set his tea on the table between them.

“Please forgive me, Bryson.” Her eyes glassed over. “Promise I won’t do it again.”

“Enough with the promises. I think we’re both past that.” He blew out a stream of air. “Danni, I think it’s time you get counseling or maybe go to AA.”

She gasped. “Alcoholics Anonymous? I’m not an alcoholic!”

“But when you drink, you pose a hazard to yourself. You can’t control yourself with even the smallest amount. You get wild, leaving chaos in your wake.”

Danica fiddled with her tea bag, chewing her lip. “Is this an ultimatum?” She made a sharp intake of breath. “If I don’t do this, you’ll leave me?”

Bryson wasn’t sure how to answer.

“That’s what it means then, doesn’t it?” she persisted. “We should have stayed in Arizona. Then none of this would have happened.”

“It would have happened again, eventually.” He let out a labored sigh. “I think we should split up for a while. Give you time to get your act together.”

“You can’t be serious!” Her voice rose an octave.

Again, he didn’t know how to answer. Forgiveness was a complex thing, full of trapdoors.

“All right, then.” She lifted her chin. “I can’t share your bed tonight. Or any other night.” Tears pooled in her eyes.

Bryson avoided looking at her. “In that case, I’ll sleep in the other spare bedroom.” He glanced at a wall clock. “It’s half past midnight. Merry Christmas.”

“Nothing merry about it, in my opinion.” Danica rose and went upstairs to bed.

Bryson followed her, but before leaving their bedroom, he bent to kiss her, but she ducked away.

“Good night.” Her words dripped with icicles.

Bryson’s chest tightened, knotting his insides. What did he expect?

“Good night.”

Silence echoed back as he plodded down the hall to the other spare bedroom. He tossed and turned before drifting off to sleep.