Holiday Hijinks by Roxy Queen Read Free Book Online Page A

handsome, sure man I know and love. He picks me up by the waist and kisses me, sealing the deal we’ve just made.
    *
    Other than Maddie not getting the new iPhone she wanted, Christmas is uneventful. In a house full of adults, the spark of excitement cultivated by Santa is missing, but it didn’t matter. The silver ring burns in my pocket, a constant reminder that he loves me and I love him and in two days we’ll be out of here to continue our lives. To fuck and frolic at the beach.
    More than once I catch Carter looking at me. His eyes claim me between bites of pancakes, through present openings and with each Christmas song on the radio.
    “Ruthie, hand me the flour,” my mother says, after we’ve finished gift opening. The men are in charge of the living room. Getting rid of the trash and recycling all the paper.  My mother, sister and I have to get the food ready for the party tonight.
    “My friends all think it’s crazy we have this party on Christmas day,” Tara says.
    “It’s tradition,” my mother replies, stirring the flour into the bowl. She’s making one last batch of cookies because Carter and Josh have eaten more than their share. “My mother invited the neighbors over and then took over once we had a home of our own.”
    “I only accept it because of nap time. That’s really the best part of the day.” After our huge brunch and pre-party preparations my mother always forced us to take a nap before guests came over.  That is another tradition that never died—even though we were all adults. The only people that fight it are Maddie and Josh.
    My mother is an amazing hostess so there isn’t much to do once we get the house cleaned up. I’ve just filled the cooler with beer and soda when I’m given approval to take a break.
    “Nap time,” my mother calls, shooing everyone to their rooms. She and my father disappear into their room. Sean goes ahead to the guest room and I spot Tara cornering the kids. Carter lingers on the edge.
    “I’m not making you take a nap. Watch a movie or something in the basement—but don’t come up for a couple hours or Moms will put you to work,” she says.
    “Grand Theft?” Josh asks Carter. “I’ve got Madden, also.”
    “Do you mind if I take a run?” Carter asks my sister. Aw, she’s sort of become his surrogate mom. Weird.
    Tara looks him over. “I’m pr etty sure my mother thinks you’re an angel sent from above. You can do whatever you want. Just be quiet about it.”
    I follow my sister upstairs. “I love how you make them think they are getting out of naptime so you and Sean can get it on.”
    “What do you think mom and dad are doing?”
    “Gross. Stop it.”
    She laughs. “Just wait until you get married. Mom will impart all her wisdom on you then. Rule number 5 is about mandatory nap time on Christmas, which is really just code for fucking Santa.”
    “You did not just say that.”
    “It’s time you knew. Sorry to be the one to break it. Don’t make me tell you rule number three. You won’t sleep for a week.” She gave me a wicked smile and disappeared into her room.
    Great . Everyone is screwing their partner but me. He’s off on a god-forsaken run. Too bad that robot watch doesn’t have a phone. I’d send him dirty photos of myself to get him back here.
    I n my room, I remove the ring from my pocket and slip it on my finger. The silver glints in the dim light.
    Mine .
    The word gives me a chill and the ring feels like second skin. Only Carter would give me something like this. A ring with no strings attached. Just his unconditional devotion.
    I wonder if that’s even possible.
    I take off my jeans and sweater and get in the bed in nothing but a tank and panties. I’d worn my red set to be festive and just in case I got a chance to show them off. Too bad no one told me about naptime nookie.
    I pull the covers up to my chin and try to think of anything but Carter. I think of puppies. And the Christmas party. I think of the