Santa's Pet by Rachelle Ayala Read Free Book Online

Brandon.
    Wait a second. Isn’t this lewd conduct? I’m offended and they know I’m watching.
    “I only have eyes for you, darling.” He lowers his lips and locks them onto my sister’s ruby red lipstick-painted ones—right in the middle of the police station parking lot.
    My father unlocks the doors, and I flounce into the middle row of the van. So unfair. My entire family thinks of me as a brain first and a pair of boobs second.
    “Don’t listen to Lacy,” Mom says, patting my hand. She joins me in the back. “She’s pregnant and has all these hormones floating around. Just wait until after the baby’s born. She’ll get post-partum depression.”
    “You mean she’ll get worse?”
    “I was so depressed, I burned down our apartment building,” Mom says. “Of course, it was an accident and no one got hurt.”
    “That’s why we adopted you,” Dad says. “Lacy was such a crybaby we couldn’t sleep a wink, and your mom here left the bottle in a pot of water and forgot about it.”
    I’ve heard this story a million times. Lacy had colic. Lacy threw tantrums. Lacy got in trouble. Meanwhile I’m supposed to be the good one—the one who makes them proud.
    Sudden tears spurt from my eyes. “I really screwed up this time. I didn’t mean to get in trouble.”
    “It’s not your fault,” Dad says, grinding his teeth. “You should never have been dragged into this. I’m going to have a word with Ben. He should man up and take all the blame.”
    “I was only trying to help him. It’s the truth.” I wipe my eyes.
    “Don’t worry,” Dad says. “We called a criminal defense attorney—one of the best. Owen Williams. He’ll be by for dinner and can take your statement.”
    “Stay off the internet,” Mom adds. “Owen says you need to tell him everything without it being tainted by watching the videos.”
    “But I’m sure the videos prove I wasn’t engaged in lewd conduct.”
    Mom and Dad look at each other and shake their heads.
    “It’s all camera angle and interpretation,” Mom explains.
    Meanwhile, Lacy is still lip-locked to her husband.
    “What about them?” I lean through the opening between the two front seats and lay on the horn. “Get a room, okay?”
    “They’re married,” Mom says. “Not simulating sex on the floor of a barn surrounded by impressionable children.”
    “What about me? I’m impressionable.” I cross my arms and jut my lower lip. Dammit. How I wish I could stick my thumb into my mouth and sulk.
    ~ Ben ~
    Ben sat in the holding cell with his head hunched down, hoping none of the inmates recognized him. The last thing he needed on his record was a sex crime. It would sully his spotless record and possibly blow up his pro football career. He thought back on the events and gritted his teeth. The only reason that woman in the business suit called the police was because she was jealous of Brittney. Sure, she’d been upset at Ben when her daughter and the bird fell on the floor, but he was sure he could have charmed her had Bouncing Brittney not shown up and shoved her zeppelins in front of the shriveled up peach pit.
    He smacked himself on the forehead. “Why, of course, the woman lost it when Brittney dangled the dog.”
    A drunk lying at his side slurred. “Dangled the dog? Is that what you’re in for?”
    “No, it’s all a big misunderstanding. I’m completely innocent.”
    “Sure you are.” The man’s bleary eyes focused to a point. “Say, aren’t you that big guy from Wyoming? Bamm-Bamm Powers?”
    “Who’s that?” Ben shrugged. “I stopped watching the Flintstones long ago.”
    The older man screwed his eyes and looked at Ben sideways. “Kid’s the number one defensive back in college football. Too bad the Goldrusher offense sucks so bad.”
    “I’m not following you,” Ben said. “What Goldbuster offense?”
    He deliberately mangled his college’s team name to mislead the man further.
    “Ah, never mind,” the man said. “One day, when