Page 60 of Escape for Christmas
Brody’s stomach turned over. It was all he could do not to break into the bedroom and tell that bastard, Wes, what he thought of him. He also felt ashamed to hear Tegan defending him. He’d rather defend himself, preferably by punching Wes on the nose.
‘This isn’t helping. Why have you decided to pick a fight on Christmas Eve?’ Tegan said, with an edge of desperation. ‘You know my dad’s sick, and you’re being snarky.’
‘I’m being realistic, honey,’ Wes said.
Brody balled his fist. How dare that slimy creep call Tegan ‘honey’? Then he remembered that it was none of his business. But he still cared about Tegan and wished her well, even if anything resembling love had become purely the feelings of a concerned friend, which had been painful toacknowledge – as painful as the initial betrayal. Sadness crept over him when he realised that perhaps he’d never felt the deep love for Tegan that was necessary to make a lifelong commitment.
‘I’m not speaking to you while you’re in this mood. I don’t know what’s got into you!’ Tegan cried and the call was ended abruptly.
Brody held his breath, pausing on the stairs, not daring to move in case a creak gave him away. Heshouldn’thave listened … And then he heard muffled sobs, a sound that cut him to the quick. He walked to the door of Tegan’s room, making as much noise as he could with his boots and – ridiculously – humming ‘Jingle Bells’ loudly.
‘Hi,’ he called, pausing outside her door. ‘I’m making hot chocolate and wondered if you wanted one. If you’re not asleep,’ he added. ‘Obviously you might not be asleep now, with me making all this racket.’
A few seconds later he heard her call, ‘Come in.’
She was propped up in bed, with her phone lying on the quilt beside her. She was smiling, but her eyes were a little red.
‘Would you like a drink? I was making one before I went to bed to try and get some sleep, just in case I’m called out later.’
‘In this weather? On Christmas Eve?’
‘It’s not likely and I hope it doesn’t happen, because I’m not sure how I’d ever be able to attend. Would you like one too?’ he tried again.
‘No. Thanks for the offer, but I am going to sleep now. I was listening to a podcast …’
‘OK. I’ll leave you be.’ He turned away, torn between whether to ask her if she really was alright or leave her alone.
‘Brody …’ she began.
‘Yes?’ He turned round.
‘Nothing. Only thanks for being so—’
‘Nice?’ he said bitterly.
‘Accommodating. Honourable.’
‘Oh yeah. That’s me. The honourable, animal-loving, kind …’
‘What do you mean?’ she said sharply.
Brody could have kicked himself. ‘Nothing,’ he muttered. ‘Ignore me. I’m just being grumpy.’
‘Not grumpy. I’m not happy about this – any of it – either,’ Tegan said, hugging her knees. ‘It’s a crap situation, and I so wish things were different.
‘Different how?’ Brody asked. ‘You’re with who you want to be and, for everyone’s sake, I’m willing to go along with the pretence until your dad’s better. Things can’t be different. They’re already the best they can be, in the circumstances.’
‘I suppose so,’ she replied quietly, picking at a thread on the quilt.
‘This is what you wanted, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, I guess it is. I only wish it wasn’t so … hard. So painful. I’ve hurt you badly and I wish I could put it right.’ She reached out a hand and rested her fingers on his wrist.
Brody froze. ‘I’m over it,’ he said.
There was a loud banging on the door downstairs. Someone was giving the iron knocker one hell of a bashing. Harold added to the din, barking loudly.
‘Who’s that?’ Tegan looked panicky.
