Francis moves over to stand next to Marcus and stares me down. “You’re afraid the only thing you have to offer your sister is help. You think if you can’t help her, she won’t see any reason to keep you around.”
Holy shit. It feels like he just stuffed a rock down my throat. Why is it so tight and why are my hands shaking?
“Because your mother sent you away when you got in her way, you think everyone’s going to send you away unless you prove your usefulness,” Marcus says.
Oh, shit. Here come the tears. “What the hell? You guys are supposed to be strippers, not therapists.”
Francis shrugs. “We’re multi-talented.”
Marcus pulls me into his arms as I sob. Now that he’s spoken the words, there’s no denying the truth of them. They feel too real and too right.
Moments later, more arms wrap around me. “What’s wrong?” Peach asks. “Did Garrick pull another stupid prank?”
I need to get a grip. Swallowing hard, I pull away from their warm hug. I swipe at my eyes, drying my tears as best I can, andI face my sister. “Peach, I really need your help. Will you help me plan the Yuletide Holiday festival?”
I hate the feeling of asking for help. It makes me feel like a little kid asking my mother to love me enough not to send me away. To love me enough to see me as something other than an annoyance. I want to take the words back as soon as they leave my mouth.
But Peach smiles and seems to get a little taller. “We’d love to help you. In fact, Cherry and I have already been doing some research, and we have some ideas for you.”
I relax. That wasn’t so bad. Peach didn’t run screaming or push me away. I’ll have to do something for her to make up for my neediness now, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Marcus claps and cheers. “All right. Let’s get to work.”
“Just one more thing.” I turn to Cherry, ready to demand answers.
She holds up her hands. “Relax, Lilith is with Alice. She’s going to take your fur baby into the office with her. They’re very pet friendly at The Yuletide Times headquarters.”
I hug Cherry in relief. Damn it, I’m more attached to that cat than I’d ever thought possible. “Thank you.”
She pats my back. “Of course. Xavier tries, but Lilith enjoys tormenting him and he swears she gets her fur in his candy concoctions on purpose.”
I shrug as I pull away. “Xavier’s just too much fun to torment.”
Cherry’s smile turns wicked. “Oh, believe me, I know.”
After we stop by Marcus and Francis’ place, a small two bedroom in the arts district of Vegas, we spend the afternoon and most of the night pounding the pavement, listening to musical artists of all kinds, shaking hands and meeting people.
No one with a family is thrilled about committing to a job over Christmas, but we meet plenty of people without families whoare excited about the opportunity. And some of them even have the dates clear.
When we get back to Marcus and Francis’ apartment just after midnight, I’m feeling like I might actually be able to pull off this festival. It might even be the best one the town has ever seen.
Marcus and Francis have to work tonight, so it’s just Peach, Cherry, and me. We get into our comfiest PJs, turn on reality TV, and settle in on the couch.
It feels so good to be spending time with them again, and they have some truly excellent ideas for the festival.
I snuggle up to Peach. “I’ve been a terrible sister.”
“You are the best sister.” Peach wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me in tight.
“No. I didn’t see that you’ve grown up. I was just like Garrick’s family, still thinking I knew what was best for you and not really seeing you for the amazing person you’ve become.”
“Stop.” Peach swipes at her eyes. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“You’re pretty amazing yourself,” Cherry says. She has a bowl of popcorn on her lap and is squeezing chocolate syrup into it. “Being able to admit when you’re wrong is a skill too few people have.”
“She’s right,” Peach says. “You’ve always been an amazing sister, but it really means the world to me that you think I can handle life on my own.”
“You can’thandlelife. You’re kicking life’s ass. I’m sorry I didn’t see it before. I’m not always going to get it right, but I promise to try to do better.”
