Midnight Mistletoe

Derek Sawyer

Waking up, I couldn’t help myself as I thought how beautiful Kate was in the morning and how perfectly she fit in my arms like two puzzles coming together when our mothers brought us a surprise breakfast in bed, this morning.

Did it scare the shit out of me?

Definitely.

That’s why after breakfast I got out of the room as if a plague was lurking inside. I found a reason to go shopping for Christmas presents.

I walk down the stairs to put on my coat and my boots before I go outside. It’s not too cold today which is good because I have some shopping to do.

For a second I sounded like a girl.

I let out a frustrated sigh, seeing my car covered in snow. Because of this, I couldn’t leave as soon as I wanted to, I was trying to get as far away from Kate as possible.

I’m a coward to run away like that. I know, but I need this to clear my head. I’m not ready to acknowledge the fact that I have a thing for Katherine. I did well until now. I won’t allow a kiss or even what it felt like to have her in my arms to change that.

Just three more days of this gibberish and I'm free to go back to my life.

Clearing snow off my car, I hear someone approaching from behind.

“Hey, son.”

“Hey, Dad. Did you need something?” I ask him.

“Are you going to the village?” He wonders.

“Yeah, I need to go buy some stuff I need.” I arch my brows. “Why?”

He's going to give me a list of the grocery store, and I’m willing to bet my mother is the one responsible.

“Here.” He gives me a paper. “Amy and your mother need it. They wonder if you can get them this from the store.”

I let out a snort. “What you meant to say is that they asked you or Hank to fetch what’s on the list for them. When you saw me out here, you thought to yourself, why not ask him instead. It’s not by any chance to call this exploiting your children.” I add.

“When you have children of your own, you’ll do as you please.” He jokes. “By the way, you aren’t a child anymore, you little shit.”

That’s Pop. Trying to be funny.

“If it’s too much for you, you can always ask Kate for help. I’m sure she'll be ready to help her boyfriend.” He taps me on my shoulder.

“Nope!” I say too quickly, a little harshly. “I’m good.”

He frowns at my tone. “Is everything okay with you two?”

Aside from her not being my girlfriend because we lied to all of you, everything is peachy.

I wanted to say, but I decided against it. If I open up to him, it wouldn’t do us any good. Kate and I decided to do this and we’re going to see through this until the end.

“Everything's fine, old man. Nothing for you to worry about.” I open the paper to see the list. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I did say I needed to clear my head. With my list and their list, it will take me all day, which is perfect.

“If anyone is looking for me while I’m gone, you know what to tell them. See you later, Dad,” I say as he steps toward the house.

Right when I’m ready to leave, someone else interrupts me.

“Derek?” I hear Kate’s voice from behind me.

Figures.

I chew the inside of his lips. It was too much to ask to have some time to myself.

She takes a step closer toward me. Hasn’t she had enough of our proximity this morning?

For some reason, ever since we arrived, she’s been even more annoying to me than before.

Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh. “What can I do for you, freckles?”

“I heard that you were going to the village. Do you mind if I join you? My mother is driving me crazy.”

I shake my head. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t need your help.”

“It will be quicker if we do this together.” she insists.

“What part that I want to be left alone don’t you understand?” My voice conveys bitterness.

The surprise in her eyes makes it clear that she was not expecting me to speak to her that way.

Regret fills me as I see defeat in her eyes while she looks away.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you then. I’ll give you space as you desire.”

I want to apologize, but it’s too late. Kate already turned her heels to walk back towards the house.

I look up in the sky in defeat. All I wanted was to be in peace so I could think clearly and now the way our conversation ended all I want to do is to walk right back inside the house and tell her I’m sorry.

In frustration, I toss the snow brusher I’m holding into the trunk. A sigh escapes me as I rub my face with my hands.

No, I should get with the program. I said that I needed a day to think and that's what I’m going to do.

I get inside the car, behind the wheels and put on my seat belt. Inserting the key into the ignition, I twist it to start the engine. The guilt I felt earlier makes me look at the house as I think of Kate.

I truly need to think. Hopefully this day I’m taking will help me think more clearly about her. Maybe I don’t want to reveal it to myself yet, but maybe I’m starting to feel something for her and for now the thought of it I can’t cope with it.

Before I drive away, I take my phone to send a message. ‘Freckles, I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you. Don’t take this personally. I just need to be alone right now. I promise you when I get back I will apologize in person.’

I see the little dots blinking as I wait for her response.

‘I’ll wait for you then. Be careful.’

What is it about her response that’s making me feel all mushy inside my chest?

Fuck! I was afraid of this. I need to leave now. I say to myself as I drive away like a coward that can’t deal with all of this.

Not too long ago before I learned that Amanda was cheating on me, I was ready to ask her to marry me and we were together for almost a year. I kiss and have Kate only once in my arms and all the emotions toward her starts to rise inside me. I even felt a little jealous when I learned Kate’s first kiss was with Nick because of that stupid game we played and it was all because of me.

Let’s just hope that the day I’m taking will help me to clear my head.