Midnight Mistletoe

Derek Sawyer

“Are you telling me that in one fucking week you’re going to the Bennett’s house for Christmas, pretending to be our little Kate’s boyfriend?” Nick is having trouble wrapping his head around what I said to him.

What does he mean by our little Kate?

I snort. “I can’t believe I agreed to take part in her scheme.”

Nick titles his head to the side. “Why did you do it then?”

“You know the story. Kate’s mother and mine have dreamed of us getting together. Once this is over, they could move on from this ridiculous idea.” I take a long drag from my cigarette.

“What’s so ridiculous about going out with Kate.” Nick wondered. “She’s a gorgeous woman.”

I frown. “Who do you call gorgeous?”

Nick looks at me as if I have grown an extra head. “Are you blind? Haven’t you noticed Kate is an attractive woman?”

I won’t deny that she’s attractive, but to call her gorgeous is an exaggeration.

“Her long dark brown hair and her light green eyes with those freckles on her face. My idea of the perfect woman. Mmmm! What would I do to have Kate’s legs wrapped around me as I’m deep inside her.” Nick continues saying.

“Shut up!” I bang my fist against the table.

If he continues talking about Katherine this way I’m going to rip his head off.

The bastard smirks at me. “Look at you, running into her defence. What’s up with that?” His grin grows wider.

That fucker is messing with me to get a reaction out of me, and it’s working.

“Nothing,” I fold my arms in front of my chest.

Nicks arches his brows, daring me.

Son of a bitch!

I won’t let myself be played like this.

“You’re reading this all wrong. Katherine Bennett is an important person to my family, that’s all.” I glare at him. “Now, can we drop this?”

He nods his head. “How have you been?”

“What do you mean?”

He takes a swig of his beer. “How have you been handling things since you found out what that bitch did?”

Is he joking around? I asked him to drop the Katherine case, and now he’s asking me how I’ve been since Amanda cheated on me.

“What are we? Girls talking about our feelings?” I shake my head before taking another drag from my cigarette.

Nick’s face contorts in disbelief at my words. “I’m just worried about you, man.”

“Don’t be.” I run my thumb on my bottom lips. “Everything’s fine.”

He’s about to go on, and I’m thankful as my cell phone goes off.

Did I say thankfully? I ask myself as I see who’s name is on the screen. I meant to say annoying.

I should have said no to her. Ever since I accepted doing her little theatrical, Kate is calling me almost every day to make sure our stories add up. I have known her all my life and never talked to her as much as I did in one week.

Before I can do anything, Nick snatches my phone away from me.

“Hey, Kate.” He answers my phone. “How's it going, darling?”

Nick grins. “Oh, you remember me? I’m touched.”

His eyes land on me.

That means nothing good.

“You know you could have asked me to help you instead of that fucker sitting before me. I would have been more than glad to help you out.”

I had enough.

I snatch my phone from him and hold it to my ear. “Not tonight, freckles. I’m busy.”

“You told Nick!” Kate sounds surprised.

“Yeah. He won’t join us for Christmas at your parent’s house. I don’t see where the big deal is.”

I just might.” He dares to say.

I glare at him to warn him to shut up.

“No, you’re right.” Kate sounds disappointed. “I’m sorry. Can I call you tomorrow?”

Even if I said no, something tells me she’ll do it anyway.

I breathe out. “Let me call you instead.” I cut the call short before she has a chance to argue with me.

That girl is so annoying. I should have known not to get involved with her.

I can’t wait for this to be over.

I’m only doing this, so my mother will let go of that stupid dream of me being in a romantic relationship with Kate.

I love my mother, and I don’t want to break her heart, but I need to do this.

Nick is smiling at me with a wide grin.

“What?”

He chuckles. “Nothing.”

Nothing, my ass.

My phone chose to ring for the second time tonight.

Great, it’s my mother.

Am I being tested for my mental stability?

“Mom, is everything okay? Why are you calling me at this hour?”

“Can’t a mother call her son to know how he’s doing?” She replies.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Of course not.” I let out a sigh. “I’m fine, Mom.”

Nick covers his mouth with his hand to muffle his laughs.

I glare at him to give him a warning.

The fucker laughs harder, founding my situation very amusing.

“Jenna, what are you doing, calling our son at this hour?” I can faintly hear my father’s voice.

“I want to make sure he’s okay. He got his heart broken…”

“Oh my God, woman!” My father cuts her off. “It’s been three weeks since that happened. Let him be before you embarrass him further.”

“Derek Nathaniel Sawyer, am I embarrassing you?” My mother asks me.

Yep, my sanity is definitely being tested tonight.

I shut my eyes, preparing myself mentally for what I’m about to tell her. “Don't get this the wrong way, but right now, you kinda do.”

“I see.” She sniffs. “I’m going to hang up then.”

“Mom!”

“No, it’s okay. We are going to see each other in one week.” She hangs up before I have the chance to say goodbye to her.

I love my mother, I really do, but sometimes she can be a handful to deal with.

That’s why I’m doing what I’m about to do with Katherine, so she’ll back off a little.