The Hazards of Mistletoe (8 page)

I stood up and took off my coat. I’d been so cold and distracted, I’d never taken it off.

We started walking toward the doors of the theater when I saw Glen. Seriously? At the movies? “Let’s go.” I grabbed on to Dalton’s arm.

“What?” He looked over his shoulder. “Oh. I see.”

“Come on. Get the tickets out. Let’s do this.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” He put his hands on my arms. “Maybe it would be better to face this head on.”

“You don’t understand.”

“No, I don’t. And whose fault is that?”

I gritted my teeth. “Please, Dalton.”

Glen noticed us and walked over. “Savy, what a pleasant surprise.”

I nudged Dalton. “Thanks, Mr. Slowpoke.”

“Relax. I have this.” Dalton put an arm around me. “Hi. Can we help you?” He looked right at Glen. At least Glen wasn’t with a girl. He was with a guy with spiky brown hair.

“Yes, you can help me. I’ve been trying to get a few minutes with Savy here. Mind if I borrow her?”

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I couldn’t look at him as I spoke. It just brought back memories of how humiliated I’d been.

“But I want to talk to you, and I’m not going to give up until you agree to it. Come on, just a few minutes.”

“What is it with this place? I’ve been here twenty-four hours and I have to deal with not one, but two annoying guys asking to talk with me when it’s the last thing I want to do.”

Glen laughed and looked at Dalton. “I guess you’ve been in the dog house too?”

The guy with the spiky hair leaned in toward Dalton. “Listen, man. These two have a history. If you think she really likes you then why not let them talk?”

For a moment I actually considered letting Mr. Spiky and Glen think that Dalton and I were together, but I quickly brushed the thought off. I wasn’t the kind of girl to play games. I didn’t like when people played them with me, so there was no reason to do it myself. “We’re not together that way.”

“You’re not?” Glen’s face lit up.

“No. Not that it should matter to you.”

Glen’s expression didn’t falter. “Can we talk? We have some time before the movie starts.”

“Since when do you come here?” He’d never mentioned the place before. How random was it that he happened to show up for the same movie showing?

“Since when do you?”

“Since Dalton suggested it.”

“Dalton? Huh?”

“Is there a problem with my name?” Dalton went on the defensive.

“No, although I’m still trying to figure this all out. She said you’re not together, so why do I keep seeing you with your hands all over her then?”

“She’s my friend. That’s all you need to know.”

“I don’t know what Savy has told you about me, but we’ve been friends for years. You can tone down the anger and over protectiveness. I’m the one who should be worried about you around her.”

“Except her dad likes to have me around her. Can you say the same thing?”

“Did you tell your dad?” Glen glanced at me apprehensively. “I haven’t seen him yet.”

“No, but who cares?”

“I care. It means I need to explain everything to him too.”

I took a deep breath. Maybe Dalton was right about hitting this head on. “Okay, Glen. Let’s talk.”

“Great.” He grinned. “We’ll be just a few minutes.” He reached his hand toward me, but I stepped away. He seemed to get the hint because he started walking. I followed, taking slow deep breaths along the way. When I saw a break in the crowd, I stopped.

“So what did you want to talk about?”

“You know what I want to talk about.” He shifted his weight in what seemed like a nervous action. I wasn’t used to seeing Glen look nervous.

“I’m guessing about what happened, but I don’t want to talk about it. You made your feelings heard loud and clear. It’s over. I left you alone. Let’s move on.”

“See, that’s the problem. I don’t think I made my real feelings clear.”

A group of teenagers walked toward us, and I moved to the side to avoid them, nearly falling into Glen. I stepped back. “Sorry.”

“Please, don’t apologize. Should we sit?” He gestured to a nearby vacant table. Most people were already heading into the theater.

“Sure.” Maybe I’d be less nervous if I sat down. I needed to get this over with. Then I could forget about everything while watching the movie. Distractions were good.

He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down. Instead of sitting across from me he sat down right next to me. I let it slide. I’d been closer to Glen than that before. Just thinking about it made my whole body warm—in both good and bad ways. The humiliation was there right along with the attraction. “Why do you think I did what I did?”

“No way. There is no way you’re doing this to me.” I pushed back my chair.

“Wait.” He touched my arm. “Hear me out. I promise there’s a point.”

“I’m not answering that. You can’t make me talk about how you rejected me. It’s not fair.” I tried to blink back the tears. What was wrong with me? I was stronger than that.

“I wasn’t rejecting you.”

My hurt turned to anger. “No you don’t. Don’t start playing that game. You rejected me. I was there. I remember.”

“I was there too, and unlike you, I actually know what I was thinking.” He pulled off his coat and put it on the chair next to him. “I didn’t do it because I didn’t want you.” He paused for a second as though deep in thought. “I wanted you so bad it was scary.”

“Then why did you do it? Why’d you run away the second you saw me?” There went the tears again.

“Because I didn’t deserve to have you.” His penetrating stare was unwavering. “I still don’t, but I’m going to hate myself if I don’t try.”

“Savannah?” Dalton appeared at my elbow. “Not to be annoying, but if we want to eat during the movie we’ve got to go and order. Do you want to come, or should I just order for you?” There was concern in his voice and expression. He was such a hard guy to understand. He went back and forth between hot and cold so often I couldn’t keep up.

“I’m ready.” I glanced at Glen. “See you around.”

“We’re not done talking.”

“Yes, we are. You heard Dalton, we’ve got to go.”

“Where are you guys sitting?” Glen pulled out a ticket. “Maybe we can switch with people and all sit together.”

“I’m sure we can manage that.” Spiky hair guy walked over.

I put a hand on my hip. “Excuse me, but who are you?”

He grinned. “I’m so glad you asked. I’m Winston. I’m roommates with your boy over there.”

“You go to CU?”

“No… I live here.” Winston looked at Glen. “I’m guessing you guys didn’t get too far into your talk.”

“We only had five minutes.”

Dalton pushed up the sleeves of his shirt. “Eleven actually.”

“Is he always this annoying?” Glen asked.

“From what I can tell.”

“Oh, so you are still in there.” Glen laughed. “But I thought you were good friends.”

“His mom is dating my dad.” I don’t know why I told him except that it came naturally for me to tell Glen everything. I always did. He was the only person I told about losing my virginity. I blinked trying to push off thoughts of that unfortunate experience and Glen.

“Oh.” Glen looked between us. “So he’s like your step-brother.”

“Not yet,” I said hurriedly. “Let’s find our seats.”

I didn’t need to say it twice. Dalton followed me over to the entrance of the theater.

“Wait up. Did you forget we’re going to try to switch around to sit together?” Winston called after us.”

“How could I forget?” I mumbled. Technically I could have made a scene. I could have told Glen and Winston to leave us alone, but what good what that have done? I’d still know they were watching me the whole time. That would already be enough to ruin the movie.

We found our seats, and Glen quickly slipped into the seat next to me.

“Someone’s going to be sitting there.”

“I’ll just wait and see. Maybe they won’t show up.”

I stuffed my coat into the space between me and the arm rest. “Maybe they will.”

“Quit acting like I’m ruining a date for you or something. He’s your almost step-brother.”

I sighed. “That doesn’t mean I want to sit next to you.”

“You’re arguing with me.”

“So?” I crossed my arms. He was really getting on my nerves.

“This is normal for us. We’re supposed to argue. I like this so much better than that ‘I don’t want anything to do with you’ act you were pulling earlier.”

“It wasn’t an act.”

“Yes it was.”

Thankfully the couple whose seats Glen and Winston had taken walked over.

“Would you mind switching with us? We’re just a few rows up.” Winston hurriedly confronted the couple. “We didn’t realize our friends were going to be here.”

“Of course. No problem.” The guy agreed.

“You don’t have to do that.” I jumped up. “You picked out these tickets for a reason.”

“Theirs are just as good.” The guy exchanged tickets with Winston and Glen. “Enjoy the movie.”

“Perfect. See. Not a problem at all.”

“Lovely.” I slumped back down in my seat.

“Come on, Savy. We used to love watching movies together.” He slung his arm around my shoulder.

“Yeah, and did you see how great the last one turned out?” I turned to Dalton. “Switch seats with me, please?”

“Are you serious, Savy?” Glen groaned.

“Don’t Savy me. Call me Savannah if you’re going to call my anything.”

“Why? Why can’t I call you by the same name I’ve used for you since we were little kids?”

“Because you’ve lost the privilege.”

Dalton and Winston both started to laugh. I glared at Dalton. Winston could do what he wanted.

“Come on, switch seats.”

“Normally I would, but I get the sense it’s going to be a lot more entertaining if I don’t.”

“It will be. I assure you.” Glen smirked.

That was the last straw. “Either switch seats with me, or I’m leaving.”

“Are you really going to keep threatening that?” Dalton smiled. The damn guy smiled.

“Yes. I don’t care if I have to walk and I end up freezing to death.”

Glen nudged me. “Don’t you think that’s a little bit melodramatic? You might end up with frost bite, but actually freezing to death? I doubt that.”

I pushed into his shoulder. “Stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Teasing me. You’re not allowed to do that anymore.”

“I can’t call you Savy, and I can’t tease you? What other rules are there?”

“You can’t sit next to me.” I stood up. “Dalton, switch seats with me now.”

“Fine.” He stood up.

I took his seat.

Glen leaned over Dalton. “I’m not done talking to you.”

“I’m done listening.”

“No you’re not.”

“Okay, you two need to stop. I’m not listening to any more of this.” Dalton put his hands out to either side. “What the hell happened between you guys?”

“None of your business.” I glared at him.

“You can’t keep saying that.”

“I can.” I crossed my arms.

“What happened is I made a huge mistake in an attempt to protect her. I did something for her own good, and now she hates me for it.” Glen looked at me as he spoke.

“I don’t hate you,” I mumbled.

“You sure act that way.”

“I’m done.” I stood up. “Give me my phone, Dalton. I’m calling my dad. He’ll drive my grandpa’s car and get me.”

“No. Sit down. We’re watching the movie. I think we missed our chance to order so I’ll get us food. What do you want? A salad?”

Glen chuckled. “A salad? Savy? Try a burger or something.”

“Oh. Interesting.” Dalton gave me a knowing look.

“I’ll get the food.” I wasn’t going to let him leave me there with Glen.

“Do you have money on you?”

“Some.”

Dalton shook his head. “I’ll do it.”

Glen smiled. “Good idea.”

“You’re coming too, Glen.”

“No way. I’m not leaving Savy alone in here.” He looked all around.

“She won’t be alone. Your friend will be here too.”

“If there’s some sort of chicken sandwich I’ll take that.” Then I considered it. “With fries.”

“Absolutely. Be back soon. Come on, Glen.” Dalton waited for Glen to stand up before heading back out to the entry.

As soon as they left, Winston stood up and took the seat Dalton had vacated. “So. You’re the famous Savy, huh?”

“Glen doesn’t talk about me.”

“Sure he does.” Winston pivoted in his seat so he was looking right at me. “He talks about you all the time.”

“No he doesn’t.” I looked away.

“Admittedly, before yesterday he never talked to me about you.”

“See.”

“But he stares at your picture and talks about you in his sleep.”

“He doesn’t.”

“He does.” I jerked as he touched my shoulder. “Wowsers. Someone’s uptight.”

“I don’t need someone I don’t know touching me.”

“But you do know me. Maybe we should do this more formally.” He held out his hand. “I’m Winston. Nice to meet you.”

I accepted the handshake to make him stop. “Hi Winston. Let’s sit here quietly and wait for the movie.”

“But then what was the point of introducing ourselves? Kind of a waste.”

“Are you always like this?”

“Like what?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“This weird.”

“Weird? Me?” He put a hand to his chest. “What’s weird is you and Glen.”

“It’s not weird. We grew apart.”

“Grew apart? Come on, Savy. It’s me, Winston. You don’t need to pretend for me.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “You should go into comedy.”

“You’re not the first person to say that.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“So back to the important discussion.”

“Which was?” I stopped trying to get him to leave me alone. It wasn’t going to happen.

“You and Glen. What are you thinking? Going to give him another chance?”

“There’s no chance to give. He made his feelings known a year ago. I made mine known too.”

“A lot can change in a year.”

“Yes it can.” I looked at the advertisement moving over the screen.

“Have you changed?”

I turned back to Winston. “I went away to college. That changes people.”

“It does.”

“Is Glen still in school? What’s going on with him?” I couldn’t hold the questions in any longer.