Unwrapping The Holidays. Sheryl Lister

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СКАЧАТЬ as Jamie pushed away from the wall and started to unpack the boxes of lights, her mind automatically took her back to that long-ago night.

      Frank O’Connor’s parties were sort of legendary. That night, things hadn’t gotten into full swing yet because the basketball team had been at an away game and was delayed. So her brother wasn’t there yet. It was mostly a bunch of bored kids sitting around drinking.

      Nothing extraordinary until Marcie Gates, Frank’s girlfriend, suggested they make things exciting with some spin the bottle. Or at least a version of it.

      A lot of interesting things had happened after that. Frank and Marcie got in a huge argument because he’d had too much fun making out with Carrie Moss in the closet and she’d let Fitz Jacobson touch her boobs.

      Jamie hadn’t even wanted to play really. She’d just been down there holding her first beer, trying to blend in with the cool kids before Matt arrived. If he’d seen her he’d have flipped out and told their parents. And there would have been a ban on all future parties. As big brothers went, he was pretty overprotective.

      Usually, she didn’t even go to parties unless Matt was there. Not like anyone thought to invite her. Sure, she was Matt’s sister, so she was accepted into the cool-kids crew by his insistence, but she wasn’t one of them. Not one of the pretty people. But when Marcie had asked her if she was going, she’d said yes and dragged her friend Claire with her. Too bad Claire had ditched her in favor of giggling with one of the hockey players.

      Cole had been there. Hell, he was always there in the background. As was the way with banes of existence. If he told her brother that she’d been drinking, she’d be toast. Just her luck, when it was her turn, the spinning bottle had landed on the empty space that he walked right into. Even now she could feel the heat on her face as he’d studied her.

      A moment later, he’d been dragging her into the closet to read her the riot act about being irresponsible, and drinking and how she should know better. It was like dealing with Matt. Of course he’d pointed out that she’d been drinking at a party with no one looking out for her. He’d gone on and on about how things would be perceived by other people. She could still remember struggling against his hold and muttering, “I’m not drinking. I’ve been muscling through the first sips of this beer to fit in with everyone. I don’t know how you guys can drink that stuff.”

      He really hadn’t liked it when she pointed out that by dragging her into the closet, things didn’t look good for either of them.

      It was clear to everyone on the outside that they weren’t making out so Frank insisted they could come out only if they actually made out.

      Jamie’s skin still burned at the memory. It was like they all knew she was the squeaky-clean good girl. As if she wore it like a brand.

      Cole had just rolled his eyes and told her to sit down and be quiet for a few minutes and Frank would eventually let them out.

      “Are you serious right now?”

      He’d scoffed. “Frank’s being a prick, but you’re Matt’s sister so he won’t mess with you too much. Just moan at the door or something.”

      Jamie frowned. “What?”

      “You know, moan, like you’re doing something fun.”

      She’d tried, but she sounded more like she was in pain than any of the sexy moans she’d heard in movies.

      “Geez, Jamison, it’s like you have no idea how to pretend like you’re having a good time.”

      Frank had banged on the door again to remind them of what they were supposed to be doing.

      She threw up her hands. “I have no idea how to do it. I’ve never hooked up with anyone before,” she spilled. “So why don’t you try your hand at moaning?”

      He blinked. “Bull.”

      She shook her head. “No bull. So, I’m sorry I don’t have it right or whatever.” Jamie recalled Cole’s eyes raking over her inducing a wave of heat as if it were yesterday.

      Cole had banged his head against the back of the closet and squeezed his eyes shut. “You have to at least have kissed someone right? I heard you were going out with Adam Sinclair or something.”

      She ducked her head. “I—uh. I’m not too sure Adam likes girls. At least he doesn’t like me. He didn’t want to kiss me.” She shrugged. “I figured I just didn’t do it for him or something.”

      “What?” He’d brought his head up. “You think it’s you? No. It’s not you. It’s him.”

      “Yeah, well it feels like it’s me. Heck, no one’s asking for my number or seems particularly interested, so...” Jamie let her voice trail.

      Cole had run his hands through his hair. “I get it. You want to be noticed. But people notice you. Right now, I bet there’s some poor guy wishing you’d look at him. I’d rather you talk with him than one of these drunken varsity kids. Sometimes guys can take advantage.” Then he peered at her through thick lashes. “What are you waiting for anyway? A kiss is no big deal.”

      She’d ignored his last question. “You’re one of those varsity kids. Are you taking advantage of me?” she asked.

      “Unlike you, I haven’t been drinking. And you’re Reed’s little sister. It’s different.”

      “Great. Just what I need. Another big brother. I keep going like this and I’ll never get my first kiss.”

      Cole groaned. “Just stop. It’ll happen. You know, when you’re at college. Far away from anywhere Matt can kick someone’s ass.”

      She’d licked her lips nervously and gathered every ounce of bravery she possessed. “Or maybe you could do it.”

      His eyes had locked with hers, but he’d shaken his head. “No can do, Jamison.”

      “It’s Jamie. And why not? You obviously know what you’re doing if Rebecca Watts can be believed. And you said it yourself, it’s not like it means anything. I’m not going to be some dopey girl that chases after you. And bonus, not like I’ll be chasing you around begging you to do it again.”

      She had been lying through her teeth of course. Because sometimes when she was all alone, she wondered what it would be like to kiss him. It was silly. He never even noticed her other than as competition. She could count on one hand the number of one-on-one interactions they’d had. But she’d always been hyperaware of him.

      “If you do it, I’ll stay away from jocks at parties and I’ll stop pretending to drink.” Beer tasted like piss to her. “I just want to know.”

      Cole swallowed hard, his brows furrowed. “If I do this, you never tell Matt? And you stop trying to make out with varsity assholes.”

      “Yeah, okay.”

      “And promise me. No more even holding a can of beer. And beware of frat boys bearing fruit punch. You understand me? You’re way too trusting.”

      “Deal.”

      Cole shook his head and patted the СКАЧАТЬ