Chapter 46

(Keegan’s point of view)

Christmas Eve was a bustling time in our family. This year we were having dinner at the Hamlin’s house and staying the night. Brees’ birthday is on Christmas so we were going to give her gifts tonight. Brees and I had texted a little less since our tickling incident at her house. However, she still made sure to text and call when she could.

“Kee, are you going to be comfortable staying at the house with Brees?” my mom asked, as she packed the twins’ overnight bags.

“Ma, Brees and I are friends again. We have let all that other stuff go. She is dating and I am seeing Isadora. We are good, I promise,” I said.

“My sweet boy,” my mom started.

She put down Kelsie’s bag and walked over to the kitchen counter where I was sitting.

“I know you better than that, Keegan. Izzy isn’t who you love. You never talk about her and we haven’t even met her yet. But when I hear you talk about Brees, your face lights up and you talk so fast I can barely understand you. The way your heart gets excited about her, that’s the whole point of being in love,” she said, putting her hand on my cheek.

“Mom, I understand what you are trying to do and I appreciate it so much. But Brees and I are over. Do I love her? Yes. But that’s not a possibility any more and Izzy is who I am trying to focus on now that I am home to spend time with her,” I lied.

“Ok babe. Just don’t settle. If Brees is who you want, then go after her. Show her that you really do love her. Don’t let her get away,” she said, smiling so emphatically .

I felt my heart start to race. We would be going over the Hamlin’s in a minute and I had a gift for Brees. It was a romantic gesture and everyone would see it if I gave it to her. I needed a moment alone with her to show her what I had gotten made for her. I didn’t even have a gift for Isadora. I planned on breaking things off, even though we weren’t in a relationship. I knew she liked me more than I liked her. I really did try to give her a chance, but she wasn’t Brees. Kissing her was nothing like kissing Brees. There was no spark. When I looked at Brees, I could charge a smart car from the amount of electricity I felt.

We arrived at the Hamlin’s house around 5:00 pm. Baylen helped us get everything inside of the house. Missy had Christmas music playing on the record player as we walked in. I could smell chocolate chip cookies baking. The twins ran to the kitchen to help Missy finish baking. I looked around the room and noticed Brees laying on the floor near the fire. I took my shoes off and walked over to where she was laying.

“Hey, Squirt,” I said, tapping her on the shoulder.

She pulled out one of her headphones and looked up at me. Rolling onto her back she smiled. Looking up at me, she looked angelic. Her shirt was slightly lifted, showing her stomach. Her hair was half up and half down. Her dark brown curls fell around her shoulders.

“Hey Kee!” she said, sitting up to greet me.

“Hi. What ya doing?” I asked her.

She had cards spread out all over the floor. I could see crayons, markers, colored pencils and pens laid out all over the grey carpet.

“Making my thank you cards for my birthday gifts. I’ll sign them later, but mom always makes me send them out. She thinks it’s polite. And you know since we are southern, that’s like a rite of passage I think,” she joked.

“Well they look really good so far. Maybe I can help you later if you want,” I offered.

“Kee, go spend time with Bay. I’ll be fine. Thank you for the offer though,” she said, dismissing my gesture.

I walked into the kitchen, but I couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t want to be near me or spend time with me. I hadn’t imagined the tension between us the other night. Had I? Regardless of if I had or not, it was all I could think about. So much so, that I forgot to give Brees her birthday gift. Even when making gingerbread houses, my mind was somewhere else.

As everyone went off to bed, I grabbed the small box that I had wrapped and sat it in my lap. I was weary of alerting our moms that I was going to Brees’ room, but I knew I had to see her. I couldn’t let her think that I would ever forget her birthday.

I crept slowly up the stairs. There was only one light on and that was in Brees’ room. I tapped lightly on her door. When she opened it, I could tell she didn't expect me to be on the other side.