Brandon planned on staying in Arizona for the entire winter break, but I'd promised Bree I would bring in the New Year with her, so I'd flown back to San Diego the day of and was currently walking out of the airport. I grabbed my phone to call my boyfriend and my heart ached at the thought of not seeing him for the rest of break. Since Brandon and I had met, we had spent at the very least a few hours with each other every day. These two weeks were going to suck.
“Hey baby, you make it there okay?”
“Yep! Just got my bag and I'm waiting for Bree to get me.”
“Will she be there soon?”
“She sent me a text when I was in baggage claim saying she was a few minutes out. Actually here she comes.”
“Okay, well I'll call you later then. Have fun tonight and happy New Year. I love you.”
I bit my lip and smiled, hearing him say that in his deep husky voice always did funny things to my heart. “I love you too Brandon.” I slid the phone back in my pocket just in time to be nearly tackled by my best friend.
“Oh my God Harper I missed you! Two weeks without you is too long!”
“Hah! I missed you too Bree. Next time I'll just have to sneak you in my luggage.” After we got my things in the trunk, we jumped into her car and fought the airport's holiday traffic. “Where are we going tonight?”
“Your pick, the guys are having a party, or my parents are throwing a party. Which I promise is not as boring as it sounds. There's always a ton of people there, everyone plays poker and drinks.”
“Well where will Konrad be?”
She smirked and raised an eyebrow like that answer should be obvious, “Wherever I am.”
“Can we just go to Mom and Dad's? I missed them too.” During Thanksgiving, Claire and Robert had told me they wouldn't respond to me anymore if I didn't act like they were my parents. It started as a joke, but it stuck.
While Bree was on the phone with Konrad, my cell went off and I started when I saw it was from Chase.
Chase - 'You gonna be at the house tonight?'
Me - 'Nope, going to hang with the family.'
“Is that lover boy?” Bree questioned as she turned the music back on.
“Uh...yeah.” I have no idea why I lied, but it felt awkward correcting myself now.
“Did you guys have fun in Arizona?”
I laughed at her wagging eyebrows, “We had fun, but not that much fun. Hate to burst your bubble.”
“You're going to kill that poor guy Harper! It's been like what...four months? Five?”
“I know, I know. I don't know what keeps stopping me. It's not like we never have the opportunity. I just...I don't know.”
She shut the music off quickly, that was never a good sign. “Are you guys okay?”
“Yes Bree, we're more than fine, trust me! It's nothing like that, I just haven't felt like it's the right time yet.”
“If you say so. But I'm serious. He's going to explode if it's not soon.”
“So you keep telling me.” I was dying to ask how Chase was, even if we didn't talk, we saw each other every day too. And having him text me for the first time ever just a few minutes ago had my heart racing knowing I'd be seeing him again within the next few days. “How's the family?”
“They're good. Mom actually cried because you weren't at Christmas.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack. Your presents were still under the tree that night and she started crying, I had to take them up to my room to get her to calm down.”
I didn't know what to say, I just shook my head in disbelief.
“I'm serious Harper, she was devastated!”
“No, no. I believe you. I guess I still have to wrap my head around how much they care for me. And did you say I had presents? Why?” The only presents I've ever gotten from Sir was a laptop for graduation and my iPhone. And to be honest with you, I know the only reason I got those was because I had been planning on buying them anyway and he didn't want me to waste my money. There were never presents, cards or any sentiments on Christmas, or birthdays. It's just how it was.
“Because we all love you!”
“But I – I didn't get you guys anything.”
Bree's voice got really soft and she reached over to grab my hand, “We didn't expect you to. They all know what growing up with Sir entailed. We wanted to show you what a real Christmas is like.” She looked at me until the light turned green again. “Did you talk to him?”
“No. I called him twice though and left messages.” Jeez, I really did have a crappy home life. Even Bree's family called me on Christmas. And Brandon… “Oh my God Bree, I'm so stupid!” I groaned.
“What, no you're not!”