Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 59022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
My ears perk up. “We?”
“Jayson and I went to school together,” he says like that explain everything somehow.
My eyes narrow as I try to dig for more. “I take it Jayson has a big role in the family business?”
“Yes,” his voice is soft, a tad hesitant. “But his role is a little unique.”
Compared to what? I mean really. They’re heirs to Santa’s throne, so if he’s the heir than that makes Jayson, what? The spare?
“More unique than Santa or the elves?” I arch a brow. “I find that hard, extremely hard, to believe.” I suddenly find myself straining to think of any sort of lore about Santa I could be missing and come up completely empty.
He has the audacity to smile while I think.
“At the end of the day, it’s just a job.” He finally says.
I burst out laughing. “Sure, okay, yeah, just a job. That’s like Batman saying it’s just a cape!”
“Did you just compare me to Batman?”
“No.” I grumble. “I was using him as an example.”
“My favorite superhero.”
“Focus.” I snap my fingers. “It’s not just a job, it’s mythical, all of this, so it’s more than that, meaning I’m not satisfied with ‘oh Jayson’s unique in this business’.”
“My voice doesn’t sound like that.”
“It sounded exactly like that.” I point out. “And again, not a proper response, Stetson, not at all. I’m gonna need more here.”
“Why?” He looks genuinely surprised.
“Are you kidding me?” I practically sputter and spread my arms wide. “Can I state the most obvious fact there is? Your dad is freaking Santa Claus! Again, mythical, again, magical, job is the last word I would use to describe any of this.”
He still looks like it’s no big deal. Maybe he’s been forced to, or maybe just being born into it really is that, like when you’re born into money. I chew my lower lip, I guess he’s almost like a lot of my rich friends, they truly have no grasp on reality sometimes and you can’t fault them for it when they don’t know anything else, when their normal is having five nannys for one kid or going on an arctic cruise to watch polar bears while some people struggle just to put a turkey on the table for the Holidays. You are a victim of your environment and I guess that doesn’t change even if you’re…Santa?
“And you…” I poke him in the side. “You’re his heir. I get that it’s a job to you, it’s just to the rest of the world, well non-existent and second, a title I think more than job? Wow, maybe you really are the Batman of Christmas, you should ask your dad about a cape, we could do a lot with a cape.”
A grin spreads across his face. “I like the way you think.” He taps me on the nose with his finger. “And I’m well aware I’m his heir and yeah I think title does work better than job, see? I knew I needed you, beautiful and smart, and understanding, sexy…” Okay he’s seriously distracting. Every word he says drips like sugar from his lips as he leans in closer to me like he’s going to kiss me.
He suddenly pulls back and clears his throat. “I don’t know what to tell you, Charlie Horse… this has been my life from the moment I was born. It’s all I know.”
I understand what he’s telling me but then I don’t because it just seems so out there and so surreal that it’s hard to wrap your brain around. “It’s the only life you’ve ever known.” I agree. “Just like, this is all I know.”
Sadness.
Loneliness.
Who, hello darkness my old friend, talk about intrusive dark thoughts at the totally wrong time!
Maybe it’s not my place to explain to him how strange it is, again, it’s the same with some of my friends, no matter how many times I try they won’t ever fully get it, maybe that’s why I do feel so lonely. Even my best friend doesn’t get it and she’s one of the best people I know.
“Your dad is the most famous man in the world, like across all religions and countries,” I tell him what he obviously already knows. “Everyone loves the guy.”
He laughs. “He’s easy to love, but for me and my sister, he’s just dad. He’s goofy, makes the worst jokes, as you’ve witnessed can’t carry a tune to save his life, and thinks that if he bakes, he doesn’t have to do the dishes.”
Just dad. I like it.
I fumble with the blanket and look away. “And the other women you’ve had sign your agreement?” I can’t help it. I’m too curious.
“What about them?” His look becomes more guarded. Is he going to change the subject? The air shifts, becoming more tense than it was a few seconds ago.
I try not to sound like a jealous whiner. I remind myself that I’m not allowed to be a jealous whiner. I walked into this willingly and signed my damn name, so to throw a fit over women no longer in the picture would be petty and stupid on my part, but jealousy doesn’t really care just like insecurity doesn’t really lean on logic.