Holiday Hijinks by Roxy Queen Page B

man. I’ve got to keep up my training and I had a meet two days ago. Regional qualifiers are the week after break.”
    “So? I’m still no t sure why this means you need to come home with us and disturb my holiday plans,” Josh says.
    “ Like you have plans,” I say, sticking my tongue out. “Carter’s  parents are in London. There was no way he could fly over and keep up his training for the meet.” I sigh and turn onto the highway. “None of that matters, anyway. You two just need to pretend to be best friends. I’ll pretend I don’t know Carter and Mom and Pop will be none the wiser.”
    Josh sank back into the seat. “If you say so, but still seems like you should just admit he’s your boyfriend. Plus, even if Moms and Pops don’t figure it out, it’s not like my mother is an idiot, you know.”
    My sister Tara definitely could be a problem.
    “You leave your mother to me.”
    Tara would kill me if she found out. Dating a guy the same age as her son? No mother could handle that information well. My parents? There’s just no way my parents would accept me dating a 19 year-old. I’m twenty-eight and a grad student. He’s a sophomore. I’d barely warmed up to the idea of admitting it at school.
    “Why don’t you two ‘besties’,” learn a little bit more about each other on the ride down, okay? I’ll just focus on driving.”
    “Whatever Aunt Ruthie,” Josh says, turning his attention to Carter.  “So what kind of music do you lik e?”
     

Chapter 2
    We stop five minutes away from the house to switch seats in the car. It makes no sense for Carter to be up front with me while Josh sat in the back. “I’m going to go in and get a soda,” Josh says, stretching his arms and legs, heading to the convenience store.
    “You sure you don’t want to play this straight?” Carter asks, leaning against the car. “It’s not too late.”
    “Yes, it is. I’ve already told them you’re Josh’s friend. If I change it now, it will spark too many questions.”
    “Okay, babe,” he says, giving me a quick kiss. “Whatever you want.”
    “Just so you know , I am really excited you’re here with me. I want you to meet everyone and join in our family traditions. There are a couple of parties, including one at our house and the Christmas Eve service. Mom said she waited to decorate the tree until we got there.”
    “Sounds great,” he said, again pressing his lips to mine. I push him away, afraid someone will see us. We’re practically in my parent’s neighborhood. Carter ducked into the backseat, cramping his long legs.
    “This is where you grew up?” Carter asks the minute we enter my neighborhood. I point out the elementary and middle school.
    “Yes, it’s not historical like yours,” I reply. Carter grew up in a much older, beautiful home in Raleigh. My parents definitely believe in suburban living. Fenced yards and the status quo.
    “It’s your history,” he says softly.
    “Okay, well, I broke my arm on that swing,” I laugh, pointing across the playground. “Then one time I rode my bike into oncoming traffic and hit a car.”
    “You hit the car or the car hit you?”
    “I hit the car.”
    “Aunt Ruthie is a notorious spaz,” Josh adds.
    We turn onto my street filled with standard, well-kept, two story, brick homes. The street does look pretty with all the Christmas decorations. It’s close to dinner, which means daylight’s fading fast. It also means the lit trees are festive in the windows.
    “This is it,” I say, pulling into the driveway. Our front window is dark, but I can make out the outline and shape of the undecorated tree. I spot movement near the front door. “I hope you’re ready for this.”
    “Ruthie, it’s going to be fine,” Carter says. Josh snorts and grabs his bag, leaving us by the car.
    “Just remember, no matter what, I love you.”
    “We aren’t going into war,” Carter says, shaking his head.
    I pick up my bags and head to the door.