This December, page 5
Me: Never. But did I mention none of us can really carry a tune? It’s more about enthusiasm than talent with this crew
Flower Crazy Cole: Hey I have plenty of enthusiasm! Count me in
Me: Don’t say I didn’t warn you
I sent him my parents’ address and the time we were supposed to leave.
Flower Crazy Cole: Can’t wait!
How did I get into this situation?
Although a large part of me—that I wasn’t proud of—couldn’t wait to see the look on Aspyn’s face when Cole Jackson rolled up to our parents’ house.
* * *
But come five o’clock, I was a jittery mess. The kids were screaming, hopped up on sugar. Aspyn had been sending me a squinty-eyed glare, while Mom had been giving me a not-so-subtle thumbs up every time she saw me.
It was almost a relief when I saw a blinged out black Range Rover pull up to my parents’ curb.
“Whoa,” Oliver, Aspyn and Matt’s oldest, whispered next to me. “That’s a sick car.”
I wanted to give Olly a huge hug since he was being so cute, but he was apparently too old for that now. Or at least that was what he’d shrieked when I’d tried earlier today—apparently eight meant he was too cool for me. Instead of hugging him, I leaned down and whispered, “Want to check it out?”
“Are you serious? Hel—um, heck yeah!”
Laughing, I threw my arm around his shoulders and led him down the driveway.
Cole was just getting out when we approached. “Hey! I’m not late, am I?”
“Right on time.” I grinned back at him.
Despite our tiny audience, Cole stepped up to me, cupped my face in his hands, and gave a sadly short welcome kiss. “Thanks for the invite.”
“Pretty sure you invited yourself, but technically my mom asked me to invite you, so you can thank her too.”
“I plan to. And who’s this?” Cole stepped back and looked down at our eight-year-old chaperon.
“This is my oldest nephew, Oliver. Olly, this is my friend Cole.”
When he said nothing, I looked down to find Olly gaping at Cole.
“You’re Cole Jackson.” Olly’s wide eyes almost swallowed his face. “This is Cole Jackson. You were kissing Cole Jackson. You know Cole Jackson?”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing.
“Well thanks, Olly. It’s nice to meet you. Are you ready to sing some Christmas carols?” Cole held his hand out for Olly to shake.
Olly clasped Cole’s hand in his with the cutest, wide-eyed stare I’d ever seen. “Yes, sir.”
“Eh, I don’t think that’s required, right? I’m just Cole. Or ‘hey you’ if you prefer.”
Olly nodded furiously while still shaking Cole’s hand.
Cole grinned down at Olly. “You mind if I take that back now?”
A look of horror crossed Olly’s face, and he quickly dropped Cole’s hand.
Cole smiled. “No worries, Olly. Hey, you want to go ask your parents if you can ride with us tonight? I’d love to have you as my caroling buddy.”
Cole didn’t need to ask twice. Olly was off and running to find his parents.
I was kinda hoping he’d ask Aspyn. I’d love to see that. Turning to Cole, I raised my eyebrows. “Olly’s your caroling buddy now? What about me?”
“Hey, no one said I couldn’t have two caroling buddies.” Cole stepped back to me and wrapped his arms around me.
I couldn’t help but melt into him. He was a magnetic son of a bitch after all. “I have a feeling after tonight, everyone’s gonna want to be your caroling buddy.”
“Aw, but you’ll always be my number one caroling buddy, sugarplum.” He bent forward and gave me a quick peck on the tip of my nose.
Which I then wrinkled at him. “You’re too charming for your own good.”
Before he could come at me with another equally charming retort, I heard a flurry of movement crunching down the snow next to the driveway toward us. “Look alive, caroling buddy. Here comes the insanity. And remember you asked for this.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? What’s going to—”
“Is this him?” my mom demanded as she marched down the snowy walk toward us. “This is the guy you’ve been seeing?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Mom. Could you at least pretend you have manners? Please?”
“Phbbt.” Mom blew a raspberry at me then turned to survey Cole. She tilted her head as she took him in and her eyes danced over his arms still wrapped around me. Then she smiled. “Oh, he’ll do.”
“You don’t even know his name, Mom,” I protested.
“Don’t need it. I like the sparkle he put in your eyes.” Before I could come up with a retort to that, she held her hand out to Cole. “Rebecca James. Nice to meet you.”
Cole shook her hand. “Hi, I’m Cole. Thanks so much for inviting me tonight. I love caroling.”
Mom stepped back and smiled at Cole. “Well, as long as you know that we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Tonight’s all about fun, not musical ability. Just try to keep up.”
Cole laughed as he nodded. “Will do.”
“Great. Welcome. I think we’re getting ready to load up. Do you want to drive or you two can ride with us if you’d like?”
My eyes widened in horror at the thought of that inquisition, but before I could weasel out, Cole spoke up.
“I kinda already invited Olly to ride with us, if it’s okay with his parents.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but Mom’s smile grew wider.
“Oh, that’s what he was babbling to Matt.” Mom looked over her shoulder to where Olly was gesturing wildly to his dad. “I couldn’t make out what he was saying.”
I deflated slightly that he hadn’t asked his mom, but then I understood the move. Matt was a softie compared to his mom. I would’ve done the same. Respect.
“All right, everyone!” Mom shouted next to us on the sidewalk. “Load up! Drivers, we’ll all meet up at the first parking location. Let’s go, go, go!”
Then it was a flurry of motion as children and adults ran for the collection of cars parked in the driveway and on the side of the road.
Mom ran off to coordinate the insanity, and I turned to Cole who watched it all go down while looking a little shellshocked.
“Your mom is something else.”
“Oh, you don’t have to tell me.” I laughed.
Olly came running up to us with a huge grin. “Dad said yes! Let’s go!”
“I got front seat.” I stuck my tongue out at my nephew. “You’re still not tall enough to sit up front, and he’s my date tonight, not yours.”
Olly narrowed his eyes with a look that was so similar to Aspyn that I shivered. But after a beat, he opened the rear door and climbed in, slamming the door behind him.
Cole muffled his laughter. “If you want, you could pee a circle around me. You know, to keep the predators away from your territory.”
“Really? I had no idea you’re into golden showers. Remind me again later.”
The look on his face was priceless.
I waited a beat then couldn’t hold in my laughter any longer.
This time, Cole was the one glaring at me. “I can’t believe you seriously said that within earshot of your whole family.”
My lips twitched. “Most of them are in their cars—including Olly. And it was totally worth it to see that look on your face.”
“Let’s go.” Cole huffed before stomping off to his Range Rover. My laughter followed him the whole way.
Someone had let the others in on my little surprise I discovered when we pulled up to the parking lot a few minutes later. My entire family was lined up like a Greek chorus, watching Cole’s Range Rover park.
Suddenly this didn’t seem so fun.
A kernel of fear twisted in my stomach at what embarrassing thing my family would do next.
But it turned out I was worried about nothing. Mom commanded everyone’s attention when we got near.
“All right everyone! Here’s our lineup tonight.” She passed out packets to everyone old enough to read. “One song per house. Please, no alternate Batman smells lyrics during ‘Jingle Bells.’ Olly, I’m looking at you.”
Olly hunched his shoulders and hid behind Cole, whose shoulders were shaking.
“Everyone have their hats and gloves?” Mom asked, surveying the littles. “Samantha, where’s your hat?”
“I say we wait ‘til the second verse, and then let the alternate lyrics fly, Olly,” Cole whispered to the little boy still hiding behind him. “You in?”
“Yes!” Olly shouted, clutching his fist.
I shook my head. “You guys are going to get it.”
“I had no idea you were such a goody-goody, December,” Cole scoffed.
“No, I have a healthy fear of my mom, thank you very much. You’re going to regret it.”
Cole wrapped his arm around my shoulder and grinned down at me. “I don’t believe in regrets. You only live once.”
“Let’s see how you feel after tonight. You’ve been warned about our singing abilities—more than once.”
Cole’s laughter had me grinning as we joined the main cluster of my family.
Let the games begin.
Breaking News From the Babbler
Cole Jackson Spotted Caroling in Lake Tahoe
Is He Involved in Some von Trapp Type Situation?
Exclusive Details
Some sharp-eyed residents in Lake Tahoe, California spotted an interesting sight tonight. Cole Jackson has apparently joined a blond family to sing carols in a neighborhood in the Tahoe area. Peep the video below.
*embedded video*
As seen in the video, Jackson stays in the back and tries to use his hat and scarf to conceal his identity. Although he also seems to be very interested in keeping warm with the blonde on his left. Many times throughout videos posted on social media, Jackson is seen cuddling with the mystery blonde and rubbing her hands and arms to keep warm.
Apparently Santa brought the notorious bachelor a blonde for Christmas!
But who is she? And how long has Jackson been seeing her? We’re digging for details.
Stay tuned…
Chapter 7
I don’t think I’d ever enjoyed caroling as much as I did last night. That look on my mom’s face when Cole’s mellow tenor joined our chaotic enthusiasm. I still couldn’t believe Cole and Olly had gotten away with their plan. But then again, I guess I’d underestimated Cole’s charm. The smile on his face had everyone else joining in with the alternative lyrics—even my mom.
Although Chrissy suggesting we sing ‘A Very Merry X-Mas’ was a little much. Cole’s song was not appropriate for the kiddos to sing. But it was a bit of a knife turn for Aspyn. She’d looked like she was sucking on a lemon all night.
And I was petty enough to enjoy it.
So I might’ve been humming ‘Jingle Bells’ as I walked up to Cole’s front door. I didn’t need to knock though. Cole had given me the code to the door a few days back.
But no delicious scents greeted me. And neither did Cole. I followed the muffled sound of a conversation.
“…bury it. I don’t care what you have to do.” Cole paced back and forth in the great room. He stopped and raked a hand through his hair. “No. No, I’m not doing that. I don’t—gah, just keep them off me for another week. That’s not too much to ask, is it? One more week without this insanity?”
I shifted my weight, and the movement had Cole’s eyes shooting my way.
He stared intently into my eyes, still holding his cell up to his ear. “I don’t care what you have to do, Jase. Just get it done. I’m still on vacation here.”
Cole ended the call without saying goodbye, shoved his phone in his back pocket, and crossed the room to wrap his arms around me. “Are you okay? You didn’t return any of my texts.”
“I can’t text and drive.” I laughed as I cuddled into his warmth. “And my car’s so old, I don’t have any hands-free tech. Why didn’t you call?”
He sighed and squeezed me tight. “I didn’t want to distract you.”
That made no sense. He texted but thought a call would distract me? I took a step back and gave him a searching look. “What’s going on? Why are you all agitated? What’s put that look on your face?”
He stared at me for a second and a muscle flexed in his jaw. Finally he sighed and said, “I guess this means you haven’t seen the headlines today?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Unrest in the Middle East? Political bullshit? I haven’t exactly stayed up with the latest news since I lost my job. It’s usually all depressing shit anyway. Why? What happened?”
“Apparently my disguise didn’t work. Someone snapped some pictures of us caroling last night and posted them on socials. The Babbler picked them up, and this evening even a few network news stations ran them. I…pictures of your family are all over the news. They blurred out the littles’ faces, but you, your sisters, their spouses, your parents are all out there. And it’s only a matter of time before your name is everywhere too. I just…I’m so sorry, December.”
I blinked. This was so…
I blinked again.
“I’ve got my manager on it,” he went on agitatedly. “But we can’t get the pictures or video down. It’s gone too far outside our reach. He wanted me to pack up and come home, but I don’t wanna. I want to be here—with you. I’ve arranged for security protection for your parents and your sisters. Hopefully that helps some and will keep the media and paps away.”
When I still didn’t say anything, he babbled on.
“This place is fairly secure. No one even knows I own it. But security will be here in a few. They’re just going to park out front. Make sure no one harasses us.” He blew out a breath. “You’re not saying anything. What are you thinking? Are you regretting even meeting me? I’m so sorry, sugar. I never thought—”
I stopped his verbal flagellation with a finger on his lips. “I thought you didn’t believe in regrets.”
He pressed a kiss to my finger then pulled my hand away to hold it. “I didn’t, at least not until I met you.”
“Ouch.” I blinked and gave a little disbelieving laugh.
“Shit, I didn’t mean it like that. I just, I’ve never really had my celebrity affect someone else like this before. The few girls I dated kinda courted it—liked it. I suspect it was the entire reason they wanted to be with me. And it’s been so long since they’ve harassed my family… I forgot. I guess I got caught up in the little bubble I’ve made with you, and I forgot about the world outside.”
“I like our little bubble too.” I gave him a soft smile.
“But I can’t put the genie back in the bottle. Even if I were to go home, they’d still come and harass your family. I’m so sorry, December.”
I shook my head. “I’m not. I don’t regret a single second of being with you. And if this is the price we have to pay, then I’m totally fine with it. It’s worth it. You’re worth it.”
“You say that now.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “But you don’t know.” He sighed heavily.
“So, it’s Christmas cookie night tonight. How about we go over to my parents’ house and fill them all in? I suspect that’s why I have…eighteen missed calls from my mom. Wow.”
“Shit.” Cole pulled out his phone and tapped away at the screen while I called my mom back.
“December Bailey James!” my mom answered without even saying hello first. “Do you not understand how telephones work? If it weren’t for the family tracker app, I would’ve reported you missing! How could you not call me back for hours and hours? What is wrong with you?”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but I was working. I can’t drive and talk. You know how I get distracted. So I put my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb,’ and forgot to take it off after work.” I was kinda notorious for having crashed into a parked car once while talking on my cellphone. My family never let me forget it. So ever since, I’d been so careful not to talk or text while driving. I didn’t want to repeat that mistake ever again. The teasing was too relentless.
“And when were you going to tell me that that was the Cole Jackson last night?”
“Uh…I kinda thought it was obvious.”
“Well, it wasn’t. Do you know how embarrassing it was to hear the news from Angela Agate? She assumed I knew since we spent all last night with him.”
“Um, I’m sorry?” I said it like a question because this was such a surreal conversation. I’d thought the media was pestering them. “Why are we even talking about this? What happened to ‘who I wanted to spend my time with was my business?’”
“It is. I mean…” She sighed. “I’m sorry. I was just surprised. And embarrassed. Seriously. Angela was such a bitch about it. You don’t even know.”
I choked, fighting to keep my laughter inside.
But I failed.
I laughed and laughed.
After a minute, I straightened and wiped my eyes. “Sorry. That just surprised me. It’s still weird when you talk to me like I’m an adult.”
“You are an adult, December.”
I heaved a sigh. “I know. I just forgot there for a minute. Listen, Mom, would it be okay if Cole and I stopped by? He wants to talk to everyone.”
Dead silence hummed on the line.
“Mom? You still there?” I held the phone away to make sure we still had a connection. We did. “Mom?”
“The house is a mess! We’ve got baking crap everywhere! I can’t, I don’t—”
“Mom, it’s fine. I promise. Cole will probably even want to stay and decorate some cookies with the littles.” I raised my eyebrows at him, and he nodded back.
Cole gave me a thumbs up. “Sounds like a blast. I can’t wait.”
“Did you hear that, Mom? He wants to do more Christmas with the crazy James family. You guys didn’t scare him off after all. We’ll see you in a few. Bye!”
