Yuletide (Zoey's POV)
1521 Words
The seating arrangement for Yuletide dinner was a complete mess.
It’s like Mom wanted there to be drama. Mr. and Mrs. Crimson, Mrs. Highmore, Mom and Giselle took up half of the long table. Next to Mrs. Crimson was Rune and Raina’s older brother Raymond and his fiancee, Flora was across from him. It seemed Mrs. Crimson didn’t like her much. Next to them is Rune who is sat right across from Chloey and Cade, who me and Zander are next to. Tate and Raina are across from us and Marsden and Joey are next to Zander. Not awkward at all.
We all greeted each other before sitting down. I couldn't help but notice Marsden, Joey and Giselle whispering to each other. Maybe Tate was right about them. I mean why in the world would they be whispering?
I watched Joey and Marsden closely as we sat down. Was Marsden more dangerous than I thought?
“Really nice home you have.” Rune said to Chloey.
“Oh thank you, Rune. That’s nice of you.” She responded.
“You look radiant, tonight Chloey,” Cade said. “I don’t think I’ve told you that.”
“You’ve told me a bunch.” Chloey smiled. “But I always like hearing it.” She kissed him. Rune sure didn’t like that.
“So how long have you two been...together again?” He asked.
“Since the Yuletide party.” Cade answered. “Chloey really swept me off my feet after she attacked me under the mistletoe.”
Chloey giggled. “Cade, that was all you!”
“Well you liked it.”
“Brilliant.” Rune stabbed his food with his fork.
“That’s a nice dress.” I said to Raina. “Yellow looks lovely on you.”
“Thanks.” Raina said bluntly. “Tate sure thinks so.”
“I’m glad, because he seemed so concerned with...other things lately. I’m glad he can focus on you and your dress.” I smiled.
“Yes, Tate’s focus is on me and no one else.”
“You seem like you need it.” I shot back.
“Speaking of attention and looking great in dresses, you Zoey, look stunning.” Zander said before kissing me. “Be nice.” He muttered against my lips.
“She started it.” I muttered back.
“People are eating.” Tate commented. “That’s not really nice manners is it?”
“Well, you’re talking with your mouth full, that’s not great manners either.” Joey pointed out. Oh I loved her.
“A Dark Vampiric Warlock’s daughter talking about manners?” Raina snorted.
“Burn in hell,”
“Joey!” I hissed.
“This is my house and I refuse to let anyone come in here and disrespect any of us when we’re nice enough to have them over.” She whispered.
“Please be nice.”
“Fine, but if that's the case I need alcohol.” She got up and stormed away.
“She gets nervous around big groups.” Marsden chuckled nervously, glancing at Giselle
She gave him a quizzical look. He responded with a nod as though saying he could handle it.
“You know, I’m surprised to see you here, Thorton.” Tate stated.
“You’re surprised that I’m here at my girlfriend’s house where you shouldn’t be because this is not your girlfriend's house?” Marsden questioned.
“I thought you’d be home with your parents. Or your mom. Guess your dad isn’t exactly around is he?”
“You’d know all about dad’s not being around, wouldn’t you Highmore?”
“Marsden!” I said.
“He kind of deserved that. “ Zander muttered. “Anyways, Marsden, we should play some Kilcross tomorrow.”
“Oh, you’re on. And you’re going down.” Marsden chuckled.
“Don’t tell me you two are best mates now.” Tate rolled his eyes.
“Well that’s what happens when you grow up and get over grudges. Not everyone is who you think they are.” Zander sneered.
“Zoey, did you tell him what we discussed?” Tate questioned.
“He’s my boyfriend, I tell him everything!”
“But that was private.”
“And what are you two discussing exactly?” Raina questioned.
“It’s nothing.” I said. “It’s not your business and it’s barely Tate’s.”
“Is this about what we talked to Joey about?” Chloey questioned.
“You told her too?” Tate practically whined.
“She’s my sister too!” I groaned.
“What’s wrong with Joey?” Cade questioned.
“Look who she’s dating!” Ron snapped. “She’s banging a future Dark Vampiric Warlock. ”
“You told Rune?” I exclaimed.
“He’s my best friend.” Tate pointed out.
“What are you telling people about me, Highmore?” Marsden asked.
“Nothing that isn’t true! You’re up to something Thorton and I’m going to figure it out.”
“What the hell is going on?” Joey asked, sitting down. She smelled like brandy. “What are you arguing about?”
“Nothing.” I said quickly. “Tate, can I speak to you in the kitchen?”
“Yes.”
“You need to calm down in there.” I said.
“Why?” He asked.
“Because it’s Yuletide and this involves my sister. We need to be more delicate with this, okay?”
“Wait, so you believe he’s up to something?” Tate perked up.
I sighed. “Yes, okay. I heard him and Joey talking the other day and something seemed suspicious.”
“So do you think she knows?”
“Maybe? But also it could have been completely innocent.”
“It wasn’t.” Tate said firmly. “Hey, I’m sorry about Raina.”
“I thought you were breaking up with her.”
“I thought you didn’t care.”
“I don’t.” I shrugged. “I still don’t like her.”
“She’s kind of mean.” Tate chuckled.
“Kind of?”
“Alright, really. But Zander is pretty aggressive too.”
“He thinks you’re a dick.” I informed him. “I don’t think he’s wrong.”
“You think I’m a d**k?” He smiled slightly.
“No, I know you are.”
“But you said I was a prick.”
“You’re both. Call it a talent.” I grinned.
When did we get so close? Our faces were literally inches from each other.
“So I’m a talented d**k?” He asked. “Sounds special.”
“Well you are Wade Highmore’s son.”
Tate then kissed me. Instead of pushing him away like I should, I kissed him back.
It felt even better than our first kiss. Why didn’t I feel like this when Zander kissed me? I really do still like Tate. In fact I was scared I might love him. I had to stop this! I pushed him away.
“Why did you do that Tate?”
“Cuz I knew you’d kiss me back.”
“That was wrong.”
“Tate, what the hell?” Raina stormed into the kitchen. “Are you coming back out?”
“Sure.” He smiled at me before going back to the dining room. I went to follow him, but Raina stopped me.
“A word Rosaria.”
“What?”
“This obsession with my boyfriend needs to stop.”
“I have not made one move on your boyfriend, he’s making moves on me, so you need to talk to him about that.” I said.
“You don’t fool me with this little relationship you have with Zander. You’re clearly pining after Tate.” Raina said.
“And you’re clearly insecure. I can see why he’s going to dump you!”
She scoffed. “I knew it. He’s dumping me for you!”
“He sure is. So you should start looking for a new boyfriend, because Tate wants me!”
“Zoey!” I turned and saw Zander.
“I’ll let you two talk.” Raina glared at me before storming out.
“What the hell was that?” Zander questioned.
“She wanted to argue with me, so I gave her what she wanted.” I shrugged.
“Why would you say that about Tate wanting you?”
“I was just being mean, okay? I didn’t mean what I said.”
I wondered if Zander could tell that I was lying. Could he tell that I had rediscovered my feelings for Tate?
I pulled Zander to me and kissed him hard. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“You sure?” He murmured.
“Of course, babe. We should get back out there, hm?”
Zander kissed me again and grabbed my hands. “Sure babe.”
While he was smiling, there was something in his eyes that told me he didn’t exactly believe me and knew that I still had feelings for Tate Highmore.
- Writer
