Chapter Ten

Axel

Star and I were sitting on the couch, her shoulder pressed lightly against mine. Her sister Rain was on her other side and lounged back like she owned the place. It was cozy, the kind of family gathering that felt both chaotic and warm. Ben and Woods were on the floor by the Christmas tree, pushing toy trucks back and forth across the hardwood. Carmen and Jim were in the kitchen getting dinner ready.

“How many tattoos do you have?” Woods’ voice broke through the casual hum of the room.

I glanced down at him. His wide eyes were fixed on me, and his curiosity practically radiated off him.

Star stiffened beside me, and her fingers paused mid-fidget on the hem of her sweater.

“Uh, I’ve lost count, buddy,” I replied and scratched the back of my neck with a grin. The truth wasn’t too far off—I’d stopped keeping track somewhere around tattoo number twenty.

Woods tilted his head to the side like he was really mulling this over. “Do you think I could count them for you?”

Rain let out a laugh, muffled but definitely amused, while Ben chuckled openly.

I laughed, too, and shook my head. “I’d have to take my clothes off for that, and I’m pretty sure your grandma would kick me out.”

Woods, undeterred, looked up at Star with a look of pure wonder. “Does Aunt Star know how many tattoos you have?”

Rain leaned forward, and her face lit up with the kind of mischief that spelled trouble. “Yeah, Star. Maybe you do know how many Axel has.” Her tone was all tease, but her eyebrows raised just enough to make Star squirm.

Star’s discomfort was palpable. She shifted in her seat, and her cheeks blushed pink. “I haven’t counted,” she said, her voice tight, like she hoped that answer would end the conversation.

“Let’s just go with forty,” I offered quickly. If Woods kept up the interrogation, I’d have to lock myself in the bathroom and count them one by one.

“Here we go!” Carmen’s voice carried from the kitchen and cut through the tension like a much-needed reprieve. She stepped into the living room with a large wooden tray in her hands that was loaded with an assortment of snacks. Jim followed close behind with two pitchers.

“Eggnog,” Jim declared, holding up one pitcher. Then he lifted the other with a grin. “And Rudolph’s Tipsy Punch.”

“I want punch!” Woods exclaimed, his toy truck forgotten as he scrambled to his knees.

Ben reached over and ruffled Woods’ hair, his voice playful. “That is adult punch, buddy. Not for you.”

Jim chuckled as he set the pitchers on the coffee table in front of us. “Don’t worry, Woods. I’ve got something special for you in the kitchen. I’ll grab it and the plates.”

Carmen placed the tray on the table with a flourish. “Charcuterie with a twist,” she announced proudly.

Rain leaned forward, and her curiosity was piqued. “What’s the twist, Mom?”

Carmen grinned as she started pointing out the various items. “Just some things you don’t normally see. Deviled eggs, soft pretzels with nacho cheese, mini tacos with guacamole, and…” She paused dramatically, her finger hovering over a small pile. “Chocolate-covered potato chips.”

“Chocolate chips?” Woods asked, eyes wide. “On a taco?”

“No, no,” Carmen laughed. “Potato chips covered in chocolate . Try one.”

Rain was the first to snatch one of the chocolate-covered potato chips from the tray. She bit into it with a loud crunch, and everyone paused to watch her reaction. Her eyes went wide in exaggerated surprise.

“Okay, weirdly good,” she said, then grabbed another one without hesitation.

“I want one, Mom!” Woods shouted and climbed onto his knees.

He and Rain descended on the charcuterie board like they hadn’t eaten all day, with Ben joining them. Carmen just shook her head and muttered something about savages under her breath as she scooted the tray closer to keep it from tipping over.

I turned to Star and dropped my voice low enough that only she could hear. “You good?”

She nodded stiffly and didn’t meet my gaze. “Great.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Honey, you look terrified.”

Star leaned in slightly and lowered her voice. “I don’t know how many tattoos you have,” she whispered, her tone laced with panic. “I should know that.”

“I don’t even know how many tattoos I have, Star,” I replied and kept my tone light.

She groaned quietly and shook her head. “Your girlfriend should know. We’re toast.”

I leaned closer, my lips brushed against her ear, and the scent of her shampoo was faint but intoxicating. “Then you can count them tonight.”

Her head whipped toward me, and her eyes widened. “Axel,” she gasped, her voice barely audible.

I reached up and cradled her cheek in my hand. Her skin was soft and warm beneath my touch. “You need to relax,” I murmured, as my thumb brushed gently along her jaw. “Or I’m going to kiss you.”

Her family was all around us, chattering and laughing, but it was like the world narrowed down to just Star and me. Her lips parted in surprise, and her gaze locked on mine. If her family didn’t believe we were dating, it was only because Star looked ready to bolt.

“Relax,” I repeated softly.

She didn’t relax. If anything, she seemed to wind up tighter, and her breathing shallowed. Her eyes darted to my lips, and I couldn’t stop myself anymore. I leaned in slowly, giving her a moment to pull away. When she didn’t, I closed the gap.

My lips met hers in a kiss that was soft at first, hesitant. Her breath caught, and I felt her freeze for a second. But then, just as I started to pull back, she leaned into me. Her lips moved against mine, tentative but sweet like she was testing the waters. This didn’t feel like it was for show. It felt real, and it sent a bolt of something electric through me.

When I pulled back, I lingered close enough to see the faint pink in her cheeks and the way her lips were slightly swollen from the kiss. “Better?” I asked softly.

Her wide eyes blinked at me before she nodded quickly and looked more dazed than relaxed.

That would do.

I grinned and brushed my thumb along her cheek one last time before pulling my hand away.

“Now,” I said, my voice light and teasing, “can I pour you a glass of Rudolph’s Tipsy Punch while you grab a mini taco and some chocolate-covered potato chips?”

Star finally smiled and reached her eyes. “There’s a whole bottle of rum in that punch, Axel,” she said with a laugh. “Stick to the eggnog unless you want to wake up with a headache tomorrow morning.”

“Good advice,” I replied and chuckled as I stood.

As I worked on filling two cups, Jim re-entered the room carrying a stack of plates and a tall glass filled with a bright green liquid. He set the plates down on the table and turned to Woods with a flourish. “And for you,” he said as he presented the drink like it was a treasure, “I have the very special Grinch drink.”

Woods’ eyes lit up as he accepted the glass and held it like it was some kind of magical potion. He stared at the green concoction with awe.

“Uh, what exactly is in a Grinch drink?” Rain asked and raised an eyebrow, her curiosity tinged with suspicion.

“Hawaiian Punch, pineapple juice, and lime sherbet,” Jim explained with a grin.

“Ah,” Rain laughed and nodded knowingly. “That would explain the bright green.” She gestured to Woods. “Go ahead, bud. Give it a try.”

Woods hesitated for a second and then took a sip. His expression shifted from cautious to delighted as a huge grin spread across his face. “It’s great!” he declared and held the glass up like a trophy.

Star leaned forward to grab a plate.

Rain nudged Star with her elbow, her voice quiet but not quiet enough for me to miss. “I like him,” she said, her tone approving.

Star glanced at her with a smirk. “Woods? He’s your son.”

Rain rolled her eyes dramatically. “Your guy,” she clarified. “Way better than I imagined.”

Star’s small smile had just the right mix of sweetness and something that felt deeper and warmer. “I like him, too,” she said softly, her voice barely loud enough for me to catch it over the laughter and chatter around us.

Carmen’s phone rang, and the energy in the room shifted as she answered. “Rickie,” she said loudly and stepped to the side. Her voice rose in alarm. “What? But you’re going to miss the charcuterie board!”

Rain leaned toward Star and whispered, “Uh-oh.”

“This does not sound good,” Star muttered, and her brow furrowed.

I snagged a mini taco off Star’s plate and popped it into my mouth. She shot me a look, but she didn’t say anything.

“But you’ll be here in the morning for presents, right?” Carmen asked into the phone. After a pause, she sighed heavily. “Okay, we’ll see you in the morning.” She ended the call and looked visibly deflated. “Rickie and Davis won’t be here until the morning. Davis played a round of golf this morning and pulled a muscle in his back on the last hole.”

Jim winced and reached for another deviled egg. “Ouch.”

Carmen waved her hands as if shooing away her frustration. “He’s going to ice it overnight, and they should be here for presents. Still, this does throw a bit of a wrench in my plans for the rest of the night, but we’ll just roll with it.”

Star tilted her head, curious. “What plans did you have for the night?”

Rain gestured toward the spread of food on the table. “I thought this was the plan.”

Carmen gave a mischievous grin—one that made me nervous. “First up, name that Christmas tune, then the cotton ball spatula game, and finally, the gingerbread-building contest.”

Rain’s expression matched mine—equal parts amused and wary. “Did she just say spatula?”

Star, clearly used to this by now, popped a piece of cheese into her mouth. “Did you hit the Tipsy Punch before we got here?”

“You guys have played these games before?” I asked, genuinely intrigued.

“Not exactly,” Star said with a smirk. “Mom makes up new games every year. I guess we’ve hit the ‘random kitchen items’ phase of her creativity.”

Rain bumped Star’s shoulder and laughed. “At least we’re still doing the gingerbread contest. Ben and I are going to kick your butts.”

“Wait,” Woods called out, his voice full of alarm. “Is Aunt Star still going to be my partner?”

Rain smiled gently at him. “Baby, Auntie Star has Axel to be her partner this year.”

Woods frowned, and his lip trembled like the kid was on the verge of tears.

“But,” I jumped in and leaned forward to catch his attention, “I think we’re going to need your help, Woods. I’ve never done any of this before. This is my first family Christmas, so I need you to show me the ropes.”

Woods stared at me, wide-eyed. “You’ve never had a family Christmas before?” His tone was heavy with sympathy, and the room went quiet.

“Not like this,” I said, trying to keep it light. “Who has mini tacos, chocolate-covered potato chips, and games on Christmas Eve?”

Woods sipped his neon green Grinch drink thoughtfully before nodding solemnly. “You’re probably right. I mean, you’ve got big muscles, but I think Aunt Star needs more than that.”

“Burn,” Ben laughed and choked on his eggnog.

“Woods,” Rain scolded, though she was laughing too.

I held up my hands in surrender and grinned. “You’re absolutely right, Woods. Your aunt and I both need you if we’re going to win.”

Woods pointed at me, his expression serious. “I’m in.”

“Okay!” Carmen clapped her hands, and the energy in the room shifted back to excitement. “You guys keep eating, and I’ll get the music going. We can play while we eat.”

Star leaned into me, and her shoulder brushed mine as she smiled. “Thank you.”

“For what, honey?” I asked, my voice low. “I’m just being me.”

“Then I guess thank you for being you,” she said softly.

I pressed a quick kiss to her lips and savored the way her cheeks turned pink. “You’re welcome. Though I do have one question.”

Her smile widened, and her eyes lit up with amusement. “Hit me with it.”

“What exactly are we doing with spatulas?”