Chapter Fourteen

Axel

The living room was alive with the sounds of Christmas—ripped wrapping paper, exclamations of delight, and the occasional clang of a new toy being tossed aside for the next. Woods, as expected, had torn through his pile of presents with the kind of frenzied joy only a six-year-old could muster. Trucks, cars, a racetrack, board games, clothes, and the pièce de résistance: a shiny new bicycle. The kid was in heaven, surrounded by the spoils of Santa’s generosity.

While Woods busied himself with his new toys, the rest of us exchanged gifts.

“This one is for you, Star,” Rickie called and handed her a box.

When Star and I had walked into the living room earlier, I’d been introduced to Rickie and Davis. Rickie looked like Carmen’s twin, save for her jet-black hair. Davis, on the other hand, stayed planted on the couch and gave me a casual wave when we were introduced. His back was still giving him some trouble.

Star opened the box Rickie had handed her and pulled out a white coffee mug with a tan bottom. Painted on it was a set of antlers with a bright red nose.

“Oh my goodness,” Star gushed. “I absolutely love it!”

Rickie beamed. “Every year since the girls moved out, I get them handmade coffee cups from the pottery store in town. This makes cup number eleven.”

“Thirteen for me,” Rain called from where she sat across the room. “I moved out before Star did.”

Star rolled her eyes and placed the mug carefully back into its box. “That would be because you’re two years older than me, Rain. I would’ve been seventeen if I’d moved out when you did.”

Rain wrinkled her nose and laughed. “Did you really have to throw my age in my face on Christmas morning?”

The room chuckled, and I found myself smiling at the easy banter between the sisters.

“This one is for Axel,” Jim called and held up a box before passing it my way.

I caught it and glanced at the tag that said it was from Star.

“I bet it’s clothes,” Woods announced confidently. “Santa puts my clothes in those boxes.”

The room erupted into laughter, and I couldn’t help but grin. “Well,” I drawled, “whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll love it.”

I tore the wrapping off and opened the box to reveal a thick, sherpa-lined flannel in varying shades of orange and yellow.

“It’s sherpa-lined,” Star said, her voice soft. “It should keep you warm when you’re riding.”

“You ride?” Davis asked from his perch on the couch.

I nodded and unfolded the shirt to get a better look. The fabric was soft but durable—the kind of thing that would be perfect for chilly nights on the road. “Been riding since I was sixteen,” I said.

Davis, who looked about as familiar with motorcycles as I was with ballet, nodded appreciatively. “Nice, nice. I had a hog back in my day.”

Rickie snorted. “It was a Vespa, Davis, and you crashed it on the second day you had it.”

The room filled with laughter again, and I chuckled, shaking my head.

“Do you like it?” Star asked, her voice quiet but eager.

I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips. “It’s perfect, honey.”

She smiled against my lips. “Good,” she whispered.

“They kiss a lot,” Woods announced loudly, as his voice cut through the moment like a knife.

“That’s because they’re in love,” Carmen cooed from her seat. “I love to see it.”

I felt Star stiffen beside me.

“Relax,” I whispered against her lips and brushed another soft kiss over them.

This wasn’t pretend—not anymore.

“This one is also for Axel,” Jim called, breaking the moment.

I pulled back and gave Star a reassuring look before turning to Jim.

Jim shook the box as he passed it over. “It’s from Carmen and me, but I’ll be damned if I know what it is.”

Carmen tsked. “Just give him the box, Jim.”

I opened it to find a leather wallet. It was simple but sturdy, the kind of thing that would last years. “This is great,” I said honestly. “I think it’s been ten years since I got a new wallet. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Carmen said, her smile wide and genuine.

“And finally, these three are for Star,” Jim announced.

The boxes were passed to Star, who looked at them in surprise.

“They’re all from Axel,” she said, glancing over at me with wide eyes.

She opened the first box, and pulled out the fluffy green-and-white blanket I’d picked for her. Her expression softened immediately.

“Oh, wow,” she breathed and pressed the fabric to her cheek. “It’s so soft.”

“I hoped you’d like it,” I said.

She nodded, and her smile could have lit up the room. “It’s amazing.”

“You have two more!” Woods reminded her excitedly and bounced on his knees.

The room laughed, and Star set the blanket aside as she reached for the second box. It was smaller, and she opened it carefully. Inside was the gray marbled bracelet with the wolf-shaped stone I’d chosen for her.

“It’s so pretty,” she said, her eyes shining as she lifted it out.

“Read the paper,” I urged.

She unfolded the small card and scanned the words. Her jaw dropped. “Oh my god,” she gasped. “It’s a wolf tracking bracelet. I can go online and track a wolf that’s linked to this bracelet.”

“He got you a wolf!” Woods exclaimed, clearly in awe. “That is cool!”

Everyone laughed again, and Star leaned into me to press a kiss to my lips.

“It’s very cool,” she whispered.

I’d known she’d love it. Star was passionate about wildlife conservation, and the bracelet’s proceeds went toward aiding wolves in the wild.

“Open the next one!” Woods urged, his excitement contagious.

Star slipped the bracelet onto her wrist and reached for the last box. She opened it and pulled out a candle. She glanced at the label and immediately shoved it back into the box, her cheeks turning crimson.

“What is it?” Rain asked, her curiosity piqued.

Star shook her head quickly. “Just a candle,” she squeaked and avoided everyone’s eyes.

I chuckled, unable to help myself.

It was a candle, but the label was what made it special: Light When You Want Me Naked .

“Let me see what scent it is,” Carmen insisted and leaned forward with curiosity.

Star shook her head quickly. “Um, no.”

“No?” Rain laughed, her tone playful. “Fork over the candle, Star. You’ve got us all intrigued now.”

Star shot me a glare that could have melted steel.

I shrugged and bit back a grin. I thought it was funny, and it wasn’t like her family didn’t know we were together.

“Fine,” Star muttered, clearly resigned. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She handed the box to Carmen, who wasted no time opening it and held the candle up for everyone to see.

“Oh my god,” Star groaned and buried her face in her hands.

“Hell yeah,” Ben exclaimed from across the room. “Send me the link where I can get one of those.”

“What does it say?” Woods piped up; his innocent curiosity sliced through the chaos.

“Uh, it says Light When You’re Stressed ,” Rain lied, her tone overly casual.

Jim and Davis both snickered, clearly unconvinced.

Rickie grinned and turned to me. “Send me that link, too.”

“Oh my god!” Star and Rain exclaimed in unison, their voices a mix of horror and amusement.

“What?” Rickie asked innocently. “Auntie Rickie still has it, girls.”

Carmen waved a hand at me dismissively. “I’ll just get the link from Rickie.”

Rain threw up her hands, exasperated, but laughed. “All right, that’s enough! What time is dinner?”

I pulled Star into my arms; my arm settled around her waist. I half-expected her to push me away, but she leaned into me easily, her warmth reassuring.

“You like your gifts?” I asked quietly, my voice meant only for her.

She tried to glare at me again, but her lips twitched, betraying her. “Yes, even if the candle was one you should’ve saved for later.”

I shrugged and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Now you can just light it later.”

“You’re shameless, Axel,” she said, though her words held no real heat.

I pressed a kiss to her lips and savored the moment. “Only for you, honey.”