You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(26)

“You got me gifts?” Arsen didn’t know what to do. He was in shock and lost his cool.

“Well, that’s what people do on Christmas,” Slade said sarcastically. “Get with the program, man.”

“Shut up, Slade.” I didn’t look at him when I said it.

“I…I can’t take these.” Arsen pushed them back. “But thank you,” he added.

“Nonsense.” Dad handed them back. “If you’re important to Silke, you’re important to us.”

Arsen was put on the spot and had nowhere to run.

“It’s okay.” I touched his hand. “Go ahead.”

With all eyes on him, he opened the first one. It was a set of old records. The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors were included. Arsen felt them in his hands while he stared down at them with wide eyes.

“Silke told us what music you like,” Dad explained. “I got these from a friend of mine. They’re original and still sound great.”

Arsen stared at them, speechless. “I…don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“Of course.” Mom patted his shoulder.

“You got more.” Dad pushed them closer.

Arsen took another breath before he opened the second one. It was a set of guitar picks. They were different colors, all in neon. “These are great.” He felt each one in his hand.

“They glow in the dark so you won’t lose them,” Mom explained. “Silke told us you play the guitar.”

“You do?” Slade asked. “We should jam together sometime.”

Arsen was still digesting everything and his response was weak. “Yeah…that’d be cool.” He eyed the last package then opened it. It was a gift card from my dad for his shop.

“If you ever want a tattoo, it’s on me,” Dad said. “I do a pretty good job.”

“Thanks,” Arsen said. “Maybe someday.” He felt the paper in his hands and kept his gaze averted. Then he looked up again. “Thank you for everything…that was really nice of you.”

“Of course,” Mom said. “You’re our guest. We were so excited to have you join us.”

I squeezed Arsen’s hand, reminding him I was there.

“I…I didn’t bring you guys anything,” he said hesitantly.

“Don’t worry about that,” Mom said immediately. “Honestly, we didn’t expect you to bring anything. Besides, we’re old. We already have everything we want.” She shot my dad a glare. “Especially when someone buys whatever they want all year round.”

“You’re one to talk,” Dad shot back. “All I have to do is look in your closet to see where my paycheck goes.”

“You mean my paycheck,” she snapped. “I buy my pretty things with my own money.”

Dad rolled his eyes. “That’s not what my mortgage bill says.”

She threw a bow from a present at him.

“Ouch,” he said sarcastically. “That hurt so much.”

“Oh, I’ll hurt you alright,” Mom threatened.

Arsen jumped to his feet then left the apartment without looking back. He walked away so quickly we couldn’t process it. He didn’t say goodbye or where he was going.

Slade raised an eyebrow. “Uh, did I miss something?”

“Is he okay?” Mom asked.

My dad watched me.

“He…he didn’t have a good childhood. Actually, he doesn’t have any family. I think you guys…really moved him.” I wanted to keep his secret but I had to explain his behavior so he wouldn’t seem rude.

My mom clutched her chest. “Oh, that’s so terrible. Silke, I’m so glad you brought him. Everyone deserves a happy Christmas.”

I nodded. “I think you gave it to him…he just wasn’t ready for it.”

Dad moved to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

I knew what he was doing. “Just give him some space. He’ll be fine.”

Dad ignored me and walked out the door.

“He’s not going to yell at him, right?” I asked apprehensively.

Mom shook her head. “No, dear. Not at all.”

“Then what’s he going to say?” I asked.

Mom started to clean up the mess. “That’s between them.”





Chapter Five


Arsen


It was too much. The only Christmas I’d ever had was listening to my mom screw some guy for money so we had groceries and a place to live. Kids at school would show off their new toys and I always had empty pockets. I’d never had a happy childhood, nor was I a happy child.

Was that how Christmas was supposed to be? Were families always that happy? Silke’s parents treated me like they already cared about me. They didn’t care that I sold weed or drove a Harley. They accepted me, no questions asked.

That’s never happened before…

They were just like Silke. They had compassion like I’d never known. They weren’t judgmental, giving me the benefit of the doubt before forming an opinion. They showered me with gifts and made me feel welcomed even though they hardly knew me.

It was…unbelievable.

Now I understood where Silke got her beauty from, and I don’t just mean physically. She was selfless and trusting, seeing the good in me when I didn’t see it myself. Or when I forgot it even existed. She made me feel alive when I was dead. She made me…happy.