Page 214 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“That’s going on my mantel, isn’t it?” Lennon deadpans, then shoots me a playful glare.

I throw my hands up and shrug. “You knew what you were getting into when you married him. Plus, it’s better than the Playboy centerfold blowup poster I was gonna buy.”

Lennon points at me. “Better watch your back, Evans. This gives me fuel to get you back next year.”

“It’s on.” I wink.

After everyone exchanges their gifts, Sophie makes her special peppermint hot cocoa with candy cane straws and marshmallows. Mason sneaks behind her and adds in vodka, and she scolds him for it.

The entire evening is surreal.

I’ve never had this experience before. My father tried his very best to give me what he could, but the warmth and laughter in the room are new to me.

“You want your gift tonight, or should I wait until Christmas Day?” I ask Maddie as we stand in the kitchen, getting hot chocolate refills.

“Hmm…” She smiles wide. “Now.”

I laugh because I knew she’d say that. Reaching into my back pocket, I grab the thin pieces of paper and hand them to her. “Sorry they aren’t wrapped…”

Her eyes light up as soon as she realizes what they are. “Oh my God!” she screams so loud, you’d think we were already at the concert. “Billie Eilish tickets! Are you kidding me?” She flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I catch her. “How did you get these? They sold out in like minutes!” She pulls back and searches my face.

I shrug as if it was no big deal to jump through hoops to get them. “I know people.”

Maddie looks at them again. “The concert isn’t until next summer.” She arches a brow, tilting her head at me. “Does that mean you think we’ll still be together then? Or is this like when a guy makes plans six months in advance so the chick will sleep with him now?”

“Fuck, you caught me.” I grip her hips and pull her closer.

“I love it, thank you.” Maddie kisses me softly, and I lean in, wanting more of her. “I hope you know what you signed up for.” She smirks, shaking her hips. “I have every song of hers memorized.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less, honestly.” I press my lips to her forehead. “I can’t wait.”

“Me too. We’ll hopefully have a lot to celebrate by then.”

Hell, I sure hope so.

“I feel bad now. All I got you was a personalized ornament.” She frowns. “It…has our faces painted on it. With our names on the bottom. And the year.” She slaps herself in the forehead. “I wanted to commemorate our first Christmas. It sounds super lame now that I’m saying it out loud.”

Grabbing her wrist, I remove her hand and tilt her chin up to look at me. “It sounds…amazing. Thoughtful. Very Maddie. And I already know it’s gonna be the best gift I’ve ever received.”

On Christmas, I take Maddie to my aunt’s house, where my dad and stepmom are temporarily living. I’m devastated about the fire that destroyed my childhood home and them losing everything. Luckily, they’ll get an insurance check to help them start over and buy a new house or build one. My dad deserves to know the truth, but I can’t tell him. That would be opening a can of worms about the O’Learys, and this is one of those “the less he knows, the better” situations.

It was hard enough to explain to him that Victoria and I split and the babies weren’t mine. He was so excited to become a grandpa, and having to witness the disappointment in his eyes nearly shattered me.

I think he was confused that I quickly jumped into a relationship with Maddie after, but he didn’t voice a concern, so I assumed there was no issue with me “moving on” so fast. He knows I’ll do whatever I want, but I’m grateful for his blessing either way. I want him to like Maddie and for us to be able to spend quality time together.

And if this is the last time I get with my dad, I want it to be special and memorable for him.

“Dad, I got you something,” I tell him as we sit in the living room with beers in our hands. Aunt Ruthie made hot apple cider, but then my uncle Matt came in carrying a six-pack.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he says, setting his beer down. We never exchange gifts, but I wanted to this time.

“I know, but I saw this, and it made me think of you,” I explain, handing over the small package Maddie wrapped. It’s also so he has one thing from me…just in case.

After giving me an incredulous look, he takes it. I drink my beer as he unwraps the paper, then smiles when he realizes what it is.

“This is a pretty nice lookin’ watch, Liam.” He takes it out and holds it under the light.

“Turn it around,” Maddie tells him, beaming.