Page 118 of Puck Me It's Christmas!

“Call the fire department! None of these damn NHL players have taken off their shirts. I want a man for Christmas!” GrannyMurray shouts as Zayne grabs the hose and sprays the storage shed that is smoking.

“I thought you knew how to cook a turkey.” Fletcher scowls.

“Y’all were the ones who froze it!” Ren complains, shoving Fletcher away. “You always overreact. It ain’t that serious—just getting a little bit of char. That’s where the flavor is.” He kicks at one of the pots then scurries back, goalie reflexes the only thing saving his feet.

More flames shoot out. “Welp, there go our chances.” Harlowe hands me a fresh glass of eggnog that smells like it’s mostly rum.

Ren drops the other turkey into the bubbling oil, hollering obscenities as the oil spatters.

Fletcher waits, scowling, for the fireball.

I down my eggnog and hiccup. “Yum, deep-fried turkey.”

He looks down at me. “Is Christmas with your family always this…”

“Exciting?”

“Unhinged.” He leans down to kiss me.

“I love you,” I whisper against his mouth.

I feel him smile before he says, “No, I love you.” He drops the fire extinguisher so he can kiss me properly. “Do me a favor, though.”

“Yes, I can sneak you into my bedroom tonight. Granny Murray said she’ll leave the room free.”

“No, that wasn’t—well, obviously, I’ll be there, Candy Cane. But I need”—he murmurs against my mouth—“you to make sure that we make it to the Eastern conference finals, at least. I need that pay raise from Dana. I’m buying you a house.”

“We can host the holiday party there!” I clap my hands to his cheeks and kiss him drunkenly.

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Granny Murray comes over and wraps an arm around Fletcher’s shoulders. “Little elf just told me you all need a roommate, and it sounds like I might be getting evicted. Gigi’s a real estate agent—she’ll hook you up. Imma be needing a separate in-law suite for me!” She heads off.

I grimace. “Merry Christmas?”

Fletcher leans down to kiss me, long and slow. “Sure, Candy Cane, move your crazy granny in. As long as I can sleep with you in an adult-sized bed.”