Page 75 of Pretty Thing

I jerk my arm free, furious with him now.

“Kyle, I really don’t know why you and Kris have a problem with him. When I told Felix that I was going to your parents’ house for dinner, he told me that I deserved to have fun with my friends and not to worry about him.”

Kyle huffs.

“Please, classic guilt move. He’s playing you, and you’re just too blinded by his good looks to see it.”

“From where I’m sitting, the only person putting a wedge between us is you two.”

The words taste bitter in my mouth, but it’s exactly how I feel. Kyle’s mouth opens and then closes.

“I don’t want to hear what you have to say, Kyle. You and I are not dating, but you’re acting like a jealous boyfriend.”

“Eden…that’s not it.”

“Here I thought you were my best friend and wanted me to be happy, but you seem determined to have me sit home alone, struggle, and drown in a sea of depression and sadness that is so strong I can hardly breathe.” I hold up my fingers and make little air quotes. “Just because you don’t approve of the guy I like? I have news for you, Kyle. You’re not my father. Stop acting like you are.”

Felix steps down from the porch, probably wondering what’s taking so long. I hastily grab my stuff, including the lava lamp.

“Fuck…Eden,” Kyle starts.

I glare at him. “No. You’ve said enough.”

Felix walks around the car, opens the door, and leans in, smiling at Kyle.

“Hey man, Merry Christmas.”

Kyle looks at me, then at Felix.

“Yeah, same to you,” he says, but it’s easy to tell that he doesn’t mean it.

Felix helps me out, and I wait until Kyle has left before relaxing into his arms.

“Are you okay? Did you not have a good time tonight,” Felix asks, as he gently rubs over the spot that Kyle was gripping.

I look up, and his face only shows concern. It’s then I realize he is soaked.

“Jesus…how long were you out here?”

He lifts a shoulder and lets it drop.

“Didn’t really feel like going home. It’s too quiet, and I didn’t decorate.”

“So, you’ve been out here since I left?”

“I went and got a coffee from the gas station, but they closed at six.”

“Now I feel like a jackass,” I say as he noticeably shivers. “Come on, let’s get inside. Why didn’t you just go in and wait? And before you lie, I know you can get in if you want to.”

Felix chuckles and takes my bag before helping me across the packed snow.

“Don’t feel bad. I wanted to wait out here, and I wanted you to go and have fun. Did you?”

“Yeah, I did,” I say with a genuine smile. “But I wish you’d been allowed to come.”

Felix’s face lights up, making my heart pound. We get inside, and even though he must be freezing, he helps me remove my winter gear and puts it away before taking care of himself.

“How are you not frozen?”