Christmas was just a few days away. Eric was spending the day with his dad getting everything he needed together for his trip. Sofia and Sarah had finally finished their last minute shopping. The mall was a mess. As usual when she hung out with Sarah, they laughed non-stop. It was a nice release from the gloom that grew with every day that got closer to Eric leaving.

As they turned the corner into her cul-de-sac, Sarah was trying to finish telling her about something that was apparently hysterical. As usual, Sarah couldn’t even get halfway through her story without cracking herself up. Sofia laughed just listening to her. Then she saw him; it wiped the smile right off her face and she gripped the wheel.

Brandon and Angel were outside her house talking. She’d never told Angel or Alex about what happened, but she knew Sal was home. She wondered if he’d mentioned it, or even seen Brandon yet. She’d had no idea Brandon was home again.

She parked in the driveway. When Angel came over to help them with their bags, Brandon followed.

“Damn, Sofie. You buy enough stuff?”

Sofia ignored the comment, grabbing the last of the bags in the trunk.

“Mine are in the backseat. I’ll move them later to my car when Angel is not watching.” Sarah’s smile teased Angel, then she turned to Brandon. “Hey, Brandon, you home for the holidays?”

“Yep, I’ll be around for a few weeks.”

“Oh, good, were having a big party for New Year’s Eve.”

Sofia felt her stomach turn. Then to make things worse, Angel added, “Yeah, you should drop by. Sarah’s turning twenty-one.”

“The party’s for both of us, Angel. Not just me.”

“Sounds good.” Brandon brought his attention to Sofia. “Hey, Sof. How are you?”

“I’m good.” She prayed Angel wouldn’t invite him in. Her only hope—Troop was with him. Fortunately, his mother had taken to walking the dog so she didn’t have to feel bad about not keeping her promise of walking him. There was no way she would. Not after everything that had happened.

To her major relief, Brandon said he had to go. Her heart was still racing when she walked in the house. Angel put all her bags down in the front room. Sal walked in from the kitchen. “They actually got you to go Christmas shopping?”

“Hell no!” Angel reached for the soda Sal was holding. “Nah, I was outside talking to Brandon when they drove up. He’s home again for the holidays.”

Sal’s expression went hard. He glanced at her, then turned back to Angel.

Angel took a swig of Sal’s soda and handed it back. “You didn’t see him this summer, huh? The dude’s changed.”

“No, he hasn’t.”

Before Angel could ask, Alex interrupted. “Any of you seen my wallet?”

He was on his way down the stairs. Great. Sofia glanced at Sal and hoped he wouldn’t say anything else.

“It’s probably in your car.” Sofia desperately attempted to change the subject.

“I’m gonna grab a water outta the fridge,” Sarah said, walking into the kitchen.

“Get me one, too,” Angel said, then turned to Sal. “What do you mean, he hasn’t? Have you seen him?”

“Seen who?” Alex asked.

Sofia began grabbing her bags in hopes of making a mad dash out of there. But Sal wasn’t having it.

“Sofie, you never told them?”

Alex stopped lookingtopiv>

Sofia locked gazes with Sal. He made a face, then took a deep breath.

Angel glanced at Sofia. But before he could ask anything, Sal put his hand up. “Sorry Sof, but if he’s back, they have to know.”

Sofia plopped on the sofa, rested her head on her fist and waited for the inevitable.

“Know what?” Angel asked. “Did that f**ker do something to you, Sof?”

“Who?” Alex demanded.

“Relax,” Sal said. Sofia hoped he knew what he was doing, because Alex looked ready to kill already. “Last time Brandon was here he took Sofie over to his house. Once he had her in there, he took her to his bedroom—and kissed her.”

“What?” Angel peered at Sofia.

“He was showing me his Marine stuff—pictures and metals and what not, and it just happened. He apologized after.” She spoke more to Sal than anyone.

“I think he planned the whole thing,” Sal addressed both brothers, “and made her feel bad by saying if she’d have said no, he wouldn’t have.”

“That mother fuc—”

“Alex!” Sofia stood up, the tension in the room too thick for her to sit any longer, “He apologized before he left. It’s not like he forced himself on me.”

“Why would you go to his place in the first place alone, Sof?”

“I didn’t know we’d be alone. He just said he wanted me to show me something. It seemed perfectly innocent.” She turned to Sal. “I really don’t think he had it planned.”

“Bullshit.” Sal frowned.

“Does Eric know?” Angel asked.

Suddenly feeling a wave of pain, Sofia whispered, “Yes. We almost broke up because of it.”

“And he has the f**king nerve to show his face around here?” Alex asked.

Angel’s expression suddenly went from angry to exasperated. “I invited his ass to the New Year’s party.”

“I’ll uninvite him.” Alex started walking to the door.