Christmas, Incoming

I woke up just past six in the morning by running and shouting. And singing. More importantly, fucking Ryder’s singing. Loud and off-tune Christmas songs that made my stomach turn with nausea. I muttered a slew of curses, pulling my pillow over my head in an attempt to block out the noise. Knocking sounded against my door, but I ignored it, knowing whoever it was should eventually get the fucking message and go away. “Uncle Liam?” called Xaria’s voice and I gnawed my teeth together. As cute as that little girl was, I was no one’s fucking uncle and I sure as hell didn’t have the patience to boot. So why the bloody blazes was she looking for me half the time? What did that kid see in me that made her constantly look for me. Why not go to Ryder? He acted less than half his bloody age most of the time. He was the perfect friend and uncle material. But no, she was knocking on my door. The soft knocking turned to incessant pounding, definitely not caused by a tiny girl’s fist. “Uncle Liaaam!