ericbrxdfordâ:
The light atmosphere that they had worked so hard to maintain these last few weeks was slowly dissipating the more they continued this line of conversation. It had been difficult in general, trying to navigate all the awful and heart-wrenching emotions he had felt up until this point without be able to talk them out with the one person who could console him and make him feel better. Telling her would mean having to be honest about what he had gone through and that their breakup had effected him more than he had let on. âMost of them,â he nodded eagerly, glad she had steered the conversation away from the former. âDadâs been busy at the hospital and momâs trying not to rip her hair out between all her freshman classes so I think weâre all waiting until winter break to have a moment to ourselves⌠You?â Ericâs eyes followed Lexi walking upon the white snow, her tail wagging. He couldnât help, but smile at the sight. He was so glad to spend some time with her⌠and her owner. âWhat about you guys? Has Tripp been back in town long enough to pretend he cares?âÂ
Tilly bit her lip, instantly regretting her question. She didnât want to think about Eric decorating his house with anybody else, even if it was just his mom and she had no reason to be jealous. She hadnât put her own up yet, shooing Maria away every time she suggested pulling them down from the attic. However, she couldnât let her ex know that he and the now painful happy memories it stirred was the reason the Worthington house wasnât dripping with its usual extravagant Christmas spirit. âNot yet, we decided to get a new tree. We were meant to go pick one last week but Connie had book club, so,â Theyâd known each other long enough to know that Mrs Worthingtonâs book club was more of an excuse to guzzle glasses of wine in the middle of the day and make herself feel better about her misery by catching up on the town gossip. Obviously that took priority over spending time with her daughter, even if it was a lie it was a convincing one. Her mind flickered back to memories of getting Lexi as she watched the dog wander beside the boy, unconsciously smiling as she felt the soft fur brush against her own leg. She was a good barrier, a way to pretend that being this close was appropriate for exes. âYou know him, he doesnât like to feel lazy,â She chuckled, although she believed it was more a case of he couldnât stand the sight of his own family when the alternative was making money, but she had no reason to complain, âHe was back last week but that didnât last long. He said heâd be back for Christmas but my Grandma said I could have dinner with them anyhow.â She wasnât sure she should ask, she wasnât sure she wanted to imagine that he had made plans for Christmas without even considering her for the first time ever, but she did anyway, âGot any plans for Christmas?â












