The Billionaires Christmas Temptation

Memory Lane

✴ Damien ✴

The streets of Wintervale were quiet as I pulled into the gravel lot of the town’s only roadhouse - Winter House. The neon sign blinked intermittently, which casted a soft colorful glow over the weathered wooden exterior. The roadhouse was nothing fancy, it was a far cry from the upscale restaurants I frequented in the city, but it had its charm. A string of colorful lights framed the windows, and a wreath hung crookedly on the door. The faint sounds of laughter and the clinking of glasses could be heard from the bar right next to the roadhouse. Scarlett was quiet beside me in the passenger seat as she looked around.

"I have to say, I am surprised," she said teasingly. "The roadhouse? I never pegged you for a burger and fries kind of guy," I smirked as I switched off the engine.

"I'm just full of surprises,"

"Apparently," she remarked with a chuckle as she unbuckled her seatbelt. I did the same as I settled in my seat. The warmth of the car's engine was comforting, but I knew it wouldn't last. I put the heat on low before I glanced over at Scarlett. "You always did have a thing for cars...why is that?" she asked. Her question caught me off guard, but I didn't mind it. I especially liked how her green eyes stayed locked on mine as if she was genuinely interested in what I had to say.

“It was an escape,” I admitted after a moment. “When I was behind the wheel, everything else just…disappeared. The noise, the expectations, the pressure. It all faded away. Racing gave me control when everything else felt so out of control,” Scarlett nodded thoughtfully as her fingers absentmindedly fidgeted with the hem of her hoodie.

"I suppose everyone needs something that makes them feel...free," she whispered. Silence fell over us, but it wasn't uncomfortable. I could tell that she was building up to something. Trying to find the courage to talk to me about something she thought might be a sensitive topic. I waited patiently. However, before she could gather up the nerve, a server came rushing toward the car. I quickly pressed the button for my side window.

"Welcome to Winter House, I'm Annie...holy s**t balls! Damien Gale!" Annie's eyes were wide with surprise, but her smile was big and genuine. "And Scarlett Matthews! Why am I not surprised to see that you two found your way to one another?" I had no idea what to say, but apparently, Scarlett did as she leaned over the console to look out the window at Annie.

"Annie Murdock, you better not be telling everyone," Scarlett warned playfully, although she was probably quite serious about it.

"I promise you nothing...now tell me what it will be so that I can get my cold ass back inside," Annie pointed out as she looked between us.

"Two double cheeseburgers, fries - extra crispy - and I'll have a chocolate milkshake - double thick," Scarlett ordered. She looked at me and I smirked.

"Banana milkshake for - double-thick as well, and a side of onion rings," I said to Annie. She nodded and hurried back inside. I pressed the button for the window to go up before I glanced over at Scarlett.

"What...what happened to your mom, Damien?" Scarlett questioned, and while I had figured she was trying to get the nerve to ask me something, I had not expected that. The question hit me like a punch to the gut and I stared straight ahead. Scarlett must have noticed that her question had upset me. "You don't have to answer if it's too much," she hurriedly said, but I shook my head.

"No, it's not that," I said, my voice strained. "It's just...she had leukemia. It was fast...too fast. One day she was fine and then...she wasn't," she reached out, and her hand hovered over mine for a moment, unsure of whether to touch me or not. Finally, she placed her hand over mine and her warmth was comforting.

"I'm sorry, Damien," she whispered, and I finally turned to meet her gaze. The compassion was evident in the way she looked at me.

"They shielded me from it," I continued, lost in the memories. "For so long, but then...when she got worse, they had to tell me..." Scarlett linked her fingers with mine and squeezed in silent comfort. "It wasn't long after that..."

"Is that why you left Wintervale?" Scarlett then asked, her voice cautious. That particular question was harder. I opened my mouth, but then I closed it again. The words refused to come since there was so much to that question. Too much that I wasn't ready to answer or share.

“That's complicated," I finally said, my tone firm enough that I hoped she would drop it. Scarlett didn't push me, and I was grateful. "But since we are playing twenty questions, let me ask you something,"

"Go ahead," Scarlett said as she leaned back slightly in her seat. Our hands were still joined, and I liked the way her small hand fit in mine.

"Why did you follow me around in high school?" I asked as I shot her a teasing smirk. Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she groaned.

"No, Damien, no...why did you bring that up?"

"I'm just curious," I remarked, as I enjoyed her embarrassment. She rolled her eyes, but still, she smiled.

"You were the older, rebellious guy with a fascination with cars. You were hot, and I was just a kid," she explained, and I chuckled. "It was practically a rite of passage," she added.

"So, was it my hotness or the cars?"

"Both," she admitted. "I also just followed everyone else,"

"Really?" I didn't quite buy that. "And helping me with my studies?"

"Oh...ah...that...well, I mean, I had a major crush on you, Damien...when you asked for help, how was I supposed to say no?" somehow, I wasn't surprised that she had - once upon a time - had a crush on me.

"I still can't believe that I didn't remember your name...because I remembered you," I said as our eyes met. "You always stood out to me,"

"How come you didn't act on it?" Scarlett then asked, curiously.

"At that time, girls were the last thing on my mind. I mean...don't get me wrong, I was a typical male, but my hand did the job just fine, and everything else in my life...was so..." my voice trailed off as I tried to explain it.

"Complicated?" she offered, and I nodded. A loud knock on the side window made both of us jump in surprise.

"Are you lot eating here or inside?" Annie asked. I glanced over at Scarlett and while it wasn't too cold in the car, it wasn't all that comfortable.

"Inside," I said. Annie nodded before she hurried off. Scarlett and I eventually got out of the car and hurried inside. The roadhouse was exactly as I remembered it. Dimly lit, with checkered tablecloths and the faint scent of grease and grilled meat hanging in the air. The jukebox in the corner played a mix of country and rock and all the walls were adorned with photos of old cars and license plates from different states. We settled into a booth near the window, and I smiled as I watched Scarlett across from me.

"What else don't I know about you?" she said, her eyes twinkled with curiosity.

"Probably a lot," I remarked playfully.

"That's true...but also...not. I know that there is more to you than meets the eye," I considered that as I tapped my fingers against the tabletop.

"Well, here is something you probably don't know about me...I have always wanted to take a road trip. No destination, just...the open road," I told her. Scarlett's eyes lit up.

"Really? That actually sounds...nice,"

"It does...maybe one day," I said just as Annie came over with our order. The conversation continued to flow as we shared little things about ourselves with each other. I found myself having a great time. Scarlett had a way of balancing seriousness with humor, and I quite enjoyed myself. I couldn't wait to spend even more time with her.