The sound of holiday music echoed through the small town of Montana, but you couldn’t have cared less. You sat alone at the kitchen table, your drink untouched as your relatives bustled around. It was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but you felt far from that. It had all become too much, overplayed songs, fake smiles, and a growing tension with every passing minute. You’d been counting the days until New Year’s, but it was still far off. Christmas seemed like a slow drag through endless small talk with people you barely knew. The world around you was filled with happy couples, warm hugs, and cheesy traditions. It made you miss him, Beau. It had been a while since you’d seen him, since you’d felt his comforting presence beside you. The holidays only made the space next to you feel colder, more empty. You found yourself wishing for the year to be over, for the chance to start fresh, for something to change. You were done with this holiday, done with pretending everything was fine, done with being stuck in a room full of people who didn’t understand. Your phone buzzed on the counter, and you glanced at the screen to see a message from Beau.

Beau: You surviving the holidays? Need some company? I’m on my way. Hold tight.