Merry Misfits Read online

  Merry Misfits

  cambria hebert

  Contents

  Once upon a time

  One upon a time

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  ABOUT CAMBRIA HEBERT

  MERRY MISFITS Copyright © 2021 CAMBRIA HEBERT

  * * *

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form without written permission except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  * * *

  Published by Cambria Hebert

  http://www.cambriahebert.com

  * * *

  Interior design and typesetting by Classic Interior Design

  Cover design by Cover Me Darling

  Edited by Cassie McCown

  Copyright 2021 by Cambria Hebert

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  One upon a time…

  A lost prince was robbed of the magic of the holiday season.

  Ribbons, glitter, tree-trimming, and love all denied for hateful reasons.

  What once was lost is now wondrously found.

  And, naturally, holiday shenanigans will abound.

  New York City is blanketed in pure white snow,

  the perfect date night setting to make your heart grow.

  Beneath the twinkling lights, the scent of fresh pine mingles,

  and the warmth of chocolate-filled mugs chase away any grinchy-grinch tingles.

  Zip up your coat and tug on your hat

  because spending this holiday season with your favorite misfits is where it’s at.

  For even the grumpiest grump of the bunch will have to admit

  ‘tis the season to be a merry misfit.

  * * *

  Experience the magic of New York City at Christmas with Fletcher and the rest of the misfit family as they create family traditions and memories through special dates and holiday fun.

  Be prepared for lots of fluff, laughter, grumbling grumps, swoony romance, and surprises!

  Merry Misfits is a special House of Misfits holiday novella featuring the entire misfit family

  and is told in alternating POVs from some of your favorites.

  Merry Misfits is approximately 48,000 words and is book five in the series.

  Once upon a time…

  Spider-Man wore a Santa hat and eggnog ruined a surprise.

  1

  Grinch

  * * *

  The most wonderful time of the year my ass.

  You know what December in New York City was like? It was like getting a root canal from a dentist who was half blind, had shaky hands, and didn’t use any kind of numbing agent.

  In short, it sucked.

  Damn holidays.

  And they were endless. October was barely over when all the hustle and bustle started ‘round here. Between the massive light displays, window decorations, and people running from one shop to another, I could barely walk down the street without getting annoyed.

  Then there was the Thanksgiving Day parade, the turkey day itself, and then even more holiday crap people thought was festive. What the hell did New York need a giant tree for?

  We didn’t.

  But we got one anyway, along with the bitter cold and snow everyone thought was just so charming. All it did was create more traffic and a mess of the roads.

  I couldn’t wait until Christmas was over. I couldn’t wait for people to go back to their regularly scheduled grumpiness instead of their cheer, which actually just made them grumpier.

  That’s why I didn’t even pretend to be all happy and jolly. Someone around here had to keep a level head anyway, and clearly, I was the only one capable.

  I didn’t need Christmas. What was the point?

  All it did was create extra madness and work…

  And maybe a little extra loneliness.

  2

  Fletcher

  * * *

  “No.”

  A moment of loud silence followed the absolute resolve in the single word Ethan dropped into this conversation. If you could even call it that. It was more like him telling me what to do.

  “But, E!” I whined. I wasn’t above it. It usually worked. “I do it every year!”

  I hoped he wouldn’t call me out by pointing out “every year” was actually only the last two years. But still, I liked those two times!

  Instead, all he did was shake his blond head once and cross his impressively toned arms over his chest. I couldn’t help it. My eyes strayed to the action, momentarily forgetting I was supposed to be arguing. It was hard to argue with someone who looked like a walking Avenger all the time.

  When I finally forced my eyes back up, there was a knowing glint in his. My chin jutted out. He better not bring that up either!

  “This year is different,” was all he said.

  “Why?”

  “Because you have me.”

  My heart tumbled a bit, and the annoyance I felt completely melted away. A soft noise escaped my throat, and everything about him softened. Opening his arms, he motioned for me.

  “Come here.”

  Hurrying across the room, I leaped into his waiting arms, legs locking around his waist, arms looping around his neck.

  “My good boy,” he whispered softly, dipping his head to capture my lips.

  Parting my lips instantly, my tongue anticipated his, and the minute it stroked over mine, I sighed, settling farther into his chest. Tongues dancing, Ethan carried me to the couch to sit, my legs still wrapped around his middle.

  His large, warm palm stroked up my back until strong, skillful fingers wrapped around the back of my neck. I shivered under his strength, opening a little wider, asking him to come just a little bit deeper.

  The second he did, I arched into his wide frame, my hips automatically bearing down on his lap. A low sound vibrated his throat, and it added an extra texture to the already brain-fogging kiss. It was so easy to forget words, thoughts… an entire conversation when his mouth locked with mine.

  We kissed until my lungs burned, desperate for air, but still, I didn’t want to pull away. Pausing mid-kiss, I sucked in a deep breath, moving against him anew as the scent of cinnamon and pine swirled around us.

  His tongue chased mine when I started to pull back, a growl rumbling deep in Ethan’s throat. The fingers wrapped around the back of my neck dug in, sending delicious waves through my lower half.

  Oh, I loved his dominance. I loved giving in to him, letting him take total control.

  Not of this, Fletcher. Not of this.

  The thought made me pull back, but I didn’t go far. The wide hand against my back saw to that. I scowled despite the pleasure thrumming through my veins. “You’re trying to distract me.”

  “Maybe at first.” E allowed, but when his deep-blue eyes met mine, I saw the hunger. “But then I forgot what I was doing as I always d
o when you melt for me.”

  I swayed closer, the heat of his body so enticing. His lips parted, and I almost gave in.

  “I’m working at the tree stand. I already promised him I’d be there,” I said, mutinous.

  “Him who?” Ethan glowered, eyes narrowing into small slits.

  “Old Mr. Holly,” I replied, rolling my eyes at his obvious jealousy. Like anyone could ever be better than him. “The man who owns the stand.”

  Ethan grunted in response. But then his gaze turned speculative. “How old is old?”

  I laughed. “It doesn’t matter. I only love you.”

  Everything about him softened, his stare turned into a caress, and my stomach felt funny as he smiled. “I love you too, puppy.”

  I leaned in for another kiss, but Ethan spoke, his lips nearly brushing mine with every word. “I still want to know.”

  A strangled sound ripped from me, and I pushed off his chest to sit back. “Old enough to be my grandpa. He needs help, E. I’m going.”

  “You can’t just work on the streets in the Grimms.”

  “I do every year!”

  “That was before you became Upper East Side royalty.”

  I groaned. “But I’m still me.”

  His hand cupped my face. Automatically, I pushed my cheek farther into his palm. “I know that. But you’re well known now. You can’t just go around in the ghetto like before. It’s not safe.”

  Agitated, I climbed out of Ethan’s lap, nearly pitching sideways onto the floor in my haste.

  He caught me with gentle hands and a low sound falling between us. “Careful.” He cautioned, holding on to me as I continued to scramble away. His hands didn’t pull back until I was firmly on my feet, and the sweetness of that gesture made me feel a little guilty for arguing.

  Just climb back into his lap and kiss him again. Oh, how tempting those taunting thoughts were.

  But I couldn’t. This was important to me. When I spun away, my eyes fell on a stack of colorfully wrapped gifts, all of them with elaborate bows and tags. All of them from our fans and various designers and all of them waiting to be placed under the main live tree we had yet to get.

  I’d never seen so many gifts before. And they weren’t even from our family. I never even got Christmas presents until I moved in with my brothers, and even then, we only did simple things. This was overwhelming, and as grateful as I was, it made me want to cling to something familiar even more.

  “Fletch.” Ethan’s soft voice beckoned, and I turned.

  My lower lip wobbled. “It’s my tradition!” I burst out. “My whole life, I never had a tree. She never let us celebrate. But then one year, Mr. Holly let me work at his tree stand. So many trees, and they smelled so good! When it snowed, it would cling on their branches. People would come and wander under the lights draped around, and they would smile and be so happy to pick one. We had roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate.” I felt my shoulders slump. “It was nice, even if it is the ghetto.”

  Hauling me close, Ethan locked his arms around me with a low sound. His face buried itself in my hair, and I felt him inhale. “I wish I could make up for every Christmas you were denied.”

  “That’s not what I’m asking for.” I sniffled into his shirt, rubbing my nose against its softness. “I just want you to understand.” Lifting my face, I confessed. “I know I missed out on a whole lot. I know where I am now is a lot different than where I was. But not all of it was bad. Some of it was good. It was mine. I know it probably sounds stupid—”

  “Nothing you say can ever sound stupid,” Ethan insisted, giving me a squeeze to punctuate his words.

  “I found Christmas there. I don’t want to leave it behind.”

  “How about I just buy you your own tree stand?”

  “E!” I groaned, which I used to stifle my giggle.

  “An entire tree farm upstate?” he pondered.

  This time I couldn’t hide my laugh. “Richie.”

  His chuckle was warm, melting over me the way marshmallows turned soft in hot chocolate.

  “I’m joking,” he told me as if I didn’t know. Running a hand down the length of my back, his palm settled at the base of my spine. “When do you start?”

  I pulled back, still holding his waist. “Really?”

  His face softened, his smile so genuine his dimple showed. “I would never ask you to turn away from something that means so much to you.”

  He barely rocked onto his heels when I flung myself against him, squeezing tight. “Thank you, E!”

  I didn’t need Ethan’s permission to work there. Or anywhere. I didn’t need his permission to do anything at all. But I wanted it. He was my safe place. My true home. Doing something he was against would hurt me just as much as it would him.

  “Hey.” His voice was soft, and the little bit of playfulness from before disappeared. His hands swallowed up my face when he cupped the sides. The feel of his fingertips in the hair around my ears tickled with familiarity.

  The azure shade of his eyes was sincere and shining as it settled wholly on me. “Thank you for telling me this. It means so much to me when you share pieces of the time when I wasn’t there.”

  I knew he wondered a lot about my childhood, what it was like growing up with her. He worried a lot about all the stuff I missed out on. “Don’t be upset, E,” I implored, laying my palm against his cheek. “In all honesty, the things I never had probably bother you more than they do me.”

  He frowned.

  “I couldn’t feel the loss of something I never had,” I explained.

  “But what about when you found it? At the tree stand? With your brothers?”

  “With you,” I added.

  Pulling away, he paced toward the wall of windows that framed a perfect view of a frosted city. I could look out these windows every day for the rest of my life, but I would always find something new to see.

  “Is all of this,” he said, sweeping his arm around our fully decked-out penthouse, “too much? Is it—” He stopped speaking for a minute before clearing his throat. “Painful for you?”

  His back was to me, his sculpted, broad shoulders tense against the city backdrop. I nearly tripped rushing to him, throwing my arms around his waist to press my cheek against his back.

  “No! It’s not. I swear! I love it. I’m pretty sure we have more decorations than Macy’s!”

  Ethan made a sound. “They should hire a new design team.”

  Glancing around, I smiled. The turkey was barely cool from Thanksgiving, and Ethan had a whole team of people here to turn the entire penthouse into some Christmas extravaganza. I’d never seen so many ornaments, greenery, and glitter. There was even a big tree made out of poinsettias in the foyer the elevator opened up into before we even came in the front door.

  We had another tree in the foyer inside the apartment too. It was the first thing you saw when you came inside, and it was twelve feet tall. And Marvel-themed! It occupied the space where we usually had a table with my statue of Spider-Man, so when the table got moved out and the tree came in, we decided to fill it up with Marvel ornaments.

  Ethan’s designers were horrified.

  He told them to worry about the other stuff, and we did the tree ourselves. We even positioned Spidey so it looked like he was shooting tinsel (instead of webs) out of his wrists at the tree. And I got him a Santa hat, making him Spidey Santa.

  It was pretty epic.

  Turning in my arms, Ethan slid his around mine and sighed. “I wanted to give you a good Christmas. I never meant to overwhelm you or remind you of things you didn’t have.”

  Pulling away, he paced more. I knew he was upset because of the pacing.

  “I went overboard.”

  “You decorate every year,” I pointed out.

  His strides faltered with his grimace. “Well, maybe I did a little extra this year.”

  I couldn’t help it. My heart swelled up, making my ribcage feel tight. “For me?”

  “Alwa
ys for you.”

  I made the sound that had almost become a calling card. A sound I always made when I wanted him.

  He came, of course. He always did.

  I exhaled the minute I came up against his chest, nuzzling into the side of his throat. Looping my arms around his neck, I smiled. “I love the decorations and that we did some of it together. I love that you took off work yesterday so we could make cookies.”

  He groaned. “Attempted to make cookies.”

  “They tasted great!” I insisted. Okay, I didn’t insist. I just lied.

  “Have you been eating them?” Horrified, he pulled back to look me over. “I told you not to eat them. Great gods, you’re going to get sick!”

  I turned sheepish. “I tried to eat one this morning before you came downstairs.” I wrinkled my nose and confessed. “I guess they really aren’t very good.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “We should have thrown them away.”

  “No!” I insisted. “We made them together. They’re the best cookies I’ve ever had. Even if they are hard as a rock and a weird brown color.”

  He laughed again.

  My chin jutted out. “I’m not joking.”

  He made a soft cajoling sound, a smile still playing around his lips. “I know, love. They’re my favorite too. But maybe don’t eat them, okay? Jane can help us make edible ones this weekend.”

  I nodded. “Ethan?”

  “Anything,” he echoed.