The Geek Who Saved Christmas

by Annabeth Albert

He was wrong there. I had changed. And I liked it, liked me more now, liked the easiness in my step and the hopefulness in my heart. “I’m sure I can still manage enough crankiness to keep you happy.” “You guys are one more long look away from me telling you to get a room,” Brandon complained with a fake indignant expression. I shrugged. “It’s my house.” “So it is.” Brandon mimicked my shrug and tone both. “You do a good impression of Paul.” Gideon laughed and shook his head. “I should.” Brandon chuckled as well, then turned surprisingly serious. “I had enough practice. I’m always saying everything important, I learned from my big brother.” “Hey, who’s getting sappy now?” I had to glance away at Jim in her dog bed before he could see how much the compliment moved me. “But it’s true.” Brandon’s chair squeaked as he scooted closer to the table. “You taught me everything I needed to know.” Warmth started at my toes, snaked up my back and neck, and made my scalp itch. “I think you have a stack of physics textbooks saying otherwise.” “That’s not the important stuff,” Brandon scoffed, not letting me deflect like usual. “You taught me what mattered.” “Thanks. I tried,” I admitted, then added softly, “You taught me too.”