TWISTED THREAD

Part 10: Breaking Point

Santa didn't cry.

He wasn't pathetic.

He wasn't going to let one guy mess with his head.

Even if that guy was Perth.

Even if Perth had kissed him like he was the only person in the world.

And then had the audacity to call it a mistake.

Santa clenched his jaw, fingers tightening around his pen.

He was at work, but focusing? Impossible.

Not when his brain kept replaying the way Perth had looked at him.

Like he regretted it.

Like Santa didn't mean anything.

The thought made his stomach twist, and he slammed his pen down.

"Screw this."

He needed a distraction.

Preferably one that involved alcohol.

⸻

Pond showed up before Santa even texted him.

"Figured you'd need a drink," he said, sliding a beer across the table.

Santa huffed a laugh. "You know me too well."

Pond sat down, watching him carefully. "Wanna talk about it?"

Santa scoffed. "Not really."

Pond hummed. "So Perth finally messed you up, huh?"

Santa stiffened. "Don't start."

Pond raised his hands in mock surrender. "Just saying. Kinda sucks when the person you want doesn't want you back, huh?"

Santa glared. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Pond smirked. "No, but seeing you this annoyed is kinda fun."

Santa rolled his eyes, taking a long sip of his beer. "You're an idiot."

"An idiot who's trying to help you forget about Perth."

Santa sighed, staring at the table.

"Forget about Perth."

Easier said than done.

⸻

Boom watched from across the bar.

He wasn't surprised to see Santa with Pond.

But the way Santa looked tonight?

Yeah.

That was interesting.

Because Santa wasn't just angry.

He was hurt.

Boom smirked.

Perfect.

⸻

Santa was one drink away from making a bad decision.

Not a mistake.

Because mistakes were accidents.

And this?

This would be deliberate.

His phone buzzed.

He glanced at the name.

Perth.

His stomach clenched.

Santa exhaled sharply and put his phone down.