by Shawn Lane
Jason leaned back in the booth. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s just a house. And I’m happy in Danny’s home. It’s newer. It feels like home to me now.” He looked away, out the cloudy windows. “Plus there are some pretty bad memories associated with it.”
“Your dad.”
“Uh-huh. Rat bastard.” He smiled faintly when he gazed at Jim. “In the long run, memories or no, good ones or bad, it’s still a structure.”
“I always took you for the sentimental type.”
He shrugged. “Maybe once. Learned a few things, I guess. From my mother’s death. As far back as Kent’s, really. And meeting up with Danny again.”
“You know, it’s funny you mentioned that. Meeting up again. Same thing has happened to me. Well, sort of. I don’t have any childhood history with him, but someone I knew for a short time in LA is here and we’ve reconnected.”
Jason raised his brows in surprise. “Yeah? Who?”
“Edward Cross.”
“I know Edward. I even knew he came from LA. Though I guess his family once lived here.”
“Yeah, that’s what he said.”
“Small world.” The smile returned. “When you say reconnected—”
Jim laughed. “That kind. We’re only getting started but I have a good feeling.”
“I’m glad. You deserve it. How’s Hope?”
“Good. Mavis said she’s a happy little baby. I’ll get to see her again in the spring, but in the meantime, Mavis sends me videos and we do live chats and stuff.”
Jason nodded, though he looked sad on Jim’s behalf. Jim was used to that, though. “Tonight’s the—”
“Christmas Festival and Parade,” Jim finished for him. “I’m going with Edward.”
Jason chuckled. “You have made progress.”
Jim felt himself redden. “Anyway, speaking of progress, I have to say I’ve noticed a huge change in you.”
“Me?”
Jim nodded. “Before, back in LA, you were kind of pissed at the world. For reasons, of course. But still. And now? You’re happy. Laid back, even. It’s nice. I like it.”
“Thanks,” Jason whispered. “I work hard at it.”
“And this city? Town, whatever. It helps, doesn’t it?”
“Oddly enough, yeah. For a long time I had a love-hate relationship with Sutter’s Bay. Now it’s mostly love. You’ll love it.”
“I’m already starting to,” Jim admitted. “I look forward to tonight.”
* * * *
Jim wasn’t sure what to wear to the festival. Earlier in the day he’d put the lights on the house as well as a couple light-up lawn ornaments, an angel and a deer, he’d purchased at a discount store. With Edward’s help, of course.
Edward had showed up on time, looking cute in tight jeans and a T-shirt. The Edward he’d known before had been really thin, but now the man had bulked up some, put on weight, and it looked really good on him.
As they worked on the lawn ornaments, Mrs. Garner, from the neighboring house, had stood on her driveway, hands on her hips as she watched them. She’d introduced herself to Jim the day after he’d moved in.
“Hi, Mrs. Garner,” Jim called out politely.
“Hello, yourself.”
“What do you think?” He gestured to the lawn stuff.
She had told him that, though not an original owner, she’d been in the neighborhood a number of years and had known the Sweets well, particularly Mrs. Sweet. “Looks nice,” she replied. “Been a long time since anyone bothered putting decorations on that house. Saw your tree through the window, too.” She sniffed. “Looks nice,” she said again.
Jim smiled. “Thanks. This is my friend, Edward.”
“Friend, is it?” Her lips quirked in amusement. “I know the boy. I used to go to Heloise’s before it burned down.”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Garner,” Edward said. “You need any help decorating your yard, you let me know.”
She brightened at that. “Well, now, maybe. It’s just me and the mister, at this point. And neither one of us like getting up on the ladder.”
Edward gave her a charming smile. “I can be here Thursday afternoon.”
“Excellent,” she said with a nod, then fixed a stare on Jim. “You’ll help, too, of course.”
Jim had murmured, “Of course.”
Now, Jim stood before his closet, trying to guess what one was supposed to wear to the Christmas Festival. Edward had gone home to change after they’d had a quick bite of spaghetti with some jarred sauce on it.
Finally, he decided on jeans and a long-sleeved Henley shirt in brown. Not terribly festive, but honestly, Jim didn’t own any ugly Christmas sweaters. He suspected there might be quite a few there tonight.
He heard Edward’s car as it pulled to the curb, so he hurried outside so his date wouldn’t need to get out and come to the door.
“Hey,” he said as he opened the passenger door. “Do I look okay?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s a good thing you came out, because if I was in your house, we might never leave.”
Jim laughed and got in next to Edward, checking out the other man’s attire. Edward wore jeans, too, and a clingy olive green sweater, nothing outlandish. Which was kind of strange, really. The Edward he’d known had always been rather flamboyant.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He smiled. “You’ve changed a little. You’re, uh, more conservative, I guess.”
Edward nodded. “Some I’ve done to get that job at Mabry’s, but, I guess, some is because I’m a little older, too. I still like the stud in my nose and the tattoos, but I’ve found I like my hair better now than with the mohawk. But the rainbow hair was cool.”
“You shouldn’t have to change yourself to fit in with expectation, Edward.”
“I know that. And believe me, I won’t change entirely. But I’m okay with the changes I’ve made.”
“Okay, good.”
Edward gave him a quick kiss. “Let’s go.”
* * * *
They parked in a lot by a laundromat and walked the rest of the way to Main and Lowell. Jim noticed many others doing the same thing.
The streets had been decorated for the holidays. Up around the stoplights and streetlights hung wreaths and garlands with holly berries and ivy. Snowflakes dangled from building fronts. On one end of the street, a menorah had been set up, too. He also spotted Santas and reindeer statues. Big colorful balls. Bells. Lights.
And Christmas carols blared from speakers, of course.
“At the end of the parade, they’ll dump snow, too,” Edward told him, taking Jim’s hand. “Fake snow, obviously.”
Jim grinned. “Obviously.”
Crowds swarming around vendor booths. Jim suspected just about everyone in Sutter’s Bay was there.
“Come on. I want to show you something,” Edward said, pulling him down an aisle of vendors.
They stopped before a booth with seascape paintings—definitely better than average—painted lawn ornaments, Christmas ornaments, and signs.
“This is Galaxy’s.”
“Odd name.”
Edward laughed. “My friend Leo’s older brother. Leo and I worked for a time together at Heloise’s.”
“He’s really good.”
“Thank you, I think so, too,” an older man, with bulging biceps under a T-shirt and salt-and-pepper hair, said from the other side of the booth. “Adam Colfer. Galaxy’s boyfriend.”
“Hi. Jim Reynolds.” He shook Adam’s hand.
“Hang on, I’ll get him for you.”
Jim glanced at Edward as Adam moved away. “Is everyone in this city gay?”
Edward burst out laughing. “Hardly. But we aren’t that far from San Francisco.” He shrugged. “And I guess I know most of the ones that are.”
Just then, Adam returned with another guy with a mop of curly hair and an infectious smile.
“Jim, right? I’m Galaxy Winthrop.” He shook Jim’s hand. “Hi, Edward.”
&
nbsp; “Leo here tonight?”
“No, actually. He and Nolan needed a break, so they’ve gone to San Francisco for a nice evening.”
“And skipped the Festival?” Edward feigned shock. “You have it?”
Jim frowned. “Have what?”
Galaxy’s smile widened and he reached below the counter, rummaging around. Then he held out a wooden Christmas ornament, a carving of a baby girl next to a Christmas tree. It was painted, too, with writing that said, “Hope’s First Christmas.”
Jim’s breath caught in his throat. “Oh, my God.”
“Galaxy, it’s beautiful,” Edward said, squealing a little as he took it from Galaxy. “And you got it done so quickly.”
Jim looked at Edward, stunned. “You did this?”
“Actually, I did,” Galaxy joked. “But Edward commissioned it. Looks all right?”
Jim took it from Edward, his hands shaking, and maybe a bit of water stinging his eyes. “It’s amazing. Beautiful.”
Edward fished his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. “How much?”
“Pay me later.” Galaxy winked. “You don’t want your boyfriend knowing how much you spent.”
Jim knew he had reddened. Edward was pretty red, too.
“Say,” Adam spoke up. “What’s this I hear about you waiting tables at Mabry’s? I have a restaurant, you know.”
Galaxy laughed. “Leave the boy alone.”
“Well, but—”
Galaxy shooed them away.
Edward grabbed Jim’s arm and tugged him along.
Jim stopped, taking hold of Edward’s arms. “I can’t believe you did that. This is…this is so cool.”
“It’s no big deal.”
“Yes. It is,” Jim whispered. “You-you’re amazing.”
Edward grinned. “Hopefully you’ll keep thinking that for later.”
Jim laughed, feeling so good. Better than he had in ages. “This place is kind of magical.”
“Nah. It’s just a city. Maybe it’s Christmas. Maybe that’s why.” Edward looked up and to the side. “Hey.” He pulled Jim over, then looked up again. “Mistletoe.”
Jim smiled and leaned in to peck Edward on the lips, but Edward wasn’t having any of that. He put his hand on the back of Jim’s neck and deepened the kiss, continuing until Jim could hardly breathe.
“Get a room, you two.”
Jim broke away, embarrassed, but two guys stood there wearing red and green Christmas sweaters and friendly expressions.
Edward laughed. “These are my bosses. Jim Reynolds, this is Ryan Callahan and Chris Mabry. Restaurant closed tonight?”
“Yeah, we decided to close for the Festival,” Chris answered.
“Edward, what’s this I hear about you being a whiz bartender?” Ryan asked.
“Oh, God. Has Jude been talking to you?”
“Jude?” Edward asked.
“Friend of mine with a big mouth.”
Ryan smirked. “So it’s true? You’ve been holding out on us.”
Edward shrugged. “I’m self-taught. Never went to bartending school. But I can make just about anything.”
“I heard about killer chocolate peppermint martinis.”
“And gingerbread ones. Eggnog. Pumpkin. All the holiday flavors.” Edward grinned at Jim. “I was a hit at all my friends’ holiday parties.”
“Good,” Ryan said. “Bring your stuff tomorrow, and after your shift, you can give us a demonstration.”
“But—”
“Pay’s better,” Chris put in.
Edward closed his mouth. Then asked, “It is?”
“Yes.”
Jim shrugged. “What have you got to lose?”
“Nothing,” Ryan said. “I’ve seen your work so far at the restaurant, Edward. You’ve got nothing to worry about. You’re in.”
Chris shook Jim’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Jim. We’ll leave you guys to enjoy the Festival now.”
Edward shook his head. “That was unexpected.”
“Sounds like your friend, Jude, put in a good word for you.”
“Now I have to make sure I have everything I need for tomorrow. Ugh.” But Edward laughed.
“Does that mean I’m not getting lucky tonight?”
Edward stared intently at him. His dark eyes swirled with emotions Jim couldn’t quite figure out. But he liked them. A lot. “Oh, you’re getting lucky. We both are.”
* * * *
“That was a lot of fun,” Jim said as he tore off his clothes hours later in his bedroom. Butters had been on the bed and left disgruntled. Jim didn’t care.
“It was. And I told you, we have a Harvest Festival, too. But you missed that. Oh, and every other year, a Boat Lighting thing for Christmas, too. This is the off-year.”
Edward had stripped down to his briefs, further along than Jim, and searched the bedroom. “Condoms? Lube?”
“Bathroom. Under the sink.”
“Hurry and get naked.” Edward threw him a glance as he rushed out.
Jim did. By the time Edward came back holding a strip of condoms—positive thinking, Jim thought—and the bottle of lube, Jim was lying naked on the bed. He’d pulled off the comforter and blanket, so rested on the soft white sheets.
Edward shucked his briefs and stood at the foot the bed, gazing down. “You are so beautiful.”
Jim held out his hand. “Right back at you. Come here.”
Edward crawled toward Jim. “I really fucking want to kiss you.”
“Then our minds are as one.” Jim snaked a hand around the back of Edward’s neck, pulling him down for a kiss. Galaxy had called him Edward’s boyfriend, and yeah, it was probably too soon for that, but maybe—
“Stop thinking,” Edward growled against his lips.
So Jim did.
Edward kissed him for what seemed like hours. He trailed kisses down Jim’s neck, then his chest. When he went toward Jim’s abdomen, Jim pulled him back for another kiss.
“Mmm. Let me.”
Edward smiled, gazing into his eyes. “You want to?”
“Uh-huh.” He reached for the lube. “Lay on your belly.”
Edward eagerly turned over, wiggling his ass for good measure, startling a chuckle out of Jim.
He soon rolled a condom over his hard dick, then lubed his erection. “Ready?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Jim spread Edward’s ass and ran a slick fingertip along the crease. Edward shivered. It had been a long time since Jim had fucked a guy. The last time he’d been with a male, he’d gotten fucked himself. But all that had been before Mavis. Even after their divorce, Jim hadn’t been with anyone, until now.
He swirled his finger around Edward’s puckered entrance. Most of the time with Edward, he’d bottomed, but once in a while, Jim took the top. Like now. He pushed his finger past the tight ring of muscle, just to the first knuckle. He let Edward relax before pushing in deeper.
“Mmm.”
“Touch yourself,” Jim whispered.
Edward shifted a little as his hand wrapped around his shaft.
Jim’s own arousal spiked, and he added a second finger to ease the way. He wanted to be inside Edward, but he wouldn’t hurt him by rushing things.
Edward gasped, his hips rising off the bed, his legs spreading and exposing more of himself to Jim. He scissored his fingers inside Edward’s channel, slicking it up.
“Please. Come on, Jim. I’m ready.”
Jim withdrew his fingers, positioning himself, cock pointing at that incredibly tight hole. He pushed in, thrusting forward.
“Fuck.” Jim grabbed Edward’s free hand, threading their fingers together, as he increased the depth and pace of his thrusts. All too soon, he felt the coming of his release, their handjob of the previous night not being sufficient enough to take off the edge, not for Jim, and obviously not with Edward. “Edward, I’m—”
“Do it. I’m right there with you, babe.”
That was all it took. Whether it was the permission or
the endearment, it didn’t matter. Jim exploded, filling the condom with sperm, as he clutched desperately at Edward, who thrashed and came beneath him.
* * * *
A long time later, Edward stirred in his arms, lifting his head and looking at Jim. “I’m afraid I have to get going. Gotta get some sleep. I got an early shift again.”
Jim nodded. “And your bartending audition.”
“I hate to leave.”
Jim smiled. “And maybe soon you won’t have to.”
Edward swung his legs to the floor. “You are my boyfriend, after all.” He turned and grinned, teasing.
“That’s right!” Jim pulled Edward in for a kiss. “Let me walk you to the door.”
“No, you stay there. I’m good. Want to come over tomorrow night? Heloise has a great patio and I can make you some of those holiday drinks. Probably Jude and Rex will be there.”
“Rex?”
Edward just nodded and smiled.
He smiled back. He couldn’t help it. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”
Chapter 7
Edward was a little nervous the next evening with Jim coming over to his place. Well, Heloise’s place, really. He was anxious about Heloise meeting Jim, and Jude and Rex, too. For that matter, Jim meeting them. Heloise was as close to what he had for a mother these days, with his own mother not being very much interested in him.
His bartending audition at Mabry’s that afternoon had gone well, though Mabry himself had just said, cryptically, that they would let him know their decision. Ryan had acted quite impressed with his concoctions, but Mabry played it close to the chest as usual. Either way, it didn’t matter much to Edward, except that if he got the bartending position, he’d have to work nights and he might actually be able to quit his part-time job at the store.
“What time is this boy supposed to be here?” Heloise asked. She stood directly behind him while he looked anxiously out the window.
“Not a boy. A man. And any minute.” Edward glanced over his shoulder at her. Her hair was ruby red at present, and piled high on her head like Peg Bundy. She wore what she usually referred to as her “housecoat.” This one she’d made herself—as she did many of them—and had a rather garish Christmas pattern of various Santa Clauses mooning. “Don’t you have a date with Horace or something?”
“I do not. I wouldn’t make a date when I knew your boy was coming over.”