by Max Hudson
He shook his head. “Mother, I don't mind waiting. It's just—”
“It's just you can't stand your brother.”
“It's not that, Mother.”
She eyed him carefully, her gaze sharply inquisitive. He fell silent as soon as her gaze fell upon him, stunned by the authority in her features.
“That look,” he joked after a moment. “It's your look.”
“It's how I get things done.”
“You always gave Adam and me that look when we were rolling around in the mud.”
She laughed as her eyes sparkled with the memory. “You two tracked so much mud into the house that I had to mop twice.”
“But you still loved us.”
“Yes, I did. And I still do, even if you two don't exactly get along.”
He shook his head. “Adam and I are just...different kinds of people. He's high up in the business world while I'm content where I'm at.”
“I always thought you were more suited to a smaller family, Harvey, but then again, I love that you're part of this family. You're my son. And even if you can't get along with your brothers, I'll still love you.”
“Oh, come on, Mother. Don't get sappy.”
She giggled. “It's the holidays. I'm allowed to get sappy.”
Harvey rolled his eyes.
“All right, get to it,” she commanded. “That batter isn't going to pour itself.”
“Yes, Mother.”
As Harvey finished pouring the batter into the baking cups, he listened to Evan playing with the boys in the living room. The sound invited him to stand, to nearly abandon his task. He quickly poured the rest of the batter and went to the living room where he found Adam sitting with a newspaper on the recliner near the television.
Evan sat in the middle of the floor with both boys and a mess of dinosaurs scattered in every direction. A few train cars sat upright while others sat on their sides, and Baxter, the younger of the two, was bouncing between the tracks they had set up and the volcano near Adam's feet.
Wow, he's a natural, Harvey reflected as he watched Evan play with his nephews. He seems like he's enjoying it, too.
“And what's this one?” Evan asked curiously.
His voice was void of the usual high-pitched tone that most adults put on when they spoke to children. He seemed genuinely curious, and he expressed it every time he asked the kids a question.
After some time, Harvey sighed and walked over to Evan, tapping Evan on the shoulder.
“We have to get going,” he said. “We're going to be late.”
“And we can't have that, can we?” Adam snipped from the other side of his newspaper. “Fifteen minutes. Like always.”
Harvey glared at his brother as Evan stood up from the floor. Evan shot him a concerned expression to which he shook his head. He fixed a grin on his lips and nodded toward the door before turning to his nephews with a bright expression.
“I'll see you guys later, okay?”
He knelt down and embraced his nephews despite their cries of opposition. As he assured them he would return, he backed away toward the door, reaching for Evan's hand. It might have been out of habit or out of need, but Evan didn't seem to mind.
And Harvey didn't mind either.
Chapter Nine
Evan
The winter festival was in full swing by the time Evan had led his parade of elves and helpers to the grand red chair in front of Santa's cabin. When he relaxed into the chair, he extended his arms, inviting the first pair of children to his chair.
Harvey jumped into action, guiding the pair of kids up to Evan. Each child sat on one of Evan's knees and he spoke to them in a low, kind voice, asking them what they would like for Christmas.
“A rocking horse,” the girl replied. “And I want everyone to be happy.”
“Well, I want a water gun,” the boy added. “I want to have one for my sister, too.”
“Those are all wonderful things to ask for,” Evan said. “You must remember to be good. And not just for Christmas, but for the whole year. Remember, Santa always knows.”
He added a wink for effect and then turned to the elf working the camera.
“Smile for Santa!” the elf instructed.
The children beamed as a flash of light illuminated their faces. Evan patted them on the back as they hopped down and wished them a Merry Christmas. When Harvey brought a new pair of children, Evan repeated the process: asking them what they wanted for Christmas and reminding them to be good. He must have met fifty children by the time the elves announced it was time for Santa to take a quick break.
Harvey took his place on Evan's right, resting his hand on Evan's shoulder and leaning toward Evan's ear to whisper, “You were a natural with my nephews today.”
Evan grinned and gestured around. “I've had practice.”
“Of course, but I think it also comes naturally for you.”
“Thank you for not making it a big deal.”
Harvey grinned as he stood upright. “Well, I might have enjoyed watching you play with them.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Santa!” a little girl shouted. “Santa, don't forget me!”
Evan perked up when he heard the little girl's voice and grinned wide when a blonde-haired child about six-years-old darted beneath the red ropes to race to his chair. He opened his arms when he recognized the girl.
“Marissa!”
“Hi, Santa!”
He stood up to embrace her, lifting her up and causing her to giggle.
“Santa is on a quick break, sweetie,” Harvey said. “Can you wait a few more minutes?”
“Oh, I have plenty of time for this one,” Evan insisted. “Where's your father? Is he around?”
“He's back there.”
Marissa pointed to the man standing awkwardly beyond the red ropes. The man raised a hand in greeting.
Evan grinned. “Matthew, come over here!”
Matthew shrugged and then chuckled as he jogged past the ropes, embracing Evan as soon as he was close enough to do so. When he stepped back, his daughter joined his side.
“We're sorry we missed you last year,” he said. “Marissa had the flu.”
“But I'm all better this year!” Marissa exclaimed.
“And I'm so glad that you are,” Evan stated with a grin. “What would you like for Christmas, dear?”
“Can we get a picture?”
“Yes, of course!”
He plopped down into his chair and invited Marissa into his lap. As she whispered in his ear, he smiled and nodded, listening intently to everything she was listing—which seemed to never end.
“Can you get someone for my Daddy?” she requested. “He's been so sad lately. I think if he had someone to love, he would be happy.”
Evan grinned warmly. “That is such a sweet thing to ask for, Marissa. I'll see if I can work some Christmas magic.”
She giggled. “Thank you, Santa.”
“All right, smile for the camera!”
After the photographer snapped a picture, Marissa bounced from his lap and went back to her father. He stood up to embrace Matthew again.
“Your daughter is still so sweet,” he expressed once she was out of ear shot. “Are you doing all right?”
“Oh, it's been a little lonelier than usual, but I'll be fine.”
“Well, you have my number. Let me know if you need anything.”
Matthew nodded with a grin. “Thanks, Evan. I mean, Santa. I'll see you around.”
“Merry Christmas, Matthew.”
When Matthew and his daughter had drifted away, Evan returned to his chair. He noticed Harvey looking intently at him.
“Something wrong?” Evan inquired.
“Who was that?”
Evan shrugged lightly. “That was my ex, Matthew. We had a brief relationship after you and I got a divorce.”
“Does he visit you often?”
“No, this is the first time I've seen him in a while. Why d
o you ask?”
Harvey shook his head, chuckling lightly. “No reason. I was just...curious.”
“Harvey, are you jealous?”
“Me? Jealous? That's silly. You know I don't get jealous. I just get—”
Evan grinned knowingly. “Insecure.”
Harvey raised his eyebrows, appearing to be surprised by Evan's response. He fumbled with the bell at the end of his hat, causing it to jingle slightly as he twisted and turned it.
“If you twist that any harder, you're going to break the bell right off,” Evan teased. “Are you okay?”
“Was I doing that? Sorry, I didn't mean to.”
“Harvey, take a breath. Nothing is going on between Matthew and me.”
Harvey gave a small grin. “I didn't think that but thank you for saying so.”
“Of course.”
“Do you want to come to my apartment after this? I can make us hot chocolate since your pseudo wife isn't here.”
Evan chuckled. “I would love that, Harvey.”
* * *
As Harvey unlocked his apartment door, Evan waited patiently behind him, studying the oversized coat that nearly swallowed his neck. He struggled with the door and cursed under his breath, inspiring Evan to intervene.
“Hey, I've got it,” Evan offered.
“I've got it.”
“No, you don't.”
Harvey huffed with frustration. “Evan, you're doing that thing.”
“What thing?”
“You're not letting me do it myself.”
Evan frowned while stepping back. He held up his hands as a sign of surrender. “Sorry.”
“I appreciate that you want to help, but I said I've got it.”
“You're right.”
Harvey turned the key with strained effort, then pressed his shoulder against the door to get it to open. He smiled victoriously as he allowed Evan entry into the living room.
“See?”
Evan snorted, a playful grin taking over his lips. “I see. You're a big, strong man.”
“Don't sass me.”
“Then, I'll do something else instead.”
Harvey shut the door and bolted it, hanging his keys on the hook to the right of the door. “Like what?”
“Turn around and find out.”
Evan watched as Harvey shed the fluffy coat. After hanging it up, Harvey turned around and met his mouth with a sigh of desire. He was delighted to find that Harvey was receptive to their dueling lips. He guided Harvey to the couch, stumbling slightly as he fought to loosen his torso from his coat. As he fumbled with the buttons of his flannel shirt, Harvey's cool hands slid beneath the fabric, causing him to whimper and shiver.
He shoved Harvey on the couch and whipped away his shirt, revealing a torso decorated with reddish-orange hair. Harvey eagerly coated his chest with loving hands that darted in every direction possible. He nestled between Harvey's legs, unable to stop kissing Harvey's soft lips. He reached between them and cupped the front of Harvey's jeans, eliciting a desirous moan from Harvey's mouth.
He sighed as he surfaced to meet Harvey's gaze, whispering, “Can I go down on you?”
“Yes, please...”
Evan grinned as he sank south. He unbuttoned Harvey's jeans and tore open the zipper, hungrily procuring Harvey's cock from its hiding place. He traced Harvey's soft shaft with his parted lips and exhaled over the head of Harvey's cock. As Harvey's cock twitched to life and grew hard, he swallowed the tip and slowly sucked Harvey’s length into his mouth.
Harvey tangled his fingers into Evan's hair. He thrust his hips eagerly, skin erupting with goosebumps as Evan touched every visible surface. With every slurp and suck, he throbbed, his fingers curling harder into Evan's hair and encouraging Evan to do much more than merely suck.
When Evan surfaced, he rose to greet Harvey's lips and worked Harvey's jeans away from his hips. He repositioned himself between Harvey's legs and rubbed his swollen cock against Harvey's, returning every groan that emerged.
He spat into his hand and circled Harvey's entrance, then spat again to add more lubricant to his cock. While pressing the tip of his cock to Harvey's hole, he felt Harvey buck and smirked at the movement. His eyelids fluttered as he pressed his forehead to Harvey's forehead and waited for an invitation.
Harvey smirked while grabbing Evan's hips. He pulled Evan inside, gasping and arching his back to accept Evan's throbbing cock. He exposed his throat as he snaked his hand to the back of Evan's neck, inviting Evan to sample his naked skin.
Evan gladly dove into Harvey's neck. He rhythmically pumped to fill Harvey's hole, trembling with every withdrawal. As he doubled his piercing pumps, Harvey squirmed beneath him, prompting him to part Harvey's legs wider. He raised Harvey's knees and pinned them to the cushions of the couch to provide him more room to thrust.
A primal urge to let loose surfaced within him, rising into his chest, and expanding throughout his body. The desire propelled him as he sat up to crown Harvey's bottom with his hips. He tossed his head back and sighed as he drifted perpetually in and out of Harvey. As Harvey tightened around him, he slowed his thrusts, opening his eyes and focusing on the sweet man beneath him.
“Are you all right?” he asked while leaning toward Harvey's lips.
“I'm fine,” Harvey whimpered. “It just feels...”
“What?”
“It feels so good.”
Evan grinned triumphantly, picking up speed when Harvey gripped his hips again. He searched for Harvey's cock, gripping Harvey's shaft loosely as he rhythmically stroked. He watched Harvey's features shift—pure delight, utter terror, uncontrollable bliss, and pleasurable torture washed over Harvey's face in quick succession.
There was no one expression that could have incited Evan to act more than when Harvey was in the throes of passion. He quickened his pace, matching his thrusting hips to his stroking hand. His gut twisted as he nudged deeper, fervent thrusts erupting with every nudge of Harvey's hands.
Soon Evan's movements became a flash, matching his desire to erupt. He stroked Harvey generously as he thrust feverishly to meet their mutual explosion. As the valve withholding his orgasm snapped, he unleashed himself inside Harvey, watching with satisfaction as Harvey erupted as well.
He fell in a victorious heap on top of Harvey, sweating profusely and panting erratically. Harvey reflected much the same reaction, dragging his fingers up and down Evan's back. He lazily kissed Evan's neck and then patted Evan's back to indicate he wanted to get up.
“Do you need anything?” Harvey struggled to ask as he huffed his way to the kitchen. “Water?”
“Yes, water.”
Evan relaxed into the cushions of the couch with a worried expression.
We usually cuddle, he thought. But he got up right away this time.
When Harvey returned with two water bottles, Evan fixed his expression, smiling gratefully at Harvey as he accepted a water bottle. He took a quick sip and set it on the coffee table while Harvey relaxed into the couch next to him.
He glanced expectantly at Harvey. “Do you want me to stay?”
His heart skipped a beat when he noticed Harvey's expression wavering. But soon, a smile erupted on Harvey's lips.
Harvey whispered, “Yes, please stay.”
“I can do that.”
Chapter Ten
Harvey
Harvey returned to his apartment on Tuesday afternoon with a grin and a box of baked goodies from his job. He set the box on the table near the kitchen and shed his winter coat, hanging it near the front door. He wandered up to the coffee table in front of the couch and stared at the cushions where, just a few days prior, he and Evan had danced into fits of pure pleasure.
The smile on his lips widened.
I still can't believe this is happening, he thought. He frowned suddenly as he recalled the festival on Saturday. And I still can't believe his ex-boyfriend showed up. I bet Evan loved the fact that his ex had a daughter.
He ro
lled his eyes as he flipped around and tossed himself on the couch. He did his best to relax, forcing his muscles to loosen as he studied the television across from him. He observed his reflection in the black screen and noticed that his frown hadn't dissipated.
What am I supposed to do with all this time off? It's not like I want to see my family.
He cleared his throat as he sat up, propping his elbows on his knees, and dropping his gaze to the cable box sitting on the entertainment center just beneath the television.
I could binge a show, read some books, or call Evan.
He smirked.
I'll call Evan.
But as he reached for his phone, a pang of unease shot through his gut. He whipped his phone out despite the feeling and opened his text message thread with Evan. Throughout the day, they had sent silly pictures and jokes to each other. All seemed to be well in the world of Harvey and Evan, and yet Harvey's questionable discomfort swelled.
He sighed as he sat his phone on the coffee table. He rose resolutely from the couch and wandered into the kitchen, preparing a pot of coffee for the afternoon. His fingers lingered on the handle of the carafe as the machine bubbled to life. Soon, the heavenly aroma of coffee filled the apartment.
He pursed his lips as his thoughts continued spinning in his brain.
I remember when we fought over having kids. It was around this time. He wanted to surprise me with a surrogate.
He shook his head as he searched the cabinet to his right for a mug. He set the mug next to the coffee pot and waited eagerly for the pot to finish filling. Unable to wait, he snatched the carafe from its place and poured the hot liquid into his mug.
I was livid. I couldn't believe he went behind my back and spoke to a woman about impregnation. And how had he planned on doing that? By donating our sperm. How strange.
He shook his head as he added powdered creamer and a scoop of sugar to his coffee. He stirred the liquid generously, watching the shade shift from black to caramel brown. As he raised the mug to his lips, he closed his eyes, inhaling the wonderful scent of roasted coffee beans. He took a quick sip and smiled, opening his eyes again.
But things are different now, right? I mean, we're rekindling our passion. He's receptive to me. He's trying to be respectful. He backed off when I told him not to help me.