The Christmas Script
Book 3.5
Blake brings Asher home for the holidays and yes, shenanigans ensue. If you’re a fan of The Jock Script, Book 3 of The Script Club series, you won’t want to miss this one!
Happy reading!
Lane and George
Chapter 1: Asher
Weary travelers shuffled along the aisle, pushing carry-ons into overhead bins as a chipper flight attendant welcomed everyone onboard over the speaker system with a gentle reminder to fasten seatbelts and put electronics in “airplane mode.”
I double-checked my seatbelt and the setting on my cell before pulling a sanitized wipe from my computer bag. I pushed the bag under the seat in front of me, taking extra care to be sure it was safely lodged in place, then thoroughly disinfected my tray and the armrest on my left.
I smiled at the stranger seated beside me in the window seat. “Just to be on the safe side.”
He grunted and slipped his noise-cancelling headphones over his ears, eyeing me warily.
I shrugged, turning to my right to finish my pre-flight cleaning ritual just as Blake raised the armrest between us, capturing my wrist when I tried to pull it down.
“No, leave it. I want to be next to you.” He snatched the wipe from my hand.
“You are next to me.”
“Never close enough,” he hummed, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “No more cleaning. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine,” I replied crisply. “Did you know that airports and planes are hotbeds for germs? Disease-causing bacteria can linger in the cabin for days…possibly up to a week. And the holidays are also cold and flu season.”
“Thank you for that, Sally sunshine,” Blake snarked, inching back to give me room to clean the armrest between us. “Better?”
I nodded. “Yes. Did you put your iPad in Airplane Mode?”
“Yep.”
“And your phone?”
“Yep.”
I wiggled in an effort to get comfortable, placing my hands on my knees like a dutiful parishioner in the front row at Sunday service. That didn’t feel right, so I crossed my arms and slouched in my seat. That was worse. I straightened again and looked out the window before turning back to Blake.
“Did you take your kindle out of your carry-on? What about your sweater? You might get cold later.”
My boyfriend widened his eyes theatrically as he twisted to face me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“You’re kinda fidgety. Are you a nervous flyer?”
“Oh, gosh, no. I love traveling,” I gushed. “Planes, trains, automobiles…you name it. Any form of transportation is fine by me. I prefer trains and planes to boats. I tend to get seasick in choppy water.”
“Good to know. Relax, Ash.” He adjusted my glasses and ran his finger along my nose affectionately. “I’m right here.”
My heart flipped in my chest then did a backward somersault that left me feeling dizzy. Not to worry. This was a normal state of being for me.
Blake Johnston was the most incredible man on the planet. And he was mine. My boyfriend, my best friend, the love of my life. He was a tall, dark, dreamy, athletic hunk of man with beautiful green eyes and a sweet sense of humor who looked at me as if I was the special one. Me.
Sure, I was above average in smarts department, but in all other ways, I was rather…ordinary. I was vertically challenged with pale skin, blond hair, and a lean physique.
On paper, we had nothing in common. I was a scientist who spent most days in a lab, while Blake taught English and coached lacrosse at a prestigious university. Somehow, our differences made us stronger as a couple. Blake calmed me and reminded me to step outside of my comfort zone once in a while. And I liked think I encouraged him to be his true self, and not worry so much about what other people thought.
Which was rather ironic in my current situation, I mused.
See, Blake insisted on bringing me home with him for the holidays. Was it terrible to admit that I didn’t want to go? Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to be with Blake. I was honored that he’d been so adamant about introducing me to his parents and his sister, but I was also exceedingly nervous. So nervous that I hadn’t slept well in days. That wasn’t like me.
I’d woken up at three a.m. every night this week, agonizing over the many ways this trip could go wrong…from accidentally clogging a toilet to inadvertently insulting his mother when I refused to eat her marshmallow covered yams on Christmas day. Of course, I didn’t know the menu and I didn’t know if the Johnstons liked gooey marshmallow yams.
Geesh, I should ask Blake. Not now, though. My stomach couldn’t handle the thought of yams at the moment.
Oh, boy.
Not okay. I knew worrying about my fate once we landed in Buffalo was an exercise in futility. I had to snap out of this pesky mood ASAP and do something constructive, like…listen to my favorite space and astrophysics podcast, do a crossword puzzle, read a book. Good ideas indeed!
I bent to jimmy my computer bag out from under the seat in front of me and unzipped the side pocket just as the flight attendant paused at our aisle.
“Excuse me, sir. You’ll need to stow your bag for takeoff,” she said crisply.
“Yes, of course. I need my crossword, my kindle, and…my nuts.” I pulled my items out as quickly as possible and accidentally dropped my pencil. I scrambled to grab it before it rolled away, smacking my head on the tray table as I straightened. “Ouch.”
“Sir…”
“Um…yes, I’m sorry.” I stuffed my things between Blake and me, then shoved the bag into place, giving the attendant a sheepish half smile. “All set.”
When she inclined her head and moved on, I exhaled like a delinquent teen who’d narrowly escaped detention.
Blake chuckled lightly and nudged my elbow. “Troublemaker.”
“I’m not making trouble. I was looking for a productive pastime and…a snack,” I huffed, furrowing my brow as I groped between our seats. “That’s strange. I thought I pulled the almonds out. Where did my nuts go?”
“I’ve got your nuts,” he whispered lasciviously. He pressing his knee against mine and shook the packet, pulling it away when I reached for it. “Not so fast. No nuts till you come clean. See what I did there. Nuts…cum.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Guilty. Now tell me what’s bugging you.”
“Nothing at all. I simply like to be organized pre-takeoff. There’s nothing worse than sitting next to someone who’s constantly fishing items from their bag. I like to have everything readily available.” I pointed at the pouch in front of me, then set my left hand on the armrest.
Except…I missed the armrest and practically landed in my neighbor’s lap. I apologized profusely before turning to Blake with a wide-eyed panicked look.
He chuckled softly and put his arm around me, drawing me to his side. “You’re a menace.”
“I am not a menace. I’m just…tense.”
Blake kissed the top of my head. “I know a good way to relieve tension.”
“What is it?”
“Well, we’ll have to wait an hour or so pull this off properly. But once we’re over Salt Lake City, I’ll go to the bathroom and you follow me five minutes later, and tap twice so I know it’s you. When I open the door, my dick will be lubed up and ready to—”
I gasped. “I hope you’re not serious.”
“Don’t knock it till you try it.” He winked.
I shifted to face him. “Have you ever…done that?”
Blake pursed his lips as if to bite back a laugh. “No, but I’d be down if you are.”
“Absolutely not! I’m not down for mile-high sexual shenanigans,” I stage-whispered.
“You sure? How about if you go to the restroom first and stretch yourself for me. You know I bone up fast. If you bend over the sink, I should have just enough room to slide inside you and—”
“No, no, no.” I smacked his bicep and pulled away. “If I’m going to end up on the news, I’d prefer it to be for my contribution to science, not an arrest warrant for public indecency.”
“C’mon, baby. It could be a fun first,” he cajoled, his eyes twinkling merrily.
“I know you’re joking. So…stop.”
“I’m joking.” He cupped my face and kissed me soundly. “Or am I? I mean… it’s risky for sure, but it would be totally hot.”
“You are not helping matters, Blake Johnston,” I replied primly.
Blake snort-laughed, clandestinely gesturing to his crotch. “Trust me, I know. I’ve got a pup tent and a five hour flight ahead of me.”
“With your parents greeting us when we land.”
“And…my chubby is gone,” he sighed dramatically.
“You’re welcome.”
I sat up and scrolled through my podcast episodes on my cell, dropping my phone onto my lap twice. My fingers felt stiff and my hands were shaky. Blake was right. I had to relax or I was going to make myself miserable.
When I rolled my wrists, Blake captured my hand and threaded his fingers with mine.
“Don’t be nervous, Ash. They’re gonna love you.”
I bit my bottom lip and smiled wanly. “Thanks, but—”
“Hey, I’m serious.” Blake set his thumb under my chin and stared into my eyes. “I know it’s easy for me to say. It’s my family we’re visiting in my hometown, but they’re good people. I promise I’m not feeding you to the lions.”
“I know. It’s just that the holidays are special…”
“And you like everything to be perfect,” he added, stroking my jawline soothingly.
“Well, yes,” I admitted, pushing my glasses to the bridge of my nose. “There’s a sixty-one percent chance they won’t like me and an eighty-five percent chance they’ll keep their opinions to themselves. That’s commendable, of course, but I’m sensitive to things like that. I don’t want you to be disappointed. I’m the first—no, the only man you’ve ever brought home and—”
“Correction. You’re the only person I’ve ever brought home.”
I squinted. “I am? You’ve never brought a girlfriend home?”
“No one. I’ve never been in love before. You’re it, Ash. Only you. And that’s why I know without a doubt this is going to be just fine. I love you. And because I love you, they’ll love you.”
His firm tone and adoring gaze were exactly what I needed.
“I love you too.” I smiled like the lovesick fool I was and rested my head on Blake’s shoulder, letting out a rather embarrassing sigh of contentment.
He squeezed me tightly, releasing me as the plane began to taxi down the runway. “Now do your puzzle, listen to your space geek podcast, and chill. Everything is going to be just fine. The only worry we have is making sure we get my cousin, Emmett on our football team this year,” he added cryptically.
“I don’t know what that means, but I wish you luck.”
“You’re playing too. It’s a Christmas morning tradition at the lake house.”
“Blake, I—”
“Shh. Give me your hand again.” He smiled when I obeyed. “Now close your eyes and relax. I’m here, baby, and I’m not going anywhere. We’re in this together.”
I nodded and let the whoosh of the engines coax me to a peaceful state of mine. Blake was right. This was a first for both of us. And if we stuck together, we’d be fine.
But I had to know…
“Does your family serve baked marshmallows on yams for a holiday dinner delicacy, and if so, how do I opt out?”
Chapter 2: Blake
“Yams are disgusting.”
Asher arched his brow and smiled. “I didn’t know we shared that particular culinary aversion.”
“We do.” I squeezed his hand as the plane lifted off the ground. “My mom knows I hate them. She wouldn’t dare make them for the holidays. They’re gross.”
Asher adjusted his glasses. “Curiously, some people love all that…sugar. Not that I have anything against sugar. I like sweets, but I’m not fond of root vegetables blanketed with goo. And you still didn’t answer my question. Does she make them for others who enjoy that sort of thing?”
“Sometimes.” I bit back a chuckle at his panicked expression. Over yams, for fuck’s sake. “Asher, don’t worry about yams or any food. Don’t worry about anything. My parents are cool. And by the way, they aren’t picking us up. I rented a car so we could meet them at the lake and save them a trip. That’ll give you some chill time.”
“I am perfectly chill,” he insisted primly.
“Oh, yeah? Prove it. Let’s do a crossword puzzle.”
“You don’t take crossword puzzles seriously.”
“I will this time.” I opened one of his puzzle books to an unmarked page wincing at the maze of tiny blank squares. “You take Across, I’ll take Down.”
Ash wiggled in his seat happily and got to work. “All right, ‘The Euphrates River originates here’.”
“Easy…Mississippi.”
“No, sir,” he said with a laugh. “You are incorrect. Turkey is the right answer. Next clue.”
I fed him ridiculous responses to make him smile and gave myself a high five when his shoulders visibly relaxed.
I couldn’t really do anything else to assure him this would be fine. He had to see for himself.
* * *
We rented a car in Buffalo and headed south to the family house on Lake Chautauqua. I’d made the decision to rent a car at the last minute. I wanted my own wheels so I could show Ash my home state my way.
I wanted to point out the exit we’d take if we were visiting the town where I grew up. I wanted to give him stats about our proximity to Niagara Falls and listen for his gasp of disbelief when I mentioned the time my friends and I made a barrel we were sure would survive the drop for a physics class in high school. And then immediately assure him my mom put a stop to our misguided project.
But most of all, I wanted him to adjust to the change in temperature and scenery without the distraction of having to make small talk with my folks. I figured it was better to do the “get to know you” conversations around the fireplace or at the huge kitchen table with hot chocolate and the smell of a roast in the oven.
If I played my cards right, Asher would be relaxed and ready to meet everyone by the time I pulled my rental car behind my dad’s red Bronco in the gravel driveway.
“Here we are.” I killed the engine and unfastened my seatbelt before glancing over at Asher. “Home sweet home.”
He peered out the window at the white shingled house facing the indigo lake. A thin blanket of snow covered the roof and the porch railing, and dusted the surrounding trees and the short hill leading to the dock in the distance. It was a winter wonderland. Pretty, but cold. To me, it was a second home.
I wondered what it looked like to Ash.
“It’s very nice,” he commented as if reading my mind. Asher zipped his winter coat in his usual precise manner and wiped his palms on his khakis before adding, “And rather…ginormous.”
I chuckled. “It’s not that big, but there’s plenty of space to stretch out so we aren’t on top of each other.”
“Has it always been in your family?”
“Yep. My great-grandparents on my dad’s side bought the land years ago and built a summer bungalow. There’s lots to do in summertime…swim, sail, jet ski. And there’s plenty to do in winter too, but no one wanted to come because it can get very fucking cold. So my grandparents tore the original structure down and built this place when my dad and my uncle were kids.”
“Oh, wow. Generations of your family have enjoyed this view. That’s amazing.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. But whatever you do, please don’t ask my dad about it.”
“Why not?”
“Dad gets very…loquacious when it comes to Johnston family history or anything to do with the lake.”
“That’s okay with me,” he replied earnestly.
I traced his jawline with my thumb, overcome with a wave of affection. “You’re a good guy, Ash. We’ve been in New York state for a couple of hours already. Have I told you I love you here?”
Asher chuckled. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Mmm, I love you.” I ghosted my lips over his before sliding my tongue inside. The kiss was short, but oh so sweet. Ash tasted like cherry ChapStick and peppermint. It took serious willpower to pull away from him. I rested my forehead on his then bit his chin before reaching for the handle. “Come on. They’re waiting for us.”
Asher grabbed my elbow. “Wait. Um…is there anything else I should know? I mean, are there topics I should steer clear from?”
“Nope. Just be you. I’ll get our suitcases and—”
“Wait. Do they like movies? And if so, what genres?” He inclined his head toward the house and continued in a stage-whisper, “I know I sound crazy, but I’m nervous. They’ve always been perfectly lovely on FaceTime and Zoom, however, everything is different in real life. I want to make a good impression.”
“I know, babe.”
“I brought them a gift for hosting me and—”
“You did?”
“Yes, of course. And Christmas gifts too. But it occurs to me that buying affection can be a dicey endeavor.”
“And a very unnecessary one.” I sighed heavily. “Look, I can tell you to relax till I’m blue in the face, but you won’t believe me till you meet everyone in person. No more questions, let’s do this.”
I hopped out of the car and pulled our suitcases out, setting Asher’s computer bag over my shoulder.
He tugged at my coat when he met me at the trunk. “Last question. Are there pets? I should have asked. You know I’m a tad allergic to felines.”
“No cats, but we have dogs.”
“Dogs?” he repeated. “Small dogs, big dogs, happy dogs, ferocious dogs?”
I chuckled. “Definitely not ferocious. Oh, don’t forget your scarf.” I draped the blue knit fabric around his neck and kissed his nose. “You look hot, Fitzgibbons.”
“I don’t like it when you call me that,” he grumbled.
“Does that mean you’re going to take my name when we get married?”
Asher stopped in his tracks with his mouth wide open and his eyes as big as saucers. “Wh-what?”
“You heard me. Asher Johnston or Asher Fitzgibbons-Johnston? Something to think about,” I singsonged, closing the trunk just as the front door opened.
“Blake! Asher!” Mom called from the porch, waving her arms in greeting.
I grinned, estimating we had less than thirty seconds before my family descended. “Ready?”
Asher blinked as if coming out of a trance. “Wait. You just—take your name?”
“Or vice versa. Come on, babe. Time to meet the fam.”
I bumped Ash’s shoulder as I picked up our suitcases, silently commending my stroke of genius when he stopped wringing his hands and worrying about dogs.
Sure, my methods were sneaky and a tad unorthodox, but I knew my man pretty freaking well. When Asher wound himself into a frenzy, the best way to snap him out of it was a little shock treatment. At the moment, the “shock” was more about timing than the subject itself. We were definitely going to get married. It might be a couple of years from now, but it was inevitable.
So why not get used to the idea that he and I were family too? That officially made him part of the Johnston crew. And this was a good crew. I knew for a fact there was nothing but love in this house.
“You’re here!”
“Hey, Mom.”
Mom was tall and thin with dark hair, green eyes, and a penchant for the color purple. She was also the coolest, most welcoming person on the planet. She was friendly, outgoing, and had a gift for setting people at ease. She reminded me of Ash’s mom in that way, but Mom was the sportier version. No doubt a byproduct of spending the past thirty plus years cheering from the sidelines at lacrosse games my dad coached or I played. She’d been team mom so often that she was affectionately known as Coach Mom in my hometown.
I dropped the suitcases and braced myself for a mom-style monster hug as my mother hurried to greet us at the top of the driveway. I returned her hug with gusto, spinning her in a small circle.
“Blake! Put me down,” she squealed. When I obeyed, she pinched my cheeks and kissed me before turning to Asher. “Oh, Asher, it’s so nice to finally meet you in person.”
And just like that, I felt my shoulders slip into place. This weeklong family visit was going to be just fine.
Ash stepped forward with his hand outstretched. “Greetings and salutations, Mrs. Johnston. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance in person as well. Might I just say, your lake home is lovely. It’s a beautiful and festive backdrop for a wintery wonderland holiday. Like something out of a movie. Thank you for having me. I appreciate your generosity.”
Oh, boy…
My mom’s smile widened till it took over her entire face. “You’re very welcome. We’re thrilled to have you, Asher. Come on inside.”
“Thank you. I—oops. I have a small token of my appreciation, which I believe I left in the rental vehicle. I’ll be right back.”
“Ash, I can get it later,” I offered.
“No, no. I insist. I’ll only be a moment.”
I handed the keys over and scratched my head in reluctant amusement before turning to my still-smiling mother. “He’s really nervous. I tried to tell him you don’t bite, but…I don’t think he believes me.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll behave.”
“Please do.”
Mom tilted her head pensively. “I feel like I already know him. Talking to Asher on Zoom calls has become the highlight of my week. And you too, of course.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“He’s very…refreshing. I’ve been looking forward to meeting the man who’s got you all tied up in knots.”
“What? I am not tied up in knots.”
She chuckled, waving at Ash as he closed the distance carrying a small bag. “Oh, honey. It’s a good thing. And it makes us happy to know that you’re happy.”
“I am.”
“Good. Welcome home, my love.” She squeezed my arm and motioned for us to follow her inside.
I picked up our suitcases and waited for Ash. Maybe it was sappy as hell, but I sent up a quick prayer of gratitude that everyone I loved would be under one roof during the holidays.
And that was my last thought before twin whirling dervishes streaked out the front door, circling my legs with wagging tails before making a beeline toward my boyfriend.
“Winnie! Jasper!”
Asher’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as two yellow Labs bounded his way. He put his hands out as if to pet them, but his tentative hello was no match for their exuberance.
Ash fell flat on his ass on a fresh patch of snow, sending gifts flying from the partially open bag.
The dogs sniffed like mad and the second they decided he was a friend, they licked his cheeks, chin, nose, ears in a cheery canine welcome.
“Blake, are these the lions you’re feeding me to?”
Yeah…it was good to be home.
Chapter 3: Asher
Don’t quote me, but I think “Operation Meet the Parents” was going pretty well. They genuinely seemed to like me. Then again, the Johnstons were a very welcoming sort of family.
Blake’s parents thanked me for the See’s candy and the book about constellations I brought them, poured me a glass of wine, and gave me a tour of their beautiful home. It was more of a huge rambling three-story estate than a mere cabin. It had charming features, like a wraparound porch, a massive stone hearth, and a worn wood table with scuff marks galore that easily sat twelve in the kitchen. Yes, the kitchen. There was an even larger table in the dining area.
I stood near the Christmas tree, taking in my surroundings…the overstuffed sofas facing the fireplace and the enormous flat-screen television, the wall of shelves full of books, family photos, and boardgames—sipping Pinot while clandestinely studying Mr. Johnston as he pointed out the stunning lake views from the living room.
He was tall and handsome, with more salt than pepper in his dark hair. I must say, it was interesting to get a glimpse of what my boyfriend would look like when he was in his fifties. Blake was a carbon copy of his father. No kidding. They shared the same athletic build, casual mannerisms, and easy smile.
“Did Blake tell you the name Chautauqua comes from a now distinct Erie language?”
I shook my head. “No, he didn’t, but I did a bit of research on my own and found out that the Erie tribe were an obscure group who were eradicated by the Iroquois a few centuries ago. Interesting fact…because of their inland location, they had little to no contact with European explorers.”
“That’s right!” Mr. Johnston’s eyes lit up as he patted my back. “I love history. There’s a lot of it in these parts too. My grandfather claimed he saw the ghost of a fierce Iroquois warrior standing on the lawn where that giant evergreen tree is now.”
I glanced at the lone tree on the wide snow-dusted, lakeside lawn, thinking it looked incredibly picturesque. “It’s beautiful. Did you ever see the ghost?”
“No, I think Grandpa made that up so he could tell us kids that our annual holiday football games were played on sacred ground,” he replied with a laugh, squeezing my shoulder. “We’re looking forward to having you join us this year, Asher. My brother and I handed off quarterback duties to our sons a couple of years ago. Your big decision will be whether to play on Blake’s or Mickey’s team on Christmas day.”
“Oh. Um…well, I’m not—I’ve never played football. I wouldn’t be an asset to either squad,” I stammered. “I’m happy to help with meal preparation, though and—”
“We want you have fun, Asher,” Blake’s mom chimed in. “We don’t have much snow yet, but there’s enough to sled on the hill across the way. And I’m sure Blake will want to show you around. You can go hiking, ice skating, or shopping in town.”
“And we can throw the ol’ pigskin in between,” Mr. Johnston. “Come on. I’ll show you the bonus room downstairs. We have arcade games and…”
Blake must have noticed my panicked expression. He put his arm around me and whispered in my ear. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, baby. We’ll have fun either way. I promise.”
* * *
Gosh, it was magical here.
The weather was cold but other than an occasional flurry, it was perfect for brisk walks along the lake, hot chocolate on the deck, and raucous games of Monopoly with the Johnston crew. Blake showed me the town, pulling me into a medley of stores that sold knit goods, salt water taffy, and homemade fudge while talking a mile a minute about adventures from his youth. A lot of which seemed to include his cousins, Emmett and Mickey.
“They’re good guys,” he shared, popping a piece of chocolate in my mouth. “You’ll like them. Emmett is a couple of years older. He’s married to Kelly and they have a kid. Mickey is my age. We were pretty close when we were kids.”
I eyed a young mom corralling three small children away from a display of lollipops as big as their faces, but turned to Blake when I caught the note of sadness in his voice. “Not anymore?”
“Meh. You know how it is. I live on the West Coast, he lives here. That’s life.”
“We FaceTimed with him once, didn’t we? He seemed nice and—oh.” I cocked my head. “He doesn’t like that you’re bi.”
“No, he doesn’t care,” Blake assured me. “It’s more like that period of awkward after someone reveals something you didn’t expect and you both have to adjust your thinking. I’m not overly worried. Things will be back to normal after our team kicks his team’s ass on Christmas.”
“You mean your team. I’m not playing, Blake.”
He kissed my cheek. “I know. C’mon. Let’s buy my mom some peppermint bark. She loves that stuff.”
I couldn’t decide if I was more surprised that he kissed me in public or that he dropped the topic of football. Either way, I was pretty darn pleased.
I stuck close to Blake’s side, babbling about the gingerbread houses we were going to make after dinner and the ongoing battle between him and his sister regarding the holiday movie selection.
This was fun.
More than that…it was heartwarming.
Spending time with the man I loved and the people who loved him during a season of peace on Earth, goodwill, and all that jazz made me giddy with joy. I wasn’t going to ruin anyone’s holiday by joining their sporting festivities. Trust me, they’d thank me in the long run.
So when Blake, his dad, and brother-in-law went out to “throw the ol’ pigskin around,” I made myself useful in the kitchen. I cooked and cleaned alongside Bella and her mom, humming along to Christmas carols, sharing pieces of my life without thinking. One minute I was discussing apple pie and the next, I was telling an old story about visiting an orchard as a child, picking apples, and drinking hot cider with my mom.
That was part of the Johnston family charm.
And Blake’s sister, Bella and her husband, Will were lovely as his parents.
I have to admit, I was a touch wary of Bella at first. Blake had told me she could be a pain in the derriere. His exact words were, “She’s opinionated and bossy.” Then he’d nipped my chin and smiled, adding, “Kind of like you, but in an annoying big sister way.”
“Hey, that’s not—”
If I remembered correctly, Blake had rolled on top of me, showering me with kisses that turned me into a human putty and made me forget my name.
But he was right. Bella was a tad bossy.
She’d been equally wary of me at first too, but we bonded over a shared proclivity for order and tidiness. With piles of dishes and a willing helper to dry them after meals, she warmed up to me quickly. Our conversations shifted from mundane topics like work, holiday recipes, and the weather to family and friends…and of course, Blake.
“Don’t tell him I said this, but he was cutest baby ever. Dark curly hair and green eyes. So sweet too, but very mischievous,” Bella said with a laugh. “He was always getting into trouble for silly pranks.”
“Like what?”
She leaned against the granite counter and handed over a dinner plate for me to dry. “Hiding my dolls, scrambling my alphabetically organized collection of mysteries…”
“Rude.”
“Right? Relatively harmless, but always annoying. His mischief always escalated when our cousin Mickey was around. One summer, they collected frogs from the pond behind our aunt and uncle’s house and unleashed them before dinner at a family birthday party.” Bella’s grin took over her pretty face. “It was mayhem. Frogs everywhere, everyone yelling or laughing while they tried to collect them. It’s funny now, but I was traumatized when I found one hiding in my sneakers.”
I gasped. “Oh, no!”
“Oh, yes. We thought they’d all been returned to nature, but they missed one little guy. It hopped out just as I sat to untie my laces. I screamed bloody murder,” Bella admitted. “To this day, I still shake my shoes before putting them on.”
“As any sane person would,” I commented, setting a newly dried plate on the counter.
“I think that’s when our parents signed Blakey up for multiple sports. Mom said he needed to run off some of that extra energy. He was like Winnie and Jasper.” She inclined her chin toward the two Labs sprawled out and snoring under the kitchen table. “Go, go, go until he conked out.”
I wanted to protest that my boyfriend was nothing like a Lab, but Blake was playful, enjoyed being petted in the right places…and he liked treats. So…maybe?
“Hmm. He’s still like that.”
Bella snickered. “A zebra doesn’t change his stripes. The cool thing about Blake is that he never gave up. He was short like me for a while and he wasn’t always good at the sports he wanted to play, like basketball and hockey. But he always tried.”
“Persistence pays off,” I agreed lamely.
“True. And he likes being the best,” she chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that my brother is super competitive.”
I dried the inside of a coffee mug till it squeaked in protest while mulling over her assertion while Nat King Cole serenaded us with “Silver Bells.” Sure, Blake was smart, enthusiastic, and not afraid to take chances. He was actually quite accomplished for someone under thirty and one had to be somewhat competitive to achieve lofty goals. I loved those qualities about him. In fact, I was wildly attracted to those qualities. Of course, I was also attracted to his talented mouth and large penis.
But competitive?
“Maybe, but he’s not competitive with me.”
“That makes sense. Every relationship is different, but couples probably shouldn’t be in competition. Sometimes a little is fun though.”
I squinted as though the effort might help me understand her meaning. It didn’t work. “How so?”
Bella shrugged carelessly and handed over another mug. “Well…I don’t play sports, but I’ll play in our yearly family football game. Never on Will’s team, though. He likes to give me pointers and it drives me crazy. I might not know much about the game, but I know everyone there. I know which cousins are ball hogs, who throws too hard, and who runs too slow. I used to nod and listen to his advice, but one year, I suggested mixing it up. Guess who got a touchdown.”
I pushed my glasses higher on the bridge of my nose. “You?”
“Yep! Don’t ask me how, but my team kicked butt that year.”
“Who kicked butt?” Mrs. Johnston set a few plates on the counter and rolled up her sleeves.
“We’re talking about Christmas football,” Bella supplied. “You can be on my team, Ash.”
“Oh, well…I don’t…I can’t play football,” I sputtered. “I don’t know how.”
“It’s easy. And it’s flag football, so no one gets hurt. Trust me. I can teach you.”
“You’re going to teach him?” Mrs. Johnston teased, bumping her daughter’s hip playfully.
Bella knit her brow. “Yes. I’ve taught other participants you know.”
“Who?”
“Well, it’s been a while, but…I coached Faith.”
Mrs. Johnston cocked her head curiously. “Who is—oh, for crying out loud. Faith? That was eons ago.”
“Still counts. Our team won that year.”
“Who’s Faith?” I asked, adding another freshly dried mug to the pile.
“She was our next door neighbor here at the lake until her family sold their property a few years ago,” Blake’s mom replied. “She had a bit of a crush on Blake.”
Bella snorted. “Oh, please. She had a huge crush on my little brother. She wanted to play so Mickey would quit teasing her for sitting on the sidelines, making goo-goo eyes at Blake. And you know, it worked. Mickey shut up and Blake even went out with her a couple of times.”
“Oh, hush, Bells. Asher doesn’t want to hear about Blake’s ancient high school crushes,” her mom chided.
She was correct. I absolutely did not want to know that anyone had ever stared dreamily at my man, let alone kissed him or…more. Blake was mine.
“Asher has nothing to worry about,” Bella replied. “Blake is head over heels in love and it’s adorable. But you know how family is and our cousins are big teases who—”
“Who will keep their big mouths shut if they know what’s good for them,” Mrs. Johnston intercepted. “They’ve been told to behave and I expect them to do so. I think this kitchen is as clean as it’s ever been. Come on. Let’s watch a holiday movie. Asher, it’s your turn to choose.”
“Choose Elf,” Bella whispered with a wink, following her mom into the adjoining living room.
I smiled but didn’t respond.
My brain was moving at light speed, mulling over relationships I hadn’t previously considered.
Extended family of cousins who were like brothers, the pros and cons of living on opposite coasts, and the universal fear of being tolerated rather than accepted by those you love most. I’d been so concerned with how I might fit in that I failed to consider that Blake might be thinking the same thing about himself.
He told everyone in his family about me when he came out last summer. He wanted the people closest to him to know he was bi and in a relationship with a man… Me. They’d been supportive and assured Blake they were excited to meet me at Christmas.
Which was now two days away.
Gah!
I didn’t want to be a boring boyfriend and I didn’t want to be someone Blake’s cousins were forced to be nice to.
I’d thought I could make a good impression by volunteering in the kitchen and around the house, but I was beginning to think that wasn’t good enough. I had to do more.
I had to learn football.
* * *
Flag football.
I typed the entry into my iPad then settled against the headboard, stealing a quick peek into the adjoining bathroom at Blake brushing his teeth in his boxer briefs…and nothing else. I stared dreamily at his broad shoulders, admiring the dimples at the small of his back and his pert butt and his—
“See anything you like?” he asked around his toothbrush, waggling his brows when he caught my eye in the mirror.
“Yes. Everything.”
Blake spit and rinsed then pulled his boxer briefs off and strode into the bedroom, cupping his kibbles and bits. “I’m gonna take a quick shower. Want to join me?”
“Uh…” Gosh, he was handsome. Those muscular pecs, toned abs, thick thighs, and that spectacular cock.
“Eyes up here, baby,” he teased, shaking his hips so his penis swayed from side to side. “Or down here.”
I chuckled at his hijinks. “There isn’t enough room for both of us in the shower and we agreed to minimal fooling around while we’re under the same roof as your parents.”
“Did we? If so, I change my mind. My balls are blue. Seriously. Check them out.” Blake hitched one knee on the mattress and held himself proudly. “This kind of condition could put me in the hospital. Help.”
“You’re rather dramatic for someone who’s gotten blowjobs every day this week,” I reminded him, nudging my glasses higher on my nose.
“What can I say? I’m greedy.” Blake grinned mischievously as he yanked the duvet off me in quick swoosh and pushed me onto my stomach. He kneaded my cheeks through my cotton pajama bottoms, biting at the elastic waistband like a hungry wolf. “And horny. I want this ass. It’s mine.”
I wiggled said ass to drive him a little mad, then burst into hysterics when he pounced on top of me, flattening his chest to my back, and tickling my sides.
“Blake,” I whispered hissed through snorts of laughter. “They’ll hear us.”
“No, they won’t. My parents are on the other side of the house.”
“Your sister is—”
“Dead asleep with earplugs in ’cause Will snores like a freight train. And they’re down the hall. We’ll be quiet. Mmm.” He pressed kisses along my neck, nibbling my ear as he rocked his semi against my ass. “You smell good. I want to eat you up and—”
He froze above me and lifted himself.
“What’s wrong?” I followed his line of sight and melted in a puddle of embarrassment under him. “I don’t know how that got there or how it jumped to that page. So strange.”
“You’re the world’s worst liar, Ash.” Blake rolled to his side and plucked the iPad from my fingers. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.”
I buried my face in the pillow and groaned. “Ungh!”
“Flag football rules. All passes must be made in a forward motion and caught beyond the line of scrimmage. The quarterback can’t run with the ball unless it’s handed off first,” he read, casting a probing glance my way. Blake did a poor job of hiding his smile when he added, “What are you up to, Asher Fitzgibbons?”
“Well…um…I was curious.”
“Keep going.”
“It occurred to me that I don’t know much about football.” I gestured toward the iPad and sat facing him with my legs crossed. “I still don’t. What is a line of scrimmage? Doesn’t the ball always go forward and what the heck is a quarterback? What is his function? What does any of that mean?”
Blake gaped at me with wide eyes then propped his head on his pillow. “I’m happy to answer all of your questions, but I have one for you…why the sudden interest in flag football?”
“Because I’ve decided to join your league on Christmas day,” I announced, fussing with my glasses.
“I think you mean my team.”
“Yes, that’s it. You invited me to join you and I’ve decided to accept. The problem is…I don’t know anything about the game.” I shook my head. “I suppose that’s not true. I know what the ball and costumes look like, but—”
“Uniforms,” he corrected.
“And I know the idea is to score points, however, I don’t understand how that’s accomplished. Thus, the research. I’d planned on starting earlier, but I helped with dinner and there was a lot of cleaning to do afterward and—”
Blake held my face between his hands and sealed his mouth over mine. He pulled back slightly to rain kisses on my cheeks, my eyes, and my nose. “Ash…listen to me.”
I blinked through the happy, dizzy haze and nodded. “I’m listening.”
“You don’t have to play football. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I wanted you to have fun here…not work yourself silly.”
“I am having fun. I love your family,” I gushed.
“They love you too. And they don’t expect you to make dinner or clean up or—”
“Who’s going to do it then? It’s not fair for your mom and sister to do all the work.”
“Mom doesn’t let me in the kitchen. It’s like a rule or something. But I’ll suggest mixing it up. Maybe Bella and Will can take over one night and you and I will do the next. That’ll give you time to read or watch a movie or something you want to do. How does that sound?”
“Theoretically, good. But not great. I like helping. It’s been a nice way to get to know your family. I’ve learned a lot about you while chopping vegetables and doing dishes.”
Blake winced. “Please don’t tell me Mom brought out old photo albums.”
“Not yet, but thank you for the reminder.”
“Hmph. I think I’m safe. The most embarrassing ones are at home.”
I smiled. “Pictures are great, but I love the stories. You mom told me that you knocked your front tooth out when you flipped off a snowmobile.”
“I was six and it was loose anyway,” he replied, ruffling my hair.
“She also told me you learned to ice skate when you were four and that you tried to teach Bella even though she’s older.”
“I tried. We got in a fight.” Blake rubbed his stubbled chin thoughtfully. “A pretty epic one if I remember correctly. And I’m the one who got in trouble. ”
“That’s what Bella said. She also said that the Christmas football game is a big deal.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Did Bella talk you into playing?”
“She offered to teach me.”
“Bella?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes. I’m a little nervous about getting hurt, but—”
“Whoa. First of all, if anyone is going to teach you, it’s me. Not Bella.” Blake tossed my iPad onto the nightstand and took my right hand, tracing lazy circles on my palm. “Second, there’s no way I’d let you get hurt. But you don’t have to do it for me. I mean…do you really want to play?”
“Of course not, but I’m feeling conflicted and to be honest…I’m a little jealous too.”
“Jealous? Of what?” Blake furrowed his brow.
“Faith.”
His confusion was plain as day.
“Religion?”
“No, your neighbor! I know it’s ridiculous, but if your infatuated neighbor can play foosball, so can I.”
Blake squinted. “Okay, it’s football, not foosball and what neighbor?”
I threw my hands in the air and stage-whispered to avoid waking up his sister and brother-in-law, “I don’t know who she is, but she lived around here. According to Bella, her name was Faith and she had a terrible crush on you. One family game of football was all it took for you to fall under her spell.”
“Faith,” he repeated, scratching his chin as if it might help him conjure an old memory.
“Yes, such a pretty name, but I don’t think I like her. I hope she moved someplace far away like Florida or Wisconsin,” I grumbled, noting that he seemed more perplexed than ever. “You must remember her, Blake. You went out with her a couple of times. You kissed her.”
“I did?”
I growled. “Maybe. I don’t know. Why are you laughing?”
He buried his face in my neck as he pushed me onto my back, rolling on top of me, and pinning my arms by my head. I was overdressed and overheating quickly. Let’s face it, a naked Blake hovering my fully clothed self was a heady thing indeed.
“I’m not laughing at you.” He pursed his lips and snickered again. “Okay, I’m sort of laughing at you. You have nothing to be jealous of, Ash. I barely remember her.”
“Hmm. Well, I’m not really jealous. I’m inspired. Her act of bravery is a reminder that I need to keep trying new things.”
“Oh, boy,” he sighed sarcastically.
“For my own sake. Besides, if everyone in your family plays, it can’t be hard to learn, right?”
Blake lined his cock with mine and swayed his hips seductively, “It’s kinda hard. My dick, that is.”
“Mmm.” I hiked my legs over his ass, tugged my hands free, and flung them around his neck. “You feel good.”
“So do you.” He nibbled my bottom lip and brushed his nose against mine. “Are you sure you?”
I let out a slutty moan as I arched in a quest for friction.
“Yes, but I’ll need pads and body armor,” I hummed in between kisses.
“Nah, you’ll be fine. It’s just goofy family fun.” Blake captured my mouth again and slipped his fingers under the elastic of my PJ bottoms, lowering them over my ass. “And I’ll protect you. Nothing’s gonna happen to my baby.”
There was a time I would have protested at the notion of being called anyone’s baby, but I loved it. I loved the way he held me and the way he looked at me with a beautiful mix of hunger and adoration. He made me feel special and loved beyond measure. I wanted him to know I felt the same for him.
I raked my fingernails along his sides and slipped my hand between us, curling my fingers around his cock. “I want you. I can be quiet.”
Blake knelt on his heels and tugged my pajamas and boxer briefs off then bounded off the bed in search of the lube I’d insisted had to stay in my carry-on. I pulled my T-shirt over my head and flopped onto the mattress, gripping myself firmly as I watched him moved around the bedroom. He fumbled with the zipper of my bag while his cock bobbed in front of him, precum gleaming at the tip.
I smiled when he raised the small bottle over his head in triumph and rewarded him with a naughty show. Spreading my legs open, I licked my fingers and massaged my entrance. Blake shivered with need as he crawled between my thighs and took over. He added lube, stretching me patiently before pushing his way inside.
We moved as quietly as possible…slowly and deliberately. I clung to him like Saran wrap, rising to meet each thrust with my face buried in Blake’s shoulder to keep from crying out. It wasn’t easy. The gentle rock and sway felt dangerously more potent than our wilder sessions at home where Blake would sometimes spank my ass and command me to put my hands on the headboard while I wiggled my hips and yelled, “fuck me, fuck me” like a wannabe porn star.
That was always hot, but this was…beautiful.
It was a raw and real. There was no space to hide and no crass language to disguise emotion or intent. No words, no sound…just touch.
His mouth fused to mine, his hands in my hair, his hips moving…and moving, pushing me to the edge with sure strokes that turned me inside out. I’d felt closer to him in every way that mattered. Like his soul and mine were one.
And when we came, we fell apart together, quaking in the aftermath, then grinning like lovesick fools.
“I love you,” I whispered.
Blake squeezed his eyes shut then smiled. “I love you too, Ash. So damn much.”
It was true. He did. I was pretty sure that made me the luckiest man on the planet.
And in my sappy, sated, lovesick state, I knew I would do anything in my power to make him happy.
Even learn how to play football.
Chapter 4: Blake
“Was I supposed to catch that one?”
I pulled my beanie over my ears and motioned to Mickey to retrieve the football before jogging to Asher’s side. “Yeah, that was your ball. Want to try it again?”
Asher nodded as he swiped his mitten across his red nose. “Okay.”
We’d been at this for twenty-minute pops a couple of times a day since Ash declared that he was ready to try football. I wanted to report that he’d improved, but…uh, he still hadn’t caught a ball.
Not one.
I caught the ball my cousin flung at me and tucked it under my arm. “Remember what we practiced, babe. Count to five as you’re running then turn and look. But don’t look for me…look for the ball.”
“Got it,” he replied in his most serious science-y voice. “And where exactly will the ball be?”
“In the air.”
“Yes, but where in the air?”
Okay. Wow.
I had to admit that teaching my literal-minded man the mechanics of football had proved to be a challenge. Don’t get me wrong, I was totally up for it. I coached college-aged lacrosse players, for fuck’s sake. If I could handle a bunch of eighteen-year old jocks, I could certainly handle Ash. However, I would have preferred not to have an audience.
No such luck.
It was Christmas Eve and my entire family was here now. The house was filled to the gills with the extended Johnston crew, who were a fine group of people, for sure. They welcomed Asher with the same genuine enthusiasm my parents and Bella and Will had. Everyone was cool.
But spending a holiday together was different than grinning through a ten minute Face-Time session. And sadly, there were certain family dynamics I hadn’t considered until now.
Like Mickey and me.
See, we were pretty close when we were younger. We were the kind of cousins who never had a shortage of things to talk about or trouble to get into during family visits. We both loved video games, Star Wars, hockey… And we especially loved football.
I’d naively thought our family football tradition could mend a few fences. Not broken fences…just ones that had been ignored for a while.
We were stiff and awkward with each other when he first arrived. Nothing serious, but we were fighting to get a word in edgewise one second and looking to fill the silence the next. I couldn’t tell if my bi revelation hit him harder than I assumed or if we’d just grown apart. Either way, I didn’t like the feeling.
I’d hoped a little friendly competition would reset the balance. In my perfect world, we’d shit-talk our way through Christmas Eve dinner and I’d wake up to kick his ass on the field first thing in the morning.
Except I’d actually have to kick his fucking ass if he made Asher feel bad about knowing, well…absolutely nothing about the game. And I do mean nothing.
But that’s okay. Like I said, I was more than happy to coach. It was just that I’d hoped the whole “catch the ball and run” lesson would be simpler.
It wasn’t.
Part of the problem was that Ash “studied” football like there’d be a test. He had multiple tabs open on his iPad about the rules of play, the history, and physics involved. Yep. My boyfriend didn’t deal in abstracts well. Ash wanted to know the mathematics to ascertain the arc and spiral of the ball. And I didn’t know those answers off the top of my head.
“Um…” I pointed haphazardly at the gray sky. “The ball will be coming from that direction.”
Asher nodded solemnly. “You said to turn at the count of five. In which direction and how quickly should I count? Is there a beat in between or two beats or—”
Mickey waved his arms above his head and sidled next to Ash, towering over him.
Side note…Mickey and I were told we looked like brothers and I could kinda see it. Mickey was six three like me and though we had the same coloring and build, his shaggy dark hair desperately needed a cut and he credited the slight paunch under his winter coat to his fancy desk job with a finance firm in Buffalo. Mickey was a good-looking guy, but he was a bit of a steamroller.
“No, no, no. I’m gonna take over, Blakey. You’re terrible at this.”
I glared at him. “Excuse me? I’m the coach here. And coaching is my actual job, bonehead.”
Mickey shook his head ruefully. “Yeah, but coaching your significant other never works. I tried to teach my ex how to ski. When she finally made it down the hill, she wouldn’t speak to me. Broke up with me the next week. Said I was too pushy or something. Maybe pushy doesn’t work in skiing, but I gotta tell ya, it works in football.”
“Right,” I huffed.
“It’s true. And let’s face it, I’m better at football than you anyway.”
Okay, screw Mickey. I wanted to pound him now.
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists. “Are you fuckin—”
Asher stepped between us—all five foot eight of him—and held his hand up. “No need for testosterone-laden posturing, gentleman. I think I understand. I’ll try it again. You may start your countdown now. One-Mississippi, two-Mississippi…”
“Wait up, Ash,” Mickey called. “Take your mittens off. It’s easier. And count to four, not five before you turn.”
Asher cocked his head, tugging his mittens off before signaling for me to start over. I waited a couple of beats and threw the ball, nice and easy. Then I crossed my fingers, hoping like hell he’d finally catch one.
He didn’t.
But he didn’t seem aggravated. He picked up the ball and held it like a baby as he slowly meandering toward me.
Mickey’s low chuckle crawled under my skin like a leech.
Yep, I was definitely going to have to kick his ass. My mom would get pissed, my sister would accuse me of ruining Christmas, and Ash—
“I like him,” Mickey commented, his eyes twinkling as he bumped my elbow.
I cleared my throat, switching gears from kick-ass warrior mode to friendly cousin mode. “Me too.”
“You’re happy. I can tell ’cause your cheeks are all rosy.” He pinched my cheeks, snickering when I swatted him away. “Like you can’t fuckin’ stop smiling. I’m happy for you, man. You know, your parents want to adopt him…or plan a wedding. What’s up with that? You gonna marry him?”
“I am.”
“Good. You guys are strangely perfect together.”
I thought so, but I was curious about my straight cousin’s version of perfect.
“How so?”
Mickey shrugged. “He’s willing to try something he doesn’t understand to impress you and you’re willing to let me win to make him feel included. It’s like you’re on the same page or reading from the same script. I want that someday. But in the meantime, I’ll settle on a win.”
“You’re not gonna win, but thanks.”
I smiled and motioned for Ash to toss me the ball. He dropped it instead and got down on his knees on the snow-dusted lawn to play with Winnie and Jasper as they bounded out of the house at full speed. Jasper promptly knocked him on his butt and licked Asher’s face until he squealed with laughter.
Mickey chortled. “I’m not just gonna win, I’m gonna kick your ass, Blakey. Thank you in advance.”
Of course, I gave him the bird and of course, that was when my sister stepped outside. I could hear her tattling on me in the distance. “Mom, Blake is flipping people off out here!”
Mom yelled from the house, Dad joined in, and Mickey laughed like a lunatic.
Asher glanced up at the commotion as he scrambled to his feet and dusted his jeans off. The dogs barked at him for attention, something that would have freaked him out a few days ago. Today, he simply petted their heads, and picked up the ball, heading toward me with a huge grin on his beautiful face.
I swallowed around the grapefruit of emotion lodged in my throat, overwhelmed by an onslaught of love and gratitude. I fucking loved this man. He belonged here in the midst of all the crazy, chaotic, and beautiful. He was my family too and my future.
* * *
Okay, fine…I admit, a Christmas win would be nice.
It wasn’t gonna be easy though. I cast a watchful look across the lawn where Mickey was huddling with his team, Bella, Emmett, his brother-in-law, Max, and Max’s teenage son. I wanted to roll my eyes, but the game was tied at twenty-one each and Mom had already called out a warning that Christmas brunch would be served in ten minutes. According to my uncle, who’d volunteered to ref this one, ending on a tie might be for the best.
“What did you do with my real dad?” Mickey snarked. “There’s no way we’re stopping now.”
“You can always forfeit,” I singsonged.
“No freaking way.”
I chuckled, motioning my team close.
This was our last shot. Will, Dad, and I knew what we were doing. Which left Emmett’s wife, Kelly…and Ash. Kelly was a petite pretty redhead with a sunny smile who, in a twist, was a space enthusiast too. She fell in love with Ash over dinner last night and begged to be on my team. She was a good runner, but she couldn’t hold on to the ball to save her life and she was more interested in discussing the newest data from Mars anyway.
But with ten minutes left, I was running out of options. We had the ball and Mickey knew Dad and Will were my go-to receivers. Kelly and Ash were simply too unreliable.
Unless…
“What do you have up your sleeve, son?” Dad asked. “Let’s make it good. I can smell bacon from out here.”
“I’m hungry,” Kelly agreed. “That coffee and croissant wore off an hour ago.”
“Mmhhm. I had a smidge of toast with jam,” Asher added. “I didn’t think I’d like having two breakfasts, but I’m famished also.”
I was tempted to interject with a reminder that the continental breakfast Mom served while everyone exchanged gifts around the tree was a traditional warm up to the actual feast. But we weren’t here to talk about eggs, bacon, ham, roast potatoes, pancakes, waffles, and fruit, for fuck’s sake. This was football.
“Hey, I have an idea. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth a try.”
Asher rubbed his hands together for warmth then tilted his face to the sky and stuck his tongue out. “Oh, it’s snowing.”
“Focus, babe. We’re trying to pull off a Christmas miracle here.”
Dad nudged Asher’s elbow. “When Blake was little, he’d ask for a bike from Santa…and a win on Christmas morning.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I griped without. “If we’re gonna trick these guys, we need to—oh. That’s it!”
I outlined my plan to mixed reviews.
Will groaned, Dad gave me a WTF look, Kelly shrugged, and Ash…
“Are you sure about this?” he asked, biting his bottom lip.
“Positive. Ready?”
I didn’t give him a chance to argue. I clapped and got into position at the line of scrimmage. The second the whistle blew, I caught the ball, fake pumped it to my dad, then to Will while out of the corner of my eye, Asher licked freshly fallen snowflakes from his lips, counting in a barely audible tone, “One Mississippi, two Mississippi…”
When he hit five, I faked a throw down field then handed the ball to Asher, and yelled, “Go!”
He ran along the side closest to the big tree, past my confused-looking cousins and my cheering sister to…wait for it…score the winning goal!
I raised my arms in triumph and hooted as I raced after him. Ash dropped the ball on the ground and laughed when everyone went crazy, alternately chanting “Asher, Asher” and “MVP, MVP.” I joined in for a moment or two then stepped in to spin him in a circle before crashing my mouth over his.
The cheers turned into good-natured quips of the “get a room” variety.
“Yo, Asher. Nice job out there,” Mickey commented, offering my boyfriend a fist bump.
Asher shook Mickey’s fist and grinned. “Thank you. It was all Blake’s idea.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty smart, but I want you on my team next year.”
Ash beamed and slipped his hand in mine. “That’s very nice of you, but I’m not convinced this will be my yearly calling.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
“I prefer cooking,” he replied matter-of-factly. “I’ve done football. There’s no reason to do play again.”
Mickey shrugged. “I’m gonna talk you into it next year and the year after that and—”
“Time for brunch!” Mom yelled from the porch.
The lawn cleared in a flash.
Mickey gave me a bro hug and a smile that didn’t require words. We were good. “See you in there, cuz.”
Usually, I’d race in front of him, but I wasn’t in a hurry today. I squeezed Ash’s cold hands and kissed his knuckles.
He wrinkled his nose and chuckled. “Your lips are freezing.”
“My heart is warm,” I said like a real cheese ball. “Good job out there. Did you have fun?”
“Well, it was a bit dicey for a while, but ultimately it was enjoyable. Are you happy you won? That’s what you wanted for Christmas, right?”
I slid my fingers through his hair. “No, I only wanted you.”
Asher blushed, his cheeks pinkening as he flashed a bashful smile. “That’s corny but sweet.”
“No, Ash. It’s the truth. I didn’t need to win a football game today. I’ve already won. In fact, I’ve been winning all year. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’m so fucking grateful you’re mine. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.” He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and wrapped his arms around my neck. “Merry Christmas, Blake.”
“Merry Christmas.”
I held him tight, breathing him in as I memorized the moment like a snapshot in my mind. Something I could pull out in fifty years when we were old and gray and say, “Do you remember our first Christmas together? Do you remember how nervous you were, but how very brave? Do you remember how much fun we had? Do you remember standing in the snow on Christmas day after everyone went inside? It was magic, my love.”
And it was.
Music and laughter drifted from the house, Johnny Mathis crooned “Winter Wonderland” while my family elbowed their way to the brunch buffet with affectionate teasing. It was an old dance the Johnstons had perfected over the years. A familiar and sweet rhythm to a Christmas script we knew by heart.
Asher was new to our clan and all the chaos of a big family, but he belonged here. With me.
He was all I wanted for Christmas…and every day of the year.
