Page 18 of A Little Christmas! 4: Song

“Do you really think that?”

“I do, especially with the way you and Zachy have already grown attached to one another. They’ve already got a poly situation going on with Cooper, so I don’t see where there would be an issue if you guys decide you’d like to start a relationship together.”

“Thanks, sis. I’m not getting my hopes up yet, but spending time with them is totally different from hanging out with anyone else I’ve known. Getting to play and not worry about anything was awesome, but the best parts were when the four of us were together in the kitchen making pizza or sprawling on cushions in the living room watching movies. Daddy Gage and Papa Cooper treated me the same way they treated Zachy and made me feel at home the whole time I was there.”

“That’s the way it should be,” Solo said.

“If you’re happy there and comfortable with them, that’s all I need to know,” Suede said. “Dating is hard enough withouthaving to deal with a bunch of drama and people who want you to jump through hoops just to prove you care about them.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Solo grumbled. “Anyone up for a round of Uno before we crash for the night?”

“I’ll get the cards,”Song[TM2] offered.

“And I’ll dish up some ice cream,” Suede replied. “If you two are going to gang up on me the way you usually do, then I’m going to need some chunky chocolate goodness to console me.”

“In that case you’d better give yourself two scoops,” Solo said as Song rushed from the room, Suede’s grumbled curses mingling with Solo’s laughter echoed down the hall as he hurried to get the cards.

Opportunities to play games with his siblings didn’t happen often with their crazy work schedules, so he was going to enjoy the night and the laughter that would inevitably come when he and Solo started piling the draw twos and draw fours on Suede. Laid-back nights made the hard days so much easier, especially when he got to spend them with people who loved him.

Chapter 7

(Cooper)

“You’re looking pleased with yourself; what gives?” Cooper asked as he flopped on the couch beside Gage as he closed his laptop.

“Just finished sharing some more Shriveled Rose footage with Song and found out he and his band have brought Ajay in as their new singer,” Gage explained. “He was so excited and inspired after seeing those videos that he said he was headed up to his room to finish a new song. By the time he and Zachy chat tonight, I’m sure he’ll have something new to share with him.”

“Good for him,” Cooper replied. “I was worried about him after you told me what happened at the club.”

“I tried to tell you there was nothing to worry about,” Gage explained.

“I know, but he’s special, just like Zachy. They’re both just so sweet and innocent, even when they’re all hyped up on sugar and being absolute gremlins when they’re trying to prank us.”

“That’s half the fun right there.”

“Yeah. I can’t wait to see what they get up to on Sunday.”

“Well, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find out, since you’ll be in here supervising the cookie making while I grill up some meat and veggies for kebabs.”

“You have seen that the forecast is calling for snow Saturday night?” Cooper asked.

“And?”

“Do you have a backup plan?”

“Don’t need one.”

“You can’t seriously be planning to stand out there manning the grill with snow on the ground.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’ll be cold as fuck, that’s why not.”

“Coats and boots were invented for a reason.”

Sputtering, Cooper couldn’t think of a single follow-up statement to that.

“I’ve got a cap with earflaps I can pull on if I truly need it, though I doubt I will; they’re only calling for a few inches.”