Page 69 of The Token Yank

Chapter 21

Eamonn

Eamonn woke up on the seventh of November in usual fashion: with a phone call from his mum andsisters.

“Happybirthday!”

They broke into a rendition of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” It was corny, but it always made Eamonn smile. They officially celebrated his birthday last night at the house with some homemade haggis and chocolate cake. Rafe took pictures at the stove as his mum taught him how to make haggis. He had been apprehensive about attending a family event, but Eamonn wanted him there, as did hisfamily.

“Tell your mom I loved that chocolate cake. I’m going to have some of it for breakfast. She has to give me the recipe,” Rafe said. He lay in bed next to Eamonn, and there was no better sight to wake up nextto.

“She’ll email it to you,” Eamonnsaid.

Rafe gave him the thumbs up. He went to the bathroom, and Eamonn continued thecall.

“What are you up to tonight?” sheasked.

“Heath got us all tickets to see Bloc Party inLondon.”

“That should be fun!” his mumsaid.

“You have the worst taste in music, Eamonn,” Oliviasaid.

“Did Olivia just say something, or did a cat get stuck in thedishwasher?”

“Sod off,” shesaid.

“Oy!” Their mum yelled. “It’s your brother’s birthday. Benice.”

“Oh Eamonn,” Olivia said, in a super chipper voice. “What terrible taste in music youhave!”

“Rafe is a greatflatmate,” Mary said. No giggle thistime.

“He is.” Eamonn smiled to himself. These past few weeks had been one for the record books. Not even Nathan hanging around could put a damper on their relationship. Rafe was there when he went to sleep and when he woke up. His eyes, his lips, his sense of humor, it was allhis.

“I’ll show him how to make a gingerbread house for the holidays,” his mumsaid.

“You’ll have to swim him on Skype. He’s study abroad trip ends in December.”He’ll be all the way back in Arlington, Virginia by then.The pain of time lanced hisheart.

“Oh,” his mum said. His sisters had nocomment.

“I must go. They don’t cancel classes on your birthday,unfortunately.”

They said theirgoodbyes.

“You sound really great,” his mum said, a bit serious. “When Nathan came back, I was worried. But Rafe is wonderful, even ifhe’s...”

“It’s just a birthday, mum. No need to get allmushy.”

“Sod off,” she said, but it overflowing withlove.

Rafe came back to bed and rested against Eamonn’s chest. They stared up at the ceiling, enjoying the quiet of beingtogether.

“I’m really excited for the concert. Thank you for going, even though you aren’t afan.”

“What? I love BlocParty!”

Eamonn wasn’t buying it for a second. Rafe tried to leave his bed, but was trapped by hisarms.