Page 39

Shane

T he rest of the week we show Charlie all our favorite spots, including Pandora at Disney World.

“I feel like I’m in the movie!” He smiles as he looks up at the animatronics on the boat ride through the Na’vi River Journey.

His face lights up with every new creature we come across, and even though I’ve never been on this ride, I can’t take my eyes off him. The pure joy and amazement radiating off him right now are everything I've ever wanted to give him.

“I don’t think I like this one!”

I laugh my ass off as Charlie squeals like a little kid during the Flight of Passage ride.

“I thought you said you wanted to ride one of these things,” I yell over the sound effects.

I laugh again when his huge eyes connect with mine as he furiously shakes his head. “I changed my mind. I’ll stick to watching the Avatars ride these.”

I bring him in for a hug when we get off, seeing tiny tremors going through him. “I’ve got you, baby.”

He buries his face in my neck, taking deep, slow breaths. Stepping back, he looks up into my eyes. “I’ve never been on an amusement ride, and I don’t think I’m ever going back on one.”

Chuckling, I pull him back to me and kiss the top of his head. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

Holding hands, we make our way to The World of Avatar, and I watch Charlie take picture after picture of all the different plants and structures. His smile never fades. It will forever be ingrained in my mind how happy he is and how my heart is doubling in the love I have for this man.

With each passing day, he relaxes more and more. My family has been great, but I think this warm, sunny weather has definitely helped in keeping his spirits up.

At night, we spend hours either lying out on lawn chairs in the backyard or in the sand, watching the stars flicker in the dark sky. I have no idea what goes on in his head, but the peacefulness that washes over him eases my mind. We stay out until he’s fallen asleep, then I carry him to my bed and fall asleep with him in my arms.

It’s New Year's Eve and we’re getting ready to host our annual party. The house is decked out in black and gold decorations, and we have heating lamps on the back porch so we can watch the fireworks at midnight. Charlie thinks it’s hilarious that most Floridians find sixty degrees to be as cold as Chicagoans find twenty degrees. He couldn’t hold back his laugh when my mom pulled out her puffy jacket and had to explain that sixty degrees to him is hoodie weather.

Typical Northerner.

As people start to arrive, he moves closer to my side. I introduce him to my parents’ colleagues, my aunts and uncles, cousins, and our neighbors.Liz comes over and introduces her new boyfriend Riley, who I’ve known for years and helped him feel comfortable in his own skin as he transitioned. He’s always had a crush and Liz so I’m happy that they are finally together.

As midnight draws near, Charlie and I find ourselves lying on a blanket in the sand.

“How do you know this many people? And how do you remember all their names?”

I laugh as I hand him his drink. “I’ve known everyone for most of my life. My parents are friendly to everyone so once you’re invited to a birthday party, you’re in with the Hawkins family.”

Taking a sip from his glass, he looks up at the stars. “I’ve never met my mother’s side of the family and my father’s brother was the only uncle I’ve ever known. But then he disappeared, and it was just us four and way too many of my father’s business associates that I couldn’t keep straight even if I tried.”

I lower his chin and turn his head so he’s facing me. “You have us now, baby. This may not be a birthday party, but I think Christmas proved you’re a part of our family.” I cradle his cheek as he nuzzles my palm.

He kisses it as we hear shouting from the back porch.

“Thirty seconds!”

I scoot closer so our hips are touching and wrap my arm around his waist as he looks at me.

We stare into each other’s eyes as the countdown starts.

“Ten…Nine…Eight…Seven…Six…”

“I love you, Charlie”

“Five…four…”

“I love you, Shane.”

“Three…Two…One! Happy New Year!”

We lean in at the same time, sealing our lips together. Fireworks light up the sky as I bring in the new year with my beautiful man.

“Happy New Year, baby.”

“I don’t remember it being this cold when we left.”

Charlie pulls his hood over his head and leans into my side as we make our way to my truck.

I pull him closer. “I’m pretty sure it’s only a few degrees cooler,” I chuckle. “It’s all that Florida sun. It makes this shitty cold feel like Antarctica.”

He doesn’t say anything as I toss our bags in the backseat, and we climb in. I turn the heat to full blast and make sure the vents are facing his shivering body.

Holding his shaking hands up to the vents, he turns his head and looks at me with a soft smile.

“I really enjoyed the last two weeks with you and your family. I can’t remember the last time I felt so loved and cared for. Especially by people I just met. Thank you for inviting me.”

Leaning over the center console, I bring my face within inches of his. “You never have to spend another holiday alone, baby. My family adores you and I would be disowned if I never brought you back.” I stroke his rosy cheek with my thumb. “You have my whole heart, beautiful. Always remember that. And if your biological family can’t get their heads out of their ass’s and see how wonderful of a man you are, know that you’ll always have a family waiting for you in Florida.”

He crushes his cold lips to mine, stealing the breath from my lungs. His icy fingers hold the sides of my face as he deepens the kiss, his tongue tangling with mine. When I’m forced to pull away before I pass out, my cock is pushing against the loose fabric of my joggers.

With our foreheads together, we look into each other’s eyes. Golden brown to sky blue.

“I love you, Shane.”

“I love you, too, Charlie.”

We sit like that for a few more minutes, soaking in each other’s love.

We kiss one more time before pulling away. He reaches for my hand as I pull out of the lot and head home.

The guys are lounging in my living room when we get home.

“Hey, it’s the love birds! How was Florida?” Matt asks from the floor where he’s playing a card game with Asher.

“There’s stuff in the fridge for tacos if you guys are hungry,” Ryder says without looking up from his phone.

I look over at Charlie and raise my brow in question to which he shakes his head. Dropping our bags off in my room, I lead him to the couch and sit back as we catch up with the guys.

“Florida was great. The weather is a million times better than up here. How was Minnesota?” I ask Ryder when he finally puts his phone down.

“Good. Pops and I flew home together, met up with Kyle at the airport, then spent a few days at home before Mom was able to leave the office, then we headed up to the cabin for the week.”

He stops and I watch as a shit eating grin slowly takes over his face. “You’ll never guess what was waiting for me up there.”

“Well, I doubt your parents would have a cabin full of women for you to endlessly fuck,” I laugh. “What did you get that has your face looking all weird.”

He kicks my shin before leaning forward and shows me his phone where he’s smiling next to a blacked-out Range Rover.

“It’s the new Sport SV Edition with only fifty miles on it! Meaning I’m the first owner!”

“That’s fucking awesome man! Where is it? I didn’t see it in the parking lot.”

He sits back still looking at the car on his phone. “I parked it in the far corner so no one scratches her.”

“He parked like an asshole taking up three fucking spots. You’ll be lucky if it doesn’t get towed,” Matt says from the floor.

“They wouldn’t do that. I live here and pay for a parking spot.”

“Key word being one spot, not three you dumb fuck.”

Ryder whips his head from Matt to me with wide eyes. “They wouldn’t do that, right? I’ve never seen a tow truck. Plus isn’t this private property or something?”

“To be honest, I don’t know,” I shrug. “But if I needed to park and you’ve taken up three spots, I’d be pissed. Might even call a tow…”

He jumps off his chair faster than he flies up the ice and is out the door before I finish my sentence.

We look around at each other before busting up laughing.

“Now why when I told him the same thing, he rolled his eyes, but you say the same thing and he panics,” Matt grumbles.

“Probably because you don’t have a car, so he thinks you didn’t read the section about parking when we moved in.”

“Well, I mean I didn’t but still, I know taking up three spots was a shitty move.”

Charlie chuckles next to me. “I think it’s because you’re the goofball of the group and he thinks he’s the serious one, when he’s far from it.”

“You might be right about that, Charlie,” Matt winks.

Ash waves his hand in front of Matt’s face to get his attention. When he has it, Asher smirks as he lays down four Ace’s to accompany the four Kings and a flush in Diamonds. Matts’ mouth drops open as Ash adds a Queen and Jack to the flush then discards a two. Making his total over one hundred and winning the Gin Rummy game.

“You fucker! That’s three games in a row! You’re cheating somehow, I know it!” He huffs, crossing his arms as he pouts like a baby.

Charlie snickers as he lays down, using my thigh as a pillow. I run my fingers through his soft hair. Ryder comes back and retakes his spot in his chair, complaining about how cold it is. Asher shuffles the cards and deals while Matt hypes himself up, convincing no one that he’s going to win this round.

I smile to myself as I settle into the back of the couch. It’s good to be home with my boys.

“Where are we going?”

Charlie is currently blindfolded as I lead him to one of the basement rooms in the condo. I pulled a few strings and was able to rent it for the day so I could give Charlie something special.

“We’re almost there, baby. Just a few more feet.” His hands are fisted on the sides of my shirt as I come to a stop. “Take the blindfold off in three, two, one.” I open the door as he pulls off the bandana.

He blinks a few times as he slowly steps into the brightly lit space.

“Wow.”

He walks up to the two large canvases on easels and runs his fingers along the table filled with paint in every color under the rainbow.

Looking back to where I’m leaning against the door, he tilts his head for me to come closer. I wrap my arms around him from behind and kiss the side of his neck.

“Are you painting with me?” He points to one of the canvases.

“I’m not about the let you have all the fun.” I step next to him and pick up a paintbrush, dipping it in dark blue paint. “I was thinking we could do one of those couple’s paint date night things.”

“What are we painting? I think it’s supposed to be the same thing then we compare them at the end.”

I look over at the paint again as I scramble to think of something I can actually draw. The truth is, I came up with this idea last minute and was going to let him do his thing while I watched but Lily suggested I paint with him. But I have no idea what I’m doing. He must pick up on my hesitation because when he looks up at me, he’s trying to hold back a laugh.

“You didn’t think that far ahead, did you,” he teases.

“I might have gotten in a little over my head. You pick what we’re painting, and I’ll do my best to out paint you.” I wield my paintbrush like a sword, getting his beautiful laugh in response.

“Since you already have dark blue on your brush, how about we paint a nighttime scene. Something that has the sky in it, but we pick what’s in the rest of the picture.”

“Sounds good to me. May the best painter win!”

He turns on his hard rock playlist then sets a timer for thirty minutes. Once he sets his phone down and hits start, we get to work.

Thirty minutes later his alarm goes off and I think I have more paint on me than I do on the canvas. My hands and forearms are covered along with the tarp under my feet.

“You ready?” he asks from behind his canvas.

“Yup! Prepare to be amazed!” I pick up my canvas and turn it around to show him.

He tilts his head to the left, then right, then left again. “It looks…good. Um…what exactly am I looking at?”

I gasp in fake outrage. “It’s you looking up at the stars! Look. This is your black hair,” I point to a black blob in the lower corner, “And this is your cute nose,” I point to where I think his nose is. “And this is obviously the star-filled sky,” I wave over the dark blue background with what’s supposed to be white stars, but I fucked it up and had to turn it into a swirl type thing.

“Mmhmm. Totally see it now.” His lips twitch as he squeezes his lips closed, making his dimples pop out.

“Hey. It’s not that bad.” It really is. I’ve never been good at drawing and painting makes me a thousand times worse.

He starts snorting trying to hold in his laugh. His eyes glisten and his Adams apple bobs as he finally lets it out.

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” He grabs his stomach, still laughing. “That-that’s the most hideous painting I’ve ever seen.”

I can’t help but laugh with him. “Guess I should’ve mentioned that I can’t paint worth a shit. Let’s see yours Mr. Artist.”

He wipes his eyes, as his laugh dies down. Still smiling, he turns his canvas around and like all his work, I’m floored by its beauty.

“This is what I saw almost every night during the summer when I was a kid.”

It’s a view from the ground looking up into the night sky. The tops of trees line the edges. It’s like I’m lying on the ground in a clearing in a forest.

“How the hell did you do this in just thirty minutes? It feels so…real. I’m always amazed at how talented you are, baby.”

His cheeks flush at my compliment. “Thanks.”

Setting his canvas back on the easel, he walks over to where I’m still holding mine.

“I think you needed to ease up on the black and dark blue. It became a little muddled right here,” he points to a spot that’s all black with a dark blue dot in the middle. “Maybe if I take some away.” He runs his fingers through the thick layer of paint, spreading it out.

The next thing I know, his dark fingers are coming for my face. I duck at the last second and slap my hand on the canvas before tossing it to the side. Holding my hand up for him to see the paint, I wiggle my fingers.

“Two can play at this game baby.”

He smirks then grabs the closest bowl of paint and tosses it at me. My chin and shirt get covered in bright pink.

“Pink looks good on you,” he laughs.

“So that’s how we’re going to do this, huh?” I wipe my chin.

He picks up another bowl. “Yup!” He sprays me with brown before I can stop him. He grabs another bowl before taking off to the other side of the table.

“You’re going to pay for that.” I grab the bright orange and the dark blue. “How good do you think my throwing arm is?” I ask as I scoop up some of each color with my right hand.

His eyes go wide as he splashes me with yellow then spins and runs. There’s not much room to run and I laugh as I watch him run from wall to wall, trying to get away. When he stops, we’re facing each other about ten feet apart.

He’s panting, looking at the paint in my hand.

“If you can dodge a wrench, can you dodge a ball?”

“Wha-”

I use his confusion to my advantage and nail him right in the center of his chest. An explosion of blue and orange drips down his gray Bad Omens shirt.

“That wasn’t fair,” he huffs. “I have no idea what that even meant and why the hell would I need to dodge a wrench?”

“Oh, my sweet summer child, you have much to learn outside of those fantasy movies.” I quickly scoop up paint from the closest bowl and throw it at him. He sees it coming but turns too late, getting hit on the side of his head with green paint.

He’s out of ammo and has no choice but to come towards me for more.

So I do what any loving boyfriend would do.

I throw paint at him until he looks like a unicorn threw up on him.

I managed to only get a little on his face so when he walks up to me laughing like crazy, I fix it by adding a light blue streak down his nose.

“You win. Now kiss me.” He uses my neck to pull himself up my body.

I growl as I grab his ass cheeks in each hand and lift him up as our kiss becomes heated. Teeth clank together, lips are pulled, tongues battle. He grinds his dick into my lower stomach, releasing a mewl into my mouth.

I walk us over to the wall and use it to hold him up as I rip our shirts off. He hungrily attacks my mouth again as his hips start to rock. Grabbing his ass, I lower him until his hard length is against mine and pull him closer. We moan in unison at the toe-curling friction.

“Too…many…layers,” he pants between kisses.

“I’ve got you.”

Turning around, I walk back over to the table and swipe my hand across it, knocking the rest of the paint to the floor. Laying him down, I quickly rid him of his pants and boxer briefs. His dick stands up, leaking like a sieve.

“Off,” he tugs on my pants.

I pull my joggers and boxer briefs off in one go. He licks his lips as he eyes my throbbing cock. I give it a few tugs, enjoying the hell out of having his eyes on me. Deciding his skin is way too clean, I use the paint from his hair and smear it across his pale chest.

He smiles up at me before doing the same.

“You’re so fucking sexy.” He traces my abs and Adonis belt, leaving a trail of multicolored paint. He points to my head. “Your hat is covered in paint.”

I go to take it off, but he stops me with a hand on my arm.

“Leave it. It’s sexy as hell when that’s all you’re wearing.” He licks his lips as his eyes travel down to my aching dick.

Leaning over him, I kiss a trail down his chest, around the paint, until I get to his cock that’s so hard it twitches with each of his heartbeats. Looking up at his heavy-lidded eyes, I slowly place kisses down his length, eliciting the sexiest moan. I give his balls a few sucks before dropping down to his fluttering pink hole.

I lick a hot stripe from the top of his crack, over his hole, to his balls, then back again.

“Please,” he begs just above a whisper.

Pulling his cheeks apart, I look up at him. “Stroke yourself but don’t cum.”

He reaches for his shaft and holds it in his hand, waiting for me. I dribble spit down his crack before giving him the best rim job of his life. He’s a whining, withering mess in minutes.

“I’m going to come. Oh fuck. Shane.”

I quickly move from his ass to his dick a second before he starts shooting off. I drink him down until nothing else comes out. I pull off his still hard length and place a kiss on the head, causing him to have a full body shiver.

Chuckling, I move up his body.

“Ready for round two?” I hold up the lube packet I grabbed from my pocket.

Nodding, he grabs the lube and rips it open. Pouring some onto his palm, he hands it back.

“Get me ready while I get you ready.”

“Fuck yes,” I breathe out.

Squirting the remaining lube onto my fingers, I stand next to his torso and work it into him as he strokes me. My eyes roll to the back of my head as he tightens his fist and adds a twist around the crown.

“That,” I moan, “that feels so good. I need to be inside you when I come.”

He gives my balls a gentle tug before dropping his hand.

Going back between his legs, he holds his legs back as I slowly push into his tight, hot hole. When my balls meet his ass, I hold onto his hips, pulling him as close as possible. He makes circles with his hips, driving me crazy.

Pulling all the way out, I watch his hole gape open, waiting for me. So I slam back in, causing the table to move under him. A long moan escapes him as I slam into him over and over.

“So c-close.”

“Not yet, baby.”

“Shane,” he whines when I pull out.

Pulling him up to a sitting position, I pick him up. His arms and legs wrap around me as I go back to the wall. I loosen my grip until my dick finds his hole. He opens for me, allowing me to slide back in. I angle his hips so just his shoulder blades are touching the wall. He grips my shoulders as I slowly rock in and out. I adjust his hips again and this time when I pump in, his eyes roll back and he starts panting out nonsense.

Bingo! I hit his prostate on every upstroke until he tenses.

“Oh fuck, fuck. Nuugghh, Shane.” He unloads between us, mixing with the paint on his chest.

His hole spasms around me, tightening its hold. I pump my hips two more times before I push in as far as I can while coating his insides with my cum.

“Shhhiiittt. Auughh…fuck.”

I lean my weight against him to hold us up. Both of us panting loudly.

“Fuck, I love you.” I kiss the side of his sweaty head.

“Same. You. Too,” he says sleepily into my neck.

After we take turns cleaning each other off in the shower, then putting the room back in order, I toss my catastrophe and bring his to my room.

We land in a heap on my bed, Charlie finds his spot next to me. He curls into my side, face against my neck with his arm across my chest. Letting out a contented sigh, he places a light kiss on my neck before nuzzling me.

I run my fingers along the nobs of his spine, not sure how he’s going to take what I say next.

“How would you feel about going to the New Year slash back to school party with me tonight? It’s one of the only parties I actually look forward to going to. It’s at the Delta Iota Kappa house. They have the largest backyard equipped with a huge fire pit and the basement is only for upperclassmen so it’s not as wild as the rest of the house.”

He doesn’t say anything for a few beats then lets out a snort.

“DIK? Whose bright idea was it to put those three Greek letters together for a frat house?”

“I have no idea, but they clearly weren’t thinking like college guys. Or maybe they were and got a kick out of it.” I lightly laugh. “So, will you come with me? The guys will be there, and I know for a fact Lily will make her grand entrance wearing something that’ll have all the guys, and a few girls, eyeing her. It’ll be a fun way to end the break before classes and practice take over.”

He sits up on his elbow, looking down at me biting his lip. I gently pull it free then tuck the hair that’s fallen in his face behind his ear.

“I know you wouldn’t let me out of your sight, but I think I want to clear out my townhouse and turn in my key. There’s no reason for me to take up that space if I’m spending all my time here. I know there’s a waitlist to get in so maybe I can make someone’s new year by handing over my keys.”

I can’t stop myself from pulling him down and kissing him.

“You have no idea how happy that makes me. To have you here all day every day, all to myself.”

“Technically I still have to go to class and Ryder lives here so not all day or all to yourself.” He gives me a challenging look.

“Okay, smartass.” I pinch his side. “Knowing this is your home now makes me more than happy.”

He smirks down at me, his left dimple creasing his cheek. I reach up and poke it. “I can skip the party and help you pack. There’ll be another one at the end of the school year and if I don’t get picked up by an NHL team, I can always go to the one next year.”

He shakes his head before I finish. “I can do it. There’s not that much. I have to pack up the few clothes I left, empty the bathroom, and grab whatever’s left in my art room. Oh, and make sure nothing is molding in the refrigerator or cabinets.”

“You sure? I don’t mind missing the party. I’d rather help you. What if there’s too much and it doesn’t fit in your car? We can take my truck and make it in one trip. I bet I can get help from the guys too. We can clear it out then go catch a movie and grab dinner. I know Asher wouldn’t mind coming, Matt and Ryder might need a little persu-”

“Shane, stop.” He cuts me off, holding his finger to my lips. “I can do it. You aren’t missing this party because of me.”

I try to say it’s not, but he stops me again.

“Nope. I don’t want to hear it. My car has plenty of room for all three boxes I probably won’t even fill.” Moving his finger from my lips to the scar on my left brow, he traces it while looking into my eyes. “Please go have fun tonight. If I end up needing help, I promise to call you. You have nothing to worry about. I’ll be waiting for you right here when you get home.”

His golden eyes shine down at me, his soft grin reassuring me that he’ll be fine. I’m not sure if he’d even enjoy himself being around so many people and I know being alone is comforting to him.

I nod. “Okay.”

A few hours later we’re standing outside next to our cars.

“You never told me where this car came from.” I tap the top of his Mustang.

He shrugs. “I keep it in a parking garage while I’m at school. I never needed it until…”

Until his dad beat the shit out of him.

I hug him to me and kiss the top of his head. “Well, it’s a cool as hell car and I’m glad you have it.”

He pushes on my chest gently but stays in my arms. “Go be all sociable and shit.” He lifts on his toes for a kiss.

After a quick kiss, I open his door for him, watching him climb in and start the engine. It purrs as it comes to life.

“That’s such a sick sound,” I lower my head. “Call if you need anything. If I don’t pick up, try one of those idiots,” I thumb over my shoulder where the guys are waiting for me in my truck.

He smiles. “I will. Remember to have fun tonight. I already told Ryder to make sure you have at least one drink.”

I lean in for another kiss. “I love you. I’ll see you later, beautiful.”

“I love you, too.”