Page 38

Devon and Cal have been acting strange for the past two days. They’re up to something and no matter what Rex and I have tried to do they ain’t spilling. Hell, I even tried flirting with Rex right in front of Devon and while the kid looked like he was about to behead me with a butterknife . . . nada.

Same for Cal.

Tight-lipped.

We tried to stalk them, but fuck if Devon ain’t slick. Circled back around and caught us.

He would’ve been a natural in the military.

This morning, Rex and I decided to go hunting, to see if we can find another deer. Between the four of us we need to stock up in case the snow gets bad. And with my shoulder, I can't be carrying shit myself.

Boys seemed a bit too happy, but they promised they wouldn’t do anything that’d upset us.

Well . . . they wouldn’t be doing sex stuff is what Devon said.

“Worried what we’re walking into.”

Rex drags a deer carcass along.

“Me too.”

I shake my head. “We said we wanted them to bond but I wasn’t expecting them to take to it so well.”

He smiles a big, full-on megawatt grin. “It’s nice though, like our own weird-ass family.”

I gotta agree with him there. Miss the camaraderie. Even in the military I was always with my teammates. Having more than just me and Cal feels like a sense of normal returning.

Deadass tired, we drop the two deer in the root cellar, then head inside and . . . “Holy fuckin’ shit.”

The damn house exploded.

Into Christmas.

Tacky decorations are on the counter and table along with Santa kitchen towels. We walk into the living room that now has fucking candy cane pillows on the couch because why not?

Ceramic reindeer are on the coffee table, and garland is everywhere, as are snowflakes and inflatables . . . inside the damn house. And of course there’s a fake wreath on the inside of the front door.

Rex busts out laughing. “It’s like the Christmas store’s ass exploded all over the house.”

“It’s ugly as sin. One thing’s for sure, neither of those fuckheads would’ve been interior decorators.”

“I want to know how they inflated the damn Snoopy.”

Voices come from outside, and I peek out the window. “Fuck me sideways.”

“What?”

“They cut down a tree.”

I laugh so hard, I cough. Never expected this is what they’d be up to, nor did I think I’d see them struggle to drag the Eastern Hemlock. “Let’s go take care of the deer, pretend we didn’t see this.”

We sneak out the back door and cut what we can from the carcasses. After we’re done, we head back in, not caring if the two knuckleheads are done with their surprise. Of course, they’re arguing ‘bout something.

“What the hell happened to my house?”

I feign surprise, and Rex does his damnedest to act shocked. Luckily, we have a reprieve since the boys are in the other room.

Making our way into the living room, we lose it at the lopsided tree about to fall right out of the stand.

“Told you it wasn’t straight.”

Cal punches Devon in the shoulder, who just sniggers and plops down on the couch.

“You made me cut the thing, not my fault I’m seeing funny.”

He yawns, and while he does so dramatically, he can’t fool me. Grew up playing that game with my mom to get out of shit I didn’t want to do.

Cal rolls his eyes and throws his hands up. “Get over it. I told you to wear gloves so you wouldn’t get blisters. But you don’t want to listen.”

Rex groans and sits next to Devon, inspecting his hands. I walk over and help Cal fix the tree. “Wasn’t expecting this, but . . . I’m glad you two did it.”

Cal smiles wide, his cheeks turning red. I’d seen him in the past decorate his house a little when he was alone. Broke my heart a little.

Wonder if his family used to go all out like this? And if it makes him happy . . . I don’t care if my damn house turns into Christmas vomit, I’ll help set it up like this every year.

But the two shoot each other a look, and I get the feeling whatever they planned isn’t done.

Devon gets up first, followed by Cal, and they disappear upstairs, returning a moment later with goddamn gifts.

Rex looks at me, his face as void of blood as mine feels. Yeah, can’t remember the last time we celebrated a real Christmas. Most of the time we were deployed so forget the decorations and gifts, we were just lucky to be alive.

But seeing them carry—and drop—boxes that are wrapped feels weird. And it also makes me feel like shit because neither of us got them anything. Well, scavenged anything for them.

Rex leans closer. “What the fuck did they wrap?”

“Not sure I want to know.”

“Is it even Christmas?”

I shrug. “No fuckin’ clue. Think we can convince them it’s still early, so we don’t look like a bag of dicks.”

“They found a way to punish us.”

Rex slumps lower. “He’s going to make me die early. I’m telling you.”

“Blah, blah, and fucking blah, old man.”

Devon drops three boxes by the tree that are wrapped in what looks like chart paper.

Cal places his boxes nicely, then comes to sit on my lap. “It’s the first time I have someone to celebrate with other than myself in four years. Hope it’s okay.”

I pull him closer and kiss him. “It’s fine. We’re only teasing. Give us a few days to find you two something.”

“What are you gonna find that we haven’t already combed through?”

Devon’s brow arches.

Little shit has to ruin everything.

Rex flicks his ear. “Don’t think you know everything, smart ass.”

The rest of the day is spent decorating the tree, and Rex and I come up with the bright—well, not so bright—idea of giving the two their own guns.

Practical gifts.

Maybe even new knives. Have some good ones in the cache.

When Cal and I head to our room to go to bed, he’s fidgety again. I place a hand on his shoulder and turn him to face me. “What’s going on?”

He bites his lower lip, cheeks red as fuck.

“Cal?”

“I heard you say you loved me when you thought I was asleep.”

My eyes widen, heartbeat picking up speed. “Does that make you uncomfortable?”

His gaze shoots to mine. “What . . . no. I love you too. Very much.”

A weight, like a fucking mountain, leaves me. Didn’t think hearing him say it would impact me so damn much, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.

But his cheeks are still flaming, his gaze down, so I tilt his chin up until his eyes are on mine. “Why are you nervous?”

He looks everywhere but at me, then steps back, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Did something happen . . . between you and Devon?”

He shakes his head but isn’t speaking.

“Cal—”

“I got you a gift, and now I feel weird. And I want to give it to you, but I’m scared.”

“Oh.”

He’s just full of surprises today. “You got me curious, Little Fawn.”

Now it’s not just his face that’s red but his neck too, and he’s pacing as if his life depends on it. I should be comforting him but damn . . . I wanna know what this gift is that’s got him so worked up.

Cal walks to the bed, then reaches behind his pillow, pulling out a small gift with actual Christmas wrapping. My heart skips a beat at how neat it is, his effort clearly shown. He offers it to me, hands shaking.

“Cal, I’m sure I’ll love it.”

But that makes him whine and his brows pinch.

Enough of this. I grab the gift, remove the paper, and it’s a small box. I lift the lid where . . . Fucking hell. I’m done. Dead. He killed me.

Inside are two rings.

“One’s my dad’s, and I found another that looks similar. You said I’m yours and you loved me. And my parents used to wear rings because they were family and belonged to one another. So I thought—”

I lunge at him, slamming my mouth onto his. Never in a million fucking years has anything made me so damn happy. Like explosively happy. “God, I love you, Little Fawn. This is the second best gift ever.”

His face falls a bit. “What’s the first?”

“You.”

He laughs softly, his eyes shining bright. “I love you too.”

“Devon, get the fuck back here!”

Rex’s voice cuts through our moment.

Cal presses his lips tight together, but his entire body shakes as he tries to keep himself from laughing until he can’t hold it in anymore. When he’s able to talk, he says, “Devon found a ring he wanted to give Rex. But he also found a dildo.”

It sounds like a damn stampede in the house, complete with yelling and doors slamming —makes me wonder which item got such a reaction, and I chuckle imagining my friend’s face when presented with either of them.

Cal snuggles into me and wraps his arm around my waist. “You’re the first best thing that’s happened to me. And they’re the second. I finally have a family again.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Thank you for reading.