Trade Deadline - Avon Gale Page 0,56

Even the dogs were snoozing. The moon was high and bright, and now that the speaker was off, the night was silent aside from the sound of the waves and Petey’s soft snores.

Micah laced their fingers together, his back to Daniel’s front and Daniel’s knees tucked behind his. “This was a good idea. Renting the houseboat.”

Daniel leaned down to nuzzle his nape, pressing a kiss to that tender spot. “This is a good idea, too.”

Micah chuckled. “Agreed.” He squeezed Daniel’s hand. “Thanks for letting me be part of this. My friends and I usually do a potluck and white elephant gift exchange. Mostly it’s an excuse for us to get drunk on eggnog and sing carols and find ridiculous gifts for each other. We do an ugliest sweater contest, too. Justice almost always wins.”

Daniel pressed another kiss to the back of Micah’s neck. “Sounds fun.”

“It is. They agreed to delay it this year so I can be there. We’re doing it next week, if you want to come.”

“I’d love to.”

Micah hummed, then continued in a quiet voice, “For a long time after my parents kicked me out, I didn’t celebrate Christmas at all. The holidays just reminded me of what I’d lost, you know? But eventually I realized the people I’d surrounded myself with had become the family of my heart. My true family. It’s not about blood. That’s not what makes a family.”

“I’m so glad you have them.” Daniel gave Micah a squeeze, inhaling the faint coconut scent from his hair. “I’m sorry about what happened with your parents, though. I can’t imagine what that must’ve felt like.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay,” Daniel said fiercely. “They don’t know what they’re missing. You’re one of the best people I know. I mean it. But you know what? Their loss is my gain. Our gain. My family can be yours now, too, if you want. My parents love you. So do the kids, and Tabby. And your friends obviously love you. It’s awesome they’re willing to put their Christmas celebration on hold so you can be there.”

Micah turned his head to look at him. “I do want to be part of your family. But...maybe you shouldn’t be saying that kind of stuff yet. What if... I don’t know. What if it all goes wrong? I don’t know if I can let myself get used to this. I’m too afraid I’ll lose it.”

Daniel released Micah’s hand to cup his chin. “Even if you weren’t my boyfriend, if we weren’t trying this romantic thing out, you’d still be my friend, right? That’s just as important. I’d still consider you my family.”

“Danny...” Micah twisted around so they were face to face. “You don’t know me. It’s been a long time. We’re still learning each other again.”

“I know enough.”

“Danny—”

“Hang on. Let me get your gifts, okay? I want you to open them now.”

Daniel abandoned their warm, cozy spot to dash into the house and grab Micah’s presents from under the tree. He returned to find Micah sitting cross-legged with Petey awake in his lap. As usual, Petey’s tan fur was in complete disarray. He blinked up at Daniel, looking absolutely blissed out as Micah scratched at his floppy ears.

Daniel held out the boxes to Micah. “Here. Open them, please.”

Micah accepted the gifts with a small smile. He didn’t rush to open them but instead unwrapped them with careful precision, finding the spots where the tape held the paper closed and sliding his finger underneath.

The first present was a wind chime for the patio Micah loved so much. It was intricate and exquisitely made, with a stained glass dolphin hanging below the metal tubes. Micah held it aloft and the hollowed rods rang with a clear, pure sound as the wind made them sway together.

“It’s beautiful.” Micah leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Daniel’s mouth. “Thank you.”

Daniel captured his chin and kissed him a couple more times before he took the wind chime to pack it away while Micah opened the second gift.

The contents were pictured right on the front of the box, so as soon as he’d parted the wrapping paper, Micah could see what was inside. A startled, happy laugh burst from his mouth. “Oh man, walkie-talkies. I haven’t had a set since we were kids. I left mine in my room when my parents... Anyway.” He flashed Daniel a cheeky grin. “Just what did you want us to do with these, sir? They’re pretty fancy, but I don’t think our houses are in