lessons’, remember?”
“Yeah. Well… I sorta had a plan for tonight, but this…” Robin’s eyes sparkled. “This is great.”
Dean couldn’t help himself. He leaned over and kissed Robin on the lips, his hand on Robin’s neck, the kiss as soft as a whisper. “I am so glad you’re here.”
“Me too. But you know what we really need right now?”
Dean couldn’t wait to hear. “What?”
Robin’s smile was adorable. “Christmas songs.”
“Oh, I think we can arrange that.”
“In that case…” Robin grinned. “Farm boy… put on that music.”
Dean’s heart did a happy dance. “As you wish.”
Chapter Seventeen
“So where is everyone?”
Robin smiled to himself. Ryan’s home for the holidays. “I’m in here,” he called out. Moments later, Ryan flung open his bedroom door, dropped his bags on the floor, and flopped onto Robin’s bed beside him, still in his thick jacket.
“Hey bro. Where are the olds?” Ryan grinned. “Why can’t I smell dinner cooking? I’m starving.”
“Dad complained that either the washing machine or the drier was eating his socks and underwear, and then Mom said it was about time he bought new ones. So they’ve gone shopping. And you can’t smell dinner because we’re eating out tonight. Dad’s taking us because you’re home. Like it’s a special event,” Robin teased.
His humor went right over Ryan’s head. “Cool. Where are we going?”
Robin rolled his eyes. “Duh. Which place do we always go to when it’s your choice?”
Ryan’s eyes gleamed. “Yay. Little Thai Kitchen. I’m drooling already.”
Robin glanced at his bags. “Those look heavy. You already done your Christmas shopping?”
A derisive snort gave him his answer. “They’re stuffed full of laundry. I thought why bother doing it before I come home, when Mom will do it for me?”
Robin chuckled. “Ah, but you’ve been out in the world for three months. Maybe she kind of assumes you can do your own laundry.”
Ryan gaped. “Really? Fuck.” Then he grinned. “Seeing as they’re not around right now… give me all the details.”
“What details?” As if Robin didn’t know.
Ryan lay on his back, his arms folded under his head. “You and Mr. Q. So… did you do a little lap dance for him last night?”
“If you must know… we made Christmas cards.” Robin had really enjoyed himself. By the end of the evening, they’d made twenty cards, and he’d loved every minute. Working together, the strains of Christmas songs in the background, and Loki jumping up onto the table to lend a helping paw…
A perfect night.
Ryan burst out laughing. “Yeah, right. I’m weak.” Robin gazed steadily at him, and the laughter came to an abrupt halt. “Bro… Seriously? Tell me he at least fucked you before or after the cutesy card-making session.”
Robin didn’t break eye contact. “We didn’t fuck,” he said simply. “Not last night.”
Ryan sat up. “Okay, we need to talk.”
Robin was not about to be interrogated. “Yes, we do, so start talking.”
“Huh?”
Robin folded his arms. “Don’t try to weasel your way out of this. We need to discuss this whole ‘I fuck guys but I’m not gay’ thing. So you’re bi now?”
“Er, no. I’m straight. And it looks to me like you’re the one doing the weaseling around here. Because from where I’m sitting, this is way more than you getting laid.” Ryan locked gazes with him. “Tell me I’ve got it all wrong. Tell me you’re not falling for the guy.”
Fuck. Robin’s throat seized up.
Ryan nodded slowly. “Yeah. It’s like I figured.” He let out a groan. “Dude, he’s not your boyfriend, okay? He’s only—”
“Only what?” Robin could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears, and his stomach tightened. “What do you know about this? Absolutely nothing.”
Ryan widened his eyes. “Whoa. I think I touched a nerve.” He took a breath. “This is serious, isn’t it?”
“It is for me,” Robin croaked out.
“Yeah, but what about Mr. Q?”
“His name’s Dean, okay?” Robin blurted, his mouth dry.
Ryan held up his hands. “Okay, okay. Then what about Dean? Does he feel the same way? Is it more than just sex for him too?”
“How should I know? It’s not exactly something I can come right out and ask him. ‘Hey, Dean? I think I’m falling in love with you. Are you falling in love with me too?’” Jesus, it was so much simpler back in grade school, when girls used to pass him notes in class.
Do you like me? Circle yes or no.
God, this was such a mess. Admitting how he felt was like peeling off a bandage. He didn’t want to see what lay under it, but he knew he’d have