Merry Cherry Christmas - Keira Andrews Page 0,51

answering the question. “I have to go into Barrie tomorrow for Christmas shopping. I can drop you off and pick you up or whatever.” He shifted from foot to foot as he stirred, Jeremy’s quiet gaze prickling his skin.

“Is that… You want me to?”

Max focused on a cheery tone. “Up to you, obviously.”

Jeremy was quiet for a few beats. “I guess I should?”

“Sure, why not?” Max’s brain had a bunch of loud suggestions as to why not, and he brutally smothered them. “There’s a cool games cafe in Barrie. Tell him to meet you there around eleven.”

And if he can’t make it, oh well!

“Okay.” Jeremy didn’t sound too thrilled but tapped his phone and waited.

“And don’t feel bad if he says no. He might be busy, or maybe just wants a hookup and not a date, or—”

“He just said yes.” Jeremy gaped at the screen. “I guess I’m doing this.”

“If you want to.” Say you don’t want to.

“Well, I can’t cancel now. I’m the one who asked him out.”

“Right.” Because Max had suggested it—because he was a complete fucking idiot.

“I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”

Max’s frustrated confusion dissipated in a swell of affection for Jeremy. “No. Of course not.” Jeremy was right—this guy didn’t deserve to be jerked around. “It’s one morning date. Doesn’t have to be a big deal.”

“Yeah.” Jeremy smiled weakly. “This is the kind of thing people do all the time, right?”

“Totally. You should go and have fun.” He tried very hard to mean it. Jeremy deserved to have these experiences. A good friend and fairy godfather wouldn’t hold him back.

“Are you hooking up while we’re here in Pinevale? Like, with guys in pickup trucks or whatever?”

“No.” Max laughed. “Been there, done that.”

“Oh,” Jeremy whispered, his face going red. “I guess I should too?”

Over my dead body. Gripping the ladle, Max took a calming breath and was honest. “No, I don’t think that’s your speed. And that’s okay. But you were looking at the app for a reason.”

“I told you I was just curious!”

“Exactly. You’re nineteen. You’re living away from home for the first time. Of course you’re curious. It’s okay to be curious. I support your curiosity.”

Jeremy looked dubious. “Thank you.”

Lifting the pot in two hands, Max headed toward the living room, needing this awkward AF conversation to be over. What was done was done. Jeremy was going on a date.

Yay.

He held the pot while Jeremy ladled out seconds for everyone, then returned it to the stove. Back by the tree, he and Jeremy decorated in silence while Dad, Meg, Papy, and Valerie had a spirited debate about the Maple Leafs’ defense or lack thereof.

As he went up on tiptoes to hang a glass snowflake around the side of the tree facing the window, Jeremy whispered to Max, “I’m going to get drunk soon.” He made this adorable little giggle that said the bourbon might have already gone to his head. His smile faded. “I can’t believe I’m going on a date with someone I’ve never met.” He bit his lip. “But you think I should, right?”

“Absolutely.” Max clinked their mugs together, forcing a smile. He tried very hard not to think about how he’d just pushed Jeremy into a date with another guy, and he definitely didn’t think about how if they kissed now, it would taste just like Christmas.

Chapter Nine

In the cafe’s vestibule, Jeremy hid next to a massive, fake potted plant, waiting for his glasses to de-fog.

Well, he wasn’t hiding. He was gathering his courage. To go on a date with a complete stranger. He glanced back through the glass door, spotting Max’s truck turning onto the main road. It was wild to think that Max had been a complete stranger only a week ago. Maybe this drummer guy would be just as awesome.

So why was Jeremy hoping he wasn’t?

He rolled his eyes mentally. Gee, I wonder why. But Max seemed to want him to go on this date. Or did he? Honestly, Jeremy wasn’t sure. He’d stared at the ceiling half the night replaying the bizarre conversation in the kitchen.

If they were only pausing things between them, why would Max want him to meet up with another guy? Maybe Max was actually done with Jeremy and just hadn’t had the balls to tell him. But why would he invite him home? Was Jeremy that pathetic? He sure hoped not.

He supposed if he was being fair, they’d agreed they were only friends for the next couple of weeks. They were both free