A Holiday Tradition by Chrissy Munder

Author:Chrissy Munder [Munder, Chrissy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay romance
ISBN: 9781644050545
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2018-12-17T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“COME ON,” Paul muttered at the dual computer screens, with deep and personal affront at the turn his paper had taken. Today was not a good day.

Sure, it was a great day in Florida: sunshine, moderate temperatures, and the barest hint of humidity to dampen his back during his morning hobble. But for writing this damn paper? Not a good day at all.

He needed inspiration. Or an interruption. He’d take either. Salvation arrived with a jingle from the sleigh bells hanging on the door, a new addition in the ever-increasing amount of holiday decorations that filled the office.

“Hey,” Paul said when Kevin walked in. He closed the open tabs on the computer without a shred of guilt. “How’s your day going?”

Kevin dropped into one of the guest chairs with a sigh, the ultimate picture of exhaustion. His curls were matted with sweat, his boots caked with dirt, and dark patches ringed the neck and armpits of his T-shirt.

Paul still wanted to slide onto Kevin’s lap, supported on those strong thighs while he soothed the lines of stress off Kevin’s face. The “rode hard and put up wet” vibe definitely worked for him.

“I have no words. How about you? Are you making any progress?”

Paul shook his head, clearing the haze of fantasy from his mind. “Let’s not go there.”

“Oh.” Kevin dropped his gaze, rubbing his thumb over the knuckles of his other hand. Paul leaned forward, intrigued by the unexpected sign of uncertainty. “Is this a bad time to ask for a favor?” Kevin grimaced, as if forcing out the question were a difficult task. Perhaps it was. While always the first to offer help, how often did Kevin request any for himself?

“Hit me,” Paul prompted. He and Kevin had developed an easy friendship. They had lunch at a local diner, shared coffee, conversation, and the latest park gossip in the morning, but after that first lunch where Paul spilled his guts in such an embarrassing manner, they tended not to cross personal boundaries. If Kevin needed a favor, Paul would listen.

“I had a… thing come up.” Kevin pushed the clumps of hair off his forehead, smearing streaks of dirt across his skin.

“A… thing?” Paul tilted his head to the side. What had Kevin so uncharacteristically tongue-tied?

“Yeah, I have to step out for the afternoon and probably this evening.” He glanced at Paul, his brown eyes filled with hopeful pleading. “Can you run bingo tonight?”

“W-what?” Paul’s wild imaginings came to a screeching halt. Well. Crap.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but Charlie is still out with his back, and Erma is in Tampa, waiting on her second grandkid.” Kevin dropped his hands between his spread thighs. “With anyone else, I’ll have to worry about the office and clubhouse getting locked or the twins complaining I’m giving special privileges.”

“Oh.” Paul nibbled his bottom lip. Kevin had a point. Grandpa Louie had introduced him to the Bonassarro Twins on the one and only bingo night he attended. Paul stayed polite, and then immediately told his grandfather “never again.

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