Home Is Where the Christmas Trees Are by CJane Elliott

Author:CJane Elliott
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2015-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“I LOVE it. What do you think?” Ed stood next to Dex, contemplating the tree in Dex’s condo, fully trimmed with Alcott family ornaments and lights. It listed a bit to one side, but it was a bona fide Christmas tree.

Dex detected a nice scent coming from Ed as he stood close to him. He had to restrain himself from leaning in and taking a big sniff. “It’s good.”

“Oh wait.” Ed reached into the box and pulled out a smaller cardboard container. “We need the star.” He removed a gold star-shaped object. It looked like two spray-painted flat stars affixed to a green tube. There were chunky shapes stuck to the star surfaces.

“Dude. Is that a toilet paper roll?”

“Um-hm. This is my star I made in preschool. How d’you like the macaroni decorations?”

“It’s… I can’t imagine why your mother doesn’t claim this for her tree.” Dex’s lips tugged into a smile, imagining Mrs. Alcott “ooing” and “ahing” over Eddie’s star.

“She has another one even more hideous that she loves even more.” Ed walked to the tree and reached up to place the star’s tube on the highest vertical branch. “There ya go.” He turned to Dex and made a flourish with his arm. “Ta da!”

“It’s… ah, it’s amazing.” Dex had almost said “adorable,” even though he’d never used that word out loud. But in all seriousness, the tree was adorable and so was Ed Alcott.

Ed Alcott, who was staring at Dex like he couldn’t tear his eyes off him. “You… you’re very attractive,” he said and blushed.

“Thank you.” Dex took Ed’s hand and tangled their fingers, then leaned forward and pressed his lips to Ed’s sweet mouth. He pulled away, enjoying the slightly dazed look on Ed’s handsome face. “Let’s turn out the lights except for the Christmas tree. I used to love that when I was a kid.”

The windows looked out onto darkness, and Dex remembered it was winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. But inside, with Ed and Christmas carols on the stereo and the glow of the lights, everything was warm. Dex felt cozier than he had in a long time. Maybe ever.

He and Ed sat on the couch and watched the lights. Dex wondered why he wasn’t moving faster—as in, jumping Ed’s bones. With his pick-ups and fuck buddies in Portland, it had been right to business after establishing who was doing whom. But with Ed, he felt like talking.

“Tell me about being a music teacher.”

Ed shifted and sighed. “Well, it keeps me busy.”

“Middle school, though. Isn’t that the hardest age to teach?”

“Actually, I like that age group. They’re still figuring out who they are. They’re so gawky.”

“And that’s a good thing?”

Ed nodded. “I like it. They’re not all slick and hostile like they sometimes get in high school. It’s fun to watch them grapple with stuff. Not just music.”

Dex stared at the tree. “I wouldn’t call Rowan gawky, but she’s not happy.”

“She has a good reason. You both do.”

Ed’s quiet words about did him in.

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