The Rules of Gift Giving by Parker St John

Author:Parker St John [John, Parker St]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

10

Lucas

The lights on the tarmac blinked like a holiday garland.

Lucas stared through the rain-spattered window at the falling darkness.

He’d never traveled outside the state before, and he’d never imagined he’d be so happy to see it again.

Elliot’s family had been more welcoming than expected, given Elliot’s tumultuous history with them, and witnessing a big, old-fashioned family Christmas had been a hoot. But Portland was home. He was glad to be back.

It was the day after Christmas, and they’d said their goodbyes to Elliot’s family early in the morning before making their way back across the country.

Elliot’s mother had kissed his cheek and thanked him for being there for her son, and Lucas had been forced to look away before he got emotional.

Elliot’s father was still weary and small-looking, but his color was good, and he’d regained a bit more strength every day. Lucas had no doubt he’d make a decent recovery, if only because he shared Elliot’s stubbornness. He’d wrangled a promise from them both to come back later in the year to help celebrate his seventieth birthday.

Mark had driven them to the airport, and he’d stopped in the loading zone long enough to reach out and grab his brother in a fierce hug.

Lucas still thought the guy was an asshole, but he was willing to keep his mouth shut if it made Elliot happy.

“Take care of him,” Mark had gruffly ordered him when they’d shaken hands.

“Always,” Lucas had promised.

It was the truth. Their relationship might be young, but it was the real deal. Of that, Lucas was positive. They’d already been through so much and come out the other side stronger for it. They were going to spend the rest of their lives together.

Despite the family drama, this had been the best Christmas of Lucas’s life, and he knew it was only the beginning. He was determined to make every Christmas better than the last.

Hell, maybe next year, he could invite his sister and niece up to spend the holiday with them. He wondered if Trish still collected those little crystal figurines they sold at truck stops.

The thought of gifts reminded him of his plan, and he checked his texts.

All set, a message from Julio read.

Nerves thrummed in his stomach.

“Hey.” He shrugged his shoulder, jostling a sleeping Elliot, who had been using him as a pillow for the past hour. “We’re home.”

“Hmm?” Elliot’s jaw cracked wide on a yawn. He rubbed one eye. “What time is it?”

“Only six. You want to grab a bite to eat before we head home?”

“I guess. It feels like it’s midnight,” Elliot groaned, standing and cracking his lower back. “Thank God, neither of us has to work until Monday.”

They picked up Elliot’s beat-up Prius, and Lucas drove them into the city.

Elliot tossed out the names of a few places to eat that might be open, growing increasingly annoyed when Lucas ignored every suggestion.

It was worth it when he pulled into the crowded parking lot of a little steakhouse by the river and watched Elliot’s eyes widen.

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