Page 12 of Christmas for Keeps

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It was morefun playingMario Kartwith Zach than I could’ve imagined. We teased each other the way we used to, and it wasn’t long before I was under his spell. I wondered if I had ever escaped from it in the first place. There was a time when my future felt inseparable from his. Had I ever really let go of that connection?

Zach and I met during my freshman year of college. He was a year ahead, a closeted frat bro trapped in a houseful of conservative bigots. We became friends with benefits, but we liked each other too much for that to stand. Not long into our relationship, he came out and quit the frat. Soon, we fell in love.

The following years were a beautiful dream. Zach changed my life forever, but we came to a crossroads when he graduated. Since I had another year to go, he stayed in town, working in an art store and studying painting with his teacher from undergrad. He was accepted into graduate school at Columbia, and we planned to move to New York City together. It was—

“Watch it, watch it!” Zach’s car crashed into mine, sending me into a wild spin, and he cackled like a madman.

“Bastard! I can’t believe you did that.”

“Turnabout is fair play. You ran into me earlier today.”

The wine had untangled our physical and emotional knots, and Zach paused the game so we could talk. Four years is a long time to catch up on, but we joked and laughed as if we’d never been apart. Sitting side by side on his cushy leather sofa, I toyed with a button on his shirt while we gazed into each other’s eyes. “I’m glad you found this wonderful life,” I said. “You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever known.”

He leaned toward me, and—damn!—we were about to kiss. I considered pulling away, but one wouldn’t hurt, would it? One little kiss, for old times’ sake? I moved my hand to his arm and puckered my lips, ready for—

Someone started banging on the front door, making us jump.

“Fuck!” Zach slumped against the back of the sofa, panting and looking like he wanted to scream.

I couldn’t believe anyone was outside in all that snow. And it was still coming down hard. “Is someone lost?”

Shaking his head, groaned. “I think I know who it is.”

We got up, and while Zach walked toward the front hall, I returned to the dining area to look at his paintings in there.

The wind roared outside when the door opened, and Zach said, “Emory. I’m surprised to see you.”

“Wanted to check and be sure you’re okay.” The voice was rough and deep. “I saw you leave this morning. Have any trouble out there?”

“Not really. Just took a while to get home.” Zach’s voice was tight. “Come in, you’re letting all the heat out.”

“Glad you made it back. I can’t remember the last time there was so much snow in these parts.”

“Yeah, well, I’m fine. What are you doing out? I’d expect you to be home trying to stay warm.”

“Thought you might like some company on such a chilly night.”

Footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor, and I was shocked to realize the visitor hadn’t removed his shoes. A stranger came into sight with Zach right behind him, and I returned to the great room. The new arrival was a lumberjack type, or as my friend Kenny would call him, a grade-A daddy. Probably around forty, he had a scraggly black beard and was wearing a black and red plaid coat, along with a black trapper hat. He pinned me in an unfriendly stare. “Zach, I didn’t realize you had company.”

“This is Connor. Connor, meet Emory. He lives about a mile down the main road.”

“Good to meet you—Connor, is it?” Emory made no move to walk over to shake hands, and unsure of what was happening, I remained in place too.Is he Zach’s friend with benefits or something?He didn’t look like Zach’s type, but what did I really know about Zach anymore?

Zach hurried over beside me. “Connor and I have known each other since college. He’s um…” Zach glanced at me, a pleading look on his face. “Con is my boyfriend.” After that startling announcement, he kissed me on the cheek; then, without warning, he kissed my lips. It was no mere peck, but a real, full-fledged lip-lock, and if I hadn’t been so confused, I might have fainted because it felt so good. God, I haven’t had a kiss like that since—well, fuck!—since we drifted apart.

Emory’s bulging eyes suggested he was as surprised as I was, and his voice dripped with skepticism. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. I’ve never seen him around before.”

“Con lives in Boston. He stays busy, so I go there to see him. You know, my trips?”

“You told me those were to find scenes to paint. To get inspired.”

“Con inspires me.” He kissed me again, quicker this time, and I didn’t know whether to protest or beg him to do it again. “Don’t you, babe?” he asked, smiling. “You’re my inspiration.”

“Yes, sweetie. That’s what you always say.” To lend credibility to Zach’s bald-faced lie—andonlyto lend credibility—Ikissedhim. Mine lasted even longer than his first one had, and I finished by nipping his nose.

Emory looked like he couldn’t decide whether to laugh or kick our asses. Very confused, I leaned against Zach, and except for putting a hand on my back, he didn’t move.

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