Page 55 of The Virgin
Taylor choked on his breakfast, and their dad reached over to slap him on the back. “You okay, kid?”
Taylor nodded. “Colby, you’re such a romantic. How do you stand yourself? Anyway, I think they make a nice couple.”
Taylor looked around. “There’s no fucking coffee to toast with.”
“We’ll have everyone over for a barbeque this weekend and we’ll toast then. How about that, Tay?” Their dad’s suggestion seemed to please Taylor, who started to chatter on about what he’d cook to celebrate the happy couple.
It made Jonah warm inside, like maybe his brothers gave a shit after all. That feeling stayed with him even after breakfast was over and they were getting back into Spencer’s truck.
Jonah climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up. He let out a deep breath and looked at Spencer. “Next time I want to be the center of attention, remind me how fucking exhausting it is.”
Spencer leaned across the seat and stole a kiss. “You liked it.”
Jonah shrugged. “It was okay. Mostly I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the day alone with you.” Jonah reached over and put his hand on Spencer’s thigh while he drove. He let his head rest against the seat as he looked out the window, closing his eyes as the sun washed over his face, bright and warm.
CHAPTER 28
SPENCER
“What didyou want to show me?” Jonah’s hand was linked in his. Their fingers were threaded together, and Spencer had tugged him out of the truck.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Now be a good boyfriend and close your eyes.”
Jonah sighed but did as he was told. Spencer led the way to the back yard, going slow so Jonah wouldn’t stumble or trip. They’d made their relationship official a month ago, and Spencer had wanted to do something special for Jonah. And that’s where the pop can tabs and a few classes full of eager students came in.
“Almost there.” Spencer led Jonah around the back of the house. “Wait here, but no peeking. You promise?”
“Pinky promise.” Jonah grinned from ear to ear, but he his eyes remained shut. Spencer had kept Jonah away from the house for the whole weekend, sacrificing their alone time to put together the surprise for him.
Spencer flicked on the string of lights. He wasn’t going to bother with them, but the kids in his classes insisted that he needed the proper aesthetic. In the end he’d caved, but he couldn’t say that he regretted it. The final result was stunning, if he did say so himself.
“Okay.” Spencer took a deep breath. “You can open your eyes.”
Jonah cracked one eye, then they both flew wide open and he gazed around. “Spencer… What the…”
Jonah turned in a circle and took in the scenery. “What are all these? And… Oh, my God! You finished the bear.” Jonah didn’t know where to look first. Spencer had decided to keep his bear sculpture, but he wanted to do something special with it. And that’s when he hatched the plan to get the students involved. It took a few weeks, but eventually Spencer had a bunch of flowers fashioned from garden stakes and pop tabs. They’d even spray painted them and the result was impressive.
“The kids in my classes helped with the flowers. They were very happy to be included in our one-month anniversary celebration.”
Jonah slowly made his way over to Spencer, stopping to look at all the different flowers the students had managed to create. Daffodils and lilies. Forget-me-nots and roses. “I can’t believe you did all this for a one-month anniversary.”
“You’re worth it.”
Jonah closed the distance and put his hands on Spencer’s chest. “Setting the bar awfully high, aren’t you?” Jonah rose up on his toes and brushed a kiss against Spencer’s lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Here’s to the first of many, many, many, many months.”
“How many?”
“As many as you’ll give me.”
Jonah hummed his approval. “This is seriously cool, though. And the lights are a nice touch.”
Spencer swept Jonah closer to him and vowed never to admit the lights weren’t his idea. “Are you disappointed that I didn’t make you a chandelier out of the pop tabs?”
Jonah snorted. “God, no. The flowers are stunning. I love flowers, but I don’t have the green thumb Taylor does. Oh, speaking of. He got Colby.”
Spencer laughed. Taylor had been slowly breaking into everyone’s houses and leaving tiny orange or avocado trees that he’d started from produce seeds. He’d already gotten the diner and his dad. Eventually he’d probably get Jonah, or even Spencer, but for now he seemed to have his sights set on tormenting Colby.
