Page 152 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Wyl groaned, then moved his hands to Rod’s ribs, wiggling his fingers and tickling Rod mercilessly.
Rod jerked and wriggled, giggling out loud and begging for mercy. “Stop!” he shouted between gasps of laughter.
They sat down to breakfast, and Wyl reached under the table. “Hey…someone left a box in this chair. You know anything about this?” Wyl asked, handing Rod a nicely wrapped gift box.
“No. I didn’t leave it there.” Rod winked at Wyl. “Doyouknow anything about it?”
Wyl grinned. “I suppose it’s your birthday present.”
Rod cocked an eyebrow. “You suppose?”
Wyl waved his fingers at Rod. “Okay. It’s definitely your birthday present.”
“For me?” he said mockingly. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Well, okay…” Wyl took the gift back.
“Uh-uh…no, you don’t.” Rod grabbed the box, untied the ribbon, and lifted it off the top. Inside, he found a small black-lacquer music box shaped like a grand piano. He took it out and glanced at Wyl.
“Open the piano lid,” Wyl smiled.
Rod opened the lid, and the strains of Stravinsky’sDance of the Firebirdfilled the air.
Rod’s eyes filled. “Oh, babe, music from The Firebird…our first orchestra concert together.”
“It took creative searching to find, but I knew it would mean something to you,” Wyl said.
Rod stood, set the music box on the table, and embraced Wyl from behind. “It means more than you realize. At dinner that night, you asked me to be your friend, remember? You don’t know how good that made me feel.”
Wyl wrapped his arms around Rod’s and leaned against him. “I guess that counts as our first date, although I didn’t realize it then.”
Rod squeezed Wyl, then let go. “I’m glad you finally figured it out.” He sat back down, elbow on the table, chin in his palm, listening to the music.
“There’s more to your birthday present,” Wyl said. “The pool table at the ranch house is gone. In its place is a beautiful new Steinway 7’ grand piano. I know you once played, and figured you would enjoy playing again, for me.”
Rod struggled to push his chair back, and Wyl moved aside so he could stand. He turned to Wyl, trying to say something, but the words would not come. Rod grabbed him and hugged him until he could compose himself. “Wyl,” Rod said hoarsely, “you don’t know how much I want to play again. I gave it up when Patrick and I got together and miss it. I promise I’m better at the piano than the guitar.”
They embraced and rocked each other, savoring the love they shared.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
They caught a late flight back to Texas on Thursday. Back home, the new Steinway caught Rod’s eye, prominently placed where the pool table once stood.
He stroked the fine matte finish, inhaling the aroma of the fine musical instrument. He gazed at Wyl and reached for his hand. “It’s beautiful!” He tugged Wyl into an embrace. “You always know what to do.”
“I want you to be happy,” Wyl grinned.
“I’m happy being with you, Wyl. You’re all I need. The rest of this stuff is icing on the cake.”
“Why don’t you try out the piano. I think I see the light flashing on the answering machine.” Wyl guided Rod to the adjustable stool.
Rod sat down and played a few bars. The rich, full sound of the magnificent instrument flooded the den, a room made for music.
“I need to find my box of music, which I think is in the basement of the house in town. I’m very rusty but am eager to take a few lessons and learn again.”
Wyl gazed at his husband seated at the piano. “I love listening to you play. I also love watching you play. There is something magnificent about a grand piano that makes the music much more enjoyable.”
“I’d love to play for you more, but I’m tired.” Rod winked at his husband. “Let’s go to bed.”
