Page 23 of Fiendish Ways

Cree set the box on the island. “Well, I kind of ruined your birthday and you never got the gifts I bought you. Plus, we missed Christmas together too, and I bought you gifts then as well. I’ve kept them this whole time, but I’m worried you won’t accept them. The last thing I want is to hurt you by triggering bad memories.”

He always tried so hard. Nebraska couldn’t possibly do anything but adore him. He smiled brighter than he actually felt. Truthfully, Nebraska feared he very well might fall apart at the sight of those packages. “Let’s see them.”

Cree still looked unsure, but he reached inside the box. “I unwrapped everything, hoping that eased your anxiety.” Nebraska appreciated that. Cree pulled out a stuffed white dog with a leash in its mouth. “First, I got you the electronic dog you said you begged Santa for and didn’t get.”

“Oh my God.” Nebraska took the dog from Cree. It was exactly the one he had wanted at seven. There was a comb and a pink collar. It was still in the box even though they didn’t make them anymore. He didn’t know where Cree found the puppy, but he loved it. Nebraska hugged the box to his chest. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”

Obviously bolstered by Nebraska’s reaction, he pulled out the next gift. “This is because I need to see you in it.” Cree passed him a velvet box.

Nebraska set the dog aside and opened the box. He gasped. The reaction was completely beyond his control. A platinum and diamond necklace stared up at him. It was bolo style, with one side being a strand of diamonds. “This is… I’m beyond words. I love it.”

Cree helped him put it on before moving on to the next gift. Nebraska stared at his chest, admiring the necklace until Cree shook something at him. He looked up. It was a key fob. “This was your Christmas gift.”

Nebraska’s brow furrowed. “What’s that?”

Cree smiled. “It’s for your car. It’s in the driveway.”

Nebraska moved to the front door on autopilot. He opened it to find a red Toyota Highlander. Nebraska’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me?”

Strong arms engulfed him. Cree spoke against his ear. “It’s a good car. It should last you a long time.”

“Holy shit.” Nebraska didn’t know what else to say. Part of him wanted to rush outside and inspect every detail, but nothing felt real.

“Shut the door. There’s more.”

Nebraska turned. “More? What else could there be?”

Cree smiled. “I missed Valentine’s Day too.”

Shock rendered Nebraska mute. He followed Cree back to the kitchen on wooden legs. “There are a few birthday gifts in here I missed too. A couple of gift cards to places you like to get food delivered. I had gotten you several candies, but I had to throw those out. They went out of date.”

All Nebraska could do was stand there and blink. Then Cree turned. He held an open velvet box with a diamond ring inside. “Then there’s this.” He moved as if to go down on one knee. “All I could think about when we were apart was how I should’ve—”

“Yes,” Nebraska said before Cree made it to the floor.

Cree froze. It was obvious he didn’t know how to react. “Don’t you want me to—”

“No. The answer is yes.”

A smile exploded across Cree’s face. The distance between them disappeared. Nebraska clutched Cree's shirt with one hand, hanging on for dear life, while Cree slipped the ring on his left hand. For a moment, Nebraska could only stare at the ring of diamonds on his finger. Then Cree touched his chin. Nebraska lifted his gaze. Cree’s mouth touched his.

“I love you,” Nebraska whispered against his lips. All the bad disappeared. It was like the promise of an amazing future gave him the fresh start he needed. All Nebraska felt was happiness and love. He wouldn’t let it end.

The pure joy and shock each gift had brought Nebraska was everything Cree wanted in life. All the gifts had just been things, but they were from Cree’s heart. He wanted to give Nebraska the world. Their kiss turned heated faster than expected. He hadn’t meant to go there. His body didn’t care. They had always been explosive together.

Someone knocked on the front door. Cree groaned. He didn’t want to stop.

Nebraska pulled away and held up one finger. “I’ll be right back. Whoever it is, I’ll get rid of them.”

Cree followed him to the door. He couldn’t help it. His body gravitated toward his other half.

Nebraska opened the door. “Oh. Hey.”

He heard Archer’s voice. “Please ask Cree to step outside.”

Something dark raised its head inside of Cree. He had been doing really well, but something about Archer’s words made him feel like it was all about to be ripped away. He headed for the door. Since he had moved Nebraska’s car today, he knew Archer had to know now for certain that Cree had moved in with Nebraska permanently. Archer could shut them down with one order. Cree wouldn’t comply and he’d die. Either way, things might have come to an end just as they were beginning.

Cree stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind him without ever meeting Nebraska’s gaze. He couldn’t let his baby know anything was wrong. Cree tried to play it cool. “Hey, what’s up?”

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