Davey cut him a look, somewhat jealous and somewhat curious. “Jock, huh?”
“Yeah. The kind that marries the head cheerleader. That’s exactly what he did. Janie and I became best friends. It was inevitable.”
“Yeah, I see that.” Davey rolled his eyes. “Is your mom’s boyfriend into Supercross? Racing? Sports?”
“Of course.”
“Then, it’ll be fine, baby.”
They pulled into the driveway of Tyler’s mom’s house. “They’re going to love you.”
Davey fiddled with the door latch and looked out the window, staring at the house. “I hope so, but it doesn’t matter as long as you love me.”
“I do.”
Davey turned to face Tyler with a strange look. Tyler wanted to probe, question what he was thinking, but the front door flew open and his mother flew out screaming. “Tyler!”
Now, Tyler rolled his eyes. “Come on, lover. Let’s get the hug-fest over with.”
Tyler had been right. His mom hugged and kissed both of them and finally pulled them in the house. As expected, Christmas decorations dripped from the walls with lights and garland draped over pictures. Their family had always loved going overboard at Christmas. His mother stood a good inch or two shorter than Tyler, and she had a curvy yet not overly plump figure and soft brown hair. She introduced her boyfriend, Dean, to Davey and he shook Davey’s hand, and then he hugged Tyler hard. “Good to see you.” His reaction made Tyler wonder if they weren’t more serious than he had thought. Maybe he should stop thinking of Dean as just his mother’s boyfriend. They had been dating longer than he’d been dating Davey after all. In fact, it had probably been over two years. Dean seemed to care for his mother a lot. Love showed in his chocolate brown eyes when he looked at her.
Janie barged in with a little kid on her hip before things could get more awkward. “This is my little nephew, Bradly,” she cooed and fussed over the tyke. The little blond munchkin was almost the spitting image of her. His fine blond locks hung over blue eyes.
“So, cute, Janie.” His mom jumped in with the fussing and gave the little one a cookie.
“When are we shopping?” Janie asked, practically bouncing up and down.
His mother jumped in, “Give me about an hour, unless you’re too tired, Ty?”
“No that’s good.”
“So, Davey,” Dean chimed in. “There’s a good race on. Indy car. You watch that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Forget the sir. Come on.”
Tyler winked at Davey when he turned around before disappearing into the den. This was going to be a fun Christmas, if he could just find the perfect gift for his boyfriend.
After an hour of slumping around the local mall, shoulder to shoulder with all the other last-minute shoppers, Tyler ended up in the little trinket shop that did engraving. At least he could personalize something. Janie and his mother helped him find a charm, and the store clerk said he could have it ready in an hour. So, the three headed to the food court to kill some time.
“I like Davey a lot,” his mother said as they sat down with their coffee.
“Good, I do too.” He winked at her.
“It’s getting serious?” she asked.
Tyler shrugged. Janie snickered. “What?” he asked her.
“Nothing,” she answered nonchalantly and took a sip of her coffee.
He eyed her carefully. He knew Janie well enough to know she was up to something. “Bullshit—”
“Tyler, mouth,” his mom interrupted.
“Sorry, but she’s lying. Janie?”
She shook her head with pursed lips. “I got nothing.”
“Fine.” He let it go, knowing how stubborn she could be. It would come out eventually, but he knew she was keeping something from him.
A little over an hour later, Tyler picked up his present for Davey, and they headed home. Janie and his mother chatted away in the front seat of his mother’s old car, but Tyler was quiet in the backseat with his thoughts whirling around. He was getting serious with Davey, way too serious. It terrified him and angered him that his relationship with this wonderful man would put their careers in danger. He still couldn’t get that thought out of his mind every time he thought about Davey. How were they ever going to get through race season?
Christmas Eve was a magical time. Carolers still made their way around Tyler’s family’s neighborhood. Janie’s family came over and they all sat in front of the tree chatting and drinking eggnog and hot cocoa. Tyler couldn’t help the smile that stayed plastered across his face. Davey fit in so well with his family, how could he have doubted that?
Later on in the evening, Janie’s family finally decided it was time to leave. Tyler, Davie, and Janie walked them to the door. “I’m going to stay a little longer,” Janie announced as the others grabbed their coats. It was cold enough to need a heavy coat, even for just a short walk next door.
Tyler opened the door, and Janie squealed behind him, as she took in the same sight as Tyler did. Colossal snowflakes drifted down from the sky, reflecting in the street light. “Looks like we get a white Christmas after all,” Tyler said, pulling Davey close.
He kissed Tyler on the top of the head. “It couldn’t be more perfect, could it?”
Janie snickered, and Davey smacked her arm.
“What is up with you two?”
“Nothing. Bye, Mom!” She hugged her family one by one as they left, then the three of them headed back into the living room. Tyler gave both Davey and Janie pained looks. They were definitely up to something.
Davey nuzzled up under Tyler’s ear as they settled in the living room, and whispered. “Fuck, I just can’t wait anymore, baby.”
Tyler’s eyes widened. He thought Davey was talking about sex, and with his mom and Dean and Janie all sitting within a few feet of them, he suddenly felt awkward. “Uh, what?” He ducked his head, feeling his face flush with embarrassment.
“Can you get the lights, Janie?” Davey asked as he ducked his head under the tree.
Janie dimmed the lights and wiggled almost uncontrollably as she sat back down. Tyler glared at her and her stifled laugh, knowing she was in on whatever was going on. Before he could question her, Davey stood in front of him and dropped to his knees. He grabbed Tyler’s hand in one of his. He hid the other behind his back. “Tyler, baby?”
“What?” Tyler glanced at his mom across the room. She was beaming with an ear to ear smile, just like Janie’s, but Davey was serious, his brows crinkled above his nose.
“I have to tell you. I love you so much. You’re my world. Every time you have ever left me, a part of me died, even from the first night we, uh, got together.” He winked and blushed a little, recalling their first night together. They didn’t even know each other back then. Though Tyler knew who Davey was by reputation, they’d only just met. “So, I’ve decided that I don’t want to be without you. Ever. I don’t know how we’re going to make it work. I sure as hell don’t know how we’re going to keep it secret during race season, especially when all I want to do is scream it from the top of my lungs. I love you so much, so damned much.”
“What are you saying, Davey?” Tyler’s eyes grew wide and his hands had started sweating.
“I, uh, I’m asking you to marry me, Tyler. Will you? Please be my husband?”
Tyler’s jaw dropped. He suspected that was what Davey was getting at, but he didn’t want to guess. His hands started trembling. “Are you serious?” Tyler whispered so softly that he wasn’t entirely sure anyone heard him.
Davey pulled his hand out from behind his back and held a black box up to Tyler. He opened it and Tyler gasped at the beautiful platinum ring with five diamonds lined up across the top and a row of diamond baguettes down each side set in the center of the black velvet. The contrast between the box and the ring was startling, beautiful and sparkly in the low lighting of the living room. It was a masculine ring, but not too big.
“Tyler Whitmore,” Davey repea
ted. “Please, will you marry me?”
He couldn’t leave Davey hanging, but he couldn’t make his throat work. Tyler wanted this, wanted Davey as his husband. Getting to that point had been hard, and going forward together would be even harder. Tyler decided what he had with Davey would be worth the challenge. With his man in front of him, asking him for forever, he knew he would fight for this. Finally, he nodded his head, slowly at first and then vigorously. “Yes,” he managed to croak out. Janie and his mother both squealed. Davey leapt forward and grabbed Tyler in a hug, lifting his feet off the ground. He couldn’t catch his breath.
Davey pulled the ring out of the box and slid it on Tyler’s finger. It fit perfectly. “I had to get Janie to help me figure out your size.”
“So, she knew!” He turned and leveled and accusing stare at her. “This is like the only time you’ve ever been able to keep a secret. I’m amazed!”
She laughed and jumped up hugging them both. “You guys are so cute together!”
Davey turned as if to shake Tyler’s mom’s hand, but she and Dean both engulfed him in hugs. “You’re family now!” His mother cooed and squeezed Davey tight. Tyler always knew she would be supportive of him. She always had been in her own way, but her complete acceptance was still unbelievable, beyond his wildest dreams. He felt lucky that he didn’t have to battle unsupportive parents. They truly loved Davey as much as Tyler did. Davey may have done the asking, but Tyler felt he was giving Davey his family in the process and that warmed his heart. Davey needed more family.
Tyler stared at his ring. It was beautiful. He was glad Janie coaxed him into getting a nicer gift for Davey, because there was no way he could come close to this. He was going to marry Davey McAllister.
“Don’t overthink it, baby,” Davey said as he pulled Tyler close, dragging his nose through Tyler’s hair. “I love you. That’s what matters.”
“I love you too. I’m happy. We’ll figure it out together, right!”
“Yeah, hell yeah.” Then, they were kissing. It was inevitable. “We can do it here, you know. It’s legal in Colorado.”
“I know. Gotta love Colorado. Pot and gay marriage. Doesn’t get better than that!” Tyler laughed as Davey rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t get better than any of this, Davey,” he added more seriously. “I love you. This is the best Christmas ever.”
They shared a few more kisses, and then Janie went home. Tyler and Davey stood on the porch watching her until she was inside her parent’s house. Davey stood behind Tyler, with his arms wrapped around Tyler’s waist. He leaned up, breathing into Tyler’s ear. “Thank you, baby.”
“For what?” Tyler giggled and shimmied as the chill from Davey’s breath tickled his ear.
“Agreeing to marry me. I was kind of scared that you would say no.”
He turned in Davey’s arms and kissed under his jaw. “I don’t ever want to be without you either. I love you. We’ll figure it all out. I meant what I said.”
They went in the house and made their way to Tyler’s old bed room, and cuddled under the covers, holding and touching each other until they fell asleep, wrapped in each other’s arms.
The next morning Tyler felt like a kid again. “It’s Christmas! Get up, Davey.”
Davey rolled over laughing, obviously unable to believe Tyler was actually up before him. “Come on, baby. Let’s snuggle longer,” he coaxed.
“No, it’s Christmas!” Tyler bounced on the bed beside him. They needed to get up. “Come on!”
Tyler woke the entire household, demanding they open presents. He couldn’t wait for Davey to open his present and tossed the long box into Davey’s lap. “You know, that ring and the tattoo are the only gifts I have for you, baby.”
Tyler shrugged. “Yeah? I think you might be wrong about that, lover.” He loved teasing Davey.
Davey blushed, then ripped the paper off the box. He held up the silver necklace. It had a round charm engraved with 27 on one side and T & D in script on the other side.
“Do you like it?” Tyler asked.
“Are you kidding?” Davey leaned over and kissed Tyler. “I love it. Put it on me.” He handed the chain back to Tyler and turned around for him to fasten it. “This is so…it’s just awesome. I love it.”
Tyler felt like he was riding a high the rest of the day. Dean and his mother had given him a set of socket wrenches that Tyler practically drooled on all morning. After breakfast, when everyone else had fled to other parts of the house to play with their own toys, Tyler couldn’t help fiddling with his tools some more.
“Why didn’t I think of that? Tools! I should have known that was the way to your heart,” Davey came up behind Tyler, wrapping his arms around him.
“Fun-ny. I think you don’t need help finding the tool you need to get to my heart,” he teased back, grabbing Davey’s crotch. Davey flipped him over onto his back on the floor and tickled him until he begged for Davey to stop. Once he caught his breath from the rough housing, Tyler got serious. “Hey,” he said. “I want to show you something. Help me up.”
Davey stood and grabbed Tyler’s hand, yanking him off the floor. “What?” he asked curiously.
Tyler led him through the kitchen and into garage. He opened the door and flipped on the light. “Help me move this.” He started shoving boxes out of the way and Davey helped. His mother’s garage was a storage bin nightmare. The woman never tossed anything out, just boxed it up and stuck it in the garage. Tyler found what he was looking for and grabbed a tarp, pulling it back to expose an old Harley soft tail.
“What’s this?” Davey asked, surprised and amused.
Tyler chuckled. “I bought this in high school. Thought I could fix it up.” He kicked at the back tire. “But I never got to it. I’ve taken it apart, but hell…half the pieces are probably missing or stuffed into who knows what boxes.” He looked around the garage and its wall to wall storage.
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I couldn’t ever bring it to the apartment with Janie. Just nowhere to put it or work on it. I didn’t think she’d be happy seeing this rust bucket in the kitchen.” Tyler laughed and looked up at Davey with hopeful eyes. “Maybe some time—”
“We can bring it up to The Ranch. Plenty of room in the garage. Maybe you can fix it,” Davey interrupted.
Tyler jumped into his arms, ecstatically happy with Davey’s response. “Please.”
“Anything for you, Mr. Mechanic. Besides, you are too damn sexy covered in grease and sweat.”
30
Davey lifted the armrest between their seats, put his arm around Tyler, and pulled him as close as he could without unhooking their lap belts. The flight would be short, but it was packed. Tyler turned, pushing his back and shoulders against Davey’s chest. He leaned in and kissed the top of Tyler’s head and ran his fingers through his blond locks. “Your hair is getting so long.”
Tyler stared at his ring. Again. Every time Davey caught him, whether it was a glance, a stare, or an inspection, it made his heart leap to know it meant as much to Tyler as it did to him.
Tyler grunted his response.
“There’s a place in Gallup you can go. If you want it cut.”
Another grunt. Tyler was intently inspecting the ring. Again.
Davey smiled to himself. “Love you.”
“I love you, too, Davey.” Tyler snuggled back under Davey’s arm.
“You know,” Davey stopped. His next words were just going to get Tyler upset, but he couldn’t help thinking them.
When he didn’t keep going, Tyler asked. “What?” His growly voice told Davey that he knew he wasn’t going to like it.
“I’m just sayin’.”
“Saying what, Davey?”
“Just that this would all be so much easier if you worked for my team.”
“No. Especially now.”
He kissed Tyler’s hair again, smelling the different shampoo that he’d been using at his mother’s house. It was more citrusy than he norma
lly smelled, but not unpleasant, just different. “Okay,” he said, refusing to let this be another argument. “We’ll think of something.”
Tyler held his hand up. “When do you want to do it?”
“What? Get married?” Davey was surprised at the sudden switch in conversation but relieved he hadn’t pissed Tyler off, or if he had, that his fiancé chose to ignore it. Fiancé. That was the first time he thought of Tyler as his fiancé. He loved the twinge in his stomach that the word gave him.
Tyler was still admiring his rocks. Holding it up and flicking his hand back and forth in the light. “Yes, baby. Get married. When?”
“Don’t know. After this season, maybe?”
“Or next?”
“I don’t want to wait that long.” They both knew their wedding would coincide with the racing schedule. Supercross was both of their lives. “We need planning time, though. And the season is about to start. Hell, I’m back in training tomorrow, baby.”
“Yep. I know.” Tyler finally put his ring down. He didn’t have to tell Davey how much he loved the ring; it was blatantly obvious. “We can set a date later. Might have to be next season. Maybe next Christmas.” Tyler sounded tired.
Davey squeezed his shoulder tighter. “We’ll work it out, baby. Together.”
31
Angel snuggled into Stewart’s shoulder on the couch, facing the small Christmas tree that Stewart had set up. It was quaint, and she dug it. She could smell his aftershave and the spicy aroma of the red wine she sipped on making a heady combination. It wasn’t the peppermint and sugar cookies she normally associated with Christmas, but she loved it all the same. “This is nice, Stew.”
“Yeah.”
He wasn’t an overly affectionate man, but she kind of liked that too. Besides, he was extremely attentive in bed, where it mattered most.
“Uh, Angel?”
“Yeah?”
“I know we said we weren’t exchanging gifts, but I got you something.”
“What?” Her heart started pounding against her chest. “I didn’t.” She set her wine on the coffee table.
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