Christmas in Cedarwood

by Megan Slayer

  She shook her head. “Colt, you’re a good guy, but you’re going to push him away if you keep missing stuff.”

  “I know.” He had nothing to defend himself. He’d messed up.

  “Ashley sounded okay, but I could tell it hurt. Why don’t you let us run things tonight and pop into the party? I bet that would make his night.” She nodded. “It’ll thrill him.”

  “I’m not dressed for it and I smell like grease.” God, did he have to try to come up with lame excuses? They weren’t even decently lame ones. “I need a shower.”

  “Are you really going there?” she asked.

  “What?”

  “Colt.” She groaned. “We can handle the diner. It’s one night. I know you can go and we can handle it.”

  “It’s my livelihood at stake.” He prided himself on his business and how the diner thrived.

  “I know and I respect you for it, but you really need to work on your relationship. Ashley will take a lot from you, he really loves you, but he and anyone can only be pushed aside for so long. He’s taken so much from you,” Shelby said. “Come on. It’s Christmas. He needs you.”

  The doors opened and Nerissa burst into the kitchen. “I need help. We got a twelve-top in. Two parties and I can’t handle it alone. Shel?”

  “I’m on it.” Shelby sighed. “Never mind, Colt. Just make it up to him.”

  “Yes.” He needed to. Colt geared up to take care of the new orders. He nodded to the cook. “We’ve got this.”

  Two hours later, Colt shoved the last tray of dishes into the washer. His back ached and he needed a decent night’s sleep. He should check his phone, but he feared the tongue-lashing from Ashley. God, he deserved to be chewed out. He’d been an asshole and not even tried to apologize for forgetting the party.

  Shelby brought the last set of silverware and a rogue plate over to the dishwashing station. “We’ve locked the dining room. The sign’s out and the lights are dimmed. The dining room has been swept and the pie cooler is full again. I sent Nerissa home.”

  “Thanks. I’ll gather the take.” Colt left the dishwasher. “Did Ashley come back?”

  “Nope.” Shelby folded the cash and tucked it into her zippered pouch. “I’m good, so you go home.”

  “I have to close up.” Colt needed to count the take for the day and lock the money up.

  “I know, but we’ve buttoned everything up. Put the cash in the safe and turn off the dishwasher. We’ll get it in the morning.” Shelby placed her hand on Colt’s arm. “We’re ready when you are and we all want to go home.”

  “I should…” Colt had no other means to stall. He didn’t want to face Ashley. “Okay.”

  “Good. I’ll follow you out.” Shelby gestured to Russ. “Ready?”

  “I’m not ready yet,” Colt said. “I have stuff to do.” Liar.

  “We can’t go until you do and I’m tired. I want to sleep.” Shelby pushed the button to stop the washer and opened the lid. “These can wait. They’re rinsed. Just finish in the morning.”

  “You’ll push until I go, won’t you?” Colt asked.

  “Duh.” Shelby opened her locker and retrieved her coat and purse.

  “Fine.” He rinsed the last of the dishes and turned the water off. “Okay.”

  “Good.” She fished her keys from her purse. “Did he call?”

  “I’ll assume so.” He locked the take in the safe, then locked up his office. He retrieved his coat, wallet, keys and phone from his locker.

  “Check your phone in case he’s still at the party. He’ll love it if you show up.” She elbowed Colt. She followed him and Russ into the chilly night air. “Night.”

  “Night,” Russ said. “Get some love from your guy and relax.”

  Colt locked the back door of the restaurant. “Thanks.” He waved, then unlocked his car. He settled behind the wheel and swiped through the screens on his phone. No time like right now to find out what Ashley had said. Five texts. Damn.

  Having fun. Hope you can come by.

  They’ve started karaoke. It’s scary *g*

  I ended up with a stuffed panda in the gift exchange game. Wyatt will love it.

  See you when you get home.

  Going to bed. ’Night.

  Fuck. Colt had screwed up on a colossal scale. “I’m sorry.” He raked his fingers through his hair. Before he met Ashley, he would’ve turned to a bar and a drink. He spied the sobriety coin he’d glued to his dashboard. He wouldn’t be much of an example to Wyatt if he lost himself in the bottle. Wyatt mattered. Ashley did, too. He loved Ashley and Wyatt as much as the diner.

  His phone pinged with social media notifications. Ashley had been tagged in photos from the party. He scrolled through the images.

  Ashley with a package. Probably the panda he’d won.

  Ashley grinning with a fellow teacher Colt didn’t know, but had seen around.

  Ashley playing bingo and filling his card.

  Ashley smiling in front of the tree.

  Ashley in a group photo—all couples, except Ashley.

  His heart squeezed. He should’ve been there. A dull ache formed behind his eyes. He tossed his phone onto the passenger seat and engaged the engine. He drove around the building, ensuring the diner was safe, then headed home. He had no idea how he’d make things up to Ashley, but he had to if he wanted to keep his boyfriend.

  He drove across Cedarwood. The silence of the quiet town deafened him. Christmas lights twinkled from the bare trees. There wasn’t any snow, but damn, the winter air had grown colder.

  Shelby had been right. Ashley took a lot from him, but he wouldn’t want to be second place forever. The other men he’d dated in the past had gotten sick of him working so much. Ashley seemed different. He encouraged Colt to run the diner and didn’t seem jealous. But Ashley would get tired of being left alone.

  Was Ashley worth changing his mindset and being home more?

  Yes.

  But not yet. Colt needed to get through the holidays and hope Ashley would understand.

  Please let him understand.

  Chapter Two

  Nine days until Christmas…

  Ashley gathered his papers and gradebook. He didn’t have time to finish adding grades before he had to pick Wyatt up from the babysitter’s house. The school program started that night at seven-thirty and Wyatt had a speaking part. Wyatt couldn’t miss the program, and Ashley loved that Wyatt had a featured role.

  “Ash?” Mrs. Collier stepped into his classroom. “Hi.”

  “Hello.” He abandoned his things and rounded his desk. “Good day?”

  “It has been.” She nodded once. “The kindergarteners don’t know their song, but it’ll work out, or I’ll end up singing it for them.”

  “I’m sorry.” The kindergarten class was composed of mostly five-year-olds and many hadn’t turned five until just after the school year started. He had his own trouble with them, but kept that tidbit to himself. “Do you need anything?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about Wyatt.”

  “What happened?” Crud. Wyatt could be headstrong to a fault. He had his birth mother’s independent streak. “Is he acting out?”

  “No.” She held up both hands. “Not at all. He’s one of my better students. He follows directions and sings loud—and on key. He knows the words and isn’t adding the word ‘butt’ to everything.”

  “Oh.” He bit back his embarrassment. He’d assumed Wyatt was acting poorly. “What’s the concern?”

  “He mentioned you were upset,” she said. “I noticed you were alone at the staff party and you seemed less like you, but I thought it was none of my business to say anything. Then he brought up you being sad. Did you and Colt split?”

  “No.” He forced a brave face. Shit. If others knew he was upset, then he couldn’t keep his personal life private. The staff would offer concern and want to help. “Colt’s been at the diner a lot. It’s been Wyatt and me most of the time. I think he misses Colt.”

&
nbsp; “Ah. When Nathan worked second shift, I never saw him.” She laughed. “I only ever passed him when I went to work and he was sleeping.”

  “How’d you survive it?” He could use all the help he could get, even if he did want to keep his problems under wraps.

  “At first, we didn’t. I hated him for being gone and he hated me for being upset. He couldn’t change his shift and neither could I.” She leaned against one of the tables. “We had a huge argument and split up—for a day.”

  Well, fuck. Still, he saw a positive. “Only a day?”

  She nodded. “We slept on it and came together the next afternoon. It turned out he wanted to be home more and took second shift to get the time in so he could get to first shift faster. I wanted him home because I love and missed him. We wanted the same thing, just in different ways.”

  “Sounds like us.” Sort of. “He wants to be home, but it takes a lot to run the diner.”

  “It does.” She stood, then patted his shoulder. “It’ll work out. I know it seems crazy and painful right now, but things will sort themselves. Give him and it some time, but if you need to talk, I’m just down the hall.”

  “Thank you. I will.” He smiled. “And I’ll watch what I say in front of Wyatt.”

  “He’s a sweet boy and observant. You might not be saying anything,” she said. “He just senses you’re upset.”

  “I get it.” He walked with her to the door. “I’ll see you tonight at the concert.”

  “Perfect. You’ll be proud of Wyatt. He’s worked hard.” She patted his arm again. “Take care.”

  “I will, and you, too.” He left her at the door and returned to his desk. He finished collecting the sixth graders’ tests and shoved the papers, plus his tablet and gradebook, into his messenger bag. She’d given him plenty to think about. Give him time. Ashley could do that. He packed up and checked his phone. No messages. Good. He turned the lights off and locked up, then headed out to his car. Colt wasn’t trying to avoid him or Wyatt. He was trying to do his best.

  Ashley sat behind the wheel of his SUV and plunked his bag onto the passenger side. He drove to the babysitter’s and continued to turn Mrs. Collier’s words over in his mind. Ashley hated doing everything on his own. He liked having a boyfriend and someone to lean on. He liked having his man in his bed and the kisses. He liked sharing the load, but he loved sex.

  Colt was doing his best. If he had staff enough to cover the shifts, he could be home more. Still, that didn’t ease Ashley’s mind. He pulled into the driveway at the babysitter’s.

  Wyatt hurried out of the front door and up to the vehicle. “I’m hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry.” He left his seat and rounded the SUV. “You can’t walk out like that. Mrs. Learner doesn’t like it and neither do I.”

  “She and I were waiting for you. She said I could walk out.” Wyatt climbed into the backseat.

  Mrs. Learner strode up to the SUV. “He’s right. I told him he could walk out.” She smiled. “He’s been practicing his line. He’s nervous, but he’ll be great.” She lowered her voice. “I gave him a snack and he completed his reading assignment.”

  “Thank you.” The weight on his shoulders increased. Mrs. Learner only spent an hour each day with Wyatt, but maybe she’d noticed a change in him. “Has Wyatt been acting differently?”

  “He’s quieter.” She rubbed her arms. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m good.” Ish.

  “You look tired.” She hugged him. “Enjoy the concert and take some time for you.” She waved to Wyatt. “You’ll be great.”

  “Thank you.” He sighed. So much for holding up a façade. “I’ll get the check to you tomorrow when I pick Wyatt up.” Ashley rounded his vehicle. “Thanks again.”

  “Welcome.” She waved.

  His thoughts jumbled. She’d noticed he was upset and Wyatt wasn’t talking as much. Lovely. He settled behind the wheel. “Buckled up?”

  “Ready.” Wyatt held up his hands. “I’m starving.”

  “You’re always starving.” Ashley backed out of the driveway. If Colt couldn’t come to them, then they could visit him. “Want dinner with Colt?”

  “At the diner? Yeah,” Wyatt shouted. “Hot dogs.”

  “We’ll see. You’d live on hot dogs if I let you.” He drove across town to the diner. Excitement flowed through his veins. He couldn’t wait to see Colt. He knew Wyatt would eat well, too. He parked in the diner lot. “Okay. Let’s go.”

  Wyatt led the way into the diner. Ashley sighed. At least the place wasn’t too busy. He went to their usual booth by the kitchen. No one else wanted to be so close to the swinging doors. “We have an hour and we need to get you home to change your clothes.”

  Wyatt nodded. He removed his coat and plopped onto the bench seat. “Hi, Shelby.”

  Shelby strolled up to the table. “Hi, guys. What’s happening?” She ruffled Wyatt’s hair. “The usual with a side of napkins?”

  “Thank you.” Ashley smiled. He wanted to ask if Colt was busy, but kept himself in check. “How are you?”

  “Busy. I’m glad we’re having a quieter night tonight.” She dipped her head. “What’s on the agenda for tonight? Something fun?”

  “I’m in the musical.” Wyatt colored his placemat. “Colt doesn’t remember it.”

  Shelby’s eyes widened and the tips of Ashley’s ears burned. He swallowed his shock.

  “Wyatt,” Ashley whispered. “He’s been busy.”

  “He’s always busy,” Wyatt said. He stopped coloring and sagged in his seat. “Am I in trouble?”

  “No.” Ashley averted his gaze. He couldn’t stomach his shame. He and Colt were having problems and they couldn’t keep things quiet.

  “I’ll put the order in and get Colt. He should see your musical,” Shelby said. She patted Ashley’s shoulder, then left.

  Ashley sighed. Jesus. He hated having public issues. He was a teacher and needed to act with decorum. Besides that, it was the Christmas season. They should all be getting along.

  “Colt.” Wyatt scooted out of the booth and threw himself around Colt. “Are you coming to my musical? It’s a Winter Extravaganza.”

  Ashley moved over on his side of the booth. “Hi.” He never tired of seeing Colt. He loved this man, but right now he didn’t feel important.

  Colt hugged Wyatt, but met Ashley’s gaze. “Hi. I’m glad you came here for dinner.” He let go of Wyatt. “Did you wash up?”

  “No.” Wyatt hurried away from the booth.

  Colt sat beside Ashley. “Sorry. I didn’t want to discuss things in front of him. I know he’ll leave the bathroom a wreck, but it’s worth the few minutes to talk.”

  “I’ll help clean it up.” Ashley held Colt’s hand. “I left you notes and texts about the musical. It’s just the kids singing and a little talking. They told the students it’s an extravaganza and Wyatt loves that word.”

  “He has a line, doesn’t he?” Colt asked.

  “He does.” Hope blossomed in Ashley’s chest. “Will you be able to get away long enough to watch him? It’ll make Wyatt’s day.”

  “I know.”

  “So, will you?” He squeezed Colt’s fingers. “It’d make my day.”

  “I’m doing my best. There’s a cold bug moving among the staff and two of my people are out. Once I get stuff sorted, I’ll be there,” Colt said.

  “Good enough.” It wasn’t a promise, but Ashley would take the possibility. “We put in an order.”

  “I saw. Shelby showed me.” Colt sighed. “I’m sorry. People are sick and I’m juggling a lot.”

  “I know. I’m not mad.” Disappointed, yes, but things happen.

  “It’s taking a toll on you.”

  “And Wyatt, but things happen,” he repeated. Ashley patted Colt’s thigh. “Why don’t you check on Wyatt? It’s been a while and he’s probably flooded the place.” Besides, he needed a second to breathe. He knew down to his core Colt wasn’t trying to exclude them or be mean. He was
doing the best he could. Ashley had to adjust.

  Again.

  Colt strode into the bathroom. “Wyatt?”

  Ashley’s son stood in front of the mirror making faces at his reflection. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He surveyed the sinks. Wyatt either hadn’t been playing in the water, or hadn’t made as much of a mess when he’d washed his hands. He stood beside Wyatt. “What are you doing?”

  “Working on my faces for the musical.”

  “Why?” He doubted the teacher wanted them to mug for the audience.

  “We sing Animals in the Barn and we have to be animals.” Wyatt made another face and scrunched his nose. “Are you and Dad mad at each other?”

  “No.” He turned Wyatt around and knelt in front of him to get on to his level. “Why?”

  “Are you mad at me?”

  “No.” He frowned. “Wyatt?” He didn’t understand.

  “You don’t spend time with us. I’m behaving at school and I’m trying to be good.”

  Shit. Ashley had said Wyatt was more observant and nosy. He hadn’t been kidding about Wyatt picking up on their cues. Wyatt wasn’t to blame, though. He wasn’t sure how to tell Wyatt he wasn’t in trouble.

  “It’s me.” Wyatt’s shoulders sank. “I told the teacher you didn’t like me and it made Dad sad.”

  “No, kid.” He hugged Wyatt. “None of this is your fault. It’s not Dad’s fault, either. I’m sorry he’s sad.”

  “You made him sad.” Wyatt toyed with the straps of Colt’s apron. “Why don’t you come home? Don’t you like us? Did Daddy make you mad?”

  “I like you and your dad very much. I love your dad,” Colt said. “I don’t want him to be sad, but I need to work.”

  “Like Dad does?” Wyatt shook his head and his chin quivered. “I’ll eat less and I don’t need new shoes. I’ll wear my old ones.”