by Aly Hayden
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
By Aly Hayden
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Copyright © 2017 by Aly Hayden
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
The house was quiet when Callan entered. That wouldn’t have been surprising, if not for the fact that Levi had texted before he got off work and told him he had a surprise waiting. Callan had spent the rest of his day trying to imagine what Levi had in store. As it was the night before Christmas Eve, that could have been anything.
Light from the Christmas tree gave the living room of their little cottage a glow, but it wasn’t enough to see by. So Callan flicked the overhead light on. Levi was nowhere to be found, but there was an envelope on the mantle above the fireplace. Crossing the room, he grabbed it and slid his finger underneath the flap, breaking the seal. Inside was a letter, written in Levi’s hand.
Callan,
Your Christmas gift is waiting for you, but you have to find it. This is your first clue. Go to the place where it all began.
Love,
Levi
Part of Callan wanted to ignore the letter. It was five thirty and already dark, and on top of that, it had started snowing again. Levi knew that. But he also knew how much Callan loved games. He had gone to all this trouble to make this Christmas special.
He read over the letter once more. Where it all began. His first thought was where they had started dating, but that wasn’t the beginning. The beginning had taken place at a coffee shop in town. Grabbing his coat and hat, he bundled up yet again and headed back out into the snow.
~~~
The Brew House Café was practically empty when Callan entered. A man in a suit sat at one table, while two younger women sipped from their cups at another. Emily stood behind the counter, her copper colored hair tucked in a bun. She beamed at him when he walked up.
“Has Levi been in recently?” he asked.
She nodded. “He said you’d stop by. That’s your table there.” Emily pointed to a table in the corner, and Callan noticed a deep red flower had been left on it.
“I really wasn’t planning on staying. Did he give you anything for me?”
Emily huffed. “You’re trying to rush this, and that isn’t going to work with me. Now go sit down and I’ll bring you what I’m supposed to give you.”
Reluctantly, Callan did as he was told. Pulling the chair away from the table, he sat and picked up the flower. It wasn’t a rose. Callan only knew that because he didn’t like roses. Everyone bought roses. He liked things that were different.
A few minutes later, Emily walked over, bearing a large white cup and an envelope. “Read while you drink, and don’t leave until you’ve finished both.”
Callan resisted the urge to roll his eyes, but took the envelope as Emily set the cup down. As he sipped his drink, he smiled as he remembered the day they had met.
He’d moved to Kirkwood to take a job with a marketing agency. While he’d been eager to start, he’d also been more than slightly intimidated at the prospect of moving to a town where he didn’t know anyone. That had all changed when Levi walked in the door.
Callan had noticed him the moment he walked into the coffee shop, in part because he was so tall, but also because he was exactly Callan’s type. His brown hair was cut short, and he dressed casually in a button down and sweater. The Brew House had been largely empty then, as it was now, and Levi had approached him with a smile.
“I haven’t seen you around before.” He didn’t ask before taking a seat at Callan’s table. “I’m Levi.”
He stuck out his hand and Callan shook it. “Callan,” he said. “I just moved here.”
“That explains it. You finding everything okay so far?”
“Yeah, so far so good. It’s not exactly a big town.”
Levi grinned wryly. “You’re right about that. But the people are friendly enough.”
“If they’re anything like you, I can believe it.”
“What’s your poison of choice, then?” Levi nodded toward the cup in front of him.
“Hazelnut mocha latte,” he said.
Wrinkling his nose, Levi took a sip of his own drink from his to-go cup. “How can you stand to drink something that sweet?”
A smile played along Callan’s lips. “I only drink things that are as sweet as I am.”
Dear god, he was flirting with the man. He didn’t even know if Levi was gay. Heart pounding in his chest, Callan held his breath. But Levi only smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
“You must be very sweet, then.”
“Order for Levi!”
They both jumped when the barista called out his order. Levi ducked his head.
“That’s me. I better go before my coworkers revolt. Never mess with a librarian who hasn’t had their caffeine.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Callan watched him go, staring until he was out of sight. One thing was for sure. He wanted to get to know Levi better.
Finishing the last of his drink, Callan tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Callan,
You found the first clue. I knew you would. You remember that first day we met? I do. From the moment I met you, I knew I wanted to get to know you better. So I kept coming back, even on my days off, trying to build up the courage to ask you out. It took over a month, but you said yes.
Your next clue will be found at the place we had that date.
Come find me,
Levi
He stood and approached the front counter with his empty cup, setting it near the sink. Emily watched him, a knowing smirk on her lips.
“Do you know what he has planned?” he asked.
She raised a brow. “Do you think for a minute I would tell you? Let him surprise you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Merry Christmas, Emily.”
She pressed one of the buttons on her apron and a tinny jingle sounded. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Chuckling, Callan wrapped his scarf around his neck and headed out once more into the snow.
~~~
Pulling into the parking lot, Callan stared through the windshield at a tall, brick building nestled in between two just like it on Olive Street, the main street of the city. In his letter, Levi said that it had taken over a month for him to ask Callan out. He hadn’t been wrong. It had taken one month, two weeks, and six days for him to gather the courage.
Once they’d settled on a date, Levi had suggested Giovanni’s, an Italian restaurant owned by an Italian family who had lived in town for three generations. He’d been so nervous his hands shook as he opened the door to Levi’s car, when Levi came to pick him up.
“So tell me about yourself,” Levi said. He sat across from Callan in the restaurant, a glass of white wine in his hand.
Callan grinned. “You make it sound as though I’m at a job interview.”
“You are at a job interview,” Levi said, his tone serious. “The job is being my boyfriend.”
That drew a laugh from Callan, who took a drink of his own wine. “I’m originally from Seattle. I have two older sisters and I’m an uncle three times over. Um…” He drew his bottom lip between his teeth, then released it. “I like reading and hiking, and I love puzzles.”
“Puzzles, hm
? Now that’s not something you hear every day.”
Callan regretted saying that. It was true he loved puzzles, but he didn’t want Levi to think he was weird.
“Yeah, I mean like… logic puzzles, or sudoku. Scavenger hunts. I used to love those as a kid. When I was little I was in the Boy Scouts, and when we went on retreats, we’d always have these scavenger hunts to do and—”
Levi was staring at him, and Callan realized he had overshared. He clamped his lips together, his face burning.
“And what?” Levi asked.
“Nothing.”
“That’s not true and you know it. Your eyes were all lit up and you were so excited, and then it was like someone blew out a candle.”
Was that really how Levi saw him? He wasn’t anything special. Certainly not a candle.
“I just didn’t think you cared about my scavenger hunts, that’s all.”
Levi frowned. “Why? It’s clearly something you’re interested in. I want to get to know you. No pressure.”
And it hadn’t been from then on. Callan had never had to worry about Levi thinking something he liked was stupid, or mocking him for something he liked. It was a valid concern, given that some of his previous boyfriends had done just that. But Levi was always courteous. Even if he personally didn’t share in the interest, he made a point to let Callan know he still supported him.
Turning the car off, he braced himself against the chill and climbed out of the car. Snow crunched underneath his boots as he made his way up the sidewalk and inside. He pulled his hat off and brushed the snow onto the floor, then walked up to the maître d’ stand, where Giovanni himself stood.
“Callan, good to see you.” His voice boomed, and Callan smiled. It was really no surprise why Giovanni was always asked to play Santa.
“It’s good to see you, too. Levi wouldn’t happen to have been here, would he?”
Giovanni nodded. “He has been, indeed. Left me instructions to give both of these to you.”
Reaching behind the stand, he pulled out a padded thermal food bag. He handed it over, along with an envelope, which Callan opened immediately.
Callan,
Thanks for picking up dinner. It should stay warm in the bag Giovanni gave you if you hurry and find the rest of the clues. They’re going to start getting harder now. The next envelope will be found where I had my first taste of what life with you would be like.
I’m waiting,
Levi
Callan pursed his lips, staring at the note. The first two had been so straightforward, but this one was more of a mystery. He read over the letter again, trying to pick out any clues. Taste. That could mean so many things. The first blow job he’d ever given Levi? Somehow he didn’t think that was it. Taste.
“Need a hand?” Giovanni asked.
“No,” Callan said quickly. If it was something intimate, he didn’t want Giovanni to be the one to tell him.
So far, everything seemed to be in chronological order. If Levi was referring to a first taste, that would be…
“First kiss!”
Giovanni beamed. “I take it you’ve figured it out?”
Callan nodded. “Thanks for dinner. Merry Christmas!”
He ducked out of the restaurant, tugging his hat back over his ears. Giovanni’s was in the town center, so Callan made a quick stop at his car to drop off his food, then back toward the square. Toward the gazebo.
The night had been much like this one. Snow blanketed the town—the first snow of the season. Callan had always loved snow, but there was something magical about the first snow of the year. The earth smelled different. Crisp and clean. And with no one to trek through the fluffy white piles, everything looked new.
He stared at the gazebo, remembering how they had played in the snow that night.
Holding his arms in the air, Callan spun and spun as the flakes fell. They landed on his eyelids, only to fall when he opened his eyes again.
When he looked over at Levi, he found him looking back. “What?” he asked. His cheeks hurt from smiling.
“I’ve never seen you so ridiculously happy,” Levi said. “I love it. You’re like a kid on Christmas.”
“Yeah, but this is better than Christmas. You get a present and you don’t have to deal with obnoxious relatives.”
Levi chuckled, then pulled Callan in for a hug. “If you say so.”
They strolled through the square, arm in arm, after their fifth date. This time, they’d gone for pizza and a movie at the old restored theater. The theater had been showing classic films, and Callan and Levi had sat through Casablanca. It wasn’t exactly one of Callan’s favorite films, but seeing the way Levi enjoyed it made it bearable.
The gazebo twinkled like a beacon, its Christmas lights beckoning them closer, so they climbed the steps. Levi wrapped his arms around Callan again, then looked up.
“Mistletoe,” he said softly.
So it was. Callan’s heart beat just a bit faster. He’d wanted to do this since he’d first seen Levi, but he didn’t want to rush things. Levi cupped his cheek, and Callan’s eyes fluttered shut. The next moment, Levi’s soft, warm lips pressed against his. He yielded underneath him, letting Levi in. Wrapping one arm around his waist, Callan hummed as Levi’s tongue slid against his.
Then just like that it was over. Levi stared down at him, and Callan’s chest ached with how much he cared for him. He didn’t know where their relationship was going, but he knew he never wanted to kiss any other lips but Levi’s.
The gazebo stood shining in the middle of the square, just as it had that night. It was empty, however, and for a moment, Callan thought he had gotten it wrong. He walked up the steps and looked around. Nothing. Nothing on the floor, or the lattice walls. Nothing on the beams that supported those walls. Unless…
He looked up.
Bingo.
Attached to the mistletoe was the familiar envelope. He grabbed it and pulled out the letter inside.
Callan,
You always did love the snow. This isn’t the first one of the season, but I hope you appreciate it anyway. I know you’re tired. It’s been a long day at work. But you only have two more clues to go and then you’ll get your present.
So here’s your next clue: You can’t see it, you can’t touch it. You can’t measure it, you can’t weigh it. But where did I say it?
Tick tock,
Levi
He smiled as he read the letter. Levi was trying, bless him. The riddle was well formed, even if it was easy to figure out. The first place Levi had said ‘I love you.’ Shoving the note in his pocket, he headed back toward his car.
~~~
Callan prided himself on being a healthy child. He had never broken a bone or needed to have his appendix removed. His tonsils were still in place. Every member of his family had been in the hospital at some point. But not Callan.
Until the car accident.
The deer had come out of nowhere, bursting through the trees along the side of the road. He swerved, trying to avoid hitting it directly, only to find himself barreling directly toward a tree. It was too late to stop the impact. Pain laced through his body, and his arm made a sickening crunch. Then the world went black.
When he came to, he was lying in the emergency room, machines beeping behind him. A sterile, antiseptic smell made him wrinkle his nose, and he regretted the move immediately. Yep, definitely broken. He blinked, cracking his eyelids for the first time.
Levi was in the chair beside his bed, his head propped up on his hands. He looked horrible. His eyes were bloodshot, as though he had been crying, and his hair was mussed. Realizing Callan was awake, he took his hand.
“Hey.” Levi tried for a smile, but failed. “How are you feeling?”
There was no way Callan could tell him the truth. He felt like everything inside of him was broken. Sure, there was pain medicine, but it still fucking hurt.
“Like I’ve been in a car
crash,” he said. He grinned as much as he could without splitting open his lip again.
“Don’t,” Levi said, any trace of a smile gone. “Don’t do that. I was so fucking scared when I got the call that you’d been in a car crash. I thought—” He broke off and swallowed hard. “I was scared I had lost you.”
Callan ran his free hand through Levi’s hair, the movement tugging at his ribs. He didn’t know if they were broken or just bruised, but the pain was worth it to be able to comfort his boyfriend.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m okay. You didn’t lose me. I’m here.”
Levi let out a ragged breath and looked up at him, raw emotion in his eyes. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. I love you so much.”
The pain in his ribs was nothing compared to the tugging in his chest. He squeezed Levi’s hand and stroked through his hair again. “I love you, too.”
The red and blue lights of Greene-Markam Hospital drew Callan in like a mosquito to a bug zapper. He hadn’t been back since his discharge after the wreck, and it was difficult to be here. His breath came quickly, but he forced himself to calm. No one was hurt. This was just part of the scavenger hunt.
Climbing out of his car, he pulled his coat tighter around him and walked toward the doors of the ER. They slid open automatically, heat billowing out and enveloping him as he walked inside. There were a few patients in the waiting room, including a mother and her young son, who was huddled around a trash can. Callan steered clear of them. Instead, he approached the reception desk.
For the first time, he felt awkward approaching. Emily and Giovanni he knew, but the receptionist, he’d never seen before. Levi really must have wanted this if he would leave a letter with a stranger.
“Has a man named Levi Weston been in today?” he asked, twining his hands together behind his back.
