Page 32 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

Eventually, Brad came over with the ladder and climbed to the top step next to the top of the tree, which devolvedinto his mother taking over. Cece jumped in to criticize where the decorations were placed now that Brad was in charge.

“Honey, you need to put more on the left,” Cece said, then tapped her foot.

Brad sighed. “Sweetheart, I can only reach so far. I’ll get the other side in a second. Can you hand me the friggin’ balls?”

Tyler noticed Julien and Walter make eye contact and chuckle. Was that a thing now? Did Walter think he had an inside joke withhisboyfriend—fake boyfriend?

Tyler felt a pout form on his lips, and he had to press them together to stop it from becoming too noticeable.

“Eggnog is ready,” Hailey announced from the adjoining kitchen. “No rum for you, Owen. Your mom said not until you’re at least twelve,” she joked as Cece glared.

“Come on.” Tyler tugged gently on the sleeve of Julien’s cardigan. “Do you like eggnog?”

Julien shrugged. “I’ve never had it.”

“It tastes similar to bubblegum with a lot of rum.” Tyler led him over to the island where clear mugs sat, filled with eggnog and topped with a light shaving of nutmeg.

“I do enjoy rum.” Julien took one of the glasses.

“Cheers.” Tyler gently tapped his glass against Julien’s before having a sip. It was creamy and frothy with just the perfect amount of cinnamon and nutmeg, but the rum cut through it pleasantly. They always drank their eggnog cold, especially since Hailey had made it from scratch.

He watched Julien’s brow furrow as he took a sip. “This also tastes like a milkshake.”

“So, do you like milkshakes?” Tyler asked. He had noticed that Julien had finished the frozen hot chocolate before they got home. Now, he was taking another sip of the eggnog.

“Who doesn’t like a milkshake?” Julien said. “This is good. I always thought it would taste like egg or something,”

Tyler shook his head. “You really don’t do Christmas, do you?”

“Not this way.” Julien took another sip of the eggnog. “You guys are a fucking Christmasmovie.”

“Language,” Tyler hissed. He elbowed him playfully.

Julien’s arm snaked around his front and pulled him close. The warmth from him seeped into Tyler’s back and made chills erupt all over his skin.

“Eggnog, Christmas tree cutting, hot chocolate, what else do you guys do?” Julien leaned in to whisper his words into Tyler’s ear.

Julien’s breath tickled Tyler’s neck, and goosebumps broke out over his arms.

Tyler tilted his head, coming face to face with Julien’s sexy smile. “Don’t forget the cookie decorating and the country club Christmas party,” he told him.

He could smell Julien’s peppery scent mingling with the sweet smell of eggnog. Julien’s dark eyes focused intently on him as he spoke.

“Like I said. Christmas movie.”

“A good one, I hope.” Tyler tried to keep his voice even.

Julien smiled brighter. “An entertaining one, at least.”

“Everyone gather around.” Mom broke the spell and distracted Tyler from the god-like man holding him. “I’ll plug it in, and Brad will put the topper on.”

Tyler led Julien over to an excellent spot to see the whole ordeal, and he wondered how long it would take Cece and his mother to instruct Brad on getting their topper on correctly.

Their traditional topper was a beautiful porcelain angel, with a pristine white gown made of their great-grandmother’s wedding dress material. She had sat with pride on their tree since before Tyler was born.

Brad was still balanced at the top of the ladder. Cece stood below him, holding Kelsey and demanding he be careful as he reached the top of the tree to place the angel in her rightful position on the highest bough.

Now that it was decorated and lit, the tree looked beautiful. Tyler smiled, thinking about how nice it would be to see piles of presents beneath it on Christmas morning.

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