Page 150 of Voices

“My friend is taking art classes in school, and she said these have the best color options.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from crying as I look over to where Liz is sitting on the floor with Stanley.

“I love them, thank you,” I choke out.

Going back to the box, the next item has a tear slipping free. I pick up a leather-bound sketchbook with an image of a hand drawing a hockey stick. Opening it, a small note on the inside cover says, The Artist and The Hockey Player.

“Brady is a leather smith. I came up with the design and he created it,” Becca says from the other couch.

I can’t stop the tears from falling as I struggle to say thank you. Shane rubs my back as I pick up the last item from the box. It’s a painting of a night sky dotted with tiny stars. In the center it says,Keep shining, Charlie. Never let your light go out,in flowy handwriting.

“I’m no artist but I wanted to add a little piece of me in your box along with everyone else,” his mom says softly.

This time the tears are free flowing and there’s nothing I can do to stop all the emotions from coming out.

“We all love you, baby.” Shane pulls me until I’m sitting in his lap and soaking the front of his shirt with my tears.

I don’t understand how people I’ve never met knew what to get me. Shit, three of my gifts were handmade. No one has ever done that for me. The last time I celebrated Christmas with my family, I left with a fractured wrist because I fell asleep. I was called ungrateful and was never invited again.

“Are you okay?”

I nod into Shane’s chest. He gently pulls me away and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, slowly releasing it. When I open my eyes, I realize everyone is collecting their gifts and walking to the kitchen.

I drop my forehead to his when it’s just us. “I don’t know what to say other than thank you. This has been the best Christmas, but I feel horrible that everyone got me something and I showed up empty-handed.” I sit up as I start to panic. “I’ll go out tomorrow and get them something or, or I’ll draw them something. Maybe I can get my hands on some clay, and I could sculpt for them.”

“Baby, stop. It’s okay.” He rubs up and down my arms. “They did all of this out of the kindness of their hearts. Theywantedto give them to you. They don’t expect anything in return, we’re allhappy that we were able to make today special for you.” He picks up the box his dad made and slowly puts everything back in it. “I only knew about this,” he taps the side of the box. “My dad was originally making it for me to give to you but then everyone else said they wanted to add to it, so it became his gift to give.”

I trace over my name again. “He’s really good. Everyone is.”

“Yeah, unfortunately, my only talent is hockey, so I had to buy your gifts.” He lifts his hip and pulls a black satin jewelry bag from his pocket. “There are two gifts in here. One was custom-made by our family jeweler and the other I had made from someone online.” He snickers to himself as he opens the bag and pulls out one of those string bracelets with a million knots in it. It’s in rainbow colors. He hands it to me and that’s when I notice a silver circle charm hanging with C & S inscribed on it.

“Can you help me put it on?” I hold up my wrist.

He ties it for me and then holds my hand. “That was the online purchase if you couldn’t tell.” I laugh as he goes back to the bag. “This is not what it seems so don’t freak out.” He pulls out a flat black ring. “This is a ring that’s more than just a promise. It’s a symbol that I’ll always be there for you. You can look down when you’re feeling anxious and spin it until you see this,” he turns it towards me, showing the word Promise engraved on the band. “I promise to never leave your side no matter how hard life gets.” He turns the ring around and tilts it so I can see the inside where the word Always is engraved.

“Shane.” My voice wavers as he takes my right hand and slides the ring onto my middle finger. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” New tears start to fall down my cheeks.

He wipes them away before capturing my lips in a heated kiss.

When I’m forced to pull away from lack of oxygen, I slide off his lap. “I have to go grab your gift from upstairs.” I thumb over my shoulder before racing to his room to carefully rip thedrawing from my sketchbook. When I get back downstairs, I reclaim my spot on his lap.

“This seems silly after what everyone has given me, but I’ve never given a gift to anyone before. I’ve been working on this for you for a few weeks, but I’ll think of something better. You deserve more than this, a lot more-”

“Baby,” he interrupts my rambling, “I’ll love it, no matter what it is.”

I open the paper and hand it to him with a slight tremble in my hand.

“Oh wow!” He traces over the hawk’s sharp beak with his finger. “This is amazing Charlie! It feels like it’s about to fly right off the paper! Thank you.” He kisses my cheek as I chew on my lip.

“Turn it over.”

He doesn’t say anything as I watch his eyes scan the picture. I start to get nervous the longer he doesn’t say anything.

“I know it’s not really a gift. I can take it back and-”

“This is the most beautiful scenery in the world. And you drew it. I feel like I’m sitting there again with you, enjoying the serenity and colors. I remember how happy you were, and I promised myself that day that I’d do my damnedest to keep bringing you that happiness every day.” He looks up from the drawing with wet eyes. “This is better than any camera could ever capture and is only second best to being there with you.” He blinks and a tear falls. “Baby, you’ve captured one of my most favorite memories with you. I’m going to frame this and hang it above my bed, so I’ll always remember this day.”

I don’t care if any of my future art never sells after hearing him say that. I don’t know what to say to him, so I return his kiss from earlier, laying out all my feelings for him. It quickly becomes more as our dicks harden and I start to roll my hips.

Shane growls before he stands, my legs instantly wrapping around his waist. He climbs up the stairs much faster than I thought he could while carrying me. Rushing into his room, he locks the door and follows as he tosses me on the bed.

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