Page 67 of Mr. Frosty Pants
Casey scooted closer, pressing his lips to Joel’s shoulder and then whispering in his ear, “Cry if you need to, baby. I don’t mind. I love you just the way you are.”
The next morning,the sun rose before Casey was ready to relinquish his hold on Joel for the day, but there was nothing to be done about it. Joel had an Egg McMuffin to deliver to his father and a store to open, so Casey crawled out of bed with him and ate a quiet breakfast of doughnuts, eggs, and coffee. He was grateful when Joel let him share the shower.
They didn’t mess around, though. Both of them cleaned as best they could in the tight space with all the elbows, knees, and asses in the way. Joel laughed when Casey accidentally clipped his jaw while washing his hair, and he swatted Casey’s ass on his way out of the shower to grab a towel from the rack.
“When I graduate, this could be every morning,” Casey said, rinsing the shampoo from his hair, thrilling inside that he would smell like Joel’s Garnier Fructis all day.
“Dreamer,” Joel said, studying his own face in the mirror and grabbing a razor. Despite the mild whisker burn that decorated his chin and upper lip, Casey noted that he was efficient in his strokes. Soon the dark stubble that had left nice scratches all over Casey’s neck and chin was scraped away.
“One of us has to be.” Casey turned off the water, grabbing the second towel Joel must have put out for him.
“I dream plenty, thank you. Who’s the writer here? That’s like dreaming while you’re awake.”
“Horror writer. Your dreams are dark and grim. I’m here to lighten them up.”
Joel snorted and rinsed off his razor before splashing at his face. “Will I see you again tonight?”
Casey grimaced, rubbing the towel over his dick and balls and then sliding it down to get his feet. “You could. If you’re willing to take a risk.”
“I already told you I want to get fucked. Buy some condoms. Make it happen.”
Casey swallowed hard, eyeing Joel’s apple ass on top of his taut, firm legs. He licked his lips as he took in the various tattoos he’d finally had a chance to eyeball up close. Each of them held a lyric, just like Joel had said, and Casey was going to Google the songs from the ones he didn’t recognize.
“Not that kind of risk,” Casey said, coming up behind Joel to press kisses along his shoulders. He’d noticed the night before how Joel melted when he did that, and he wanted him soft as putty now in hopes he might actually say yes.
“I don’t know how much more risk I can take,” Joel said, his dark eyes in the mirror sparking anxiously. “I’m already putting my heart out there, and it’s gonna get squashed, so what more can you ask of me?”
“Come to my parents’ house tonight. They’re having a Christmas Eve party for their friends, and I want you there with me. As my date. As the man I love. I want to ring in Christmas with you.”
Joel tensed in Casey’s arms. “What? Are you insane? Hell no. Not a chance.”
Casey nuzzled Joel’s neck.
“If you think that’s going to convince me, you’re wrong.” Joel pushed away from the sink and, evading Casey’s wandering hands, headed back into the bedroom.
Casey pulled Joel’s brush through his hair and grabbed the new toothbrush he’d picked up with the groceries, concentrating on designing a new argument while brushing his teeth. By the time he finished and went to pull on his own clothes from the night before, Joel was already dressed and stuffing his pockets with a key ring and his wallet.
“Yeah?” Joel asked, like he was ready for whatever Casey was going to say.
“If you don’t come, then I guess I can’t see you tonight. What’s your schedule tomorrow?”
Joel frowned. “Can’t you come over after?”
“I’ve spent the last two nights here. I want to stay again, obviously,” he said conciliatorily when he noticed Joel’s shoulders inching up. “There’s nothing I want more. But Aunt Courtney’s arriving this afternoon for the party, and my parents will give me a hard time if I try to bail on seeing her.” Casey’s heart leapt wildly, and he didn’t know what possessed him to say it, but the words were out of his mouth before he could reconsider. “We have two guest rooms. Come to the party. Spend the night in my bed. Then you can have Christmas breakfast with my family in the morning. It’s worth the pain of dealing with my folks.”
“Even if I wanted to do that, which I don’t, I’ve got Bruno. I can’t leave him for the night.”
“You could feed him before you come. Plus, he has the dog door.”
Joel shook his head. “You’re barking up the wrongest tree that ever grew.” He turned to face Casey and smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corner, “But you’re cute to think I’d ever consider it.” He pressed a kiss to Casey’s mouth. Then, like he almost couldn’t believe he was allowed, he did it again.
“Joel,” Casey started, but Joel pressed his fingers to Casey’s lips and shook his head.
“Let’s not fight. I’ve got to go. Let yourself out whenever you’re ready. We’ll talk later.”
“If you change your mind, it’s casual dress. You don’t have to wear anything fancy. And I’d be proud to introduce you as my boyfriend.”
“Would you?” Joel asked. “I wonder.”
