Page 91 of Mr. Frosty Pants
“No, baby. I understand.”
They were silent again then, the only sound Bruno chewing on his toy and the hiss of snowflakes hitting the windows and roof. A train went by, rattling the trailer and waking them from their pondering. They returned to eating, though the meal had become cold again.
Finally, Casey asked, “What will you do if the nursing home calls you in to come see him?”
“It depends on what they need. I still have his Power of Attorney, so if it’s a health issue, I can handle that over the phone if necessary. If they really need me to come in, then I’ll deal with that when it happens. Right now, I’m just looking forward to not hearing his abuse every day.” He tilted his head. “How about now? Do I sound like an asshole now?”
Casey scoffed. “No. I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself.”
Joel’s smile wavered.
“It’s okay if you cry or get upset.”
“I know. But I don’t want to. Not right now.” Joel leaned forward and licked his lips. “I want to be here with you. That’s all. Let’s just be here together. No outside world at all. Just us.”
Bruno made a disgutsting sound with his toy, and they both laughed. “Just us and a big old dog,” Joel said. “C’mon, Bruno. Outside.” Casey watched as Joel lured Bruno into going out into the pale afternoon light by filling his new Kong toy with peanut butter and then tossing it into the yard. Bruno bounded out amongst the descending snow, eager to claim his treat.
“Will he be too cold?” Casey asked, shivering as the cold air carved into the heat of the trailer.
“He’s got the dog door. Besides he likes to romp around out there in this kind of weather. He’ll be fine.” Joel shut the door on his dog tossing the Kong toy up and catching it again.
Casey drew Joel into his arms, pushing his hands under his shirt to stroke down his smooth skin. He gripped his narrow hips and kissed him. They made out for a while against the front door and then slowly moved together toward the sofa in the living room, leaving a trail of clothes behind.
Once they were naked, they collapsed on the couch together. Joel straddled Casey’s lap, groaning as he took both of their erections in his callused hand and jerked them together. Casey added his hand to tighten the tunnel their cocks moved through, and watched avidly as Joel’s head tipped back, his eyes squeezed shut, and he came with a sharp cry, spurting come across Casey’s stomach and chest. It wasn’t long before Casey broke open too, grunting in pleasure as his white jizz joined Joel’s on his skin.
“Let me,” Joel whispered, getting on his knees between Casey’s feet and bending down to lick it up. He grimaced a few times, and when he finished, he wiped at his lips. “Mine doesn’t taste as good as yours.”
“Cigarettes,” Casey said breathlessly. “But it’s okay. I like that it’s yours.”
Joel frowned a moment, but then crawled up to straddle him again, collapsing against Casey’s body, and nuzzling his neck and hair. “All the more reason to quit.”
“I don’t mind. Really. But you should quit for your health. That’s what’s important.”
“I want to make it good for you,” Joel whispered.
Casey wrapped his arms around Joel’s torso, holding him tight. “Baby, youaregood for me. I promise.”
“I like that.” Joel shuddered against him, as if the words cost him.
“What?”
“You calling me baby.”
“I like it too.” He paused and kissed Joel’s neck before whispering, “Baby.”
Joel dug in deeper, holding Casey tighter with both his arms and his thighs, like he was desperate and skin-hungry, and Casey wanted nothing more than to indulge him.
Eventually, they broke apart and decided to use Casey’s streaming login ID to watch theHarkeningChristmas special on Casey’s laptop. Bruno came back inside still carrying his slobbery toy. They heated up the takeout again and curled together on the sofa with more greasy food, more cookies, and Bruno dozing at their feet. They laughed and groaned at the storyline of the show, agreeing that it was schmaltzy as hell, but somehow they both loved it anyway.
As the afternoon waned and darkness crept in, Casey cued up the live action version ofHow the Grinch Stole Christmas. They sprawled and laughed, holding each other close. The lights on the tree and the yellow glow outside from the rising moon lent a softness to the room that seeped into Casey, leaving him so warm and comfortable—so happy—that he never wanted the night to end. So long as he stayed right here, he wouldn’t have to face his parents or negotiate a future. They could be content.
When Joel got up to grab a couple of beers, he stopped in his tracks, his gaze glued to something outside the living room window. “Holy shit.”
Casey tensed, leaping up, Bruno immediately on guard too. God, was it Casey’s parents? He wasn’t ready for this confrontation. Couldn’t he and Joel just have their Christmas in peace? “What?” He joined Joel at the window and gasped out loud. “Whoa.”
The snow that had been flurries earlier was sticking, lining tree limbs in white and covering the grass.
“No way,” Joel said. “A white Christmas? In Tennessee? This is crazy.”
