Page 30 of Jingl
I turn and head out the door with my precious cargo. I contemplate going back to get the guitar too, to give Shae variety for the mall, but decide against it. I’m pushing my luck with time as it is.
The mall is packed once I get there. Circle the lot a half dozen times and park three blocks down kind of packed. Luckily Frostdale hardly ever has crime, if any, and I don’t have to worry about being mugged as I walk Shae’s keytar to the mall. I can’t wait to see him, and walk as fast as I can with a bulky instrument. I’m not sure what all he might want from the bag, so I bring it along too.
The air bites at the exposed parts of my face. I’m thankful for Peggy’s scarf and tug it higher.
I’m at the opening to the mall in no time and suck in a harsh breath as soon as the automatic doors let me through. It’s even more decked out in Christmas decorations than merely a few days ago. I have to rush, though. I’m already running late and Shae’s probably anxious about it. He told me to meet him down in the staff locker rooms, so I make my way there.
Shae doesn’t even look toward me when I come in, but he jumps when I tap his shoulder. And the biggest grin crosses his face when he sees it’s me.
“Tracy.” The way he says my nickname, like I’m the only person in the world, makes my heart flutter. He plows into me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he nuzzles my chest. I drop the bag and pull him closer.
I thought he’d be anxious as fuck, but he’s calm.
“Sorry I’m late, didn’t realize it’d be so busy out there.” I nod towards the door.
“It’s okay. I was working on my piano piece. Wasn’t paying attention to time.”
“Sounds like it might be working out, then?”
He nods and the blush rushes to his cheeks. I don’t even think about it and lean down to kiss him. That makes him even brighter and I want to keep going, but don’t want to forget to tell him what his mom had said.
“So… your mom says you can’t come home until after finals. Then we’re getting and decorating a tree.” I tip my head. “DoIneed a tree? I wasn’t gonna get one, but if you think I need one—” I stop talking when I realize there’s a frown on Shae’s beautiful face. “Wait, what’s wrong?”
“Why can’t I go home?”
“Dunno.” I shrug. “That’s just what Peggy said. She said you need to relax and gave me a packed bag with things she said you’ll need and said you can’t come home until after finals.”
His frown deepens. “Why? What—Where will I stay?”
“Shae.Bae. My place, obviously. I’m sure her mother’s intuition tapped her brain about us. Maybe that Billy guy has your mom on speed dial. Or maybe Alec told her he saw us being all cute together at Felix’s. But I don’t mind. In fact, I’m excited.” Shae staying at my house for longer than a night sounds like the best.
“You really don’t mind? I have to study. And practice. And—”
“I can’t wait. Don’t worry. I’ll let you have your space. Unless you want me to be a suckerfish, then I’ll attach myself to you and not let go until you have to leave the apartment for work or school. But… that’s probably not healthy.”
Shae tips his face up and presses his lips to mine. “You’re the best, Trace.”
I’m careful when I remove the keytar from my back and lean it against the wall. A few gentle kisses aren’t enough. I need more, and cup his face. His pupils blow so wide I can hardly see the blue. Shae’s fingers twist in my shirt as he pulls me closer. Our lips meet and there’s no holding back. He’s tugging me towards the line of benches until he pushes me down and straddles my legs. We’re a writhing, moaning mess, thrusting into each other, when there’s a cough at the door.
“Noel,” Shae gasps and flails to get off my lap. He trips backwards and I try to catch him before he falls, but he lands in the lockers and slides down. His head goes back and his eyes shut.
But this Noel guy—Santa himself, by the costume—chuckles. Legit belly laughs. “I guess what Billy said is true, then. You two are a thing.”
“The little snitch,” Shae whispers, but there’s no venom in his words.
Noel steps forward and holds out his hand. “Noel, or Santa, whichever. I’m the fill-in this year. Nice to meet ya.”
“Trace. Shae’s…” I shrug. “Shae’s Trace.”
Another smile tips Noel’s lips. “I was just wondering where our fearless elf leader had gone. I saw him come in, but never saw him come out and got concerned. Guess I shouldn’t have been.” He gives me a wink and turns on his heel to leave.
Shae blinks up at me. “I think I split my pants.” When he stands, his hand goes behind him and his face turns red. “Yep. Right down the middle. I can’t go out like this.”
“Good thing your mom packed all the elf-ly things she could find. Her words.” I pass him the bag.
When he opens it, he gasps. “She remembered everything.” He lines the products on the bench. Then yanks off his ruined trousers, grabs a pair of red pants and pulls them up. They stop just below the knee and hug him in a way that makes me want to rip them off him.
“I thought I was going to have to beg Billy to let me use some of his makeup. The thought of going out there without my sparkles made me so uncomfortable.” He grabs the tube of what looks to be glitter gel and goes to the full-length mirror next to the lockers. He smears a glob in his hands and works it through his hair, making it glitter. Then he rummages through a makeup bag for something else. He dabs on a bit of the soft shimmery color, then smooths it into his cheeks and across the bridge of his nose to turn into Jingle.
