Page 30 of Meeting Mr. Christmas
Jed shrugged. “I can’t remember, but what Idois that you always wore a bowtie to every practice session. Said it made you feel like a maestro.” Jed grinned. It was black and shiny and soft to the touch, and came from an expensive store in the mall over in Boomfurt. It had fastened at the back, and he’d batted Noel’s hands away so many times when Noel had got his fingers knotted up, before turning him around by the shoulders and making sure it was straight.
Noel groaned. “Don’t remind me. Pretentious, moi?” He laughed. “No wonder I was easy prey for the likes of Christopher Bastard and the other bullies. Only glad you were there to stop my ass from getting beat.”
Every muscle in Jed’s face stiffened as he tightened his arm around Noel. “No way was I going to let that happen.”
“Well, we weren’t members for too long. Wasn’t it suggested that your talent was better directed towards the football team, and that maybe the chess club was more suited to me?”
Jed chuckled. “You’re right. I’d forgotten that. Were we really that bad?”
“Worse. We made these kids look like the Boston Symphony.”
The local veterans’ association followed the band, marching in strict formation, each sporting a sprig of holly in their hat and saluting when the crowd greeted them with raucous and enthusiastic cheers. Coming up behind them was one of the local kindergartens, the kids all dressed as elves, being both ushered along and pulled back in line by a harassed Mrs. Claus and her helpers.
“Oh, my god. I’ve not seenthatbefore.” Jed pointed to what was being transported on the back of a large truck.
“I’m not sure if it gets worse each year, or better. A giant inflatable of Jake Collier wearing a Santa Claus hat?” Noel shook his head as the truck drew level before making its stately way past. “Sometimes the veneration of our noble founder goes a little too far.”
Jed laughed. “You should listen to Lucian some time. He calls the town’s revered and noble founder St. Jake of The Blessed Creek. At least when there are no customers around. Come on, I’ve had enough of this. Let’s get something to drink.”
The crowd carried them forward, most heading for one of the two beer gardens that had been set up. Both of them groaned when they saw the line snaking its way out of the tent.
“By the time we get to the head of the line, it’ll be the summer fair. Maybe the food trucks won’t be so crowded?” Jed steered Noel away, but they were no better.
“Ouch!” Noel stumbled forward, almost losing his footing as Christopher Bastido shoved through the crowd.
“Watch what you’re doing, asshole.” Jed squared his shoulders.
Christopher jeered in response, and Jed went to grab him but he was pulled away by Noel in one direction as Christopher got caught by the drag of the crowd in another.
“Leave it. He’s drunk. Didn’t you smell him? It was like he had a bath in Jack Daniels. And anyway, Sheriff Morgan and Deputy Sheriff Warren seem to be taking care of him. Look.”
Taking care was exactly what was happening, if taking care meant being cuffed and marched out of the square.
The crowd buffeted and pressed in on them. Like the tree lighting ceremony, there seemed to be more people here than ever. It was uncomfortable, almost claustrophobic, and all Jed wanted was to get out of the crush and breathe.
“What do you say we head out of here, get some take out and beers and go back to your place?”
Noel answered with a wide smile and an enthusiastic nod, the little silver bell on the tip of his Santa hat making a light, tinkling sound. But escaping the crowd wasn’t easy. As they pushed their way through, they bumped into friends and neighbors, every one of them wanting to stop and chat, impeding their way when Jed only wanted to storm through to get back to Noel’s where the two of them could hunker down together. Finally, they managed to escape. It had been like swimming against a strong and relentless tide. Noel’s hat had slipped to the side and clung to his head through pure willpower, and his scarf was coming adrift.
Without thought, Jed straightened Noel’s scarf before he rescued the hat from falling off, tucking Noel’s soft dark hair beneath the thick white faux fur brim.
“Hey, you gonna wipe my nose and make sure I’ve got my lunch money, too?” Noel laughed.
“Somebody’s got to look after you.” Jed tucked away another small hank of errant hair beneath Noel’s hat. Looking after Noel… it was a nice thought. More than nice. “Come on,” he said, pushing Noel forward before he could think too long or too hard. “I need that pizza and an ice cold beer.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Oh my god, I’m so full.” Noel abandoned his third slice of pizza and slumped back into the sofa.
“Lightweight.” Jed rescued the slice. “There’s hardly anything of you. No wonder mom always wants to feed you up.”
“What can I say? I have a small appetite. Could handle another beer, though.”
Jed grumbled when Noel nudged him in the ribs to go get the beers from the fridge. “So, so glad the store’s closed tomorrow,” he said, handing one to Noel when he came back. “The floristry industry, it’s seriously hardcore.”
Noel laughed, and Jed grinned. He liked it when Noel laughed, but even more, he likedmakingNoel laugh.
“Poor baby, the stress of working with flowers and — more flowers. I’ll put a movie on.” Noel scrambled up from the couch. On all fours, he scanned the lower shelf of the cabinet, which held his DVD collection, and ran a finger across the spines. His ass stuck up in the air, moving from side to side; Jed’s gaze followed each slow sway, the tiny movements hypnotic?—
