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“I don’t care what they think. I’ve enjoyed this short time I’ve spent with you more than the year I spent with Dorian.”
“Thank you. I know all this was a heavy thing to tell you.And on Christmas Eve. My timing fucking sucks.”
“It means a lot that you trusted me.”
Corey smiled. “I don’t trust lightly but I know I can trust you. We need to talk some more, right? But not tonight.”
“Not tonight.”
“You’re not to come.” He paused. “Again.”
Tal chuckled.
They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
Twenty-One
When they went downstairs the following morning, Tal in his dress shirt and trousers, Corey in jeans and a T-shirt sayingNobody knows I’m gay,they found Louis and Benjamin already in the kitchen. Tal really hoped they were going to be nice to Corey.
“Here are the idiots,” Louis said.
Tal sighed. “And a merry Christmas to you too.”
“Merry Christmas.” Benjamin blew him and Corey a kiss.
“You were supposed to rest…” Louis said. “Skull fractures, a broken foot and only one spleen between you. What part ofrestdid you not understand?”
“You should hear us when we’re fully fit,” Corey said. “We make the ground shake.”
Benjamin snorted. “Croissant? Champagne?”
“Please,” Tal said.
“We’re allowed alcohol now?” Corey asked.
“One glass of champagne won’t hurt.” Benjamin poured it out.
They clinked glasses.
“We’ll sit in the living room and you can watch us open our presents,” Louis said.
“I have some for you all as well. I’ll go and get them.” Corey put his glass down and left the room.
“Shit,” Benjamin whispered. “We don’t have anything for him. Shall we tear a few labels from yours, Tal, and give them to Corey?”
“We’ll give him money to spend on clothes,” Louis said.
“Not a good idea,” Tal said. “He knows he wasn’t expected. Just don’t be mean about whatever it is he’s bought.”
Corey came back with a carrier bag. “Don’t get excited. Well, Tal can. He’s got a lot.”
Shit!Now Tal felt guilty.
They sat in the living room with their drinks and croissants. There was a small pile of presents under the tree and Tal wished he had something to give Corey.
Although he’d worried Corey would feel left out, he shouldn’t have been. Corey was as excited as if the gifts had been for him, admiring scarves, games, pictures, watches and weird hovering gadgets that Louis and Benjamin had given each other.
“You have to open these at the same time.” Corey handed a gift to Louis and Benjamin, and one to him.
