Page 66 of Christmas Crisis
One young man, a recent graduate named Fel, approached my parents to tell them what an impact James had made on his life.
“Mr. Wymack has a way of talking to me that makes me realize when I’m being kind of a dick,” Fel explained with a smirk. “I think he’s trying to knock me down a peg or two before college, you know, for my own good.” He grinned wryly.
My dad raised an eyebrow. “Maybe for his next trick, my son can teach you not to say ‘dick’ in front of your elders.”
“Elders?” Fel looked from side to side. “I see no elders here.” He reached for my mom’s hand and dropped an air kiss over her knuckles. “I see only beautiful young ladies.”
“Cut the crap,” James said, approaching Fel. “I hope you got us a really good wedding present to make up for being a pain in the toosh the past two years.”
The young man shrugged. “Nah, we all chipped in and got you a new beanie. Because Ms. Davis deserves better than to be around that stanky one you always wear.” With that, he hurried away to his friends, calling back, “It’s been real, Mr. Wymack. Congrats on convincing Ms. Davis to marry you.”
Our mom and dad looked at James with pride. And I knew it wasn’t only because of his impact on his students. It was because of the wedding, Marley, setting up a life for himself in Coleman Creek, all of it. They never made me feelless thanfor not being able to give them a day like this, but deep down, I wished I could.
For Marley and James’s official first dance, a senior student named Daniel played an acoustic rendition of “Across the Universe” on guitar while his friend Nan, a former student home from college for the summer, sang vocals. Daniel looked at Nan with such naked longing in his eyes that even my ace heart—normally not attuned to those signals—could see it.
“You think he likes her?” Miranda asked, a lilt of laughter in her voice as she came up beside me.
“Maybe just a teeny bit.”
Daniel put down his guitar, and the DJ took over.
“May I have this dance?” Miranda asked prettily.
I wrapped my arm around her back, pulling her into my chest as we swayed to “At Last” and “Never My Love.” I admired that she was petite but also sturdy. Unbreakable in body and spirit. That’s what had drawn me to her in the first place, that toughness beneath the sweet exterior.
She leaned into me, exhaling a happy sigh. Closing my eyes, I felt the press of her cheek on my torso and the warmth of her skin beneath my hand. I breathed in the familiar scent of her shampoo and smiled at the gentle hum of her mumbling along to the music.
It wasn’t unusual for us to be close like this.
But the way I felt now was new. The way my body reacted was new. Noticing how she molded to me, registering her soft curves.
The soul-deep contentment of knowing the woman in my arms better than I knew myself was like nothing I'd ever experienced.
My pulse sped up.
I’d loved Miranda from the start. But I couldn't deny that something had shifted. All of the sudden, I wasfeelingthings.
My heart thumped in my chest. Could it be…?
I darted my tongue out to lick my lips before nosing the top of Miranda's head.
Could it?
Yes.
Holy shit… Yes!
I wanted her.
I let the revelation sit in my mind until I knew, with zero doubt, that it was true.
For the rest of the reception, whether she was near or far, I felt her presence, the kernels of desire expanding and bursting in my stomach.
I wanted her. Now what?
The possibilities were thrilling, but by the time I arrived back at the hotel, the full reality of my attraction to Miranda had set in, tempering my initial elation. I was questioning everything I thought I knew about myself. Things I’d fought hard to come to terms with.
I wasn’t an idiot. I knew these things couldevolve, that sexuality was fluid. But part of me resented having such a straightforward explanation. Almost like I’d betrayed myself. Although there weren’t many people in my life who knew about my asexuality, it was a label I’d worn proudly in my mind. I’d used it to guide my life choices and interactions with others.
