Tight-lipped.
We tried to stalk them, but fuck if Devon ain’t slick. Circled back around and caught us.
He would’ve been a natural in the military.
This morning, Rex and I decided to go hunting, to see if we can find another deer. Between the four of us we need to stock up in case the snow gets bad. And with my shoulder, I can't be carrying shit myself.
Boys seemed a bit too happy, but they promised they wouldn’t do anything that’d upset us.
Well . . . they wouldn’t be doing sex stuff is what Devon said.
“Worried what we’re walking into.” Rex drags a deer carcass along.
“Me too.” I shake my head. “We said we wanted them to bond but I wasn’t expecting them to take to it so well.”
He smiles a big, full-on megawatt grin. “It’s nice though, like our own weird-ass family.”
I gotta agree with him there. Miss the camaraderie. Even in the military I was always with my teammates. Having more than just me and Cal feels like a sense of normal returning.
Deadass tired, we drop the two deer in the root cellar, then head inside and . . . “Holy fuckin’ shit.”
The damn house exploded.
Into Christmas.
Tacky decorations are on the counter and table along with Santa kitchen towels. We walk into the living room that now has fucking candy cane pillows on the couch because why not?
Ceramic reindeer are on the coffee table, and garland is everywhere, as are snowflakes and inflatables . . . inside the damn house. And of course there’s a fake wreath on the inside of the front door.
Rex busts out laughing. “It’s like the Christmas store’s ass exploded all over the house.”
“It’s ugly as sin. One thing’s for sure, neither of those fuckheads would’ve been interior decorators.”
“I want to know how they inflated the damn Snoopy.”
Voices come from outside, and I peek out the window. “Fuck me sideways.”
“What?”
“They cut down a tree.” I laugh so hard, I cough. Never expected this is what they’d be up to, nor did I think I’d see them struggle to drag the Eastern Hemlock. “Let’s go take care of the deer, pretend we didn’t see this.”
We sneak out the back door and cut what we can from the carcasses. After we’re done, we head back in, not caring if the two knuckleheads are done with theirsurprise. Of course, they’re arguing ‘bout something.
“What the hell happened to my house?” I feign surprise, and Rex does his damnedest to act shocked. Luckily, we have a reprieve since the boys are in the other room.
Making our way into the living room, we lose it at the lopsided tree about to fall right out of the stand.
“Told you it wasn’t straight.” Cal punches Devon in the shoulder, who just sniggers and plops down on the couch.
“You made me cut the thing, not my fault I’m seeing funny.” He yawns, and while he does so dramatically, he can’t fool me. Grew up playing that game with my mom to get out of shit I didn’t want to do.
Cal rolls his eyes and throws his hands up. “Get over it. I told you to wear gloves so you wouldn’t get blisters. But you don’t want to listen.”
Rex groans and sits next to Devon, inspecting his hands. I walk over and help Cal fix the tree. “Wasn’t expecting this, but . . . I’m glad you two did it.”
Cal smiles wide, his cheeks turning red. I’d seen him in the past decorate his house a little when he was alone. Broke my heart a little.
Wonder if his family used to go all out like this? And if it makes him happy . . . I don’t care if my damn house turns into Christmas vomit, I’ll help set it up like this every year.
