But the two shoot each other a look, and I get the feeling whatever they planned isn’t done.
Devon gets up first, followed by Cal, and they disappear upstairs, returning a moment later with goddamn gifts.
Rex looks at me, his face as void of blood as mine feels. Yeah, can’t remember the last time we celebrated a real Christmas.Most of the time we were deployed so forget the decorations and gifts, we were just lucky to be alive.
But seeing them carry—and drop—boxes that are wrapped feels weird. And it also makes me feel like shit because neither of us got them anything. Well, scavenged anything for them.
Rex leans closer. “What the fuck did they wrap?”
“Not sure I want to know.”
“Is it even Christmas?”
I shrug. “No fuckin’ clue. Think we can convince them it’s still early, so we don’t look like a bag of dicks.”
“They found a way to punish us.” Rex slumps lower. “He’s going to make me die early. I’m telling you.”
“Blah, blah, and fucking blah, old man.” Devon drops three boxes by the tree that are wrapped in what looks like chart paper.
Cal places his boxes nicely, then comes to sit on my lap. “It’s the first time I have someone to celebrate with other than myself in four years. Hope it’s okay.”
I pull him closer and kiss him. “It’s fine. We’re only teasing. Give us a few days to find you two something.”
“What are you gonna find that we haven’t already combed through?” Devon’s brow arches.
Little shit has to ruin everything.
Rex flicks his ear. “Don’t think you know everything, smart ass.”
The rest of the day is spent decorating the tree, and Rex and I come up with the bright—well, not so bright—idea of giving the two their own guns.
Practical gifts.
Maybe even new knives. Have some good ones in the cache.
When Cal and I head to our room to go to bed, he’s fidgety again. I place a hand on his shoulder and turn him to face me. “What’s going on?”
He bites his lower lip, cheeks red as fuck.
“Cal?”
“I heard you say you loved me when you thought I was asleep.”
My eyes widen, heartbeat picking up speed. “Does that make you uncomfortable?”
His gaze shoots to mine. “What . . . no. I love you too. Very much.”
A weight, like a fucking mountain, leaves me. Didn’t think hearing him say it would impact me so damn much, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.
But his cheeks are still flaming, his gaze down, so I tilt his chin up until his eyes are on mine. “Why are you nervous?”
He looks everywhere but at me, then steps back, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Did something happen . . . between you and Devon?”
He shakes his head but isn’t speaking.
“Cal—”
