I do as he says and…ah. Well, I suppose it’s been there this entire time.
I dip my chin. “Sorry. Been crazy getting ready for the Christmas Cleanup again. I swear, everybody and their mother has been signing up for my decoration services. Between that and the volunteer work, I may not see you again until New Year’s Eve.”
I complain, but when I think about what we’ve accomplished together, it fills me with pride. Junior’s now lead hand at Rebel Sky, and they’re all in with the cleanup. My landscaping business specializes in the natural beauty of Texas flora, and I won this year’s state prize for landscaping design with my refresh of the LBJ walking trail.
As for the cleanup, we’ve expanded outside of Johnson City and into the greater Texas Hill Country. More than that, we specifically reach out to LGBTQ+ teenagers and young adults to help us with the work. At first, I wasn’t sure it would go anywhere, but so many parents wanted to volunteer with their queer offspring that we had to create a waiting list.
I’m surprised but happy to see parents get involved, but I try to connect them with the ones who are going it alone. It’s important for these baby adults to have access to contemporaries, mentors, and county services where needed.
It’s made a difference. This year we have over eighty volunteers, including four Main Street crews for the various townships and twenty-six Grandma’s House crews for the neighborhoods.
Another cool side effect is the little cottage industries that are popping up. Local winery tour operations host charitable Christmas Crawls, where they take tourists to each of the area’s small towns to view the lights and do some Christmas shopping.
I get a little emotional every time I think about it, even if this schedule drives me up a wall.
Junior walks in and makes his way around each of the carefully labeled areas, stopping in front of me. I suck on my lower lip, letting my eyes travel from his worn-in boots to his dirty Wranglers to his well-lovedY’all Means AllT-shirt to his shit-eating grin.
“Shut up.”
He cracks up. “God, I love you.”
I wrinkle my nose. “You had Jason’s guys put it in the wrong place on purpose, didn’t you?”
He pulls me in close, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Not gonna lie, it was kinda fun to fuck with your little system.”
Letting out a grunt, I bite his chest before resting my head on it. He chuckles, kissing the top of my head. It was too much to keep up with the platinum, so I’m back to the light brown, which he inexplicably thinks is prettier.
The reality of running a busy landscaping company in the Texas heat means I’m generally a lot less made up, save for my guyliner. That you can pry from my cold, dead hands. Still, despite the crazy schedule, Junior and I have date night every Saturday, giving me the opportunity to rock my goth-kitten look.
He loves it when I go all out, and even if it’s just dressing up to order takeout, hegenerouslyrewards my efforts.
That doesn’t mean he gets to move my shit around.
“Why are you messing with my things, babe? I’m overwhelmed, and the system is meant to keep things straight for me,” I pout.
Junior’s look is a little too smug. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s almost as if you need to hire someone. Like I’ve been telling you to do for the last six months.”
I grumble and take another nip of his chest.
“Which is why Jameson from last year’s cleanup will be starting here on Monday.”
“That emo brat who kept making fun of my crop tops?”
Junior grimaces. “They’ve…matured. A little. And are living on their own now and could use the cash.”
This guy. “Fine.”
I narrow my eyes and pin him with a glare, but he’s not convinced.
“Also, I moved your fertilizer because that meant I could clear the workstation, and wouldn’t you know…it’s the perfect height for this,” he says, picking me up and putting me on the cleared surface.
“Junior. I don’t think we have—”
He lifts his brow. “Who?”
I suck in a sharp breath. Fuck, I never get tired of this. We’ve explored new things and added different kinks to our repertoire, but…ugh. A simple command is sometimes all I need.
I place my hands on my thighs. “Sir.”
