“I think he’ll sell them all,” Tig said and tried to contain the grin I knew had a lot to do with getting a Christmas tree.
“I think you might be right. Now if we don’t get to the store, Jack will either be calling or making Hudson drag us over there,” I said, and drank the rest of my coffee. “This really is good.”
After we bundled up and I grumbled about how fucking cold it was while ignoring the ache in my hand, we locked the door to the house and walked over to Nuts and Bolts.
“Mornin’, boys,” Mr. Atkins said from where he sat in his usual chair. But now he had a heated blanket and a Santa hat to keep him warm. “Here’s all the specials.” He handed us both a sheet of paper that either Hudson or Jack had made up to look like an old newspaper. All of their sale prices were listed along with suggestions of items you might need but probably forget.
“They’re even making you work?” I asked. Fucking Jack knew no bounds.
“No, I volunteered then Jack gave me this heated blanket and Hudson gave me a hot coffee and my own box of pastries,” he said with a grin and pulled his blanket up closer.
“That doesn’t sound like a bad deal,” Tig said.
“I’m glad they’re taking good care of you. Oh, we need lights and possibly more ornaments,” I said seeing them on the paper. “Thanks, Mr. Atkins.” I shook the paper at him, and he waved me off before the two of us walked inside. It was a little before seven and Jack had to be thrilled. The place was packed. As packed as a small hardware store could be anyway.
“About time you decided to drag your lazy ass out of bed,” Jack whisper-yelled as soon as I was within earshot.
“What was that?” I asked and held my hand up to my ear for effect.
“Did you need help?” Tig asked because he was always nice while I was—not.
“Thanks, Tig, but so far, we’re okay. We probably will need to bring more stock out in a little while. The lights and ornaments are selling fast.”
“Oh god, that’s what we need,” I said and hurried over to the Christmas section followed close behind by Tig.
“Should we just go out of town to buy this? I don’t want to take it if they need it for their sale,” Tig whispered.
“Jack will be thrilled,” I said and grabbed six boxes of lights and handed them to him. “Let’s pick out some ornaments.”
“I thought you said you had everything for a tree?”
“I said I had a tree, but it’s barely a tree anymore, and the ornaments I have are leftovers from my family. I want to get some new stuff that looks nice,” I said and shocked myself with how much truth was in that statement.
“Okay then, let’s choose some ornaments,” Tig said, completely unfazed and willing to go along with almost anything.
Four
Tig
I tried to holdback my enthusiasm about choosing new ornaments and watched as Isaac tried to play it cool and not be too eager. The truth was I loved Christmas, and last year it had been amazing being around Jack and Hudson’s families, but this year I wanted it to be that way with our families.
“What do you think about me inviting my family here for Christmas?” I asked before I talked myself out of it.
Isaac froze where he was bent over examining a pretty glass ornament. “I’ve never met your family,” he finally said.
“I know, and that’s why I want to introduce you to them. They’re going to love you,” I whispered and used my free arm to pull him into my side.
“I don’t know about that, but I’d love to meet them,” Isaac said, lying through his teeth.
“Babe, don’t worry, they’ll love you.”
“You know me, right?” he said and pulled back enough to meet my eyes. “Would we have Christmas at your place?”
“Don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I just really want you to meet them.”
“Then invite them,” he finally said.
“Really?”
