Austin and I are in the middle, with Arlo and Jasper on the ends. We’re packed in like sardines, and I’m not the biggest fan, but it’ll be fine for now.
Once we’re all about as comfortable as we’re gonna get, Austin starts the movie.
“Oh! I love this!” Arlo says, sitting forward and bracing his elbows on his knees. I have no idea how he can even tell what it is yet. “I used to watch this all the time as a kid. It’s my favorite.”
“What is it?” I ask.
Austin chuckles. “Rudolph and the Island of the Misfit Toys.”
“I’m not sure I’ve even seen it.”
“I would expect that of you young’uns,” Jasper says from the end of the couch.
“Hey,” Arlo complains. “Ijustsaid it was my favorite.”
The couch gets infinitely more uncomfortable when Jasper leans forward, then glances at Arlo. “You’re the exception, sweetheart.” He flashes Arlo a wink that has his cheeks burning bright red.
Austin and I lock eyes.
What the fuck?
See? Told ya something weird is going on with them.
Austin nods, eyes twinkling, and turns back to the TV.
It’s been so long since we’ve done the whole communicating with our eyes thing. It’s not exactly easy to do when you barely see each other. It’s also difficult to do when someone—me—is working so damn hard to keep my thoughts and emotionsoutof my eyes.
My trust in Austin is the only reason I feel safe enough to do it now. The only way I feel safe enough to show him my true emotions. Hell, at this point, he’s seen right into the dark depravity of my soul, and every single mark since littering my body is proof of that.
The movie is cute, and I find myself smiling more than once. “This style of film is cute.”
“It’s claymation,” Jasper and Arlo say in unison.
I can’t help but chuckle. Man, I can’t wait for these two to leave so we can talk about them.
By the time the night is winding down, Arlo is yawning his head off, and Jasper is damn near slumped on the end of the couch. I’m resting my head on Austin’s shoulder, and I’m so ready to go to bed I can barely think. If I have to push back my yap session over it, I’m gonna be wildly upset.
When the credits roll, Arlo stands. “Thank you so much for having me. I’m gonna head home, I think.”
“Let me walk you to the door.”
He nods, then Jasper stands as well. “I need to be going too. I’m not as young as I once was.”
Austin and I walk them to the door together. Arlo goes out first after giving me an unexpected hug. Something about the contact warms me from the inside out. I’m used to Austin’s easy affection.Or, well, I’mgettingused to it. It’s something else entirely to get it from Arlo. I smile. I really like him a lot.
I’m not expecting Jasper to hug me at all, but when he comes in slowly, arms stretched wide, I let him pull me in. “Thank you,” he whispers near my ear. “You have no idea how much being included means to me. I haven’t decorated a Christmas tree in almost twenty years.”
“You’re welcome,” I whisper back because… that’s the whole reason for the season, right? Spending time with friends and family? “Always here if you wanna talk,” I tack on at the end.
He releases me with a warm chuckle, then wraps Austin in a hug, patting his back. “You two lovebirds have a good night. Thanks for feeding me.”
Austin shuts the door behind him, and I shiver at the burst of cold air that rushes in. “I’ll build the fire up, baby.”
I sit down on the couch while Austin starts throwing wood in the fireplace. “So,” I start, pulling my legs up under me and getting comfortable.
“What the fuck, right?” Austin says, glancing at me over his shoulder.
“Yes! What the fuck, exactly? Why are they acting like that? I swear Jasper’s into Arlo.”
