Onni looked torn for a brief second before turning to Tyler and Jamie, a grave expression on his face. “I must go. I will make sure kids are safe.”
Jamie chuckled as the two NHL players got down on the floor with a set of mini sticks and started explaining the rules of the game. Rowan was entranced, his big eyes darting between the two young men.
“If my living room turns into a non-stop hockey game, I’m blaming you.” Tyler turned, wrapping his arms around Jamie’s middle. The pink and blue striped sweater he was wearing was soft, and Jamie’s fingers brushed back and forth over the loose stitching covering his back.
“So, that happened,” Jamie said, smiling down at him.
Tyler shook his head fondly. “Yeah, it did.”
“You okay?”
Tyler leaned his cheek on Jamie’s chest. “Better than okay.”
“Can I get you something to drink? Some tea? Some coffee? I looked up a video on how to make matcha, and, I’ve gotta be honest with you, that was too much for me to figure out, but there’s delivery if you really–”
His words were cut off when Tyler pressed his palm over Jamie’s mouth. “Jamie. I’m here, in your house, because I want to be here. You don’t need to convince me to stay.”
Jamie nipped at one of Tyler’s fingers, then kissed it. “But I like taking care of people.”
“Fine,” Tyler said, tone teasing. “How about a cup of herbal tea?”
“Coming right up.”
Jamie’s heart was full, almost painfully so, as he filled the kettle while Tyler hopped up on the counter. He glanced back at this man–hisboyfriend–admiring his slender legs and the spread wings of the moth embracing the base of his neck. The way his features softened as he watched Jamie move around the kitchen.
Nothing made him happier than seeing Tyler and Rowan comfortable in his home.
Maybe this would actually work. Maybe Tyler was different from the men he’d dated before. Maybe their busy lives could match up, and Jamie could be a place of comfort, of connection and pleasure, where Tyler and Rowan were welcome whenever there was time. Maybe Tyler was better equipped to handle Jamie’s long absences and devotion to the team, because he had obligations of his own.
Maybe they could build something just for them.
They hung the ornaments on the tree while a playlist of greatest Christmas hits played. Rowan’s attention span quickly waned, but he occupied himself with a plastic nativity scene whileJamie, Tyler, and the rookies finished up. Tyler, who’d seemed almost subdued when they’d first met, now badgered him for the backstory of every one of his childhood ornaments.
He loved how easy it was to make Tyler smile. He loved that he now knew Tyler kept little sparkly clips in his pocket for when his hair got in his eyes. He loved the gentle way Tyler spoke to his son.
Tyler moved through Jamie’s house like it was already familiar, and Jamie kept having to check himself to make sure he wasn’t smilingtoomuch.
Later, Onni and Oliver made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch while Jamie heated up tomato soup, and soon they were all gathered around the table. Rowan sat happily on a booster seat between the two rookies, who he’d declared were his “most favorite buddies,” and Tyler scooted his chair close enough to Jamie’s that their thighs could press together under the table.
When they were finished, Jamie left the rookies to do the dishes, and led Tyler and Rowan upstairs to the guest room. Rowan clambered up onto the bed, leaping and rolling over the pillows, while Jamie showed Tyler the Pack n’ Play, salt lamp, and an outlet where he could plug in the baby monitor.
The grateful smile Tyler gave him meant everything. It meant fuckingeverything. And then Rowan sat tucked against Jamie’s side as he readCorduroy, the story about the bear in a department store who was missing a button and went on an adventure through the store to find it. He read the last line and closed the book.
“I think it’s your rest time, bud,” Jamie said, reaching a hand up to fluff Rowan’s curls.
Rowan nodded in response. “I’m a tired kitty today.”
Jamie left them, whispering in Tyler’s ear that he was going to be in the basement getting a quick workout in. The door closed behind him with a click, and he felt like the little, empty corners of his life were finally filling in.
Tyler found him half an hour later.
Jamie saw him in the mirrored wall of his basement gym, leaning against the doorway watching him run, his arms crossed over his chest. Jamie slowed the treadmill down to a walk, immediately feeling the rush of heat down his legs where sweat trailed through his fuzzy blonde hair. He’d changed earlier into a pair of shorts, knowing he’d be sweating buckets.
Tyler’s tongue traced his lower lip as his gaze dropped to Jamie’s shorts. Jamie kept walking, eyes fixed on Tyler as he watched his boyfriend’s eyes trail over his legs. It felt so fucking good to be watched like that. To be watched, and to bewanted.
Jamie's attention never strayed from Tyler's face as he turned off the treadmill and removed his soaked t-shirt, tossing it over his shoulder.
Tyler’s mouth twitched into a smirk. “I like the view from over here.”
