That’s what he kept telling himself anyway. He knew Allen would never go for it, but it was nice to dream big, right?
When Jake had made his intentions clear, and Allen had challenged him by saying there was no way he would win his heart, he expected to be stonewalled at every turn. Instead, he fell into a rhythm in the two weeks leading up to Christmas of playing hockey, hanging with Riley, and spending every night and morning at Allen’s apartment.
By the fifth day, Allen had given him a key because he was tired of waiting for him on nights he had to go to bed early for work. By the tenth day, Allen started expecting morning kisses. And it was on Christmas Eve that Allen invited him over, asking if Jake had any plans for the day.
Jake was supposed to go to his parents’ house to eat too much turkey and open presents he didn’t need from his grandmother, but that all went out the window the second he received Allen’s flustered text.
“Dude, what are you doing?” Riley asked, pausing their video game so he could stare Jake down. “You’re smiling like a budding serial killer who just landed a pet-sitting job.”
Jake blinked at him, and Riley rolled his eyes.
“Don’t start,” he said, elbowing Jake. “That wasn’t even in the top ten worst things I’ve said.”
Jake shrugged and unpaused the game, filling the room with the sounds of roaring dragons and swords clattering off impenetrable scales.
Riley’s character wasn’t moving, and Jake knew he was still staring at him, but he didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t great at expressing himself, and he knew the answer was simple to give, but the thought of putting a voice to his words felt like climbing a mountain some days.
“Okay, Mouse. If you’re not going to tell me, then I’m going to start guessing.
Jake shrugged.
“Your dad bought you that stupid electric car he’s been trying to convince you to ask for,” said Riley.
Jake shrugged.
“Your mom asked you for grandkids again, or your grandmother asked you for grandkids again.”
Jake scrunched his nose and shrugged.
“You were given permission to play hockey for real.”
That would be nice, but alas, Jake shrugged.
“Allen spoke to you.”
This time, Jake didn’t move. He remained focused on the game, scowling when Riley’s chuckles began to grow in volume.
“You guys haven’t had sex yet?”
Riley would see that as a loss, but he had no idea that Jake was winning every time he walked away from Allen’s apartment without having sex. No sex meant there were feelings. Maybe.
He hoped.
“He asked me if I had plans for Christmas, and then he asked me to come over,” said Jake, finally breaking his silence.
Riley gasped and paused the game. “Shit. That’s a big deal.”
Jake nodded.
“What about the shindig at your parents' place?” Riley asked, and Jake caught the concern in his tone. “You’re not going to…skip Christmas, right? If I show up without you, your mom will kill me.”
“Don’t go,” Jake said simply.
“Don’t go?!” Riley dropped his controller and grabbed Jake’s shirt collar, giving him a shake. “And miss out on the best food and all the expensive clothes they buy me? Last Christmas, your dad bought me twenty hockey sticks and the best gear in the store.”
Jake groaned, letting his body go limp as Riley continued to shake him. It was easier to play dead opossum when Riles got like this, or he risked walking away with whiplash.
When Jake slumped onto his side, Riley followed him, practically mounting him as he pinned him to the floor. “You’re pissing me off,” Riley growled. “First Coach bothered me about Sloan, and now you’re being aloof with your parents because you have a guy.”
