His parents didn’t even seem to mind the tattoos, the smoking, or the fact that he didn’t have a college degree. They seemed to genuinely like Julien. He fit in better than Tyler would have ever expected. He hoped that maybe they’d be able to share more holidays together.
Tyler reconsidered his opinion of the family in the past few days. Ty loved them and knew they loved him. But having Julien there made Tyler realize the family wasn’t as uptight as he thought. If anything, he was the uptight one.
The bomb Cece dropped weighed heavily on his mind as he watched Cece cuddled up with her kids while Brad sat on the other side of the sofa. He wondered what would happen or if she would be alright.
Brad returned the day after Ty and Cece had talked, and everything seemed normal. However, Tyler noticed the little things, how they seemed to grate on each other’s nerves in ways he had never realized before. It was weird to think that the perfect happy couple he’d always looked up to was falling apart in front of his eyes. It made his chest ache.
He leaned his head on Julien’s shoulder, their laps covered by the same sherpa-lined blanket.Home Aloneplayed out on the television. Everyone sipped hot chocolate except for Julien, who drank what Tyler had begun to think of as his favorite flavored seltzer. The room wasdark and cozy.
It felt so fucking nice.
Julien rested his chin on Tyler’s head, and under the blankets, his hand moved, drawing little circles on Tyler’s knee. The gentle touch started when, on the TV, Kevin’s mother began her arduous journey back home. Eventually, Tyler didn’t even know what part they were up to because the circles were all he could think about. The slight pressure over the flannel of his pajama bottoms made his head spin.
He didn’t even know if Julien realized what he was doing since he seemed focused on the screen. Meanwhile, Tyler felt as if the whole room had closed in on him, leaving only the frustrating sensation of Julien’s finger, which Tyler wished might slip and graze other sensitive parts.
Even though his cup was empty, and he had to pee, Tyler didn’t dare move even an inch, worried Julien wouldn’t start it up again if he left the couch. Or if he even moved his leg to readjust his position.
“I’m going to get another drink,” Julien told him as the cops were called on screen. Julien patted his knee.
Disappointment blossomed in Tyler’s chest, but he smiled and nodded. He also got up to use the bathroom and get himself another drink.
He stepped out of the bathroom and saw Julien in the kitchen waiting for him in the dark. “Everything alright?” He stepped a bit closer.
“Yeah.” Julien hooked his arm around Tyler’s waist and pulled him close. He kissed his lips before Tyler could ask him what he was doing.
It wasn’t chaste like all the other brief kisses they shared. Instead, Julien’s mouth was open and warm and tasted like orange and vanilla.
Tyler opened his mouth to the kiss. His arms came up to loop around Julien’s shoulders, and he stood on his toes to reach better.
The kiss was open but slow. Tyler’s tongue teased Julien’s without fighting for dominance. Ty only wanted to kiss, taste, and enjoy the touch of lips and tongue. His spine tingled with desire, and he slowly moved his hands up to card through the curls at the base of Julien’s neck.
Julien made a soft noise in the back of his throat, and Tyler smiled into the kiss, which unfortunately prompted Julien to pull away.
Tyler had been thinking about kissing Julien in this exact way for days, but whenever he thought they might, something stopped him, or both of them. This was perfect, and Tyler hated to stop now.
“We’re missing the movie,” Julien mumbled in a low tone. His full lips were moist, and Tyler just wanted to bite them, suck on them, and make Julien kiss him more.
Tyler took a heavy breath. “Right.” he nodded and, in a daze, followed Julien back to their spot on the couch. After the impromptu make-out session, he felt like a teenager again, trying to act naturally in front of his family. But that kiss feltveryreal.
Julien’s hand didn’t go back to his knee, but he did drag his arm around Tyler, and Tyler leaned in close again.
With confidence he didn’t usually feel, Tyler slid his fingertips under the bottom of Julien’s T-shirt and gently rubbed them back and forth on his firm lower belly. The movie could have been paused, and Tyler wouldn’t have known. His every thought was on the man beside him, and his fingers brushed against the thin treasure trail ofbelly hair.
Cece and Brad announced that it was bedtime. They picked up a sleeping Kelsey and led Owen to their room. His mother and father soon followed, despite the second movie only halfway through. As much as Tyler wanted to go up right away, he didn’t want to seem too eager. Promises from the other night were still unfulfilled; he hoped tonight could remedy that.
“I’m going to go up.” Julien squeezed Tyler before he stood and stretched his arms out. “Wally, stay frosty, brother. Goodnight, Hailey.”
They both said goodnight and looked at Tyler expectantly.
“Right. Yeah, I’m, uh, going to go to bed, too.” Tyler awkwardly got to his feet.
“Night, Buddy,” Hailey said with that evil sparkle in her eyes.
Tyler managed not to run to his room, though his heart thudded harder with each step. What if the kiss and the touching was still part of the act? It felt real, but did Julien actually want him? The signs seemed to point toyes, but doubts clouded his mind.
His questions were answered when he closed the door, and Julien crowded him against it to kiss him before he could flip the lock.
This time, the kiss wasn’t gentle, nor slow and exploring, but hungry, with a purpose.
