Tyler laughed. “He can’t be as bad as Cece. You have to watch her.” He stepped away from his newrealboyfriend despite wanting to stay in his room until the New Year. Tyler sat on the bed and removed his socks to replace them with the newly gifted ones.
“I think they’re my new favorites.” Tyler wiggled his feet, satisfied with how they looked and, more importantly, who they were from.
“I don’t even want to ask how many pairs of socks you have.” Julien laced their fingers together and led him back downstairs. Christmas music seemed to cover up the hum of conversation from the corners of the room.
His father spoke to his brother-in-law and uncles. His mom was deep in conversation with Cece. Hailey and Walter played with the kids and the dog.
No one looked up when they came in, but Tyler didn’t care. The only person he cared about seeing him was Julien, who was right beside him.
“There you are,” Wally said from across the room. Wally precariously stepped over the brand-new train set and many doll clothes. “How about that game?”
“I’m down,” Tyler said. “Come on, Wally, lead the way.”
“Hey, wait.” Julien looked up. They were standing beneath a ball of mistletoe. “I hear it’s bad luck if you don’t kiss.”
“Meet you in the living room.” Wally shook his head with amusement.
Tylerscoffed but could not hide a smile as he rose to his toes. Julien’s thumb and forefinger closed on his chin, lifting his head to kiss his lips warmly.
Tyler heard a fewoohscoming from various family members. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so secure and wasn’t even embarrassed about their reaction.
Julien pulled away and smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Come on, Baby, let’s take Wally for everything he’s worth.”
Tyler shook his head. “You and that guy are obsessed with each other,” he commented as he followed Julien into the living room.
“Don’t be jealous, Baby. Right, Wally?” Julien grinned, sitting down. He pulled Tyler into the seat next to him. “We have something special.”
Wally laughed and shook his head.
“Stop flirting.” Brad pointed with the deck of cards between Wally and Jules. “Are you in or not? What’s the buy-in?”
Cece rolled her eyes but smiled. “We could just play for fun.”
“Nah,” Hailey said. “The loser has to do all the dishes.”
Tyler shook his head. “Absolutely not. I am not losing this one.” He did not want to be stuck doing all of the dishes.
In the end, though, he did lose. But it didn’t matter because Julien helped him. Tyler didn’t think he had ever enjoyed the disgusting chore more.
