Then he clicked another site. “This one says you can spritz watered-down lemon juice around it to the same effect. Not sure how that might affect the aluminum, though.”
RJ looked up from his phone to see Rutty examining him closely, a warm expression on his face. “Listen to your boyfriend, son. He’s got it covered.”
Aaron coughed and blushed. “He’s not my—”
“Lover,” RJ corrected. “We’re not using boyfriend. We’re going with lover.”
Rutty hooted and laughed until his eyes started to water.
“What?” Aaron said, his entire face going red. “What’s funny?”
“Oh, law. Just thinking about Christmas Eve and introducing this handsome man to the family as yourlover.”
Aaron looked at his dad like he’d gone mad. “First, no way you’re doing anything like that. Second, he’s not going to be here on Christmas Eve.”
RJ felt oddly hurt by that comment, but he couldn’t say just why. They’d fucked for a few nights, were clearly going to continue fucking for however long his break from touring lasted, but being invited to family holidays was a big deal, like a real commitment kind of deal, and—
Rutty interrupted RJ’s thoughts by saying, “He sure as hell is! You’ve finally brought a boy home and he’s going to be treated just like everyone else’s, ah, errr…lover—” He cut up laughing again, but after a few guffaws got it back together enough to wheeze, “I’m going to make sure of it.” He turned to RJ, still wiping at his eyes. “Supper’s at five thirty. Don’t worry about bringing presents. But a bottle of whiskey’s always good. Maker’s Mark is my favorite.”
“Dad, that’s not—” Aaron started, but Rutty turned and walked from the barn, shaking his head and raising his hand to the sky.
“I won’t hear it, Cracker. He’ll be here.”
RJ stared after Aaron’s bear of a father in shock and then he started laughing too. “Lover,” he said, and sputtered.
“What were you thinking telling him that?” Aaron fussed.
RJ giggled. “He’s going to introduce me to your aunts, uncles, and cousins as yourlover.”
“Well, he’s not, actually, because you aren’t coming.” Aaron crossed his arms over his chest and gazed at the shining square of light illuminating the way out to the barnyard. A goat ambled in and bleated, kicking his feet up and down, before finding a little pile of hay and chowing down.
“What if I want to come?” RJ said a little petulantly. “I’ve never been to a big family shindig before. My family was just me and my mom growing up.”
“But now it’s you and your mom, and the kids, and your stepdad, and other people surely?” Aaron turned to him, confusion sliding around his face.
“I don’t know what it’ll be like. I’ve never spent Christmas with them since they married.” RJ ran a hand through his hair. “I haven’t really wanted to.”
“You promised your brother and sister—”
“That I’d be there on Christmas Day. And I will. But I didn’t say anything about Christmas Eve.” He paused, raising a brow. “If you don’t want me to come, Mr. Danvers, just say so.”
Aaron swallowed and looked RJ up and down. His shoulders dropped. “I don’t know. It’s all so sudden. We barely know each other. Last week you were just a former student of mine. Now you’re…” He fidgeted and looked up at RJ through his lashes.
“Now I’m the guy who’s made you cry with pleasure.”
Aaron closed his eyes and swallowed. “Yeah, and that’s exactly why this is all too fast. That’s what we’ve been doing. Not whatever it is my dad thinks we’re up to.”
“Oh, I think he’s pretty sure we’ve been doing that.”
“You know what I mean. He thinks we’re an item. Two men making a go at something real.”
RJ had an urge to say theycouldbe those guys. But they couldn’t. They would never be. How fucked up was that? And how much more fucked up that RJ’s stomach hurt over it? Aaron was right. They’d really only known each other for less than a week.
“Let’s talk about it next week, maybe,” Aaron said, obviously compromising for show only. He ran a hand into his hair, conflicted distraction laying over his pretty features. “You know, if we’re even still doing this next week.”
RJ turned back to the Christmas tree in the stall. The shining joy of it spattered light all around the wood enclosure. He’d let all of this get to him. The heat of the sex, the sweetness of Aaron’s hand in his own, and the thrill of Rutty’s easy acceptance. He’d let his mind and heart go too fast. He looked foolish.
“Fair enough, Mr. Danvers,” RJ said, putting his chin up. He hoped Aaron didn’t notice the hint of lingering, irrational hurt under his false cheerfulness. “What do you say we load this tree and these ornament boxes into my car?” He pulled out his phone and glanced at the time. “Yeah. Wow, it’s almost two. I should probably be getting back to town soon. I have that show tonight. I should prepare for it.”
