Chapter Twenty-Three
Robin collected the discarded wrapping paper and went into the kitchen to place it in the box where Dad put all the stuff for recycling. It amused him to note the difference in him and Ryan. Robin had carefully unwrapped his gifts, whereas Ryan had torn into them.
He really is a big kid.
“Okay, you’ve done the duty bit,” Dad said as he came into the kitchen. “Get out of here.”
“Huh?” Robin feigned innocence. He’d tried to be subtle about it.
Dad snorted. “I lost count of how many times you looked at the clock. I already sent Dean a text to say you’d be on your way soon. But remember—back here for dinner.”
Robin gave him a hug. “Thanks, Dad. And Merry Christmas.”
Dad held him for a second. “Merry Christmas to you, son.” Then he pulled away. “Now go.” He paused. “We both know there’s someone else you’d rather be hugging, so get over there.”
Robin didn’t need telling twice.
He dashed into his room to collect the gifts he’d made for Dean. It had taken every minute of his lunchtimes the previous week, but he’d finished them.
I hope he likes them. Now all he had to do was get them there.
Ryan poked his head around Robin’s door. “Whatcha got there?”
“Dean’s presents.”
Ryan glanced at the larger parcel. “Ooh, what is that one? Or do I not wanna know?”
Robin rolled his eyes. “I swear, your mind is permanently in the gutter.” He gazed at his twin with interest. “Is there no one you wanna call this morning. No ‘special someone’?”
“Nope.”
“Not even your roommate?” Robin teased. “You know, the one who likes—”
“No one. Besides, he went home for the holidays.” To his surprise, Ryan’s cheeks flushed. “Now go see your man. And have a good day.” His eyebrows went into their caterpillars-on-steroids routine again.
Robin was all kinds of intrigued. Precious Dean-time was ticking away, but this was important. Ryan had gone the distance for him, after all. “You wanna talk about this?”
Ryan threw his hands in the air. “Will you get out of here? There’s a hot guy waiting for ya.”
Robin got the message. Discussion closed.
“See you at dinner.” Robin picked up his packages, and headed for the front door.
“Wait!” Ryan came after him.
Robin came to a halt by the front door. “What’s up?”
“You can’t take those on the bike. You’ll have an accident. Lemme borrow the car, and I’ll drive you over there. Dad won’t mind.” And before Robin could object, he went off in search of Dad.
Okay, this was definitely not like Ryan.
He returned a minute later, waving the keys. “Let’s go.” Robin followed him out of the house and over to the car, where Ryan popped the trunk for him. Dean’s gifts safely stowed, Ryan pulled out of the driveway. They’d been driving about a minute before he spoke.
“Look, there’s nothing going on between me and Kyle, okay?”
Robin blinked. “Did I say there was?”
“No, but you sure hinted.”
Robin glanced at his twin. “Have I touched a nerve?”
“I’m not gonna talk about this.” Ryan set his jaw.
“According to you, there’s nothing to discuss anyway. So why are you so defensive?”
“Change the subject.” Ryan checked the rearview mirror before pulling away from the lights. “So how do you think everything went yesterday? When Dad said Dean was coming to dinner, I thought he was joking at first.”
“I think we have you and Mom to thank for that. And that reminds me. I never did say thank you for going to bat for me. I didn’t expect that.”
Ryan huffed. “I told you I had your back, bro. I couldn’t stand seeing you so miserable. Especially when I wasn’t the cause,” he added with a grin. “Besides, how was I gonna enjoy Christmas with you moping around? I had to do something, right?”
Robin chuckled. “And there was me, thinking you were being selfless.” Except he knew better.
He directed Ryan to Dean’s house, and they pulled up to the curb. Robin twisted in his seat to look at him. “Now, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Robin snorted. “Well, I thought I knew what you’d do, but I’m learning otherwise. Thanks for the ride.” He got out of the car, and Ryan popped the trunk for him. Once he had the packages, Ryan sped away with a wave.
Robin walked toward the house, and before he reached the front door, Dean opened it. “Merry Christmas.” His eyes widened at the sight of the gifts. “Oh wow. Can I help you with those?”
“That’d be good.” Robin handed over the parcels, then stepped into the warm interior. As soon as Dean had put them down, Robin pounced. “Merry Christmas.” He kissed Dean as though he hadn’t seen him for weeks.
Dean broke the kiss and laughed. “Okay, if my neighbors didn’t know before that I have a boyfriend, they do now.” He closed the door, then took Robin in his arms. “Let’s try that again.” This time the kiss was more tender.
“Missed you.”
Dean kissed his forehead. “Missed you too.” He glanced at the packages. “Are these for me?”
Robin rolled his eyes. “No, they’re for Lady and Loki.” He bit his lip. “I didn’t get them anything.”
“Trust me, they have plenty. Now take off your coat, let me make some hot chocolate, and then we can exchange gifts.”
“You got something for me?” Robin peered around the hallway.
“Coat first. Then hot chocolate. Then gifts.” Dean glanced at the larger package. “Although I am dying to know what’s in that one.”
Five minutes later they were sitting on the couch. Robin gazed at the large flat package standing beside the Christmas tree. “Is that for me?”
Dean sighed. “You are so impatient. Go for it.”
Robin was off the couch in a heartbeat. He sat on the rug and prized the paper loose with care. What lay beneath stunned him into silence.
“Do you like it?” Dean’s voice held an obvious note of anxiety.
Robin swallowed. “It’s… it’s beautiful.” The portrait was of him and Dean, sitting on the couch, Lady and Loki in their laps. “You did this from memory?” Dean had captured everything: his hair, his lopsided smile, even his favorite cream sweater and black jeans. “Whenever did you find the time?”
“I did it last week.” Dean laughed. “Sleep is for the weak, did no one tell you that?” He got off the couch and joined Robin on the rug. “You really do like it?”
Tears pricked the corners of Robin’s eyes. “No—I love it.” He set it down, before leaning over to kiss Dean. “Thank you.”
Dean rubbed under Robin’s eyes with his thumb, wiping away his tears. “Love you.” Another gentle kiss. Then he grinned. “Now do I get to open mine?”
Robin laughed. “Go for it.”
Dean opened the smaller package first, gasping as he removed the paper. “Oh wow. This is gorgeous. You made this.”
Robin smiled. “I know you already have hooks by the front door, but I thought you might like this.” He’d taken a piece of cherrywood, and screwed five bronze coat hooks into it. The top of the piece was carved with the shapes of two cats, one at each end.
Dean pointed to the smaller cat. “That has to be Loki.” He smiled. “Thank you.” He glanced at Robin. “This isn’t timber from the boatyard, is it?”
Robin chuckled. “I bought it specially last week.” He pointed to the larger package. “That one took less time, believe it or not.”
Dean put down the coat hook rack, and ripped the paper away from the parcel. His breathing hitched. “Oh, Robin.”
“I thought it might go in your hallway, under the coat hook rack.” He’d made a shoe storage bench, with two shelves set into it. The top of the bench had a raised lip around it. “There’s supposed to be a cushion that sits on top, but I didn’t have time to get around to that.”
Dean took Robin’s hands in his. “Such talent.” He kissed each fingertip, and Robin’s heart soared. “Thank you.”
“You can thank me properly upstairs,” Robin said, his pulse speeding up a little.
Dean smiled. “I like the sound of that. I might have another present waiting for you in my bedroom.”
Robin grinned. “Let me guess. Your dick has a bright red bow tied around it.”
“You peeked!” They both laughed. “Well, I tried holly, but that stuff prickles.” Dean got to his feet, pulling Robin with him. “How long do we have?”
“Hours and hours.”
Dean took his hand. “Then let’s not waste a second of it.” He led Robin toward the stairs.
Robin couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend the day.
Robin carried the dishes through into the kitchen, following Mom. Dad and Dean were talking canoes, so Robin left them to it. Ryan was playing a game on his phone. Robin opened the dishwasher and started loading it.
“Your dad and Dean seem to be getting along,” Mom commented.
Robin smiled to himself. It was a step in the right direction.
“Sweetheart, can we talk?”
Robin paused. “Sure.” He stopped what he was doing and turned to her. “Is anything wrong?”
She sat at the table and indicated a chair. “Come sit for a minute.”
Robin did as instructed, his skin prickling. Uh-oh.
Mom clasped her hands in front of her on the table. “Robin… You need to think about the future. Maybe living here isn’t the right thing for you.”
Okay, that was not what he’d expected. Sure, he’d had the same idea, but he hadn’t thought for a second that Mom would be the one to get the ball rolling. Of course, he hadn’t broached the subject with Dean yet—it was still early days—but Robin hoped he’d be on the same page.
It would be perfect. I’d be in Lake Placid, still working with Dad… The thought of living with Dean sent a thrill of anticipation through him.
“And before you get any ideas, hear me out.” Mom speared him with a look. “Because I have a good idea what’s going through your head right now.”
Yeah, that was his first clue he and Mom definitely weren’t on the same page.
“When you think you’re ready to move out, get a place of your own. I don’t care if it’s for a year, a couple of years, or less. You need to figure out who you are. On your own.”
Robin frowned. “Excuse me?” He knew who he was. This made no sense.