38. Stasi
thirty-eight
Stasi
“ I need another inch over here.”
Pushed up on socked toes, Beau dangles a shiny blue ornament from his finger and smiles coyly over his shoulder.
I wipe my sugar-coated hands on my apron and rush to the living room, Cosmo chasing my heels.
A laugh escapes me when Liam beats me there.
Body pressed against Beau’s backside, he reaches up an arm up to hook the ornament on the top branch of the pine tree we convinced him to buy during one of our grocery outings.
Cause that’s a thing now.
Do Beau and I team up against Liam at the store? Absolutely. Am I thoroughly enjoying our living situation? Why yes, I am. Do I want to think about how my time here is temporary?
No I don’t.
Living with Liam has opened my eyes to just how much of a pushover he is. I have a theory that he was actually born soft on the inside. It was his childhood that forced him to fabricate his aggressive exterior and to constantly assume a threat was lurking around the corner.
I smile as Beau leans his head back on Liam's shoulder and simultaneously wiggles his hips against Liam’s groin.
“You’re not winning this game,” Liam says gruffly.
“I feel fine,” Beau whines. “Stas, come here.”
“Nuh uh, trouble.” Liam curls a hand around the back of Beau’s neck and bends him over so he has to brace his hands on the couch cushion.
My pulse leaps. Liam had me in a similar position last night, pounding into me from behind while Beau sat beneath me on the couch. After Liam took me over the edge, we both doubled up on getting Beau off with our hands and our mouths.
Liam grinds his hips against Beau once before releasing him. “We don’t have time for this.”
Beau glances at me, seeking weakness. “You both hate me.”
Rolling my eyes, I stomp over to peck a kiss to his lips. “Restrict someone from vigorous sex for a couple months…”
He makes to grab me, but I feign his attack with a laugh. “I’m covered in powdered sugar.”
“I don’t mind. I wanna taste you.”
The doorbell rings, interrupting what would surely unravel into a heated situation. Cosmo scampers into action, nails clacking on the floor, as I hurry to the sink to wash my hands and shed my apron.
When I make it to the entryway, Hail and Z are hauling in armfuls of gifts. Cosmo prances around their legs in excitement. Hail gives him a couple good head scratches, then glances around at the explosion of garland sparkling with white lights in the tight space. “What in the winter wonderland…?”
His amber eyes fall on me, a question dancing there. My heart pounds faster. I had planned on coming clean this evening about my relationship with Liam. Doesn’t mean I’m not panicking over my brother’s reaction.
I value my bond with Hail. I worry that he’s going to think I’m trying to steal Liam from him. That, or he’ll try to convince me of all the ways Liam will break my heart, and I already do a solid job at stirring up anxiety on my own .
“It smells amazing in here,” Z comments.
I force a smile while trying to suffocate my nerves. “Spiced apple candles.”
Beau and I went a little decor crazy, but I couldn’t deny him his fun when this afternoon was the first time since our makeshift camping date that he seemed like himself again.
I don’t blame him one bit for our decision to skip over Thanksgiving like it didn’t even happen.
He wasn’t feeling well, so we spent the day on the couch snuggling him instead.
Hail jabs a thumb in the direction of the front porch. “Found a cowboy in the driveway. I’d like to nominate him as our replacement dad.”
I blush as a handsome, stubbled, middle-aged man appears in his cowboy hat and leather-booted get-up.
Hurrying out the door to collect some of his bags, I sling an arm around his neck to hug him. “Hi, Dave. We’re so happy you were able to make it.”
His light eyes sparkle back at me. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Liam strides outside to grab Dave’s suitcase.
“Thanks for letting me stay,” Dave remarks, patting Liam on the bicep.
“No reason for you to go anywhere else. We have the room,” Liam replies smoothly.
A pang of longing spreads through my chest. Something about seeing Beau’s dad and Liam interact so kindly has me wishing for more holidays together. More memorable moments like this in Liam’s home.
I know the fantasy can’t last. I’ve enjoyed staying here while Beau recovers, but I have my own apartment I need to return to, and Beau’s planning on finding a place in Uptown.
Our mornings waking up together will become sporadic.
Our time together whittled down as regular life absorbs us once more.
Regardless of how much I tell my brain this, I don’t think I’ve wanted anything more than to keep living with Liam and Beau.
Would it be too much of a leap for us?
I drop my chin when I catch Hail’s gaze on me once more, a slight furrow between his brows.
Beau rounds the corner into the hallway. My eyes grow misty as Dave hurries to embrace him. He rocks Beau side-to-side, stroking a worn, tan hand over the back of Beau’s hair.
“Missed you, son.” Dave’s voice cracks with emotion.
Beau swipes at a rogue tear streaking down his cheek. “Damn it, dad. You’re not supposed to make me cry on Christmas.”
Chuckles fill the entryway. As everyone drifts into the kitchen and living area, I ferry gifts under the tree. In my chaotic running around, the doorbell rings again.
Liam cocks a brow at me. “Were we expecting anyone else?”
I swallow. “Uh, yeah. I wasn’t sure he’d come.”
I’d been so busy making sure the holiday would cheer Beau up that I’d forgotten to mention I’d invited my older brother.
Max had called me a week ago to ask if Hail and I were going to mom and dad’s for Christmas, to which I’d spilled about our alternative plans to have a get-together without them.
When I open the front door, Max stands on the porch awkwardly in pristine black slacks and a hunter green dress shirt, Felicity clutched in one arm and a bottle of fancy wine in the other hand.
I snatch up my niece, cooing at her cuteness in a red velvet dress and a matching bow over her wispy, ash brown hair .
When I turn around, Liam’s standing in the hallway, watching me with a soft gaze.
And here I thought he’d be overwhelmed by the decorations and the people.
I carry Felicity into the living room, and Hail swoops in to get some belly laughs out of her. Z smiles affectionately at his side.
“I’m guessing this is your niece,” Z says.
Dave holds out a finger for Felicity to wrap her little hand around. “What’s your name, sweet thing?”
Queue the explosion of my ovaries. Something about a room full of grown men turning to mush over a baby.
“This is Felicity, and my brother, Max.”
“Pleasure to meet you all,” Max addresses the room.
Dave claps a hand down on Max’s wide shoulder. “Right back at ya, son.”
Max’s eyes widen slightly, and then Beau moves in to further stun him. “Hey, I’m Beau. Stasi’s boyfriend.”
With a twitch of a brow, Max looks to me and then back at Beau.
He catalogues the scar on Beau’s head that hasn’t quite been hidden by his hair, then the dimples in his cheeks.
His assessment ends with the left hand Beau extends toward him.
His right hand isn’t quite up to par yet, but we’re getting there.
I hold my breath, anticipating some smart-mouthed response from Max before he pivots on his loafers and marches from the house.
Except, he politely shakes Beau’s hand.
See? Grass is greener on this side of the fence.
Not that I’m trying to get Max to choose sides. If he wants to maintain a relationship with our parents, that’s on him.
We all turn our attention back to Felicity as she lets out a shriek of joy .
“You’re a boisterous little thing, aren’t you?” Dave laughs. “Beau was a loud baby, too. He wanted all the attention.”
I break into a smile as my gaze finds Liam’s for a few lingering seconds. I hope he knows how thankful I am for opening up his door to all of us.
I should probably tell him how much I love him.
Max takes Felicity so I can help Liam prepare the outdoor table for dinner. Christmas in Texas usually means mild weather, giving us the opportunity to eat outside as the sun sets.
We dine on glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, and seasoned vegetables. Even Max, my normally stuck up brother, finds comfort in Dave’s easy dinner conversation, mingled with Hail and Z’s wild stories from their tours.
After refilling our drinks, we collectively wander into the living room to open gifts.
I wedge myself between Beau and his dad.
Liam sits beside Hail and Z on the other couch.
Max sits down on the floor with Felicity, shocking those of us who know him as he helps her open the gifts I bought her.
She gets a kick out of crumpling the wrapping paper, ignoring the age-appropriate toys I bought her.
Beau bought me a Cowboy’s football jersey. As I slide it over my cropped sweater, he beams up at me, a hungry glint in his eyes. Suppose he wouldn’t be exerting himself too much physically if I rode him later.
Liam got me an Arizona snapback. Apparently, he likes it when I wear hats, so now I’m going to have a whole collection.
As I show him the new display of tiny cacti and succulents I bought him and stowed around the house, Beau mutters “plant daddy” under his breath.
“I have something else to show you later,” Liam informs me.
My heartbeat stutters. He gives me a flat look, warning me not to get any wild ideas .
I watch everyone else tear into gifts—guitar pedals and accessories, goofy pajamas, a subscription to a wine distribution company for Max—and then my focus shifts to Liam as he opens up the envelope from me and Beau with a month’s worth of gift certificates to our favorite brunch place.
It’s not enough, but what else do you buy a metal god who has everything?
Eventually, Liam coaxes me into the hall with a curl of a ringed finger.