Chapter 19 Orion #2
Hideo returns with three glasses, and Bertie demands, “At the stroke of twelve, I want a good-luck kiss from both of you. Assume the position and get ready!”
“Five!” We shuffle around the stools and get in position.
“Four!” Bertie pushes me over next to Hideo, saying, “Hurry! Move!”
“Three!” I feel arms wrapping around me from both sides.
“Two!” I’m pulled into a tight triangle with my favorite men in the world.
“One!” Bertie makes me laugh with the absurd things he’s doing with his lips.
“Happy New Year!” We dive in for a beardy, tentacle-y, awkward, and entirely delightful three-way kiss.
Bertie licks one of my tentacles, so I tickle him on the neck with another.
“Hey, no fair,” he says. “No tickling.”
“All’s fair in love and war,” I say, then realize what I’ve said.
Bertie and Hideo both lean back, keeping our cozy three-way embrace, and give me perfectly matched smiles, filled with sparkle and promise.
Hideo says, “We love you too, Orion.”
Bertie adds, “What he said.”
As we drive home, I can’t stop grinning. I’m holding tightly onto my prize, a package of fancy beard ties. Second place, Full Beard Freestyle. The twins won first place and the grand prize, as they should, but the real prizes are both sitting here with me in the car.
“Are you and Jake going to stay over tonight?” Hideo asks, as if there’s any question.
“We want to spend some time with that award-winning beard,” Bertie adds.
It’s all been happening so fast! Seems like I’ve been over at their place more than I’ve been home. It feels right, and now they’ve told me they love me. I didn’t say it back, exactly, but I do, truly.
“I’d love that, if it’s okay,” I answer, and realize that I’ve said love again, but not in the right way. I’m so awkward when it comes to stuff like this. Sharing my feelings. I should probably just say it. Maybe not now, but sometime later tonight, for sure.
“We’ll swing by your place and get Jake, then head home.”
As we drive through my neighborhood, Hideo says, “Everyone still has their lights up! It looks great. Are there many families in the neighborhood?”
“Yes,” I confirm. “I think most of them are young people starting families. There are always packs of kids on the street.” I don’t mention our recent encounter with the older kids. Tonight is not a time for negativity.
“All rentals?” he asks.
“Probably. I think I’m one of the few who’s bought their place.” Then I have to laugh. The mortgage payment has always been a stretch with my freelance salary. “At least part of it—the bank owns the rest.”
“Interesting. I bet there’s a lot of demand for rental properties—this is a great neighborhood. Here we are,” he says, pulling into my driveway. “I’m sure Jake will be happy to see you.”
“To see us,” I correct.
As I predicted, Jake launches out of his bed when we pass through the door and showers us with New Year affection. This, naturally, needs to be rewarded with some New Year treats.
No work tomorrow, for any of us, so I gather up some supplies and plan to spend the whole day with them.
That will be a luxury, and I intend to take full advantage.
Sleeping in late and keeping them in bed far too long when we wake.
Cooking breakfast with Bertie. Lots of play time with Jake and Hideo.
Lounging with Bertie in front of some videos and trying to concentrate on the plot.
It will be the best first day of the year ever.
“Just toss a few extra cans in there and bring the whole bag of dry food,” Bertie suggests as I pack up supplies for Jake. “It will be good to have some on hand.” I slip in a few of Jake’s favorite toys, because I’m sure Hideo will want to join Jake and me at the park.
“Let me help,” Hideo says, joining me in the bedroom and grabbing my gym bag, stuffing in far more underwear and socks than I will need tomorrow. Puzzling.
It’s getting late and we’re all starting to droop, so we grab the bags and open the car door for Jake. Even in the middle of the night, he’s all in for an adventure, and I am too. A fresh new year ahead of us, filled with…what? I can’t even begin to guess. This is all so new to me.
When we get to their house, we all tromp up to the porch. It’s getting chilly, but they just stand there, looking at me.
“What?” I say, wondering what’s going on.
“What are you waiting for, Orion?” Bertie says, hugging his arms around his chest and stamping his feet. “I’m freezing. Let’s go inside.”
“Anytime you’re ready, Orion,” Hideo says. “Let’s head in where it’s warm.”
“What are you guys talking about?” I had a few beers at the bar, but I’m not that drunk. Something odd is happening. They’re playing games with me, but I don’t know my part.
“Oh!” Hideo says. “I completely forgot!”
He makes a big show of searching through his pockets, and finally turns to Bertie and asks, “I don’t have it. You?”
“Let me see…” Bertie says, searching through his pockets and trying to hide a grin. With that grin, I definitely know something is up, and it has Bertie’s name written all over it.
“Ah!” he says in a grand theatrical voice. “Here it is.”
With much pomp, he reaches out a fist, offering, and it all makes sense. The talk about renting my place and the bags filled with my stuff. I think I know what’s in his hand. I hope I do.
“Come here,” I say, gathering them both into my arms. I know the time is right, so I say it. “Bertie, Hideo, I hope you know. I love you both so much.”
As I release them, Bertie says, “Thanks, Orion, we know, but it’s nice to hear. Now hold out your hand.”
I open my hand and he drops it into my palm.
The key to their house…but I don’t need a key. They’ve already unlocked my heart.