Chapter Zach
Zach
The Bates do way too much for us. I’m not surprised in the slightest, but still. My sisters were absolutely spoiled this morning by so many gifts under the Christmas tree in the living room of the house.
But they weren’t the only ones. I received a stocking hat, lots and lots of clothes, coveralls to keep me warm doing chores—Mr. Bates said it was selfish to keep me from whining but we all know it was all out of kindness. And there’s nothing selfish about these people.
I also got a new sleeping bag and some cool camping gear. It’s too damn much, but it felt kind of amazing sitting in the warm living room with hot cocoa surrounded by family opening presents.
Mrs. Bates had loud Christmas music playing but no one complained and when Jameson and Garrison showed up she shoved presents at them both and we watched them open them up too before a huge lunch.
Now we’re walking around the land with Jameson and Garrison, catching up a little. It’s been a while since we’ve seen them, but they both seem happy. Really damn happy. It’s hard to believe their was a time when they used to hate each other.
But those days are long gone now. Our shoes crunch over the fresh snow and it’s cold as hell out here, but there’s still beauty. I’ve never not understood Adam’s fascination with this place—I’ve always thought it was beautiful.
“You’re really going to do it?” I’m drawn to Jameson as he talks to his younger brother that looks an awful lot like him. Weird. Never had a thing for the older Bates, but the younger one really does it for me.
“Do what?” Adam’s voice is firm and deep as they look out over the land.
“Stay in Kensley. Stay here and build a house. Be a farmer.”
I can sense Adam’s tension ever from the few feet away. This is where they are different. Very different. Jameson never wanted this. Not at all. This is all Adam has ever wanted and it wasn’t out of a sense of have to. It was always what he wanted.
“Yes.” He says through gritted teeth and me and Garrison share a look. We both know how these two can get.
“Easy.” Jameson says, raising his hands in front of him and facing his brother. “I think it’s great. I just can’t believe it.”
“Not all of us want to get out.” Adam says with an edge still to his tone.
“Yeah. I guess not. I’m proud of you little brother.” He slings his arm around Adam’s neck and pulls him close. “Show me your place.”
“What. No.” Adam shoves him off but it’s playful. “It’s covered in snow and basically just cement at the moment.”
“Oh I can see some of the structure from here.” J says as he looks out over at where Adam’s home is being built. I know it hasn’t come along nearly as much as he’d like. Winter hit early, but he doesn’t need to be ashamed.
He should be damn proud. How many people build their own houses from the ground up these days?
“Come on, Adam. Let’s show them.” I say, hoping he doesn’t get mad but I’m proud as hell of him and I want to show off his work too.
He only looks at me with affection as he nods his head and leads us all toward the soon to be home. That yes, is covered in snow at the moment, but I’ve seen the plans for the house and looking at it now, I can picture it.
Dixon lets out a sharp whistle. “This is nice.”
Jameson elbows his man, “It is nice. It’s going to be great.” His eyes lock on Adam’s and even Adam can’t be too surly toward his brother when he’s trying so damn hard.
We walk around the structure and then Jameson rubs his chin with his gloved hand like he’s thinking something over.
“It’s going to be spring before we know it.”
Adam shrugs, “If Kansas decided to have an early spring. Or it’ll snow in April. Who the fuck knows.”
That makes Jameson smirk as he stares at the concrete with some wooden beams in place. “I’m just say, Garrison and I will help, but you should hit up Oakley. The guy is practically salivating.”
“Oakley does landscaping.” Adam says as he stares at his home.
“You need to pay attention. He also builds porches and firepits. The dude is loud but handy.”
Garrison smiles at the mention of his best friend, “He even has his own crew now. I’m sure they’d come out and help. We could get this done before summer.”
Adam looks confused and maybe a little anxious at the thought. “Oakley?”
Jameson grins and wraps his arm around his brother again, “Yes. Oakley. Him and Trav have hired on quite a lot. I’m sure they could use the experience and have been bored as fuck this winter already.”
Adam frowns, but his eyes meet mine like he’s thinking it over. I mean, having the house done by summer would be incredible but I know how important this house is to Adam. He wants it done his way.
“Oakley will come in like a wrecking ball and take over.”
“Hey, as much as I love that song too.” Dixon starts with a bigass grin, “Oakley has grown up a lot. And it helps that Travis holds onto his balls most of the time. Keeps em in his pocket.”
I cringe but surprisingly Adam laughs. “I still can’t believe Oakley and Travis are together.”
“Happy as fuck too.” Jameson says with a big grin. “Let us help.”
I eye Adam, silently conveying his own sentiment back to him when he told me to let people help. He reads my mind because he frowns and then sighs with a nod. “Okay. Thank you. Only if they have the time and want to.”
“Oakley loves shit like this. Don’t worry. He’ll be jumping for joy.” Jameson says and releases his brother. We go back to the house for pie and snack on leftovers for dinner before Mrs. Bates turns on a Christmas movie and we all snuggle in the living room.
Jameson and Dixon take off and Mary falls asleep before we say goodnight and make the walk to the trailer. I don’t know what it was about this day. Seeing Jameson and Dixon should be a damn turn off, so should all the food we consumed, but I want him so damn badly I can barely stand it.
We get back to the camper and I tell Adam I’m going to take a shower, going into the tiny bathroom there and closing the door. There’s barely enough room to get undressed in there with the door closed, but I make it work.
When I feel I’ve thoroughly cleaned every single part of my body I climb out of the cramped shower and sling a towel around my waist. When I walk out into the main part of the camper I can’t hold back the laugh.
Not at Adam, lying casually on the bed, his shoes and socks off, but jeans and thermal shirt still on. No, he looks hot as hell. The thing that’s making me laugh is the carton of eggnog and two glasses sitting by it near the bed.
“Eggnog? Seriously?”
“‘Tis the season.” His smile is blinding as he looks over at me happily and yeah, this may feel totally unreal, but it’s not. This is the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.
I can feel it.
I always knew he would be part of my life, but never in a million years did I dream that I could have all this.
I walk over to the carton and stare it down, “Was puking our guts out freshmen year not enough? You want to try again?”
He chuckles and sits up before sliding off the bed and walking over to me, picking the carton up and opening it. “That was because we added way too much rum and thought we were badass drinking it all.”
I grin at that as he pours the disgusting liquid into the cups. “We needed it. That shit is awful on it’s own.”
He laughs again and it’s so damn light and free. He hands me one cup and I take it, while he takes the other one, “Merry Christmas.”
We clink our glasses together and both take the world’s tiniest sip. I make some sort of choking noise and my nose crinkles and Adam isn’t doing much better.
“Fuck. That’s gross.”
I cackle at that and put my glass down as I steal his from him and place it next to mine before grasping the back of his neck and pulling his mouth to mine.
I kiss him, not caring about the taste of eggnog on his tongue as it sweeps over mine.
I moan, the need and desperation thick as my cock tents the flimsy towel.
“I want you.” I say breathlessly, still holding onto his nape.
“I’ll always want you.” He says so easily against my lips and I grin, letting my forehead rest against his as we stand there in the camper, breathing each other in. The small space heater doing it’s job and making it pretty toasty in here.
“I want you inside of me.” I clarify.
His head snaps back slightly and he looks deep into my eyes, “Tonight?”
I nod, nerves fluttering in my chest, but not enough for me to take it back. I want this. I’ve wanted this for a damn long time and I trust Adam more than anyone on this planet.
He won’t hurt me.
Although he does look slightly sick right now.
Shit, did I misread this whole thing? Is this too much for him?
“Adam.” I move my hand down from the back of his neck to his shoulder, “We don’t have to.
I’m very happy with anything you’re ready for.
We can cuddle all night and I’ll wake up with the same smile on my face as I would if we… .”
“Have sex?” He supplies.
“I was thinking fucking, but it didn’t feel quite right.”
His smile is back now, so bright and wide it’s almost blinding. “No. I don’t think it would be fucking with us.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips, “I mean, at least until we get the hang of it. Then I’ll bend you over and fuck you any time.”
A wicked grin slides over my face because I love the sound of that. “Hopefully in the bigass shower you’re going to have in the house.”
“Oh absolutely. I have plans for an oversized marble shower with two showerheads and a huge water heater so we can stay in there for as long as we want to.” He says as he flicks the knot in the towel free and leaves me standing there totally naked while he’s pretty much totally clothed.
“Yes.” I say thinking about him taking me in that shower and having his way with me. My face against the cool marble. His hands all over me, his cock splitting me open and pushing inside.