Chapter twenty-nine
Tyler smiled to himself at how far they had come.
After their almost breakup, Tyler joined Davey at The Ranch on a more permanent basis.
They spent three sun-splashed days in Clearwater forgetting the rest of the world before Davey went to the camp in Jacksonville.
Davey had spoiled him rotten with mimosas for breakfast, playing in the surf, and long walks along the beach at sunset.
They even got to hang out at a few local places along the strip.
Then Tyler flew back home to pack up the rest of his stuff while Davey had to go to Jacksonville.
After the training camp, they met back at The Ranch.
He had officially moved in, and Janie's new boyfriend moved in with her. Everything worked out perfectly.
Tyler loved seeing Davey so excited because the training had helped and he'd managed to cut a full second off his fastest track time. He would be more than ready when the season started.
When Christmas rolled around, they flew into Denver together to go visit Tyler's family.
Davey drove with Tyler navigating from the airport.
Tyler couldn't stop smiling. Davey had gotten a tattoo of a wrench on his right hip as a present for Tyler.
He'd also whispered about another surprise for later.
The holiday atmosphere excited him, but just being with Davey was more than enough for him.
He didn't know what to get Davey for Christmas, and still hadn't bought anything. He planned to go shopping with his mother and Janie after they got settled in at his mother's house. "You think you'll be okay hanging with my mom's boyfriend while I go off with Mom and Janie?"
"Janie?"
"Yeah, uh, her folks live next door. Didn't I tell you?"
"I guess I forgot."
Tyler laughed. "I used to have the biggest crush on her big brother. He was all jock, athletic and muscular and oh so hot."
Davey cut him a look, somewhat jealous and somewhat curious. "Jock, huh?"
"Yeah. The kind that marries the head cheerleader. That's exactly what he did. Janie and I became best friends. It was inevitable."
"Yeah, I see that." Davey rolled his eyes. "Is your mom's boyfriend into Supercross? Racing? Sports?"
"Of course."
"Then, it'll be fine, baby."
They pulled into the driveway of Tyler's mom's house. "They're going to love you."
Davey fiddled with the door latch and looked out the window, staring at the house. "I hope so, but it doesn't matter as long as you love me."
"I do."
Davey turned to face Tyler with a strange look. Tyler wanted to probe, question what he was thinking, but the front door flew open and his mother flew out screaming. "Tyler!"
Now, Tyler rolled his eyes. "Come on, lover. Let's get the hug-fest over with."
Tyler had been right. His mom hugged and kissed both of them and finally pulled them in the house.
As expected, Christmas decorations dripped from the walls with lights and garland draped over pictures.
Their family had always loved going overboard at Christmas.
His mother stood a good inch or two shorter than Tyler, and she had a curvy yet not overly plump figure and soft brown hair.
She introduced her boyfriend, Dean, to Davey and he shook Davey's hand, and then he hugged Tyler hard.
"Good to see you." His reaction made Tyler wonder if they weren't more serious than he had thought.
Maybe he should stop thinking of Dean as just his mother's boyfriend.
They had been dating longer than he'd been dating Davey after all.
In fact, it had probably been over two years.
Dean seemed to care for his mother a lot.
Love showed in his chocolate brown eyes when he looked at her.
Janie barged in with a little kid on her hip before things could get more awkward. "This is my little nephew, Bradly," she cooed and fussed over the tyke. The little blond munchkin was almost the spitting image of her. His fine blond locks hung over blue eyes.
"So, cute, Janie." His mom jumped in with the fussing and gave the little one a cookie.
"When are we shopping?" Janie asked, practically bouncing up and down.
His mother jumped in, "Give me about an hour, unless you're too tired, Ty?"
"No that's good."
"So, Davey," Dean chimed in. "There's a good race on. Indy car. You watch that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Forget the sir. Come on."
Tyler winked at Davey when he turned around before disappearing into the den. This was going to be a fun Christmas, if he could just find the perfect gift for his boyfriend.
After an hour of slumping around the local mall, shoulder to shoulder with all the other last-minute shoppers, Tyler ended up in the little trinket shop that did engraving.
At least he could personalize something.
Janie and his mother helped him find a charm, and the store clerk said he could have it ready in an hour.
So, the three headed to the food court to kill some time.
"I like Davey a lot," his mother said as they sat down with their coffee.
"Good, I do too." He winked at her.
"It's getting serious?" she asked.
Tyler shrugged. Janie snickered. "What?" he asked her.
"Nothing," she answered nonchalantly and took a sip of her coffee.
He eyed her carefully. He knew Janie well enough to know she was up to something. "Bullshit—"
"Tyler, mouth," his mom interrupted.
"Sorry, but she's lying. Janie?"
She shook her head with pursed lips. "I got nothing."
"Fine." He let it go, knowing how stubborn she could be. It would come out eventually, but he knew she was keeping something from him.
A little over an hour later, Tyler picked up his present for Davey, and they headed home.
Janie and his mother chatted away in the front seat of his mother's old car, but Tyler was quiet in the backseat with his thoughts whirling around.
He was getting serious with Davey, way too serious.
It terrified him and angered him that his relationship with this wonderful man would put their careers in danger.
He still couldn't get that thought out of his mind every time he thought about Davey.
How were they ever going to get through race season?
Christmas Eve was a magical time. Carolers still made their way around Tyler's family's neighborhood.
Janie's family came over and they all sat in front of the tree chatting and drinking eggnog and hot cocoa.
Tyler couldn't help the smile that stayed plastered across his face.
Davey fit in so well with his family, how could he have doubted that?
Later on in the evening, Janie's family finally decided it was time to leave. Tyler, Davie, and Janie walked them to the door. "I'm going to stay a little longer," Janie announced as the others grabbed their coats. It was cold enough to need a heavy coat, even for just a short walk next door.
Tyler opened the door, and Janie squealed behind him, as she took in the same sight as Tyler did. Colossal snowflakes drifted down from the sky, reflecting in the street light. "Looks like we get a white Christmas after all," Tyler said, pulling Davey close.
He kissed Tyler on the top of the head. "It couldn't be more perfect, could it?"
Janie snickered, and Davey smacked her arm.
"What is up with you two?"
"Nothing. Bye, Mom!" She hugged her family one by one as they left, then the three of them headed back into the living room. Tyler gave both Davey and Janie pained looks. They were definitely up to something.
Davey nuzzled up under Tyler's ear as they settled in the living room, and whispered. "Fuck, I just can't wait anymore, baby."
Tyler's eyes widened. He thought Davey was talking about sex, and with his mom and Dean and Janie all sitting within a few feet of them, he suddenly felt awkward. "Uh, what?" He ducked his head, feeling his face flush with embarrassment.
"Can you get the lights, Janie?" Davey asked as he ducked his head under the tree.
Janie dimmed the lights and wiggled almost uncontrollably as she sat back down.
Tyler glared at her and her stifled laugh, knowing she was in on whatever was going on.
Before he could question her, Davey stood in front of him and dropped to his knees.
He grabbed Tyler's hand in one of his. He hid the other behind his back. "Tyler, baby?"
"What?" Tyler glanced at his mom across the room. She was beaming with an ear to ear smile, just like Janie's, but Davey was serious, his brows crinkled above his nose.
"I have to tell you. I love you so much.
You're my world. Every time you have ever left me, a part of me died, even from the first night we, uh, got together.
" He winked and blushed a little, recalling their first night together.
They didn't even know each other back then.
Though Tyler knew who Davey was by reputation, they'd only just met.
"So, I've decided that I don't want to be without you.
Ever. I don't know how we're going to make it work.
I sure as hell don't know how we're going to keep it secret during race season, especially when all I want to do is scream it from the top of my lungs. I love you so much, so damned much."
"What are you saying, Davey?" Tyler's eyes grew wide and his hands had started sweating.
"I, uh, I'm asking you to marry me, Tyler. Will you? Please be my husband?"
Tyler's jaw dropped. He suspected that was what Davey was getting at, but he didn't want to guess. His hands started trembling. "Are you serious?" Tyler whispered so softly that he wasn't entirely sure anyone heard him.