“Sure.” With a soft giggle, I side-hugged Will and glanced at Tex, shaking his head with a smirk and planting his hands on his hips. I said, “And for the record, your brother is the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
“Oh, honey.” Betsy, holding a few of Will’s presents, touched my arm. “That’s so sweet.”
“I see you’ve got him well trained.” Barking a laugh, Will pushed on Tex’s shoulder. “Now, what are we drinking? I have the day off.”
“We were having Mexican hot chocolate. Would you like me to make you one?” I stepped next to Tex, and he hooked an arm around my waist. His brother seemed like a funny guy. I could tell through the teasing, he really loved Tex.
“Hell yes.” Will set an elbow on my shoulder and leaned in close. “Make mine a little stronger though, huh? I have to catch up with you guys.”
“You’ve got it.” With a glance at Tex and then his mother, I strode into the kitchen. We’d left all the ingredients on the counter, so it would be easy to make more, and Tex and his family had waited on me all day. “Does anyone else want one? Betsy?”
“I’d love one, dear.” She strolled into the room with her boys and set Will’s presents under the tree.
After the Christmas Eve meal,most of us sat on the couch around the tree with eggnog and brandy in clear mugs, while Will sat beside the tree to hand out presents. It almost felt like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie with how perfect the day had gone. Tex and Will’s witty exchanges made me laugh more than a few times. How different would my life have been if I’d had a brother? I wasn’t sure Tex understood how lucky he was.
Betsy turned on Christmas music and a burning yule log on the television before sitting next to John.
Will handed the presents out one by one, and each person opened them. Tex had purchased presents for his family from both of us to make things easy. Toward the end, Will picked up a medium-sized box and handed it to me. “Uh-oh, Colton. I wonder what’s in there? It’s from my brother.” As he shook the box by his head, Tex hopped from the couch and seized it from him.
“Give me that. What’s the matter with you?” Shaking his head, he scoffed a laugh.
“What? I had to.” Will snickered and sipped his eggnog.
I hadn’t seen this box in his luggage. He’d likely hid it or wrapped the present during my shower time. I spied my present to him, still resting under the tree in a decorative bag. I hadn’t spent too much, but it was something I hoped would mean a lot to him.
As Tex handed me the present, he said, “Here you go, babe. I hope you like it.” He returned to my side, and everyone watched me.
“Um, thanks.” I tore the wrapping paper off the box and slowly lifted the lid. A maroon and gold jersey rested inside. “Oh, my God.” As a smile swept across my face, I lifted the jersey. It had his name on the back and his number. “Tex, you didn’t.”
“I did. It’s an older one, so it’s smaller. But I want you to wear it for the Sun Bowl game when you come to it with your dad.”
“What?” I stared at him. What had he done?
“On New Year’s Eve, I arranged for you and your dad to fly into El Paso to see the Sun Bowl. I didn’t want you to go alone, and I tried Evan, but he’s got a game that night.” Lifting his chin, his eyes twinkled. “Your dad is very excited.”
“When the hell did you do this?” My dad had been to a few PFLAG meetings since I came out to him, but I didn’t know he’d been talking with Tex. He hadn’t said a word to me when I’d spoken with him or when he’d joined my therapy sessions. I held the jersey to my chest.
“Last week, but it was a surprise. I hope you don’t mind that I had to get his number from your phone.” As his cheeks flashed pink, he held up his hand. “I swear I didn’t look at anything else.”
“I trust you, Tex.” Throwing my arms around his neck, I planted a hard kiss on his lips. There was nothing on my phone he couldn’t see, anyway. There were no secrets between us. “Thank you.”
“That’ll be a good game. It should be close.” John beamed at us and then drank some eggnog.
“I think it’ll be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your dad.” Tex straightened as I freed him.
“You’re lucky, Colton. He never invites me to any of his games.” With a tick of his head, Will sniggered and peered into his empty eggnog mug.
“You’re always working on the weekends.” Tex rolled his eyes.
“Okay, boys. You behave. I think we’ve still got Colton’s present for Tex to hand out.” Betsy gave Will a pointed look.
With a tut, Will picked up my bag and handed it to Tex. “Here you go. Note—I didn’t shake it.”
My heart pattered against my rib cage. I hoped he liked what I’d gotten him. It wasn’t as extravagant as what he’d given me.
“Thanks.” Flashing a coy smile at me, Tex lifted the red and green-colored paper from the bag and then held up my gift card. “What’s this?” He turned it in his hands. “A gift card for the Varsity Tavern?” His smile stretched to his eyes.
“Yeah, I thought we could catch a hockey game or whatever you want. I looked it up and ASU has games into March.” Holding up my new jersey, I said, “I’ll wear your jersey, and everyone will know this time that I’m your boyfriend.” I gauged his reaction, my mind replaying the memory of the day so long ago when I’d gone there with Evan to watch Tex’s game.