Thanksgiving dawned clear and cold with a chance of snow later on. Teddy set out for Fort End midmorning. Typically people started gathering a little before noon, with the actual meal in the midafternoon, and some family hanging out until evening, long enough for the leftovers to make an appearance.
He showed his ID at the visitor’s gate, then made his way to Nick’s apartment. The sidewalks were clear now, and Nick opened the door even before he could knock. Because of course he was ready, no chance of catching him just out of the shower or half-dressed like Teddy had been fantasizing about on the drive. No, Nick was fully dressed. And looking good.
Teddy had told him it was “nice casual” and that civilian clothes were fine, and Nick had taken that to mean a white button-down shirt with jeans and a belt. A simple outfit, but it showed off his muscles well and made Teddy fantasize about undoing the buttons and belt with his teeth.
“Let me grab my coat,” Nick said, ushering him in. “Food’s ready to go.”
He had a slow cooker wrapped in towels by the door, and Teddy had to whistle. “You own a slow cooker? You do understand that I’m going to have to tell my mom you’re not into women before she tries to get you to take both Aurora and Ashley. And the aunts are all going to want to recipe swap with you. It’s going to be great.”
“I made it in the oven, just transferred it to this to serve warm.” Nick’s smile held a lot of amusement as he put on his coat. “And no, not interested in sisters. You plus some livestock wouldn’t be such a bad deal, but I already said we’re not going there again.”
Teddy grinned. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were flirting, Saint Nick.”
“I don’t flirt.” Nick’s face hardened, and Teddy wished he hadn’t said anything. Nick loose and joking was a rare treat.
Nick scooped up the casserole and towels. “Let’s go.”
“Wait. Bring the Santa Suit,” Teddy urged. “If the snow they’re calling for comes, you don’t want to be stranded again. And the tree lighting is tomorrow…”
“You just want to—”
“Yes, I’ve made that clear.” Teddy deftly took the casserole from him and made a shooing motion. “But still, bringing a change of clothes is only prudent this time of year. We don’t have to fuck if we get snowed in again.”
“Okay, okay.” Nick hurried around, got the Santa suit and a change of other clothes.
“Oh good,” Teddy teased as they made their way to the car. “You didn’t accidentally go to the driver’s side this time. You’re learning.”
“Can’t wait to get my truck back.” Nick carefully put the slow cooker in the floor of the backseat and then got in the passenger seat.
“Well…” Teddy hated to be the bearer of bad news.
“Not today?” Nick groaned. “Charlie didn’t call.”
“I think he’s afraid of your wrath. The part didn’t come last night. Might Friday morning though, let you drive yourself home after the tree lighting. He’s hopeful.”
“Better be.” Nick made a frustrated noise before fiddling with Teddy’s stereo. “Christmas music? Already?”
“Today’s kind of the start of the season for a lot of radio stations. You can click over to my music though, I’ve got some fun stuff.”
Teddy navigated the turns back to the highway leading to Mineral Spirits, while Nick clicked around.
“Your musical tastes are split between my sister in high school and my nieces now. Is there an era of pop you don’t cover?”
“Very funny. I suppose you’re all classical music? Nothing but high-brow jazz?”
Nick snorted. “I don’t listen to a ton of music—Stacey was always the one with a stereo going. For me, it’s more podcasts and sports radio, but if I have to have music on, I fall back on Nirvana and other alt-rock. High school habits die hard and all that. Stacey was the one who knew all the pop stars—I tended to listen to more of the alternative stations.”
“Did you call your sister this morning?”
“Texted.” Nick sighed. “We’re not… She invited my mother for Christmas. So now I have to see her on my way to Florida. And I don’t even know why I’m telling you this…”
“Because we’re friends. And I think you could use one, even if you don’t agree. So you don’t get along with your mom?”
“It’s complicated,” Nick groaned. “She blames me for Jacob’s death. I blame her for drinking her family away. She’s supposedly sober again, but it never sticks.”
“She blames you? You were just a kid, right?” Teddy’s surprise came out in his tone.
“Stacey was at a friend’s house, and it was me and my parents and Jacob at home. It was one of those things. Dad thought he was with Mom. Mom thought he was with me. I thought he was with Mom. But I was working on a model in my bedroom. Never heard the back door open…” Nick drifted off. “Anyway, we never had a pool after that. Been thirty-odd years now, and she’s still not over it. Guess it’s not something you get over.”
“No.” Teddy knew that for a fact. “I think loss sticks around, colors everything after that. But my folks are still happy sometimes. Caught them making out in the kitchen on Saturday. They found a way forward. But not everyone can. In my social work classes, they said that the divorce rate skyrockets after the death of a child.”
“Yeah.” Nick sighed. “You caught them kissing? Recently? Really?”
“They had six kids. Clearly they like each other.” Teddy laughed. “But I’m not trying to say we’re some sort of example of how to act. No one can mention Fred. That’s unhealthy in its own way. People have their ways of coping, not all of them healthy. But it’s good your mom is sober now, right?”
“I guess.” Nick drummed his fingers against the dashboard, discomfort radiating off him. “It’s more… I know it won’t stick. I’ve stopped hoping it will. It’s a miracle her liver’s held up.”
“Maybe this time will be different.” Teddy tried to sound encouraging.
“Maybe.” Nick sounded far from convinced but was clearly done talking, back to messing with the stereo, finally settling on a news program, which confirmed that snow might come that night. Teddy filed that away under “things that might get me laid” and let Nick have his silence.
They arrived at Teddy’s aunt and uncle’s sprawling house just outside of Mineral Spirits. Like his parents, they owned a small hobby farm despite having other business interests. Their house was newer though, a few good years at the Lucky Scot pub they owned financing a large two-story home with a daylight basement that was perfect for entertaining. Already the circular drive was full of cars. In the distance, he could see some of the cousins out on the skating pond. Others were undoubtedly doing their annual “turkey trot” on snowshoes out in the nearby woods. Teddy grabbed his salad and ushered Nick and his casserole into the chaos—dogs barking to herald their arrival, toddlers shrieking from the living room, good smells coming from the large open kitchen.
“Teddy!” His mother emerged in an apron with a big turkey on it—she had made matching ones for all the aunts a few years back. “And this must be the sergeant major.”
“Nicholas Nowicki, ma’am,” Nick introduced himself, and Teddy could tell from the way Nick puffed up that she got points for knowing his rank. “Thank you for having me.”
“It’s our pleasure. Now what did you bring?”
Teddy stood back and let his mother ooh and aah over Nick’s slow cooker and how good the food looked. Nick seemed totally overwhelmed by the attention, but he dutifully discussed his recipe as she led them to the kitchen. She introduced him all around to the aunts and cousins and gave the update as to how various dishes were progressing.
“Are you hungry now? There’s snacks here and then in the game room too. And drinks. Teddy, show him where Charlie is, and tell your brother the betting better still be quarters.”
“Yes, Mom.” Teddy leaned in for a fast kiss on her cheek. “Soda money only, I’m sure, just like in the old days.”
“Ha.” She waved a spoon at them as Teddy led Nick to the basement stairs. “Come back and help me in a few minutes, Teddy. I’m going to need a turkey lifted.”
“Will do.”
Charlie greeted Nick like a long-lost cousin and was full of apologies over the truck not being done. He scooted over to make room for Nick on the couch, and the two started talking football. Not really caring who was likely to win the AFC East or which college teams were likely to get a bowl game, Teddy drifted back upstairs.
“So he’s nice,” his mother enthused upon Teddy’s return. “Now, who do we know around his age…”
“First, he’s gay.” Teddy grabbed a soda from the cooler on the floor. “Second, he’s in no way interested in staying in the area after this next month. Third, I call dibs, so no playing short-term matchmaker.”
“Oh, Teddy. He seems great, but he’s so much older… And if he’s not staying around is a crush really smart?”
No. “It’s not a crush. I’m not fifteen. I just wouldn’t mind spending some time with him while he’s here. And the age difference doesn’t bug me. I’ve been—”
“Gonna stop you right there.” His mother laughed. “There are some things I don’t need to know. Just…be careful, Teddy. You have such a big, beautiful heart. I don’t want to see it trampled.”
“I’ll be fine,” Teddy reassured her as he took the turkey out. There would be several turkeys, a ham, and a venison roast, most likely. And hopefully more than enough guests for his mom to forget her lecture. He didn’t need her approval for a hookup with Nick. And he’d never tell her how lonely the past few winters had been because it sounded ridiculous—he had his work, the family, and half the town counted him as a friend. A sparse love life shouldn’t be cause for moping.
And on that note, he left the kitchen and spent a little time with the younger cousins and nieces and nephews in the living room before wandering back downstairs to check on Nick. He paused at the bottom of the stairs, considering the scene. Charlie’s youngest had wedged himself between Charlie and Nick and was currently showing Nick a stuffed penguin. Charlie’s pregnant wife, Liza, perched on the couch arm, rubbing Charlie’s neck. Teddy’s stomach did a weird little cramp as for a moment he wished Nick were more than simply a family guest—he wished this was a date. If Nick was his…whatever, he’d copy Liza, go sit near Nick, touch him, happy to be near him. But Nick wasn’t. And his mom was right—he couldn’t be getting a hopeless crush on a guy he couldn’t have. Better he leave Nick to Charlie and Liza. It was one thing to plot out ways he could get sex after this, but he couldn’t be getting feelings.