Coming Out for Christmas Read online

  "Am I?"

  "You said the other night that you were with some guy," Ryan said. "I would say that classifies."

  Scott looked down at the counter top, not speaking. Finally, he spoke. "Yeah, I'm gay. I figured it out at school."

  "But you've always dated girls," Ryan said.

  "I thought that's what I was supposed to do," Scott said softly. "But girls never did it for me, you know?"

  Ryan knew. But he didn't say anything.

  "So, you've dated guys?" he asked.

  "A few."

  Ryan didn't want to, but he felt compelled to ask, "So, have you done it with a guy?" He was almost afraid of the answer.

  "Yeah," Scott said. He was still looking down, but Ryan could see that he was blushing.

  They both stood quietly in the kitchen for a few moments.

  "Ry…" Scott said. "I figured that you would be okay with it. I mean, you're fine with your cousin and his friends."

  "It was just a hell of a way to find out," Ryan said.

  "I was going to tell you on this trip." Scott said.

  They stood in uncomfortable silence again.

  Finally Scott said, "Well, I guess that I'll go."

  "Sure. Okay."

  They walked back outside together. Scott told the others goodbye and left.

  Ryan went to stand next Andy, who was still holding the base of the ladder. Andy was looking up, watching as Nick hooked lights onto the gutter.

  "How's Scott?" Andy asked.

  "He's gay," Ryan said.

  "I sort of figured that out when he walked in the kitchen the other morning," Andy said.

  "Well, then why the hell didn't you say something to me?" Ryan asked, a little pissed off.

  "Not my place to tell," Andy said, shrugging. "Besides. Does it matter?"

  Ryan looked at Andy, who appeared to have his attention focused on Nick.

  "No, it doesn't," Ryan said. "It's just an adjustment, that's all."

  "You seem kind of pissed off," Andy said. "It's not like he can help it. He's still the same person that you've been friends with all of your life."

  "I know that," Ryan said. He didn't mean to snap at Andy, but it came out that way. He looked down at his feet, kind of ashamed for being a jerk.

  "How about you?" Andy asked. "Did you tell him?"

  Ryan quickly glanced at Andy, who was seemingly focused on Nick. It was then that he realized that Andy knew.

  "There are worse places to come out, you know," Andy continued. "Nick could tell you that."

  About that time, Nick came back down the ladder, cutting off their conversation.

  ***

  "Man, I ache everywhere," Nick said later that evening when they were alone in their bedroom. "I'm not used to climbing up and down ladders."

  "Now, what did I tell you about damaging anything important?" Andy asked.

  "I didn't say that I was out of action. I'm just achy," Nick said and then added, "Maybe I should have a massage. You know, to work out the kinks."

  "I see where this is going," Andy said. "Okay. Get naked and go lay on the bed. I'll get some oil and be right back."

  When Andy returned from the bathroom, Nick had already removed his clothes and had stripped the comforter from the bed. He was lying on his back, sporting a large erection.

  Andy looked at Nick's body laid out before him. The perfect chest with its triangle of dark hair, and the little treasure trail of hair that went down the flat stomach, never failed to take Andy's breath away. No doubt about it, the man was gorgeous.

  "I guess you were right," Andy said, eyeing Nick's cock. "You don't appear to be incapacitated."

  "You're still dressed," Nick complained.

  "Okay, give me a sec," Andy said.

  Andy set his glasses and the massage oil in the nightstand, and then quickly stripped off his clothes.

  "Roll over, and I'll start on your back," Andy said, then added,"That is, if you can even lie on your stomach."

  "Very funny," Nick said as he rolled over and gently settled himself facedown.

  Andy joined him on the bed, straddling the backs of Nick's thighs. He poured some oil into his hand to warm it. Nick gave a groan as Andy began rubbing his hands in circles over Nick's shoulder blades and back.

  "Do you like that?" Andy asked.

  "Uh huh," Nick mumbled into the pillow.

  Andy slid his hands down Nick's sides, working the oil into the bands of muscle. He smiled when Nick let out a series of oohs and ahs. He braced his hands on Nick's back and leaned over. He gave Nick a several small kisses on the side of his neck below his ear. Then he pushed himself up causing Nick to give an "oof."

  He scooted further down Nick's legs and began massaging Nick's firm ass. Nick seemed to be pretty much speechless by this point. All he managed to do was loosely flop his arms out on either side of his body. Andy continued to knead his ass, and ran his thumbs along Nick's crease, between his cheeks.

  "Are you starting to relax?" Andy asked.

  "Oomph."

  Andy leaned forward again and rested his body on top of Nick's. Andy's now erect cock pressed between them and was cradled against the crease of Nick's ass. He had Nick where he wanted him.

  However, before he could do anything else, Andy felt Nick surge underneath him. As Nick rose up, he tilted Andy off to the side, causing him to land on his back on the bed. In a matter of seconds, and before Andy could react, Nick had reversed their positions. Andy was on his back, with Nick on top of him, Nick's larger body pressing Andy into the mattress.

  Straddling him, Nick held Andy's wrists in each hand, pinning them to the bed next to Andy's head. Andy looked into Nick's eyes that were inches from his. Nick had a smug, triumphant look on his face. Andy's eyes went wide.

  "Uh, Nick?"

  "Hmm, baby?"

  "What's up?"

  "Well, I know of at least two things," Nick said as he rubbed his crotch against Andy's.

  Feeling Nick's hot cock rolling against his caused excitement to course through Andy. Andy attempted to raise his hips, seeking even more contact, but he couldn't move. He tried moving his arms, too, but Nick held him in place.

  "Going somewhere, babe?" Nick asked.

  The feeling of being unable to move sent another rush of excitement through Andy and he felt his cheeks flush. Nick must have noticed, because Andy watched as Nick's eyes darkened with desire.

  "Have I ever told you how pretty that I think your eyes are?" Nick asked.

  "Yes…" Andy barely croaked out.

  As Andy licked his lips, he saw Nick's eyes watch his tongue.

  "Have I ever told you…" Nick asked, pausing to give Andy a kiss on the lips. "How hot that you make me?"

  "I think so," Andy said. "Maybe once or twice."

  They continued to stay that way for a few moments, looking at each other. Then he felt Nick's body tense.

  "God, baby," Nick said right before he claimed Andy's mouth in a hungry kiss.

  Andy kissed him back, but soon became frustrated that he couldn't touch Nick. A sound, almost like a whimper, escaped from his mouth, surprising him. As always, the sounds that Andy made seemed to drive Nick further toward the edge.

  Suddenly, Nick rose up. With a flurry of arms and legs, he shifted around on the bed. When he was done, they ended up with Andy on his back, legs bent and spread with his knees practically by his ears, a pillow wedged under his ass. Nick was kneeling in front of him.

  While he stared intently at it, Nick's hands began kneading Andy's ass. Nick's thumbs brushed over Andy's hole. When Andy's asshole clenched, Nick groaned. He lowered his head and began licking hungrily at the puckered flesh. The feeling of Nick's tongue repeatedly brushing across Andy's hole was intense. And Nick didn't stop; he just kept lapping across the tender skin. Andy pushed his head back into the pillow when Nick's thumb invaded his hole. Andy’s mouth opened as he concentrated on Nick's thumb pushing into him. Then Nick shifted to his fingers and began pressing them in
and out of Andy's ass.

  Andy looked up at Nick through his spread legs. His own cock was rigid, leaking tracks of pre-come on his stomach. The underside of his tight sac was bumped by Nick's hand each time that he pushed his fingers inside of Andy.

  "Nick…" Andy said. He was embarrassed that it almost came out as a whine.

  Nick didn't seem to mind, though. He grabbed the lube from the drawer of the nightstand and slicked them both up. Nick rose up on his knees and Andy felt the head of Nick's cock press against his asshole. After a moment's pause, Nick's cock was past the tight ring of muscle and sliding into Andy's body.

  Andy relished the feel of Nick stretching and filling him. The blunt head of Nick's cock, and the hot shaft sliding along his sensitive nerves in his ass, was exquisite. Then Nick's hands gripped Andy's thighs as he began pumping.

  Grabbing his own cock and stroking it, Andy gazed up at Nick's face as Nick picked up the pace. The beautiful brown eyes looked back down at him, never wavering as Nick continued to thrust in and out of him.

  Nick adjusted himself and the angle changed. Nick's cock beginning rubbing over Andy's sweet spot with each pass and before long, Andy was close to coming. Nick thrust into him a few more times and then Andy felt Nick's cock swell inside of him right before hot come pulsed out of Nick, filling Andy's body. It was enough to send Andy the rest of the way over the edge, and he came as well. Together they rode out their tremors, kissing, until finally Nick slipped wetly from him.

  A little later, they lay next to each other, trying to cool down. Andy was on his stomach and Nick was next to him lying on his side, facing him. As they lay there, Nick brushed his hand lightly along Andy's back. Every so often, he would rub over the globes of Andy's ass, kneading them before letting his hand wander back up Andy's back.

  When Andy felt Nick's fingers tracing the large tattoo of a griffin that Andy had on his shoulder blade, he said, "I've been thinking about getting another tattoo."

  "Really? What of?"

  "I'm thinking maybe a swallow or a traditional bluebird."

  "Where are you going to put it?" Nick asked.

  "I haven't decided. Maybe on my inner forearm, below my elbow," Andy said. "But if I get the swallow, I may get two and have them put on my stomach."

  "What do you mean?" Nick asked.

  Andy rolled over onto his back.

  "Right here," he said tracing his fingers on either side of his stomach below his navel. Nick’s finger tips trailed on Andy’s flat stomach.

  "Oh, God," Nick said, groaning. "You're going to kill me."

  Nick flopped on his back and pulled Andy to him. They ended up, as usual, with Nick’s arm around Andy. Andy was pressed up against Nick's side facing him, and had tangled their legs together. Andy used his finger to trace circles around Nick's navel.

  "So, you were saying a while ago that Ryan is gay?" Nick asked. "Are you sure? I mean, he hasn't said anything, has he?"

  "Oh, he's gay all right," Andy said. "He's just now figuring it out. And get this, I will bet you money that he has it bad for his friend, Scott."

  "Really?"

  "Um, hmm," Andy said. "But now they are mad at each other. Ryan is mad at Scott because he found out about Scott being gay just by an offhanded remark. And Scott is mad because he thinks Ryan is being homophobic."

  "It sounds like some sort of big gay drama," Nick said.

  "For real," Andy said.

  "Wait a minute," Nick said. "If they're angry at each other, is Scott still coming to the Christmas party?"

  "Yes, he's coming," Andy said. "I made up some job for him to do so he has to come. Now all I have to do is make sure that they get some alone time."

  Chapter Five

  "Who did this to you?" Nick asked.

  Henry had come into the bedroom where Nick was getting ready for the party. The dog was standing there with what looked like a jester collar around his neck. It was made of red velvet and had jingle bells hanging off of it.

  "What have you done to my dog?" Andy asked as he came out of the bathroom.

  "Don't look at me," Nick said. "He showed up that way."

  They heard some children's voices from downstairs.

  "I guess that explains that," Andy said. "It sounds like the twins and Eric have arrived. He was bringing them over since Sandy has been here helping all day." Then, he turned to the dog. "Do you like that?" Andy asked Henry. "He can't like that."

  Henry just looked back at them. The ridiculous collar framed his intelligent face.

  "Well, we can't hurt the girls' feelings," Nick said. "It looks like you're stuck with it for the night, Henry."

  "He looks stupid," Andy said.

  "Shh… You'll give him a complex."

  "I'd better go down and see what's going on," Andy said. "People should start arriving soon."

  "I'll come with you."

  The three of them went down the main stairs at the front of the house, Henry leading the way.

  "Wait!" Sandy shouted up at them. "Stop."

  Andy and Nick came to a halt midway down the stairs.

  "What?"

  "Stay right there," Sandy said. "I want to take your picture."

  She grabbed her camera off of the table in the foyer and made them stay put while she took a few pictures.

  "Your first Christmas together," Sandy said to them. "How sweet."

  "Sweet?" Andy asked, as they continued down the stairs. "How is that sweet?"

  "You might as well go with it," Eric said as he passed through the foyer on his way to the kitchen. "It will be easier on all of us."

  They heard a racket coming from the game room, and went down the hall toward the sounds. They found the twins playing with the pinball machine. Andy's five-year-old nieces were in matching outfits.

  "Hi, girls," Andy said to them.

  "Hi, Uncle Andy," Lydia said.

  "Hi, Nick," Libby said as she jumped off the chair that she had been standing on to play the machine. She went over, held Nick's hand and grinned up at him.

  "Well, don't you two look pretty?" Nick asked. Both girls beamed up at him.

  "Did you see Henry's necklace?" Lydia asked.

  "Yes, we did," Andy kind of mumbled.

  "Hey, guys," they heard Sandy call to them. "People are starting to arrive. Take your stations."

  Andy and Nick went back to the foyer and greeted people for the next hour. It was tiring, but at least Sandy was there to orchestrate things. Nick was glad that she was playing hostess. It would have been overwhelming for Andy to have to continue on the tradition alone. Since they had both grown up in the house, it was only logical that they do it together. However, Sandy made sure that Nick was included in every introduction. Being the perfect hostess, she made Nick feel part of the large family.

  Finally, she said to them, "Okay, you're free. Now go mingle. And don't forget to eat. We have a fortune in food here, and I want you guys to be sure and get some of it. I'll stash some away for you for later."

  For the next hour, Andy and Nick circulated. If anyone had a problem with Nick and Andy being together, they didn't let on. Finally, they ventured out alone, mingling and trying to enjoy themselves.

  "Hi," a woman said. "I'm Miranda."

  "Hello," Nick said. He was trying to place the woman, but he had met so many people that it was difficult.

  "I wanted to thank you for letting Ryan stay here."

  Oh, right, Ryan's mother.

  "We were glad to have him," Nick said.

  "It was just so much easier for him to fly straight here," she said. "We would have had to drive into San Antonio to get him. Then drive all the way here with a crowded car. Ed wouldn't have liked going out of his way like that."

  Nick thought it odd that Ed would consider it an inconvenience to go pick up his stepson, but he didn't say anything. Instead, they continued with the small talk until Nick thought that he would have to feign illness in order to get away from the woman. Sandy must have caught on to his plig
ht, for she appeared out of nowhere. She managed to corral the woman so Nick could make his escape.

  ***

  It was getting late in the evening, and the party was starting to wind down. There were less than a dozen partygoers left.

  "Ryan, could you and Scott take these into the kitchen?" Andy held out a couple of empty trays to Ryan.