Page 38 of His Christmas Love Song

Jesse grins and stands up. “I knew it. Come on, Ryan, let’s give these two some privacy. You need rest. Let’s go to bed and watch The Big Lebowski. For some reason, I’m in the mood for it.”

Cameron casually shows Jesse his middle finger and Jesse chuckles.

Ryan gets to his feet and lets out a huge yawn. He has a feeling he’s not going to make it much past Sam Elliott’s intro. He’s about to thank Hank, when he sways a little, suddenly lightheaded. Before he can so much as blink, Jesse’s there, wrapping one strong arm around his waist, tucking him snugly into his side.

“I got you.”

Ryan wants to melt into Jesse’s firm, warm body. Without thinking about it, he turns his head to the side and kisses Jesse’s shoulder. “I know you do.”

He feels Jesse’s breath hitch, and it’s a second before he realizes what he’s done. Was that not okay? He looks up and Jesse’s gazing down at him with an expression of such unbearable softness, he feels like melting all over again.

Ryan remembers they have an audience when Hank says, “I feel like I missed something.”

Jesse lifts an eyebrow and Ryan nods. It’s not like it’s not obvious. And if they’re really doing this, they’re going to have to start telling people. Jesus, the fans are going to flip out when they find out they’re fucking in real life. Of course, that’s assuming they actually get around to fucking. Then he remembers it’s only been hours since fucking was even on the table. He’s got to chill. Just because he’s wanted this for what feels like a lifetime doesn’t mean they need to rush.

“Ryan and I finally figured out we’re supposed to be together,” Jesse says, his eyes never leaving Ryan’s.

“Oh thank the lord,” Cameron says dramatically. “Hank and I were worried we’d have to stage an intervention.”

“It didn’t come to that,” Jesse says, finally looking away to their friends. “But I’m awfully glad you two are in our corner. It means a lot.”

“Of course,” Hank says. “I’m happy for you both. And even happier we’re not going to have you two pining all over the place any longer.”

Ryan laughs. “There has been a lot of pining, hasn’t there? Pining at Pine Tree Lodge. Pining at Pine Tree,” he sing-songs. He’s feeling a little giddy. The lack of sleep and adrenaline come down might be getting to him.

“Okay, time to go.” Jesse laughs and directs Ryan toward the door. “We’ll see you guys later.”

“Much later,” Hank says sternly.

“Much later,” Ryan agrees. “Because we’re going to be very busy f—“ Jesse slams the door shut behind them before Ryan can finish his thought.

“You,” Jesse says, once they find themselves alone in the hallway, “are a menace.” He punctuates each word with a firm kiss on Ryan’s mouth, so Ryan can’t even be mad.

“Yeah,” Ryan says. “You better take me to bed before I can cause any more trouble.”

And Jesse does.

EIGHTEEN

Jesse’s finalizing their dinner order on his phone when Ryan stirs beside him. He makes sure the order goes through, then turns off the screen and gazes at Ryan. He’s been asleep for almost five hours. When they got back from Hank’s, Jesse had bundled Ryan into his bed and he lasted about two minutes into the movie before passing out. Jesse allowed himself the luxury of watching Ryan’s face relax into sleep, seeing the groove between his eyebrows disappear, enjoying his perfect mouth drop open slightly. He’d gotten up a minute later, but checked on Ryan every so often, grateful he was able to get some real rest.

Now Ryan blinks his eyes a few times before focusing on Jesse sitting up next to him. “Hi.”

“I love you.” Jesse frowns. He hadn’t meant to say that. But it’s so ridiculously true he can’t seem to keep it from bursting out.

Ryan contemplates that for a moment. “I believe you do.”

A gust of air leaves Jesse’s lungs. He needs Ryan to believe that. He surely still has work to do to prove it, but he supposes that’s why they make a good match. Ryan believed him when he said they’d be good together in the hospital six years ago. Jesse was right, and Ryan somehow had faith in him.

“Good,” Jesse answers, a bit belatedly. He kisses the tip of Ryan’s nose, because he’s wanted to do that all day, and he can now that Ryan is finally awake. “Dinner’s on its way. You want to take a bath while we wait for it?”

“Dinner?” Ryan pushes himself to sitting. “What time is it?”

“Dinnertime,” Jesse answers.

Ryan snorts and grabs his phone from the side table and looks at it. “I can’t believe I slept all day. Did you sleep, too?”

“Nah, I’m not the one with the busted elbow. Speaking of which, you have an appointment for an X-ray tomorrow morning. I already booked a taxi to take us, and we’re getting a new rental after that. The other car’s been towed to a local body shop. I contacted my insurance company and they’re taking care of it. I paid the tow truck driver extra to bring us your bag and guitar—they’re in the living room. Oh, and we were running low on ibuprofen, so I ordered a grocery delivery. It should be here soon.”