Unbreak My Heart 03 - Unwrapped Hearts (3 page)

"Of course not."

Brett could see the anticipation burning in JT's eyes. His hands were tangled together, fingers twisting and twitching. Brett was far more than intrigued at what had his calm man so uptight.

"Just want me to open--"

"Yes! Geez."

He took another leisurely sip of his coffee, smacking his lips as he lowered the cup to the floor again. "Damn, that's good."

"Brett, I swear I will beat you to within an inch of your life."

Brett smirked and winked but decided to put JT out of his misery just the same. He peeled away the tape like it was made of gold, unfolding and flattening every crease of the paper while JT huffed and squirmed. The first thing that grabbed his attention was the color--bright blue and shiny--then the letters TOOBS.

"You got me a surfboard, kid?" He didn't want to add
what the fuck
to his question, though it was going through his head like a damn stampede.

"It's a bodyboard. Smaller and easier than a surfboard," JT explained. His face suddenly screamed discomfort so Brett reached for his hand. "It's good for beginners and old-timers."

Brett chuckled as he met JT's gaze. "Old-timers? Really? Well, it's, um...it's nice. Not much call for it out here though, babe."

"I thought you could use it in California."

"California?" Brett cocked his head, but JT's gaze had snuck away again. Revelation struck him all at once. "You want me to go to California with you?"

He could see the internal struggle shadowing JT's face, the way his usually pliable lips drew into a straight line and his brow furrowed. Brett carefully put the board aside, then shifted closer to him. He tucked a hand around his neck, rubbing the tight muscles of JT's shoulders. They sat that way, quiet for a moment until something finally told him it was okay to wade into JT's typhoon of emotions.

"Hey," he said softly, stroking blond curls from JT's face. "What's going on? Did I do something?"

JT shook his head but leaned into Brett's touch. "I talked to my father last week. He emailed me out of the blue after over a year without any contact. Since I wouldn't come home last Christmas, remember?"

Brett nodded. "I do. Short conversation and I stayed quiet."

"I had already ordered the board. Decided it didn't have to be this year or next or whatever." He hesitated, gnawing on his bottom lip while Brett waited him out. "But I wanted--want--to take you to where home used to be, you know?"

"I'd like that a lot, but only when you're ready. What did your dad say that's got you so twisted up?"

"My parents are getting divorced."

The rushed statement was joined by the slouching of JT's body and darkening of his eyes. Brett tugged him closer, settling JT's head against his collarbone just below his chin. Brett brushed a kiss against his crown, flattened his hand over the side of JT's head to keep him close, then rested his chin against it.

"I'm sorry."

"Thanks, Yeah, I mean, it's not like it was a big shock. I thought it would have happened years ago. It was stranger that dad wanted me to come home."

"For Christmas?"

JT shook his head, silky curls tickling Brett's nose. "For good. He said my mother needed me. It was like my duty or some shit like that. Didn't even sound like something he'd say. He must have given my mother my number because not five minutes later, she called. She didn't ask me to come home though. She
told
me I had to. She was upset, not crying, but yelling about dad's infidelities and what the neighbors would think and me running off to God knows where just to spite her."

Brett held him tighter. "Whoa, let's stop right there and refocus. What's your feeling on this?"

"I don't really know, but it's like even after all this time, they still don't get it. They don't acknowledge that my life is here not there. And I understand I'm their only child and this is a big thing for both of them, but I feel removed from it. I feel like that's a whole different world that I'm just not in anymore."

"Our own world maybe?" Brett whispered against JT's head, sliding his hands over JT's back slowly, soothingly. "You wanna know what I think?"

"Of course." JT lifted his head, staying close but gazing into Brett's eyes.

"I think you'll still take me to that world you came from, but like you said, you'll do it on your own time. If you feel bad enough, guilty enough, about not being there, then we can pack up tomorrow and head west. But you do it on your own terms. And let me ask you this--straight out, no fuss, no guilt or remorse. Do you want to go to California right now?"

"No."

Brett manhandled JT until he was almost in his lap. He cradled JT's face between his hands and leaned in close. "Then we go when
you
want to. I'd follow you anywhere. You know that right?"

They sat there for a few minutes until JT's mouth became looser and more pliant against Brett's, his hands caressing instead of clinging. Brett eased back first, looking deep into those pretty copper eyes.

"I don't think we ever outgrow our family, and it's okay to still love your folks without letting their lives become yours. As much as they've upset you and pissed you off, they'll always be your parents, but the good part is that you're an adult now, so you get to choose your battles with them, right?"

JT was contemplative, his face morphing from concerned to calm before a tiny smile curled one corner of his mouth. "We can talk about it later. I don't what it ruining our day."

"Maybe opening a present will get your mind off it? Not that I'm trying to stop you talking about it and all."

"Just hand it over, cowboy."

Brett kissed him quick before jumping to his feet. He crossed to the fireplace and reached behind the wooden picture frame with a photo of them on the mantle. He chuckled when JT narrowed his eyes at him.

"Sneaky," he said already, stretching out his arm, long fingers making little grabby gestures.

Brett hadn't disguised the shape very well, but he'd wrapped it himself, which was something he'd have to give JT a hard time about later. When he handed the small package to JT he felt a sudden rush of nervousness. He tried to shrug it off, pasting a smile on his lips over the twitch of anticipation in the corner of his mouth as he sat down again.

"Feels like a CD. I don't think you'd buy me music since our tastes are way off."

"That's for darn sure."

JT smirked and dug his toes into Brett's leg. "So it's either a game for the computer, a mixed-tape or a DVD from the drugstore without a real case."

"Dammit, how cheap do you think I am?"

The paper came off so fast it was like it had never been wrapped at all. The back of the CD case was plain white and JT paused to look at Brett.

"If it's a mixed-tape you have to dance with me right here in the family room. That's a rule."

Brett snorted out a laugh. "Is that right? I guess I'm not up on my mixed-tape rules anymore."

When JT finally flipped it over, Brett held his breath. He licked his lips, not remembering being so damn dry in his life. JT's face changed again, teasing to open-mouthed surprise or shock or... Brett didn't really know what the hell it meant, so he waited.

"It's a picture of us?" JT said softly. "On Valentine's Day? I don't remember anyone taking a picture though."

"Mama had it. Must have snapped it when we weren't looking or just looking at each other."

JT's voice was low and emotion-filled when he read aloud what was on the front of the plastic case. "Just a surfer kid and a cowboy." He looked up at Brett, his gaze starry-eyed and moist. "What is this?"

Brett stroked a hand over JT's head. "Open it up."

He would have sworn JT's fingers trembled when he finally got the thing open. He fingered the shiny CD with care, slowly, as if it was the most delicate of glass. His lips moved as he read the dedication, but he didn't have to do it out loud. Brett knew it by heart.

* * * *

For JT

Most men would consider themselves lucky to have loved once in their lives, but I thank my lucky stars to have managed it twice. The first time I was young, naive, and without conviction or discipline within myself. I made mistakes that I do not intend on repeating.

This time I've found the last piece to my puzzle, and as hokey as that sounds, it's the God-awful truth. I may be just a dusty old cowboy, but I must be doing something right to have the love I've found.

This time it's for keeps.

This time I intend on doing everything right or at least as right as I'm capable.

This time that surfer kid and his cowboy are going to swim or ride off into the sunset together and never let go.

This time my heart says it's forever.

This time I'll never let you go.

~Just a surfer boy and a cowboy~

~Brett Taylor, 2014~~

* * * *

JT was quiet and still for far too long in Brett's book. His insides quivered, encouraging him to say something, anything--
don't you like it, did I go too far, I can have them all destroyed in one phone call
--when JT finally raised his head.

"This is...this is your Valentine's song, right? My Valentine's song. Did you record this? Like for real? In a studio and with musicians and you wrote those words about me, to me...fuck, I don't even know what to say, and that's your real name and it looks all official and real...this is for real, isn't it?"

Brett laughed when JT stopped to take a breath. "I don't know which question to answer first," he said as JT stared at him, love shining so brilliant in his eyes it was almost palpable between them. He wanted to hitch his wagon to it and never let go. "I'm guessing you like it, and yeah, it's real. The company agreed to just a few hundred copies for now, let me do it with no questions asked. Shouldn't be a loss for them either way. I suspect Mama will snatch up as many as she can to, you know, show me off."

"I'm so proud of you."

Brett's face warmed from the neck up, a happy twitch tugging at his lips. "Well, okay. Thanks. I meant what I said in that song, you know? It's all because of you, because of what you've given me, done for me. Sometimes I get too damn tongue-tied to maybe tell you but it's all right there. And I'm not saying I'm going to start performing or recording again, but I wanted this for you, for us. That all right?"

"I love you," JT whispered when he crawled the short distance into Brett's arms. He balanced on his knees, wrapping his own long limbs around Brett. "You big sappy jerk."

JT pressed Brett to the floor, kissing him until Brett thought he'd pass out from lack of oxygen. But what a way to go. It was Whiz that gave Brett the chance to breathe again, two pathetic whimpers then a drawn-out howl for attention that made JT laugh against Brett's lips.

Brett reluctantly let JT pull him up again, keeping him close with a hand fisted in the front of his ugly sweater. "He's got great timing, doesn't he?"

"Always knows when we're going to end up too busy to pay attention to him," JT agreed with grin. "But seriously, I can't imagine a better gift."

"Love you, Darlin'."

Another howl of frustration followed by two more whimpers broke the almost rekindled seductive flame between them.

"Dammit, Whizzy," Brett said. "I suppose you think it's your Christmas, too, huh boy?"

"We'll take him for a walk in the snow after breakfast." With one last kiss, JT rose to his feet, dragging Brett with him. He peered curiously out the window, stretching that long torso with the grace of a dancer, or maybe Brett was still lost in a haze of love. "Is there even any snow left?"

"Still damn frigid out, so there's a little," Brett said. "Enough for this hound dog to enjoy."

He rescued the poor beast, rewarded with a face full of dog breath, and paws pushing against his chest until he fell backward on his butt. "Jesus, Whiz! You're getting too damn big to control."

"Looks like I'm the not the only one who wants to slobber all over you."

Brett snickered as he finally got the upper hand with Whiz. "What can I say? Must be my winning personality. I'm twice blessed. You want me to make Christmas pancakes?"

JT turned to Brett, his nose wrinkled in that way Brett loved. "What does that mean?"

"I could add some green and red food coloring to make them festive or try my hand at making little snowmen with the batter." Brett hoped to hell JT knew he was kidding.

"Or...keep it simple so there's more time for dessert."

"Dessert at breakfast, kid? With Millie and Ray walking in any time? You like to live dangerously."

"I tamed
you,
so now I laugh in the face of danger." JT belted out a loud, "Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"Someone's been sniffing too much surfboard wax."

"Hey, that was a good one, old man."

"Watch it," Brett said. He hoisted himself to his feet again, shooing Whiz away from his rather obviously planned attack at his thighs. "All right, before we end up rolling on the floor and getting tinsel up our asses, I should hit the kitchen. You wanna make the tree look a little less destroyed?"

"I'm on it."

"Oh, and keep an eye on the--" A loud crash followed by a frustrated groan cut Brett's words off.

"Whiz!" JT said from the other room. "Bad dog. Bad, bad, bad dog."

"What me to get the liver snacks to bribe him?" Brett shouted with a laugh.

JT's sigh could be heard into the kitchen. "I honestly do not know what's wrong with him. He must take after your side of the family."

"Hey!"

After a sweet moment of laughter, JT spoke, "Merry Christmas, cowboy."

"Merry Christmas, Darlin'."

* * * *

(From
Unbroken Hearts
)

Just a Surfer Kid and a Cowboy

I know our love story's just started

Eyes open wide to take it all in

But I blink to make sure I'm awake

Because Darlin' you make my head spin

Sometimes I wonder how I lived without you

With just my friend the bottle--guilty regrets left to stew