Page 77 (1/1)

“You’ll get in”

Max groaned “I dunno Maybe”

“Definitely” Jereet in Jerelass-blown apple for when he did but didn’t want to jinx it by giving it to hiift of a deluxewith presents for the rest of the faotten intococktails

Late that night when everyone else was in bed, Jeremy helped Max wrap presents since Max was determined not to wait until the very last minute this year The fire blazed and carols played on the TV Jere by the mantel he so his finger over the glittery cursive letters on red felt “There’s a stocking for me”

Max was concentrating on taping the wrapping paper shut on one end of the box “Yeah, of course You had one last year too Everyone who’s here for Christ”

“But my name’s on this one” He tentatively scratched at one of the letters “Like, permanently”

Max ca at it with a sood to s there”

Jere “I love you”

“I love you too, baby”

They shared a kiss by the crackling fire, “Silent Night” filling the warm silence

Upstairs, Jeremy shut the door to Max’s rooh they’d shared the bed at Max’s apartment plenty of times, and sometimes the narroin bed in his doro seemed a lifetime away

Max stripped off his sweater by the double bed Old football trophies gleaazes er in Max’s eyes

“Think we can be quiet enough?” Max whispered

Jereer to his lips “Shh”

THE END