Alex & Clayton (14 page)

“That’s what I’ll do. Did you say you’re going back to normal hours at the store?”

“Yes, three days from now. I’m hoping there will be a Christmas surge in customers looking for gift books. I’m also carrying some pretty hot calendars for the New Year. Then at noon on Christmas Eve, I’m closing the store until later in the winter season.”

“Sounds like a plan. What are you going to do with all that time now that you’ve finished setting up your website?”

“Not really sure. I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing, but I’ll find something to do,” Clay said.

As they pulled up to Clay’s condo, Alex thanked him once again and watched as his art advisor entered his home before he drove off. He thought about how nice it was to spend a few hours out with Clay and then remembered Clay’s reaction to the flippant comment to the saleslady. Alex finally realized just how far in the closet Clay was and found it hard to accept. How do you go through life denying who you are? Alex didn’t have an answer to that question.

T
HREE
days after the art-shopping excursion, Clayton opened up his shop full time through Christmas Eve, hoping for the best. He wanted to move some of the older stock to make room for newer titles that came out every week. He put an advertisement in a couple of papers hoping to drive business his way. It appeared to work as he had ten customers on his first day back. This was a good sign, and Clay hoped the pace would build as Christmas drew near.

The calendars were a big seller, and in a week, he had sold out his entire stock. During a lull during the second week, Alex called the shop.

“Clayton’s Rainbow, can I help you?”

“Clay, this is Alex. How are you?”

“Hey, doing fine and you?”

“Pretty good. Been working on getting the house fixed up for Christmas with a tree and decorations. How about you?”

“Yeah, I have a little tree up with some old family decorations on it. Just doesn’t seem to be quite the same, though, somehow.”

“Well, I’m calling because I had an idea. Why don’t you spend Christmas Eve here at the house and sleep over. I can make you breakfast in the morning, and you can help with the dinner. I have five friends coming up. Whatcha say?”

“Um, sleep over?” Clayton said.

“Yeah, I have three guest bedrooms, and this way, you can have a few drinks without worrying about driving home. Why should we spend the time alone when we can share the joy?”

Clayton made a snap decision for once. “Sounds like fun. Shall I cook on Christmas Eve for us at your house?”

“Nope, my tradition has always been to snack all evening on various good foods like cheeses, and meats, maybe some potato salad, that sort of stuff. Sound okay?”

Clayton smiled. “Yeah, that sounds like fun. Can we try and find one of those old Christmas movies and watch it?”

“Sure can. Did you wanna go to church? I don’t know if you’re into that, but at holidays, it kinda means more to me than the other days of the year.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. I’d like to say a prayer for my mother and father.”

“Okay, that’s a deal then. I’m really looking forward to that couple of days. We can figure out something for New Year’s Eve later, okay?”

“Okay,” Clay replied. “Can I bring anything for Christmas?”

“Nope. I’ve got it all taken care of, and the boys from DC will be bringing up booze, I’m sure. I’ll tell you about each of them on Christmas Eve.”

Both men hung up smiling. Clay felt like a boy again. He was going to have a “sleep over” with the only person he considered a friend in his new hometown. At first, when he thought Alex meant to sleep with him that night, he was both excited and horrified at the same time. He wasn’t ready to begin a relationship with anyone yet, but he knew in reality that Alex wasn’t suggesting anything like that.

Alex was pleased that Clay agreed to his plan. He wasn’t going to try and seduce him, but he wanted to at least get to first base. Plus, he really didn’t want to be alone on Christmas Eve. Happily, he began to plan the foods they’d enjoy that special night and went to the kitchen to check supplies and make a list.

T
HE
temperature in Rehoboth had dropped to an uncomfortable level, and the weather reports made on again, off again predictions for snow. Clay had a good sales run with the holiday rush, and at noon on Christmas Eve, as posted, he closed the store until later in the season. All he was thinking about was that evening and the next day with Alex.

When he got home, he pulled an overnight bag out and packed the few things that he would need, including a change of clothes for Christmas Day. He threw in some cologne, double-checked everything, and was ready. Alex had suggested that he come over at five o’clock so they could talk about where to go to church.

He made sure the house was neat and then headed over to Alex’s beach house.

“Merry Christmas, Clay! Good to see you,” Alex said as he let Clay into his home. He took the bag from him and said, “Follow me.”

Alex showed Clay to a guest bedroom upstairs to the left of the staircase. Clay walked into a surprisingly light-filled, comfortable room and immediately felt at home.

“This is beautiful, Alex, really nice.”

“Thanks, bud. Put your things up and come on down to the kitchen when you’re ready.”

Alex left the room, and Clay looked around once more. He unpacked the few things he had brought and hung up the next day’s clothes in the closet. He checked out the bathroom, which was larger than he had expected in an older home, and headed back down the stairs to find his host.

When he entered the kitchen, he was handed a glass of wine and watched Alex chop up a few things for them to munch on later. One of the items on the menu was sliced raw carrots and ranch dip, which he was partial to, but there was a myriad of things that looked wonderful.

“This looks terrific. Just seeing it makes me hungry,” Clay said.

“Well, I’ll be done here in a moment, and then we’ll talk. Do you wanna go to an early service or to the traditional Midnight Mass?”

“Does it matter that I’m not Catholic?”

“Nope, and God doesn’t care either.”

“Shouldn’t we go early so that you can rest up for your company tomorrow? If we go to Midnight Mass, it’ll be two or later before we get to bed.”

“You’re absolutely right. We’ll go to the seven o’clock Mass at Saint Sergius and Bacchus. Before that, how about some carrots and dip? Will that hold you over until we get home and break out the good stuff?”

“Yep! I love carrots like this,” Clay said as he picked up the tray and went into the living room.

When they settled in for a few minutes, Alex looked Clay over again and smiled.

“What?” Clay asked.

“Nothing, just noticing how good you look this evening. You really have good taste in clothes.”

“Oh, thanks. You look nice too. I brought a change of clothes for tomorrow so everything will be nice and fresh,” Clay said as he munched on carrot sticks.

They chatted, ate, and sipped until it was time to leave for church. When they went out to the car, Alex opened the door for Clay and then ran around and jumped in the driver’s seat all smiles.

“What are you smiling about?” Clay asked.

“I had an idea for New Year’s Eve. Wanna hear it?”

“Should I be afraid?” Clay asked with a laugh.

“Not at all! You like the Blue Moon, right? I think you told me you had a date there.”

“Yeah, if that’s what you wanna call it. But yes, I did have dinner there, why?”

“The Blue Moon is having a big New Year’s Eve party with an open bar, music, dancing, dinner, and at midnight a champagne toast. Then they’re serving breakfast at 2 a.m. if anyone is still there, and I’m sure there will be. Whatcha think?”

“Is it formal? Do we get to dress up?”

“I don’t know, but I can sure check on it. You have a tux?”

“Of course, doesn’t everyone?” Clay asked, laughing.

“No, but many gay men seem to. I have one that I haven’t worn in a while. Tell you what, let’s go. I’ll get tickets, and we’ll dress up in tuxes? Whatcha say?”

“Hell, why not? Better than sitting around watching that same stupid ball drop on Times Square and then going to bed. But, let me pay for my own ticket, okay?”

“No, my idea, my treat. You can do something nice for me another time.”

Clay thought about it and decided what the hell. “Okay, it’s another date. Could be a lot of fun, and I imagine we’ll get to meet more of the permanent gay residents of the town.”

As they pulled into the parking lot of the church, snow began to fall.

“Oh, can you believe this? Snow! On Christmas Eve! Did you write this into the script or something?” Clay asked with a smile.

“I wish, but it’s more like there’s plenty of moisture from the ocean to make snow when the temperature is right,” he replied as they entered a nearly full church.

A
FTER
church, they found a light dusting of snow covering their car and the streets. They drove home without problem as Alex was more than used to driving in deep snow, let alone a dusting of the white stuff.

Both men were in a great mood when they entered the house. Alex turned on the Christmas tree, and together they brought out the food that had been prepared, along with drinks. As promised, Alex put on the television, and they searched for an old Christmas movie. Clay practically squealed with delight when they found the original version of
A Christmas Carol
just beginning to run.

“I love this movie! I’ve watched it on Christmas Eve dozens of times, and I never get tired of it.”

“Good, I’m glad this brings back good memories for you. I’ve always enjoyed this movie, too, but I haven’t seen the original, so this will be a first for me,” he said as he took a sip of his drink and pulled Clay against him on the sofa.

Clay didn’t resist the bodily contact and in fact, he was so engrossed in the movie that Alex doubted he even realized it had happened. As Clay remained transfixed on the screen, Alex studied his profile and liked what he saw more and more. Was it possible that he was becoming overly attracted to this man? After all, in the past, he would have banged Clay’s brains out and moved onto the next one, but he had no desire to repeat history now.

Finally, Clay seemed to feel the eyes boring into his soul, and he turned to look at Alex.

“Everything okay? You don’t hate the movie, do you?”

“No, everything is more than fine, and yes, I do like the movie. They really did a wonderful job of depicting London during that time period,” Alex responded and looked at the television screen. “Have some more food. I don’t want a lot left over.”

Clay scooped up more of the various snack foods and was instantly back to the screen, making Alex smile. His arm was still around Clay, and he didn’t say a word. When the movie credits began to roll, Clay finally sat back and sighed.

“That was nice. Now I really feel like it’s Christmas. Speaking of which, I have something for you in my bag. Can I go get it now?”

“Clay, you didn’t have to do that. Now you’ve embarrassed me!” Alex feigned.

“Never mind that, I’ll be right back,” Clay said as he got up and went up the stairs.

Meanwhile, Alex opened a side drawer in the end table and withdrew a wrapped present.

When Clay came back down, he was all smiles. “This is just a little something I saw and thought of you,” he said as he handed Alex the present.

“Thank you. And this is something that I saw and thought of you,” Alex said, handing the hidden present to Clay, who blushed and mumbled something about “You didn’t….”

Both men opened their presents with deliberate intent, instead of wildly ripping off the paper like they wanted to. They chose the mature route instead of the kid route.

“Oh, it’s beautiful! Thank you!” Alex said as he opened the box and took out a dress watch by Michael Kors. “I don’t know what to say!”

“Oh! Very nice, thank you! Believe it or not, this is one thing I’ve never bought for myself or received as a present. Thank you!” Clay said as he removed the sparkling gold chain from its box and put it on.

“Here, let me help you with that clasp,” Alex said as he reached up and hooked the chain behind Clay’s neck. “It looks great,” he said.

“What a wonderful Christmas Eve this has been,” Clayton proclaimed.

“With you here, it’s been wonderful for me also,” Alex said softly.

Chapter Nine

A
FTER
finishing their last glasses of wine, both men went to bed. Each man lay awake for a while thinking about the other and what a great time they had just had. Alex found himself erect, and he wanted very much to go to Clay’s room and make love to him, but resisted, remembering he’d promised Clay he wouldn’t try anything if he stayed the night.

A
N
UNSEEN
smile adorned Clay’s face as he thought about what it would be like to have sex with Alex. Clay admitted to himself that he was attracted to his friend, but didn’t want to take the chance of being rejected or used for one night of sex and then discarded. He’d rather have Alex as a long-time friend rather than a quick release of passion.