Bitter and depressed after his boyfriend walks out on him, Garth Morgan cancels Christmas. Garth’s mom has other ideas however. She reminds him there’s still Adam, Garth’s eight-year-old son to consider. So Garth braves the Christmas Eve crowds at the shopping mall to buy gifts. Despite aching feet and arms that feel like they’re being pulled out of their sockets, Garth agrees to wait in line so Adam can see Santa. Adam asks for a new boyfriend for his daddy because the last one made Daddy cry. When the Santa lectures both Garth and Adam about the sins of homosexuality, Adam objects, swivels around on the man’s knee, and kicks him in the nuts. Before Adam and Garth can make their escape, they’re stopped by Tony Luciano, a former Marine who now works as a security guard. One look at the man’s wide chest, broad shoulders, and model-handsome face has Garth hoping Adam’s wish is about to come true.

The Nutcracker

“Forget it, I’ll go,” Tony said, approaching the scene, George no doubt sculking off for a quick cigarette break.


The kid being dragged away from Santa’s workshop by his dad looked unhappy, even angry. The dad on the other hand—big brown eyes, brown hair, trim body…Woof!


Adam and Garth had barely taken a couple of steps before Garth came face to upper chest with a wall of blue uniform. 


Garth looked up and gulped. “They didn’t have to call you. We’re leaving.” 


“I wasn’t called,” Mr. Mountain of Muscle rumbled. “I was just passing when I saw the, uh, commotion.”


“He,” Adam turned around and shot Santa a death glare, “said my daddy was a de…degeneration.”


“A what?” The security guard squatted until he was eye-level with Adam.


“I asked Santa to send a new boyfriend for daddy ’cause Uncle Jerry was mean and nasty and—”


“Adam!” Garth warned softly and closed his eyes. This wasn’t happening.


“And Santa said some mean things, so I kicked him in the nuts.” 


Chapter 3