Chapter 131

Dean’s lips twitched. No reason he should believe the way he did, but so used to keeping his feelings a secret, he struggled with how to clarify why he cherished the simple, somewhat childish delight of sharing this time with people he considered extended family. He liked that Jay’s relatives maintained this tradition, though the onus fell on the siblings to attend a month beforehand, not merely at Christmastime. If he wanted to act churlish, Dean might accuse his friends’ parents of being greedy, desirous of their children’s attention.

They were lucky though. Dean included. Now Jay and Dean were a couple, Dean helped. They were, every one, family.

“No sign of the long ladders?” Eleanor Reid asked of no one in particular.

Jay checked outside the window. “He’s behaving himself.”

“It’s for his own good.” Eleanor sniffed.