Slice Of Life 2016 Read online

  Thankfully, the doorbell sounded before Tory could say anything else and Chase shooed him off with instructions to check the ice chests. He spotted Ty heading for the door, which freed him up to take one final look around.

  Two brightly lit, fully adorned Christmas trees stood proudly on either side of the buffet. He never had one growing up because every place they lived was temporary and borrowed. It wasn’t until his first Christmas with Ty that he got to pick out a tree and put up decorations. Fast forward a few years and it was like the holiday exploded everywhere. Multiple trees, decorations inside and out, and nearly every bush in both yards strung up with lights. As he walked over to one of the open sets of French doors and looked out, he had to smile. From nomad to a beautiful home on the water—how had he gotten so lucky?

  “Merry Christmas, cuz.” The soft greeting was accompanied by a little jingle and he grinned at Kyle, who wore antlers complete with dangling bells. The hug produced more jingling and he wondered how long it would take before Ty burned them in the fire pit.

  “You’ve totally outdone yourself, Chase.” Javier stood a step behind, a covered tray in his hands. “I know you said we didn’t have to bring anything, but I made those caramel apple empanadas the kids loved so much.”

  “They’d lynch me if I turned them away, but—” Chase set the offered tray aside and stepped close, determined to get his hug. Javier would be nervous until he realized that he knew just about everyone who was coming. If it were anyone else, he would’ve respected that hesitancy, but this man was essentially his cousin-in-law, his family, and he knew Javier just needed a nudge. When the man gratefully accepted his embrace, hugging him tight for just a second, he knew he was right.

  “But?” Javier prompted, then laughed knowingly. “Yes, I made a whole second batch and already hid them in your pantry.”

  “My kids will love you forever.” Chase glanced over as Ty approached with Saul. “My man, too.”

  More greetings were shared and the doorbell continued to ring until house and yard were overflowing with people. It was a truly diverse group, from age ranges to ethnicity to financial status, and that they all blended together so seamlessly amazed him. Carlos brought his twin daughters, Claudia and Camila, who just about gushed over Ava and Luc, and happily played with kids ten years their junior.

  “You’re dying to ask them what they think of Mateo, aren’t you?” Snake asked when he caught Chase staring at the surprising pair.

  He actually wasn’t sure what was more surprising. That they were openly acting like a couple right there in front of the girls or that Mateo was on his best behavior. Or that his best behavior didn’t seem like an act. He came in calm and smiling, had been attentive to Carlos as well as the girls, friendly to the younger kids, and kept offering to help.

  “I’m not sure, truthfully. They look happy, don’t they? I want it to be real.” Chase blushed at his own words. “Silly, right?”

  “No, not at all and I don’t think you’re alone.” Snake nodded his head toward Mateo who had drifted further from the crowd, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

  As they watched, he paused and gazed back at Carlos who was deep in conversation with Alaric. After a second, he sighed and continued along the path. Only before he could get too far, Claudia called to him, waving him over toward the pool. Chase saw the moment Carlos realized Mateo wasn’t with him and watched the older man track him across the yard. The interplay was impossible to miss, he just hoped none of them got hurt in the process.

  “I don’t think Mateo is going to let that happen,” Snake said, interpreting his thoughts clearly.

  That had him turning toward Snake in confusion. “You mean Carlos, right?”

  “Well, that’s a given. But no, I meant Mateo.” Snake ruffled his hair and jerked a thumb toward Greg who was cooing over Juan and Delia’s baby. “Ever think about catering for a wedding?”

  “Juan and Delia are …” Chase trailed off and looked at Snake’s shit-eating grin. “Oh, you bastard! Really?”

  “Yeah.” The happiness in that one word and Snake’s expression when he looked at Greg said everything. “Greg’s gonna call you, if that’s okay. You can say no, but man, you throw one helluva party.”

  Chase looked around the big biker and saw Greg watching them with a shy smile. “You better call me!”

  Snake drifted away as strong arms slipped around his middle, tugging him into his Master’s warmth. “Are you sure we know all these people?” Ty teased as he nudged him into a seat and pressed a plate of food in his hands. “Don’t even try to tell me you’ve eaten yet.”

  He hadn’t and wouldn’t lie, so he just picked up his fork and took the expected bite. It was damned good, if he did say so himself. “I think you even like a few of them.”

  Ty shuddered and looked at him in horror. “Let’s not carried away.”

  That was impossible. It was a beautiful night, they were surrounded by people who accepted them without question, and he was happier than he’d ever been. All because of his big bad biker. “I love you, Master.”

  The mock horror vanished beneath one of Ty’s secret smiles and when he leaned in to nuzzle against his collar, Chase could only sigh. The response whispered across his flesh, warming him deep inside. Those three little words had been hard won and while he was grateful for their ever-expanding circle, none of it mattered without the man in his arms.

  December 2016

  Hosted by Two Chicks Obsessed with Books

  In November, Denise asked if I wanted to host a spot in her 12 Days of Kissmas event and I agreed. Unbeknownst to both of us, Chris and Owen were tired of waiting to get married and determined that I write them a Christmas wedding. Now I know what you’re thinking! This seems like too important an event for a slice of life scene…and you’d be right! I didn’t write a wedding scene for this final post in the #13Months13Scenes tour, I wrote a book.

  Deciding on Forever

  Chris and Owen decided on forever over a year ago, and have been working together to build a future they can be proud of. They always knew the moment would come to declare their intentions, but they never planned to do it while on vacation in Colorado. Alone.

  In a historic hotel at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, their romantic pre-Christmas getaway turns into an elopement and they’ll need a little help from the staff to pull it off. But before they can have the wedding of their dreams, they’ll have to call the family they left behind. With the best of intentions and no shortage of tears, Chris and Owen will be reminded that no matter where they go or what they do, their family will always support their decisions. And maybe meddle, just a little.

  Still, there’s no place like home for the holidays, especially when you realize it isn’t so much a physical location as it is the people in your heart.

  Get buy links to Amazon and other retailers on my website: http://wp.me/P5wi3H-1rc

  Table of Contents

  Other Books by Jessie G

  Trademark

  Authors Note

  December 2015

  January 2016

  February 2016

  March 2016

  April 2016

  May 2016

  June 2016

  July 2016

  August 2016

  September 2016

  October 2016

  November 2016

  December 2016

  December 2016