Where You Least Expect It (7 page)

Christian frowned. “I like the stuff shaped like the can.”

Matt smiled. “The stuff made with real cranberries is better.”

Christian diligently read the label on the can of cranberry sauce he was holding. “This has real cranberries. They’ve just been turned into a jelly.” He narrowed his eyes and looked at Matt closely. “Do you have something against jelly?”

Matt laughed this time. “I have nothing against jelly. But cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving calls for better than just jelly.”

Christian held the can closer. “This is what my mom always buys. If you cut both ends off, it slides out and retains the shape of the can.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Matt had always been mildly fascinated by the cranberry sauce shaped like a can phenomenon, but it also freaked him out.

Christian rolled his eyes. “Hello, it’s jelly.”

Matt laughed again. “Okay, I’ll tell you what, I’ll get a can of good cranberry sauce and we can compare.”

Christian cocked his head to the side. “Are you inviting me over for Thanksgiving frozen dinner?”

“No, I’m inviting you over for Thanksgiving sandwiches.” Matt hid his embarrassment by bending down and picking up a can of cranberry sauce made with whole cranberries.

Standing up, he said, “I bet we can even find some instant stuffing to go with the sandwiches.”

Christian seemed to brighten. “Can we get instant mashed potatoes, too? It’ll almost be like a real Thanksgiving if we do that!”

Matt smiled, feeling suddenly light.

Or maybe just lightheaded.

What the hell did he just do?

By the time they left the store, they had deli turkey, instant stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, a can of green beans, two kinds of cranberry sauce, a pumpkin pie, two kinds of whipped topping, beer, and snacks. Matt wasn’t sure when this had turned into a real holiday, but he was feeling good enough about it to just be happy that he wouldn’t be alone.

Christian’s bike was once again loaded into the back of Matt’s truck for the short drive to Matt’s condo.

As they pulled into the parking garage, Christian asked, “Is there someplace I should leave my bike?”

Matt glanced behind him. “It should be fine where it is, or you can bring it up if you don’t want to leave it lying on its side.”

Christian thought for a minute, chewing on his lower lip again. “Is it okay if I bring it up? That way I’ll have it when I need it and don’t need to deal with the lock.”

Matt could see the logic in that. Having it handy gave Christian an easy escape if he wanted to leave. “Sure. It won’t be in the way.”

They managed to carry everything up in one trip, and Matt hung up their coats.

“Nice place,” Christian said as he looked around the spacious living area.

It had been a while since Matt had someone new visit. He took a look around, wondering how it appeared to Christian. He’d bought the place using the money he’d inherited from his parents’ estate when he decided not to reenlist in the Army. The beige wall-to-wall carpeting was already installed and he hadn’t gotten around to painting the white walls, although he had a stack of paint samples somewhere.

Most of the furniture was new. He had sprung for the slightly more expensive microfiber sectional and matching chair in a deep blue; the sectional and coffee table took up most of the space in front of the entertainment center. The king-sized bed in his bedroom was definitely an extravagance, but after spending so much time in Army bunks, he wanted the extra space. He had kept a few things from his parents’ house, including the bookcase and the desk he kept in the second bedroom and the few paintings on the living room walls.

“Thanks.” Matt picked up one of the grocery bags — he’d only gone out for cranberry sauce and turkey! — and gave Christian a quick tour. “It’s a little bigger than I need, but it gives me plenty of room for the big screen TV and surround sound.” Matt pointed to the left. “The master bedroom and bath are through that door,” he pointed to the right, “and that hall on the right has a spare bedroom and bath. The kitchen’s through here.” The kitchen was directly to the right of the living room, sharing a wall where Matt indicated the second bedroom.

“Thanks for inviting me over.” Christian followed Matt into the kitchen. “I really wasn’t looking forward to spending Thanksgiving by myself.”

“It’s no problem.” Matt put the last of the non-perishable items on the counter. “I recorded the parade from this morning if you want to watch before we make dinner.”

Christian positively beamed; Matt thought he might have been bouncing. “You did! I don’t have TV. That’s so cool. Can we watch?”

Matt found Christian’s enthusiasm infectious. “Sure. Grab the chips.” Matt pulled a couple of beers from the fridge and followed Christian to the couch.

“I haven’t seen the parade in forever,” Christian said, taking a beer from Matt. “I love the floats.”

Matt couldn’t help but smile. Christian had to be the most enthusiastic person he had ever met. “I like the balloons,” he admitted.

Dinner was quick and easy; instant potatoes and stuffing hardly took much time at all. Matt got that all set up while Christian laid out the sandwich fixings and cranberry sauce. They both laughed at the obscene sound the cranberry jelly made as Christian slid it out of the can.

Before Matt even realized it, they were sitting on the couch, stuffed, watching football and waiting to digest enough to eat dessert.

Christian shifted, suddenly seeming restless again. He fidgeted but Matt didn’t have a chance to ask him what was wrong.

Christian turned to face him. “I. Look, I just wanted to apologize for that night. It was, God, I think it’s got to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. I’m really sorry. I get that you’re straight and that you’re not interested in me, and I understand if you don’t want to speak to me ever again. But I like you. As a friend, I mean. I — I heard that you stopped coming in for coffee in the morning, but I’m almost never there that early, and I won’t bother you again. I’m sorry.”

Matt was a little stunned, a little taken aback. He hadn’t been expecting an apology. He was perfectly content not talking about it until he figured out how he really felt. He wasn’t sure why Christian was bringing it up now.

Matt took a deep breath. “I really don’t know what to say. I mean, shit. I’m obviously not mad at you. I was, at first, but…” Matt didn’t want to explain that he was more confused than angry. “I was kind of hoping we could just, I don’t know, forget about it.”

Christian was frowning and worrying his bottom lip again in what was clearly a nervous habit. He looked at Matt cautiously. “Does that mean you didn’t invite me over to poison me with that weird cranberry sauce?”

Matt laughed, glad for the change of subject. “It’s way better than that can-shaped stuff!”

“I happen to like that can-shaped stuff!”

“Well, you’re welcome to eat as much of it as you like.”

Christian looked inordinately pleased with himself. “I think I will.”

Matt laughed again and turned his attention back to the game.

Christian curled up in the corner of the couch, looking content as he hugged a pillow.

As football games went, it was pretty dull; low scoring and slow moving as a result. It didn’t help that Matt didn’t care about either team.

During the break between the third and fourth quarters, Christian stretched and nudged Matt with his foot.

“There was something about pie?”

If he had any dreams Thursday night, Matt didn’t remember them. Mid-afternoon restlessness motivated him to get out of the apartment Friday. He ran a few errands and stopped by the local bookstore to pick up a new thriller to read, but he was at loose ends for the rest of the day.

He knew Christian was working. He’d enjoyed their impromptu Thanksgiving celebration the day before; he liked Christian’s sense of humor and his enthusiasm. He still thought his physical reaction to Christian was a fluke, but the more he forced himself to face the fact that there had been a definite reaction, the more he wondered how much of a fluke it was.

Matt entered The Coffee Hut and was disappointed to see Christian nowhere in sight. He placed his order with one of Christian’s very perky coworkers, who promptly disappeared into the back as Matt waited for the other barista to make his drink.

Christian came out of the back a moment later and smiled at Matt. “Hey. How’s your day off?”

Matt was surprised at how pleased he was to see Christian. “Not bad; how’s your day working?”

“Not that bad actually. It’s been pretty slow this afternoon.” Of course, just as Christian said that, a large group of people entered, talking and laughing loudly.

Matt picked up his drink. “Really? Have fun, then.”

“Thanks.” Christian rolled his eyes and hurried to start taking orders.

Matt found a table near the window and settled in to start his new book, glad he had arrived before the afternoon rush.

Eventually, the crowd started to thin and the baristas began cleaning tables and putting the condiment bar back in order. Matt looked up as Christian wiped the tables nearby.

“What are you reading?” Christian asked and Matt held up his book. “Oh, I read that a few months ago. It’s a great book.”

“Yeah, I really like the way she’s weaving all of the characters together.”

They chatted for a couple of minutes about the book and what else they had read by the author. Matt asked Christian what time his shift ended.

Christian looked at the wall clock. “In about forty-five minutes.”

Matt made a decision. “I could give you a ride.”

Christian tilted his head as he considered Matt’s offer. “You wouldn’t mind waiting?”

Matt shook his head. “I wouldn’t have offered if I minded. Besides, it’s not like I have big plans today.”

“No hot Friday night date with the Cosmo girl?”

“Oh, very funny. Don’t you have work to do?”

***

Matt was absorbed in his book when Christian dropped into the chair across from him; he noticed the lack of Christian’s apron and realized he’d lost track of time.

He glanced at his watch. “Are you done already?”

“Yep.” Christian stood and waved to his coworkers as they left. “Are you in your usual spot?”

“Am I that predictable?” Matt asked as he led the way across the lot.

“What? Oh.” Christian looked embarrassed as he shrugged. “You were in the same spot the two other times you drove me home. I know a lot of people park in the same spots. At least you never have to think about where your truck is parked.”

“That’s true.” Matt unlocked the tailgate for Christian’s bike.

Once they were both settled, Matt started on the short drive toward Christian’s apartment. “You want to grab something to eat?” They both had to eat, right?

“Um.”

Matt waited as Christian seemed to think. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe he should have just forgotten the whole thing.

“If we can keep it cheap, yeah,” Christian finally answered.

Matt looked over at him. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I don’t really have any food at home, anyway.” Christian looked mildly embarrassed again.

“Okay.” Maybe it was a good idea. “How about Mexican?”

“I love Mexican,” Christian told him. “I eat refried beans a lot, because they’re cheap, and then I just end up craving real Mexican.”

Matt nodded. “Mexican it is, then.”

***

“This is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the cheesy decor and the little sombrero hats on the tables,” Christian commented once the hostess had left.

“I come here every couple of weeks. I’m not a big fan of cooking.” Matt could make a few passable meals, but it had never been his strong suit. He kept meaning to learn but never seemed to get around to it. Restaurants were just so much more convenient than planning meals and he always seemed to be missing some critical ingredient.

“I actually like it, but I can’t really afford to do anything fancy and it’s kind of a drag to cook for one person. Sort of depressing, you know? I mean, if you put all this time and thought into making something, there should at least be someone to share it with.” Christian shrugged, blushing slightly.

Matt didn’t want him to feel embarrassed. “I can see that. I just don’t really have the patience. There’s usually something else I’d rather be doing.”

“Oooh, you want to split an order of nachos as an appetizer?”

Matt blinked at the complete change of subject, then laughed. “Sure. Jalapeños?”

“Definitely. Chicken or beef?”

“Either.”

Once their orders were placed, they settled back with their drinks. They had spent enough time together that Matt didn’t feel pressured by the need to make small talk, but Christian jumped in before Matt could think of anything to say.

Christian rested his arms on the table and leaned forward. “So, I know you like football, read some of the same books that I do, and spent time in the Army.”

Matt took a sip of beer. “There’s not much else to tell. Work takes up a lot of my time, and when I’m not working I just hang around my place, go to the gym, play ball with Sam. Let myself get dragged to parties. Fight off Sam’s attempts to set me up.”

“Which you obviously don’t like.”

Matt shrugged. “I was in a long-term relationship that ended about a year ago. Sam thinks I’m missing out on something by not dating a new woman every month.”

“I only had one long-term relationship. It lasted a couple of years before we split up. We were really young.” Christian grimaced. “Not that twenty-two is old.”

Matt took a helping of nachos that the server left on the table. “When I was twenty-two, I was just back from being deployed and trying to decide if I should reenlist. Katie, my ex, argued about that a lot.”

Christian made a pleased sound as he took a mouthful of nacho and toppings. “Did she want you to get out?”

“She did. She didn’t really give a shit about the war until I was in it and then she was totally against it. It pissed me off, you know?” Matt always found it difficult to explain his conflict with Katie; most people thought she was just worried for him, but Matt didn’t see it that way.