Page 115 of Not Looking
“It was just such a nice contrast with the rest of the wood,” Randy explained. Then he chuckled. “Did a number on my gouge though.”
“Oh?” Dad asked.
Randy rubbed the back of his neck. “Bark holds onto dirt and junk. Dulls things quick. I had to sharpen more than usual.”
“Well, it turned out beautiful,” Papa said.
“Thank you,” Randy replied.
I smiled at the shy note in my omega’s voice.
“Where are Mikey and Thomas? I’d like to introduce them too,” I asked.
Papa sighed. “Mikey and Krista are with her parents tonight, and Thomas decided to surprise Neil with a Christmas vacation.”
“I guess it’s getting more serious,” I laughed.
Dad chuckled. “Maybe. Thomas says they’re both just having fun still. I think he’s farther along than Neil, but, at their age, a vacation is a good way to see if they can spend longer amounts of time together.”
I nuzzled into Randy’s neck. “Do you want me to take you on vacation after everybody’s back?”
He snorted and elbowed me in the ribs. “Don’t copy your little brother.”
Both Dad and Papa burst into laughter.
“You’ve got a keeper for sure,” Papa said.
Randy made a soft, shocked sound.
I chuckled and wrapped an arm around his middle. “Don’t I know it.”
“So we’re thinking about coming up for a visit in a few months,” Dad said. “See some old friends, but also spend some time with the two of you. Is that ok with you, Randy?”
“Huh?” Randy asked. “Why ask me?”
Papa smiled. “Cause we want to get to know you. We can’t do that if it’s a bad time of year.”
“Oh… umm…” Randy paused. “I don’t have anything major planned that I know of, but I guess I’d need to know more details.”
Papa nodded. “Ok. We’ll come up with some ideas about what works best for us so we can coordinate with the two of you.”
“Sounds good,” I replied.
Randy nodded beside me.
“So are you two hanging out with Joey and the guys tonight?” Dad asked.
I shook my head. “Everybody is off doing family things. We did Friendsmas last weekend. We’re just going to have a quiet night in.”
“Oh?” Papa asked.
“Cheesy Christmas movies,” Randy explained. “I got into the habit in the years when everybody else was off at various parties.”
Dad laughed. “I didn’t take you for the type.”
Randy chuckled. “It’s the only time I watch them.”
Papa grinned. “It’s fun to just relax with the absolutely worst storylines sometimes, isn’t it?”
