Levi smiled across the yard, beyond proud of George and everything he’d accomplished this week. “I’d like that. I want to get to know Orry better, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy meeting the woman who caught his eye.”
“Yeah. Orry deserves someone special. He’s been my rock, but I want him to have a life almost more than I want one myself. Orry went through bad stuff of his own, and I want him to be happy.”
“I remember you mentioning that about Orry. And I love that you want your brother to be happy, but it’s okay to focus on your own happiness first. Take the slow steps you need to proceed comfortably. If you push yourself too hard, too fast, you could backslide and undo all your progress.”
“More advice from rehab?”
George’s voice was light and curious, which kept Levi from taking any offense. “Yes. I fell very, very hard at one point in my life, George. You let fear send you into hiding, but I let grief send me into a very different place. I’d like to tell you about it one day.”
“I can tell from your voice how painful it was, and I appreciate your honesty and trust. When you’re ready to tell me, I’ll listen. I care about you, Levi.”
“I care about you, too. And I am thrilled that your conversation with Orry went well, and that he’s accepting you. All parts of you.”
George chuckled. “Well, I think he’s still a tiny bit hesitant about me dating you, but it’s all about the age difference and experience difference. But I assured him you aren’t taking advantage of me. I have been completely consenting in everything we’ve done together. And I hope we can do more soon.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
If someone could blush over the phone, Levi was pretty sure George had mastered it. “You know. Other stuff. In bed.”
“Hmm. Next time we’re alone together, you’ll have to elaborate. And we’ll talk about next steps.”
“Cool, okay.” George sounded relieved, as if he thought Levi wanted to talk about hyperprivate stuff over the phone. Levi had never been a fan of phone sex or anything similar, especially not these last few years.
“Since I have you on the phone,” Levi hedged, “Christmas is Friday, and I know you probably always spend the day with Orry, but I was wondering if you wanted to see me for a little while? Mack and Wes have a new tradition of hosting dinner on Christmas Day, because Reyes and Miles go camping on Christmas Eve, and I didn’t know if you’d want to come.” Okay, he’d kind of rambled that but Levi was a little nervous about this. And considering the dangerous trick riding he did, it took a lot to make him genuinely nervous.
George was quiet a moment. “You don’t have family you need to be with on Christmas Day?”
“I’ll be here with Robin, and I consider a lot of these guys here to be family now. My blood family is wintering with the rodeo in Santa Fe. I won’t see them but I’ll definitely talk to my dad. I’m assuming you don’t speak with your parents anymore?”
“No. Just our grandparents. I think I’d like to go visit them on Christmas morning. It’s been ages since I’ve seen them in person.” Levi could almost picture George standing straighter. “Yes, I’d like to have Christmas Day dinner with you. Orry usually works part of the day, anyway, so maybe now he’ll spend it with his girlfriend.”
“And you’ll spend it with your boyfriend.”
George made a noise of delight that wasn’t quite laughter. “God, a few weeks ago I never thought I’d hear or say those words. Or do anything for Christmas except sit around in the apartment with a frozen turkey dinner.”
Levi wanted to reach through his phone and hug George. “I’m beyond thrilled to offer you new experiences, this week and beyond. You give me more than you realize, George. Part of me died when Xander died, and I lost a part of myself for a while after. Then Grant happened, and I wasn’t sure how I’d trust again. But you make it easy to trust you, and that has nothing to do with how sheltered you’ve been these last few years. It’s all about you and your great big heart.”
“I’d kiss you for that if we were in the same room.”
“And I would absolutely let you. I adore your kisses, George. Never doubt that you’re desirable simply for being the man you are.” Especially if this delicate thing between us doesn’t last.
But Levi didn’t want to think like that this soon into their developing relationship. Maybe a few weeks into the future but not now. Not yet.
“What are you up to today?” George asked. “Playing with the cats?”
Levi chuckled. “I did for a bit this morning. Then Robin came by and kidnapped me to lunch at Mack’s house.”
“Shit, did my call interrupt your lunch? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s okay. We were done eating and just talking around the table with drinks. You didn’t interrupt anything, and I was happy to hear from you, I promise. I worried about you speakin’ to Orry, and I can tell now I was wrong to worry. You and he have a very special bond.”
“If I can get personal for a second, did Xander know you were bisexual?”
Levi considered the question briefly. “I don’t remember us ever talkin’ about it explicitly. He was very much openly gay since our early teens, but I was less open about the people I chose to be with. I just let the person speak to me. But I also never really dated anyone that seriously. With our traveling lifestyle, it was impossible to establish a real relationship with anyone who wasn’t part of the company, which is why Robin and Xander worked so well and for a long time.”
“Thank you for answering my question.”
“Of course. There are certain parts of my past I’m not ready to talk about but my time with Lucky’s isn’t one of them. I loved that life.” And sometimes I miss that life, but I also enjoy having roots for a change.
“I can hear that in your voice,” George said. “How much you loved the rodeo. I can’t imagine how much it hurt to lose your brother and then leave that life. And to have it happen on Christmas. What a horrible day to lose your brother.”
Old grief squeezed Levi’s heart, and his mind flashed to the expression of utter devastation on Robin’s face as he held a limp Xander in his arms. “It was an accident, and it made the holidays hard for a while. But it was better last year because I was here with Robin, and Robin finally spoke to Dad again. They’d been at odds since Xander died, and I think the reconciliation helped all three of us heal more. No, I’m positive it did.”
“I’m glad.” George cleared his throat hard. “Well, I won’t keep you any longer from your friends. I’m sure we’ll talk again before then, but what time Christmas Day? And, um, I did get my license but I haven’t driven on my own in ages.”