Merry Cherry Christmas

“You’re allowed now. If you want.”

Jeremy smiled, glancing down the empty hall. “Is it okay if I still stay in the guest room? I feel weird otherwise.” He ducked his head, clearly embarrassed, and Max could understand it.

“Of course.” Max said, leaning in to whisper in his ear. “Besides, it’s fun sneaking across the hall.”

He kissed Jeremy softly. Slowly. Cider and buttery pastry lingered on their tongues, and it really did taste like Christmas.

Epilogue

One year later

Jeremy pulled off his helmet, breathing the crisp air deeply. He reached into his pocket for the smooth leather case, his fingers skimming over his initials before he removed his glasses and pushed them up his nose.

Valerie called, “Trail’s all set?”

Max gave her a thumbs-up before pushing the snowmobile into the garage. Jeremy hadn’t really needed to go along for the ride, but it was the first chance he’d had since early March. He’d missed zooming along, holding onto Max, his heart thumping.

The morning had been a whirlwind of activity as they prepared for the final open house before Christmas. Jeremy helped Max set up the taffy station as the first vehicles arrived. They had a steady line of customers, and Jeremy was so busy handing out Popsicle sticks he didn’t realize Levi was there until he was handing sticks to him and his nieces.

“Hey!” Jeremy leaned over the snow-packed planter and gave Levi a hug. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“They wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He motioned to the girls, who were eagerly spinning hot syrup onto their sticks. “Hey, Max!” He held out his hand.

Max shook it with a genuine smile, the pom-pom on his old U of T toque swaying. “Great to see you, man. Sorry I couldn’t make the show. Had to cover for the other bartender at the last minute.”

“No worries. If you can come next time, the band got another gig in TO thanks to playing our set at the rainbow pub night on campus. Thanks again for suggesting us to the committee, Jer.”

Jeremy flushed with pleasure. “That’s awesome! We’ll be there. I’m sure Honey and Alicia and the guys will come too. I’m actually helping organize a Valentine’s Day event for the queer club too. Not sure yet if we’ll have bands, but if we do, I’ll get you in. They asked me to take over as treasurer, and I have some say on activities.”

Max grinned. “He’ll be president next year. Mark my words.”

Jeremy shrugged but couldn’t hide his smile. And why should he? He’d worked really hard after joining the club. “We’ll see. Marjorie might go for prez, and I don’t want to run against a good friend.”

“Hey, if we come down for another gig, is it cool if we crash in your dorm again? Your roomie won’t mind?”

“It’s totally cool. I’ll sleep at Max’s, and Doug’s never there on weekends.” Now that he actually had a life, Jeremy appreciated that Doug was often absent.

“By the way, we just came from the Christmas tree farm.” Levi whistled softly. “Damn, that is one fine lumberjack. His twinky partner’s hot too.”

Max laughed as he stirred the bubbling syrup on the camp stove. “Oh yeah. Always enjoy the eye candy at the Spini farm.” He winked at Jeremy. “Nadeau farm’s not bad for it either.”

Blushing, Jeremy rolled his eyes, definitely unable to stop his grin this time.

The day flew by, hundreds of visitors passing through. Jeremy’s phone buzzed as he mounted the porch with Max, the sun setting behind snowy treetops. “My parents,” he said. Breathing deeply, Jeremy answered the video call. “How’s Jamaica?”

His mother’s face filled the screen. “Hello, Jeremy. We’re having a lovely time.” She moved the phone, and Sean’s pimply face appeared.

“Hey, bro! How’s it hangin’?” Sean asked, clearly delighting in their mom’s grimace of distaste.

“I’m good. Lots of snow on the farm. Say hi to Max.”

Max slipped his arm over Jeremy’s shoulders and greeted them. Jeremy’s dad appeared too, and they talked about the resort, detailing the food options while Jeremy and Max nodded and smiled.

“We wish you were here,” Jeremy’s mother said after a few minutes. “Talk to you soon.”

Jeremy ended the call, leaning against Max’s shoulder. “Well, that went okay.”

“It’s been steadily more than civil,” Max agreed. He pressed a kiss to Jeremy’s temple beneath the brim of his hat. “Maybe next Christmas we should brave Victoria, unless they’re off on some other vacation.”

“Hmm. Maybe.” Jeremy had gone home alone for a few weeks before starting summer school, and it had been mostly awkward with his parents. But they were trying, and they hadn’t cut him off financially. He’d told Sean he was gay, and Sean had rolled his eyes and said, “Duh. Who cares?”

“Christmas here is pretty perfect,” Max mused. “Peak winter wonderland.”

“Victoria cannot compete in so many, many ways.”

“If I’m in teachers college, probably can’t afford to go away anyway. We’ll see.”