Page 37 of His Christmas Love Song

“Oh. Right.” Jesse pushes back from the table. “Well, the sooner we take care of business, the sooner we can go back to the cabin and turn off our phones.”

“That’s an idea I can definitely get behind. Let’s go see if Hank’s home.”

They walk through the lodge, and for the first time since they got here, Ryan can appreciate the beautiful seasonal decorations, the swaths of greenery, the cheerful red bows. Christmas is just over a week away and he can’t believe he and Jesse will be spending it as a couple. He shivers. It almost feels too good to be true.

Emma’s at the lobby desk, talking to a couple of young women in puffy winter jackets. When she catches sight of them, she puts up a finger for them to wait. As soon as she sends the other guests on their way, she comes around the desk.

“Ryan, Jesus, are you okay? I heard something about a car wreck?” Emma’s face creases with concern.

“I’m really fine,” Ryan says, feeling conspicuous. He’s never liked being the center of attention, just one reason why his job as a musician has always been an odd fit. As if sensing his discomfort, Jesse angles himself into the space between Emma and Ryan. He brushes his pinkie against the back of Ryan’s hand and Ryan fights the smile that wants to spread on his face.

“Well I’m glad you’re okay,” she says. Is it Ryan’s imagination, or does her gaze drop to the vicinity of their almost-touching hands before returning to eye level? If anything, Jesse inches closer.

They may have declared their love for each other, they may have crossed that invisible line from friends to something more, but nothing’s really changed. Jesse’s still protecting him, just as he always has.

“We’re going to get a checkup from Dr. Moore,” Jesse says.

“Good, put my brother to work.” She smiles and winks at them. “And get better soon.”

A minute later, they’re knocking on Hank’s door. While they wait, muffled voices can be heard inside. They exchange a look, but before Ryan can wonder out loud, Hank opens the door, letting out the smell of coffee and bacon and revealing the owner of the other voice. Cameron is sitting in Hank’s living room, his long hair loose, a mug of coffee in his hands.

“Good morning,” Jesse says, somehow lacing the two words with extra meaning.

Ryan’s a little confused, but he goes inside when Hank ushers them in. “Hey, Hank. Cameron.” He hears the question in his voice, but no one rushes to explain.

“How’s the elbow?” Hank asks.

“It hurts,” Ryan admits. “But not worse than last night. I’m a little stiff all over.”

“Makes sense. Rest, ice, compression, elevation. You should call today and get that X-ray scheduled. Sit down and I’ll take a look.”

Ryan drops to the sofa, suddenly feeling drained. He really didn’t sleep well last night, too caught up in visions of what might have been, anxious that while Jesse didn’t seem to mind taking care of him after an accident which was clearly Ryan’s own damn fault, that didn’t mean Ryan should take advantage of his good nature. But then this morning, everything changed, and that’s its own kind of stress, figuring out how to navigate this new world in which he and Jesse are more than friends.

“So, how was your night?” Jesse asks while Hank takes Ryan’s sling off and pokes and prods at his elbow. “I take it you both stayed out of the storm?”

“Yeah, well, Hank’s a real good host,” Cameron says, laughing a little. “I was worried about Ryan and since Jesse didn’t respond to any of my texts about how he was doing, I had to ask Hank.”

“I’m really sorry about that,” Jesse says, looking contrite and sounding serious for the first time since they arrived. “I was a little preoccupied.”

Cameron smiles easily. “Like I said, Hank’s a good host. He told me Ryan was going to live, and we ended up hunkering down.”

“We had a nice time catching up,” Hank says, a little smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He glances up from Ryan’s elbow, holding his gaze. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Why would I—” Ryan starts, then the penny drops. “Oh.” He glances between Hank and Cameron, then over to Jesse, whose eyes are dancing with repressed glee at the prospect of a potential romance. Despite the single embarrassing kiss Ryan would take back if he could, he has no romantic feelings for Hank, and he and Cameron had some good times, but when it ended, they were both happy to stay friends. He doesn’t have any claim on them. To the contrary, if they’ve hit it off, Ryan will be first in line to congratulate them. Or maybe second after Jesse, if the way he’s vibrating in his seat is an indication of his feelings on the matter. “Of course not,” he says. “I’m a little confused, but I don’t mind. Not at all.”

Hank straps him back into the sling. “Good. I mean, thanks. And your arm looks pretty fair. Just keep up with the treatment and you’ll be back to playing that guitar in no time.”

“So, is there a story here?” Ryan asks, nodding at Cameron. “Or is Hank just a magnet for itinerant musicians?”

Cameron pinks up and looks at Hank, who looks back with a secret smile on his face. Oh, for god’s sake. He and Jesse seem to have some competition in the sappy looks department.

“Cameron worked here in high school. Hank was home from college. They clearly both had crushes on each other, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be until now, because fate brought them together once again at Pine Tree Lodge. You can hire Ryan and me to play at the wedding,” Jesse jokes.

“Jesse, shut up,” Hank says lightly.

“Am I wrong? There was a lot of unresolved stuff flying between you last night,” Jesse says, undeterred.

Cameron rolls his eyes. “You’re not wrong, Jesse. You’re just an asshole.”