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“Ward of course.” Jax winked at me. “Get going.” He gave me a shove, and I set out on a mission.
It didn’t take long to find the perfect toy and wrap it, then I stuck the tag on top. I hoped he’d like it and play along and not be angry. I wanted this to be a great start for us. But the longer I waited, the more my nerves set in. I helped some other people who bought multiple toys wrap their presents and stack them on Santa's table. Then I helped Todd get a few more decorations up. The place looked great, and it helped keep my mind off the toy for Royce.
When Jax arrived, he went into the back room with Ward to help him get ready to play Santa, but I was a little leery about what they were up to back there when he didn’t come back. Todd waggled his eyebrows, and I shook my head. “No. I don’t want to know.”
Todd laughed. “I’m kidding. Jax is going to dress like an elf and come out with Santa after the kids get here. Which should be in like ten minutes.”
“Great.” I was more than ready to get this event going so I could be done with it.
Todd patted my shoulder, then turned on a PA system and spoke into the mic. “Hi, all. The kids should be here soon, then Santa will come out. Please help get the wrapping stuff packed up and in the back, then we’ll pull bean bags out for the kids.”
Everyone jumped in right away, including me. The room quickly transformed into a place for kids to sit around and open presents with only a few minutes to spare.
Before we knew it, the kids arrived. The center had driven them over in two buses, and Royce was with them. He was all smiles when he walked in the door, corralling kids along the way. When he caught my gaze, that smile grew wider, and I swear his blue-gray eyes sparkled. He didn’t look like he needed cheering up, and I wondered why Jax had said that in the first place. Was it to get me to play along with the joke?
My nerves kicked in. What if this was a bad idea? What if Royce hated it? I bit my bottom lip. It was too late. Todd made an announcement and turned on the old Christmas carol, “Santa Claus is Coming To Town.” The kids danced and swayed to the music, some sang, and Santa came out, ho, ho, ho-ing with his helpful elf by his side. I had to admit Jax made a great elf with his narrow facial features and blond hair. The kids didn’t care about that, though. Like most kids, they only had eyes for Santa.
Jax took the mic from Todd and turned down the music. “Okay, kiddos. Santa has lots of presents for everyone. Let’s be quiet so we can listen for our names to be called.” He put his finger over his lips and most of the kids mirrored him.
Then he started calling names. As he did, each kid came up, and Santa gave them the present. Ward and Jax worked well together. And then…
“Royce Mabry.”
I watched Royce’s eyes go wide. Jax pointed at him, and Royce shook his head.
“Yes, you. Come on, Royce.”
He turned the deepest red I’d ever seen as he stepped closer. The kids around him clapped and shoved him forward, loving that their new friend was also getting a gift.
Royce was obviously embarrassed. He took the present and looked at the name. I’d written who it was from on the bottom of the ticket. When he read who bought it for him, his brows crinkled above his nose, and he looked over at me with a scowl. He seemed mad. This was bad.
I crossed the room, weaving between the older kids who stood around the back. “Hey, Royce, uh…”
“Why would you do something like this?” he whisper-growled at me.
“I, please…” I didn’t know what else to say. “Open it?”
“Fine,” he huffed, but he tore at the paper, exposing the blue and orange box full of sports cars. “Huh.”
“I thought you would liked them—fast cars. You know?”
“Because I drive a sports car?”
“You drive the sports car.” In fact, his baby was a Lamborghini. Fancy and fast.
He smirked. “Well, that’s true. So, thanks. I think.”
Todd came up on his other side and put his arm around Royce’s shoulder. “Good choice.”
“Don’t tell me you had something to do with this?” Royce asked him.
Todd said no but laughed so hard it was obvious he did. He shoved Todd away and turned to me with a sweet smile. “You shouldn’t let these guys goad you into shit like this, but…it’s still sweet, I guess.”
“They may have put me up to it, and those are probably the most expensive Matchbox cars in history, but I wanted to make you smile.”
Royce looked up at me shyly. “Fine. I like it.” Then he hugged me. Being pressed against his body was heavenly. I wouldn’t call him a twink like his friend Jax, but he was thin and fit with a decent build and hard pecs, and better yet, he was smaller than me and fit against me perfectly.
I kissed the top of his head. “Good. Maybe we can have dinner at my place later and play with them.” I snuggled closer, but then his phone buzzed.
