alieicanlivewith by Eden Winters Read Free Book Online

enough for their son?
    For that matter, what did they think about Garret's bringing home a man at all?
    Otis swallowed hard, heart pounding. "This is really fast, Garret."
    "I know. But there's never been anyone I wanted to bring home before, and Christmas seems so far away."
    "Errr… Are you… are you sure about this?"
    Beaming smile, dimples, and a husky, "Oh, yeah, I'm sure," chipped away at the walls of Otis' resistance.
    Garret grabbed and squeezed him in a bone-crunching bear-hug. "Very sure. Say you'll come with me. My folks are gonna love you."
    Otis bit back the answer that nearly sprang off his tongue: "As long as you do."

    ***
A Lie I Can Live With - 43
    Danny and Steve appeared genuinely crestfallen.
    Steve acted as spokesman. "Are you sure you don't want to hang out with us and watch football?"
    Otis' grin fell and his eyes darted from one concerned frown to the next. His heart sank. He'd never expected that the guys planned to stay home this Thanksgiving, or to be invited to join them.
    "Um… I appreciate the offer and everything, but Garret's all keyed up, wanting me to meet his family."
    His two techs exchanged resigned looks. Danny said,
    "I think I left something out in the van," and hurried out the door, leaving Otis and Steve alone.
    "Wimp… " Steve uttered under his breath at Danny's rapidly retreating back, plunking down in a chair, far more serious than Otis had ever seen him before. "Look, Big Guy, I'll be frank here."
    "No, be Steve," Otis quipped, desperate to lighten the suddenly oppressive mood.
    That lame joke usually got a smile. Today? Nada.
    "I know that in the past you've not been totally truthful with Danny and me."
    Otis gulped, voice rising an octave. "Say what?" He sensed a good scolding coming on and couldn't figure out what he'd done wrong.
    "I know that sometimes you've made things up when we asked if you had plans."
    Now wait a minute. "Made things up?" Otis didn't know whether to be shocked or angry at the accusation.
    He wasn't in the habit of telling lies. Maybe about the Vincent thing. And how he spent his weekends. Okay.
    Busted. Maybe Steve knew what he was talking about after all.
    The tech appeared to collapse in on himself with the force of his heavy exhalation. "Are you making up an A Lie I Can Live With - 44
    imaginary boyfriend 'cause you think you'll be intruding on our Thanksgiving plans? I told you Abby adores you, and Danny said Teresa and the kids want you there."
    Maybe anger wasn't warranted after all. "They do?"
    "Yes, they do."
    That tore at Otis' heart. He hadn't lied, though he'd intended to, so as not to seem so pathetic before Garret's invitation. The second part of what Steve said hit home.
    "Imaginary boyfriend?! You think I made Garret up?"
    He didn't know whether to be hurt or pissed again.
    Steve held both hands up in a placating gesture.
    "Don't get mad! It's just that you've never talked about dating before besides meeting people at clubs, and while me and Danny knew you liked guys, you never…"
    With no clue why, Otis threw back his head and laughed. Steve cocked a brow, appearing thoroughly confused. "Look, I know you guys mean well, but Garret is as real as they come. I'm sorry that I haven't thought to bring him around to meet you. We've only been seeing each other a few weeks, and well…"
    "You're still getting to know each other." Steve's alarm softened into sympathy. "Yeah, I know how that is. Afraid to introduce someone around in case it don't work out."
    Is that why Otis hadn't brought Garret around? Did he secretly believe it wouldn't work?
    About that time the front door opened and Danny called out, "We got a customer," voice brimming with amusement as he stepped inside.
    Otis and Steve looked up at the same time. A vision wearing a dark wool coat stood in the doorway, clutching a Candy Kingdom box in one gloved hand.
    "Hey, Otis. I know I should have called first, but I was in the neighborhood and wanted to see if I could take you to