Our December by Diane Adams Read Free Book Online Page B

The waiting crowd shifted from lethargy to action. People put away laptops and gathered bags, getting ready for the last stage of boarding. The bald guy captured Jared's attention again as he slung his back pack over one shoulder, the same type as Alex's, but it wasn't until Jared caught a glimpse of his profile that he realized why the guy was so familiar.
    It was Alex. His dark curls were a thing of the past, and his new tattoo screamed rebellion, but he picked up his bag and walked over to stand with his dad without a sign of the turmoil Jared knew it took to get him to that point. Jared ran a hand through his own hair and shook his head. He didn't think he had the courage to shave it off, or maybe he was just too vain. He liked his hair. Jared wondered about the tattoo, maybe it said 'screw you', though that seemed more Clark's style than Alex's. Jared's amusement faded as the line of people boarding filed past the flight attendant taking tickets before disappearing into the boarding tunnel.
    "He'll be back, you know."
    Startled, Jared jumped. He tore his eyes away from Alex to meet Clark's gaze for a second. Clark's grin was half-mast but he made the effort. Jared tried to give him as much back, but his lips trembled. He turned away before embarrassing himself. Clark was oblivious and pulled out his phone and typed in a text. Alex's dad handed the attractive, blonde flight attendant his ticket and stepped past her. Instead of following immediately, Alex pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen. He turned and looked directly at Jared. Alex's grin split his face. His hair was gone but his smile was exactly the same. Despite the ache in his chest, Jared smiled back. Alex's dad tugged at his backpack, they were holding up the line. Alex handed over his ticket and waved to Jared and Clark. Jared lifted his hand in automatic response. He laid it on the glass as if that were the only thing separating him from Alex. The leaving was over; Alex was gone. The pain was excruciating. Jared leaned his forehead against the glass, staring at the empty space that, a moment before, held Alex. Tears threatened and he fought them back.
    "Dude, he's not gone forever," Clark said, patting his shoulder. His discomfort over offering support distracted Jared, making it easier to breathe. He turned to face Clark, though all he had to offer was a watery smile.
    "No, not forever," he agreed, but he knew it was a lie. Growing up was subtle when someone was there every day, sometimes it was hard to realize it was happening at all. Within their minds, over the next few months, Alex wouldn't age at all. When he came back, it would be in an avalanche of change. It was in the midst of that change Jared was sure Alex would outgrow his puppy love and move on to better and more exciting things. He said he'd let Alex go, it was time to follow through, but his heart rebelled, and Jared knew he was in for a battle. He wasn't sure he could win. Clark's stomach growled.
    "I'm hungry," he declared.
    Jared raised a brow at him. "Really? I'd have never guessed."
    Clark blushed and shoved Jared's shoulder.
    "Let's go eat. Your choice, I'm buying." Clark lit up at Jared's offer, heading for the nearest exit.
    "Greasy Dog, here we come!" he exclaimed.
    Jared's phone beeped and he pulled it out. A text from Alex. Jared hesitated, before touching the screen to open the text.
    *thanx dude c u soon*
    Alex had only wanted to see him after all, just to know he was there.
    *np*

Visitor

    Frank battled a moment of indecision before forcing himself out of the car and up the steps to the front door of the small house. The postage stamp yard was neat, the grass mowed, and the leaves raked. Bright orange chrysanthemums hung in pots over the porch railings on either side of the door, and a white wooden glider sat to the left. Jared was a puzzle Frank hadn't worked out yet. Jared's reputation preceded him in the community. He was a hard worker, the youngest contractor in