Tailspin Anthology

Lodge

 Christian goes to a lodge, alone.

The door to the lodge opened, and cold air blew in. A figure dressed in a thick coat entered with snow covering him from head to toe. The figure shook some of the snow off and made his way towards the front desk.

"How may I help you?" the clerk asked politely.

The person wiped the snow covering his face, and smiled a bit. "My name is Christian Shear. There should be a room reserved under Jason Williams."

There is typing for a moment. "Oh yes. Williams. We have a room reserved for the weekend with the Valentine's day special included."

Christian's smile faded. He and Jason had made plans for this getaway a couple of weeks prior to the holiday, but Jason had to cancel at the last moment due to work. That's when they got into a heated argument and Christian decided to come alone to what was supposed to be one of the most romantic times of his life.

The clerk noticed but didn't say a word as she handed him his room key. "We hope you enjoy your stay with us."

Christian put on a fake smile and sparkled making her blush. "I expect you to take real good care of me." he left and walked upstairs to find his room before anymore could be said or done.

Sometime later, Christian is sitting in the lodge's bar drinking and sulking as he observes all the other guests are accompanied with a special someone.

"This sucks on so many levels." he checked his phone to see no sign of Jason contacting him. "What a caring boyfriend." he mumbled before sighing sadly. "Maybe I should just head upstairs. I feel like the only single person here."

"Christian." His brother John popped out of nowhere spooking him.

"John? What are you doing here?" his brother looked at him neutrally.

"I could ask you the same thing."

Christian sighed again. "Jason and I were supposed to come here for Valentine's day, but the jerk had some project to finish."

"So you came here by yourself?" he asked.

Christian shrugged his shoulders. "It seemed like a great idea at the time, but now I feel like an idiot." he admitted. "What are you doing here? Are you and dad on business?" John shook his head.

"Believe or not, I am with somebody for the same reason."

Christian's jaw dropped. "Really? Who?"

He didn't answer. "Oh, come on. Don't leave me hanging." he stopped himself from speaking and narrowed his eyes. "Wait a second. If you're with someone, then how come you're here talking with me?"

"I had to make sure that it was you and that you were alright." John responded.

Much to his surprise, Christian is shooing him away. "You idiot. Forget about me and go back before you end up alone like I am." he placed money on the table and is stumbling out of his stool.

"You are intoxicated." he stated and reached out to him, but he slapped his hand away.

"I'm fine. I'm just going to head to my room and binge watch whatever movies I feel like watching. At least one of us should get some romance around here."

He followed him as he trudged out and waited until he entered his room and shut the door before returning to the bar and returning to his seat with a sigh of his own.

"I've never seen him drink alcohol before. I thought he only drank apple juice from a kiddie pouch."

John looked at his boyfriend of six years. "It isn't funny, Sebastian."

He snorted. "What? You heard him earlier. Forget him and have some fun. Although I am surprised that he didn't spot neither of us. He must be down in the dumps with the head of sales from my uncle's firm."

He is about to take a drink of his own drink when John snatched it. "Perhaps you've had enough as well."

Sebastian frowned. "Don't be such a stick in the mud. This is our first time being alone like this in a long time. Out of curiosity, he isn't going to bother me with calls and texts, is he?"

John looked down. "He doesn't know it's you."

Sebastian looked at him surprised. "Huh? How does he not know? Your whole family as well as mine knows about us. Heck, even that pesky zombie he's dating knows about us."

John frowned and crossed his arms. "It is weird granted how chatty my family can be, but as far as he knows, we went to boarding school together. He didn't even know I was seeing someone until a few minutes ago. He was dying to know, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him."

"Why not? I'm pretty sure he wouldn't mind. Not that I care what he thinks. If he thinks at all." Sebastian said.

John frowned. "You are right. He would be happy for us I am pretty sure. Perhaps I didn't want to rub it in that I'm with somebody while he came alone."

Sebastian snorted. "That's his fault. He could've stayed behind and been with his boyfriend when he finished."

John looked at him sadly. "You don't know how Jason can be when he's set on a project. Nothing can snap him out of it. Not even my brother. And if interrupted, he'll snap at anyone who dares to disturb him."

Sebastian tsked. "He picked one hell of a mate. Out of all the people on the planet, why him?"

John smiled. "For whatever reason, my brother loves him and sees enough good qualities to be with him. I'm just relieved that there is someone out there to keep an eye on him." Much to his surprise, Sebastian chuckled. "What's funny?"

He is trying to compose himself. "Forgive me, but I was referring to why Jason chose your brother. He could do way better."

John sighed and looked away. "Come on John. Don't be that way." he put his hand on his shoulder. "Not that I have anything against your brother, but."

John moved his hand away and stood. "I'm going to check on him, and then we can continue this conversation upstairs."

Sebastian is right behind him as they are walking out. "I'm hoping this discussion leads to more than a lecture, or I'll be very disappointed. Huh?"

Jason is has arrived, and is cursing the cold weather as he's angrily wiping the snow off of his sleeve. That's when he noticed them. "Hey."

"What are you doing here? I thought you had a project to finish for my uncle." Sebastian said sternly.

Jason scowled. "Keep your pants on. I am halfway finished. I plan on finishing, tonight before getting some R&R."

John smiled. "My brother got to you, didn't he?"

Jason blew a raspberry. "Not really. It was the thought of him being up here alone with heaven knows who that could take advantage of him."

Sebastian rolled his eyes before pointing up. "You came just in time. The little twerp was drinking his sorrows away."

Jason cursed. "How long ago?"

"About twenty minutes ago, but he went into his room." John explained.

"Good. That'll give me enough time to lecture him before he passes out." he stomped upstairs to deal with his Valentine.

Sebastian put his hand John's shoulder again. "Now that your brother is being tended to, how about we head upstairs and enjoy each other's company." John gave him a look. "And you can lecture me in the morning. How's that sound?"

That's when they hear a familiar yelp coming from upstairs, and John couldn't help chuckling. "That is manageable." he said and allowed himself to be escorted to their room to enjoy the best Valentine's day ever.