A Child for Christmas

Chapter 9

Haru

Work made me antsy. It wasn't actually the work itself, but the thought of Seth leaving today. I realized that I may just be lonely, and not actually want him. But I'm just so attracted. Yes, it's superficial, but that's only for now. How can it ever become something deeper if he leaves? I was already pulling up into my driveway dreading the thought of them not being there. Would they actually leave without a word? I wouldn't think so, but I don't know them that well. They don't even have my number, I couldn't even be mad if they did.

I got up the courage to walk through the door. I could hear the t.v playing. I could feel that my steps were a little faster than normal when walking into my house, but it would be better to get it over with if they're gone. Seth was sitting there in his full glory on the couch ... shirtless. He glanced over at me and gave a quick smile. I looked away and set my stuff on the counter. Why am I so embarrassed by the sight of his chest? I'm a grown man for goodness sake. "So, where's Jeremy?" I asked while still looking away.

"In the room. I think he might be coming up with a cold. He's been tired all day". I thought of the curly haired child and wanted to go check up on him.

"Do we need to go get some medicine?"

"No, I'm not sure what he has yet, or if it's even serious enough for medicine". I just gave a quick nod of the head, still not looking at him. I was so focused on calming myself down that I didn't even hear him walk over to me. "So, how was work?" So close, way too close. I walked over to the cabinet and grabbed a glass, I can't be so close to him. I filled it up with water and looked at the calendar on my fridge. He walked over to me again and I didn't know how to escape without being obvious.

He leaned his body on the fridge and smirked at me. "Does my body make you uncomfortable?" Yes, yes it does. I didn't say anything, I just walked back over to the counter and looked at an old stack of mail that I had already opened. He soon followed me over to the counter. His arms were rested on top of it while he grinned at me. Oh my gosh, why do I have to be like this? "You don't have to be embarrassed." I didn't say anything once again. He sighed and backed away a bit. I kept replaying the way his stomach clenched showing off his abs even more when he took the breath to sigh. I don't have abs, now I want them. I frowned a bit.

"Do you want me to put a shirt on?" He was trying to be polite and I didn't even know how to respond. I just looked at him with one eyebrow raised and a shy smile. "Well, I want to tell you that I'm taking you up on that offer". I guess he wasn't going to put a shirt on. I can't say I'm mad about it. Wait - he's staying?

"You're not leaving?"

"Nope, plus I need to get the money to fix my car anyways. He thinks it's a battery problem".

"That's good to hear". Extremely good to hear. I can have more time to get to know him and be around him. Oh gosh, I need to go buy gifts. I can shop for Jeremy!! I wonder what he likes.

"You seem really happy that I'm staying". I could feel that I was smiling hard. My cheeks even hurt.

"Well you know, I wan't Jeremy to be around his friends".

"Right." He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Even I knew it was a bullshit excuse with the way it came out. He sat back down on the couch and invited me over. He invited me over to my own couch, I don't know why I found that amusing. I sat down on the other side of the long couch. He sighed and rested the pillow he brought from upstairs on my lap. I soon felt the weight of his head on my legs and his hair splayed out randomly. He kept his feet on the ground, it seemed awkward.

"You can put your feet on the couch". He quickly adjusted his body so he was more comfortable. "You watch the Gilmore Girls?"

"It's a good show". His tone was sheepish. I found it cute that even he shows signs of self-doubt. In the few days he's shown that he's a confident man with few words. I wonder if he's actually very talkative, but not comfortable around me. I disregarded that thought, the man is in my lap by his own will. I don't think he'd be too shy to to talk to me; I'm the one that's too shy to make a real move. I wanted to play with his hair, but I didn't know if it was appropriate so I didn't.

"Yea, I guess it is". We just watched continuous episodes of the Gilmore Girls, until he fell asleep in my lap.