Jingle all the Mitchell Way: a holiday novella(17)
With the cold becoming unbearable, I chose to ignore his comment on focus on the tire. Sure, there was saying about gay men meeting at rest stops, but it couldn’t be true. Who the hell would partake in that kind of statistical survey?
The lug nuts were a bitch to get off, some rusted from being in the weather, but it was always important to loosen them first before jacking up the vehicle, otherwise the tire would spin while you were working. It was obvious this motorhome had sat on a lot for some time. I knew Jake chose it because it was a cheaper purchase. I would have done the same thing. I just wished he would have checked the little details. After finally managing to get them off, I pumped the jack, raising the motorhome to be able to remove the damaged tire. “You know we could have been in that ditch, or flipped? When we get to the next town you’re replacing the other three tires.”
“You probably hit something.”
I pulled off the tire and held it up, running my hand over it. It was still warm from driving on the road. “This shit is dry rotted, just as I suspected. Now I’ve got frost bite.”
Jake took the tire in his hands and walked it back to the storage compartment while I put the new one on, tightened the lug nuts, and lowered the jack.
“The salesmen said the old man who owned it before me planned on taking it to Florida for the winters, but he died before he could use it. He had a stroke while on the way to Florida.”
My eyes widened. “He died? Dude, is this shit haunted? Did you buy a haunted RV? He could have popped the tire.”
“I’m going back inside to warm up. Once again, you’re ridiculous. There is no ghost.”
“I’m calling him John,” I called out to him. “From now on John is my wingman. John the ghost.”
Jake was already inside when I finished babbling. I know I joked about everything, but what good was a life without being able to smile?
Right before stepping back into the warm motorhome, I paused; deciding to walk around the large vehicle and make sure the other tires weren’t low. When I reached the rear I noticed what my brother had been smiling about. Dangling from the hitch was a set of plastic testicles. My dad kept a set on the main farm truck. From the look of the wear on them, it was obvious that’s where they’d come from. I chuckled and shook my head, being reminded of the presents he’d claimed he’d left for us. “Smart ass!” I said under my breath, while being reminded of the brutal cold. My nose was burning from being frozen. Before getting back inside, I tapped on the doorframe. “Don’t let any more tires blow out on us, John. I’m counting on you to keep my girls safe.”
Chapter 8
Jake
The motorhome, having two separate bedrooms in the rear, was large enough to give us privacy if we required it.
?The master suite, if that's what it would be classified as, was big enough to walk around the king sized bed if you squeezed. The walls held cabinets for storage, most of which Amber had filled with her wardrobe and the twins essentials.
The second bedroom could only be used when the vehicle was parked, as a bump out needed to be utilized for the space to accommodate. Since we were traveling overnight, Reese had folded the couch down for us to take turns resting, while she stayed back with Amber and the girls.
I knew this situation was going to be frustrating at times. Reese loved the twins, and she and Amber had grown close in the past couple of years, but being cramped in such a small space for a long length of time was trying for anyone. I couldn't expect her to enjoy the trip, but knew she'd do anything to help out my family; the family she was already a big part of.
The holidays has always been a big deal for Reese. Her family went all out with decorations and baking. They even read the traditional stories the night before, still as adults. Since we’d skipped last Christmas to be with them, Reese was determined to make sure this year was extra special for me.
As much as I looked forward to being with the family, my mind was focused on one thing. With Reese by my side I didn't much care where we ended up eating or exchanging presents. I wanted us to be together.
After the flat tire fiasco, I looked forward to climbing into bed with my bride-to-be and getting some much deserved rest while Jax drove us the rest of the way to New Orleans.
I found Reese sitting comfortably in the kitchen area fold-down bed with her legs tucked under the covers. I crawled up beside her, caressing the skin of her cheek with my chilled lips. Being out in the cold to change a tire in treacherous conditions was worse than expected. Thankfully, with the help of Jax, we were able to do it faster in order to get back in the motorhome to warm up.
My still freezing hands slid up her thighs, as our lips brushed before finally coming fully together for a heated kiss. I felt her hands shoving me away, breaking the moment I was hoping would move forward instead of coming to a direct halt. “What the hell, Jake. You’re hands are freezing. They’re like icicles. Keep them away.”
“Oh come on,” I taunted. “I had a perfect way to warm them up. You should be thanking me for being a hero and fixing the tire. I think we saved over a hundred bucks doing it ourselves instead of having to call a service to come and take care of it.”
“Your dad was a certified mechanic. One would hope you could both change a tire on your own,” she laughed about it. “Go run some warm water under those things, and then come back and start over.”