The Gift of Casey

By Shawn Lane

Casey Mackenzie unexpectedly finds himself in need of a “boyfriend” for his Thanksgiving dinner. For several months, Casey has been putting off family questions and invites with talk of his boyfriend “George.” Only now they actually expect to meet George at the holiday dinner.

George Accardo is Casey’s sexy neighbor who also happens to be an actor Casey once had a rather drunken rendezvous with. Casey has avoided George ever since. Until now.

Casey offers George fifty bucks to pretend to be his boyfriend for the duration of the Thanksgiving dinner. George has been intrigued by Casey since their first meeting but gave him space when Casey freaked. He accepts the job, though Casey assures him they will “break up” before Christmas.

Casey finds himself still charmed by George as Christmas approaches. Can George convince Casey he’s the gift he’s been hoping for before the holiday arrives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Dec 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781634862905

Shawn Lane

Shawn Lane is a multi-published author of gay romance. She lives and works in Southern California. She has been published by Loose Id, Amber Quill Press, Evernight Publishing, MLR Press, JMS Books, and Ellora’s Cave. For more information, visit smlgr8.blogspot.com.

Book preview

9

Chapter 1

Who breaks up with someone the day before Thanksgiving? Casey Mackenzie asked his best friend, Andrew Hart, as he opened the oven door to place his pumpkin pie inside to bake.

Andrew shrugged. He was leaning a hip against the tiled counter in Casey’s kitchen. I guess someone who got together a week before Halloween.

Well. But you guys seemed so good together. Not that Casey particularly liked Andrew’s former boyfriend. The guy had a tendency to wear one of those man buns. In his mind, Casey had taken to calling him bun boy.

It’s okay, Casey. We were seeing each other only a month. It’s not like I was that invested in him or anything. Andrew gave Casey a wry smile before lifting his coffee cup to his lips for a drink.

I know. I’m just affronted on your behalf.

After all, Casey thought, he’d certainly give his right arm to get Andrew to notice him as something other than just his friend. Being Drew’s friend was great. Casey was happy about that. But he’d had a crush on Drew for months.

Casey told himself that’s all it was. Just a crush. Likely because Casey himself was experiencing a bit of a dry spell, dating-wise. It definitely wasn’t love. Romantic love, anyway. He’d known Drew just about all his life. Their families had been friends before Casey and Drew. There was lust, of course.

And who could blame him? Drew was seriously hot. Six feet of blond, movie-star hotness. Drew had sparkling blue eyes, blond hair swept in waves like one of those expensive salon cuts, and an awesome six pack. And if Casey didn’t turn his attention to the rest of his menu for Thanksgiving right now he was going to regret it.

Don’t be. I’m a big boy.

Casey nodded and picked up his to-do list. I guess I don’t have to make a card for him.

Drew frowned. A card?

Yeah. I’m making place cards for all the seats at the table for Thanksgiving.

His friend’s lips twitched. Place cards?

Don’t judge me, Casey said with a huff. And anyway, they’re already bought, I just have to add the name.

Let me see them.

Flushing a little, Casey opened a kitchen drawer and took out the packet of Thanksgiving place cards. The little cards had a place to write the name and were decorated with leaves, pumpkins, and roasted turkeys.

Drew smiled. You are too cute, Casey.

Oh shut up. He snatched the cards out of Drew’s hand and put them back in the drawer. The point is, that’s one less guest for Thanksgiving.

That’s a big point, Drew conceded. Who all is coming to Thanksgiving?

Casey switched from his to-do list to his guest list. He picked up his pen and crossed off the name Owen. Drew smirked at him. It certainly was a good thing that Drew hadn’t been invested in bun boy. He flushed again thinking about it. It was probably mean to have names for everyone Drew ever dated.

Wait. What?

Casey stared wide-eyed at Drew. Huh?

You have nicknames for all the guys I’ve dated?

Oh, shit. I admitted that out loud? Casey shook his head. That’s what happened when he got too distracted by all the thoughts in his brain. Mom and Dad. That’s my mother and father. He checked off their names as they had confirmed they were for sure coming. My sister, Dahlia, and her husband, Nico. You, of course. Your dad. Casey looked at Drew. Is he still bringing his special corn stuffing?

Yes, though he insists it’s called ‘dressing’ because it doesn’t go in the bird. Drew peeked at Casey’s list.

"Your sister, Lucy, and her son,