Pushed Under the Mistletoe

By Roger Hyttinen

Danny Latham is a highly sought-after wedding photographer who has just gone through the worst breakup ever — and right before Christmas.  Danny was supposed to have taken his boyfriend home with him to Torch Lake, Florida, for Christmas, but that wasn't going to happen now.   Heartbroken, he instead asks his best friend, Joey to accompany him home for Christmas.

Reluctantly, Joey accepts.  Little does Danny know that Joey has been in love with him for as long as Joey can remember.  It doesn't help that Danny's family keeps trying to get them together, believing that Joey and Danny are perfect for each other.  

 

Will Joey's heart be able to handle a Christmas with Danny and his meddling family?  Or will this be the year Joey finally comes clean and tells Danny how he really feels?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rambling Wordsmith Press
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781943005260

Roger Hyttinen

Roger Hyttinen a fiction author of titles including A Clash of Fangs and A Touch of Cedar. His latest projects include a YA series featuring a high school medium who read Tarot cards and a Werewolf novel featuring a handsome prince, all of which should be released later this year. He has a Master's degree in Foreign Language & Literature and has worked as a French teacher, an English teacher, a technical writer, and a computer programmer. He currently lives in the chilly midwest with hopes of eventually moving about 1200 miles south.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Danny Latham set his camera bag down in the booth of the cafe, shucked off his coat, and then slid in. The smell of freshly brewed espresso hung heavily in the air. He reached into his green satchel, retrieved his phone and glanced at it. He was due to meet his prospective clients in twenty minutes. The couple had contacted him several days ago, asking him if he would shoot their upcoming wedding. It was last minute, but luckily, Danny had an opening in his schedule. This couple wanted the whole shebang — engagement photos, pre-wedding, ceremony, and reception photos. They were getting married in a canoe, wearing 1920s attire — in February. He just hoped the river wouldn’t be frozen over, as winters in Chicago could be pretty cold. Normally, he would have declined to do an outdoor wedding in the winter, but the couple was willing to pay him a lot of money to do it, so he figured, what the hell. It should no doubt be a fun or at least an interesting event.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and when he saw the caller ID, he smiled. It was Dick Darr, his boyfriend.

Hey, stud, Dick said in a sultry voice when Danny answered the phone.

I’m hoping you’re calling to tell me you changed your mind about tomorrow, Danny said. And that we’ll be able to have our celebratory dinner after all.

I wish I could, but I’ll be at the office until God knows when.

Perhaps we can find a place that’s open late? Danny suggested. It’s not every day that you make partner in a highly sought-after law firm. We should go out and celebrate — have a proper celebration, just the two of us. It’s been a long road getting here.

Dick let loose with a long sigh. I wish I could, Danny. Really, I do. But you know what the partners are like. They have extremely high expectations of everyone they work with, me included. For the next two days, there will be no leaving the office before 9:00 pm — if I’m lucky.

Is this that same big same case you’ve been working on — the one that’s taken up all your time for many weeks now? I swear I only see you a day or two each week, if even that.

Yup, that’s the one, but I’m happy to report that we’re nearing the finish line. But you realize that now I’m a full partner, the hours won’t be getting any shorter. You understand that, right?

Yes, so you’ve told me over and over, said Danny, trying not to let his annoyance show in his voice. It’s that it’s almost Christmas, and I’m missing you.

I miss you too, hot stuff, Dick said evenly. But we’ll have some time together real soon. Promise.

I hope you’re still planning on coming down south with me next week. My parents are looking forward to meeting you.

I wouldn’t miss it, said Dick. But don’t forget that I can only stay three days.

"There’s no way you can convince your bosses—I mean your partners—to give you the entire week off? I mean, it is Christmas, and you’ve practically lived at the office for the past couple of months. It’d be nice if we could spend it together."

Sorry, but no go. We’re lucky they even gave me a few days. So we’ll have to take separate cars. How about I meet you at your apartment in the morning, and we can go from there?

You know, we’ve been dating for over five months, and I still haven’t seen your place.

Dick laughed. That’s because I’m never home, and what little time I do spend there is not spent on cleaning, I can assure you. Right now, it’s fit for neither man nor beast.

Now that you’re getting a huge bump in pay, you can afford to bring in a housekeeper a couple of days a week. I’m all for paying someone to clean for me.

No, I would never feel comfortable doing that. I keep a lot of sensitive client papers around and wouldn’t want any stranger in my house when I’m not there. That could open me up to a slew of potential lawsuits.

"Well, it’s something to think about and at least consider. Maybe put any sensitive information under lock and key? So, when will I see you next?

Probably not before we leave. I’ll be at your house at 7:00 am on Monday. Then I’m all yours for three glorious days.

Danny sighed. Three days it is. Good luck with the case.

You too, Dick said, and disconnected the call.

You too? Danny said out loud. Does that man even listen to him?

He unzipped his camera bag and retrieved the contract for his prospective new clients to sign. They’d called him only two days ago, relieved that he could squeeze them in with almost no notice. Even though their wedding was scheduled for February, they wanted to do engagement photos tomorrow now that the entire town was decorated for Christmas. Jen, the bride, told him their photographer had ghosted them after they’d booked him nearly a year prior. They’d even gone down to this office, but he no longer inhabited it. The guy hadn’t responded to any of their emails and texts, and physical letters were marked Return to Sender. It was better he flaked on them now rather than after the wedding. Danny had heard of one photographer who left town after a wedding shoot with the couple’s money and all their photos. Horrifying.

A waitress stopped by, and he ordered a skimmed latte. He still had twenty minutes before the couple was to arrive. He considered calling his mom, but changed his mind. Danny was nervous about bringing Dick home to meet them, given that he’d never brought a boyfriend home before this. But then again, he’d never been as serious about anyone as he was with Richard Darr. The only person he’d ever brought home was his best friend, Joey, with whom he’d been friends for over a decade. Funny how in five short months, this new man had become the primary focus of his life. It was too bad he worked such long hours at his firm, but they’ve worked around his tight schedule pretty well. It reinforced Danny’s decision to abandon law and take up photography. He loved choosing his own hours and working as much or as little as he wanted. His life would have been quite different if he’d continued down the law path. After seeing how much Dick worked and the grueling hours he put in, Danny was glad he took the path he did.

A woman’s voice interrupted his reverie. Are you Danny Latham?

Danny looked up. An attractive woman with curly brown hair and blazing blue eyes stood at his table. Holding her hand was a sharply dressed Latino man who flashed him a wide smile.

Ah, Danny said, standing up. You must be Jen and Julian. He shook their hands and then gestured for them to sit down. We have a lot to do before tomorrow’s shoot. He took a sip of his coffee and smiled. "So tell me — what is your dream wedding?

Danny rubbed his hands together for warmth and zipped up his camera bag. Jen and Julian stood close by, whispering to each other, shopping bags full of fake presents in hand. They’d just finished the engagement shoot, and the couple wanted a Christmas theme for their photos. So they’d visited two different public Christmas trees, each on the opposite side of town, and then posed in front of several festively decorated shop windows. After they’d then taken a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the park, Danny photographed them in a romantic embrace on the small bridge overlooking the city.

It was much colder now than when they’d begun the shoot, and a brisk wind seemed to go right through Danny’s jacket. He was happy when the couple mentioned they were ready to wrap it up. He tore off his fingerless gloves, reached into his coat pocket, and retrieved his fur-lined black leather gloves. They immediately provided some much-needed warmth for his frozen fingers.

We made a reservation for all three of us at the Chez Alain restaurant, Becky said. Her pale cheeks were rosy from the cold. Our treat.

Oh no, I couldn’t. You two should—

Nuh-uh, said Jen. Julian and I planned this all out. We want you to eat with us and show our appreciation for taking us on such short notice. It would mean a lot to the both of us.

Well, since you put it that way, I accept. But am I dressed well enough? I think Chez Alain is a bit on the upscale side.

What you’re wearing is fine, Julian said. They didn’t require a suit or tie. I asked. It’s basic business casual.

After a brisk walk to the restaurant, Julian gave his name to the host, who told them it would be about five minutes before their table was ready. This was the first time Danny had ever eaten here. He’d read nothing but rave reviews about the place, so he was eager to try it. His friend Joey had eaten here several times and gave it high praise.

Danny sat on the bench next to Jen and Julian, a wall of people in front of him. Then he heard a familiar name.

Mr. Richard Darr, party of four. Richard Darr.

The name caught Danny’s attention and he snapped up his head. It couldn’t be the same Richard Darr as his boyfriend Dick. Could it? Perhaps he was out to dinner with the partners. Danny peeked his head around the woman standing in front of him, hoping to glimpse the enigmatic partners he’s heard so much about.

Dick was standing at the host table and was wearing his long black pea coat. Next to him stood a beautiful young woman holding the hands of two small children. That’s funny; Danny was certain that he said the partners were all older men. So who was this?

He stood up and shifted to the right behind the woman so he could get a better view of the host's table. The host was beaming at Dick and the woman.

Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Darr. Welcome to Chez Alain! He brought his hand to his chest. We are honored that you decided to have your anniversary dinner with us. How long has it been?

We’ve been married for seven years, the woman said, beaming. She grabbed hold of Dick’s hand. And not only that, Richard just made full partner at his law firm.

Danny tensed, and his knees went weak. What the ever-loving fuck?

Full partner? said the host. Now that indeed is cause for celebration. He turned his gaze to the two small children. You should be very proud of your daddy.

Dick ruffled the hair of one of the little boys. All they know is Daddy is gone way too much. I’m hoping that things will calm down now that I have the new promotion.

She indicated to Dick with her head. And can you believe he’s leaving us right before Christmas? His firm is sending him out of town for three days right before the holidays. So that leaves me alone to prepare for our annual Christmas party.

Oh honey, it’s only three days. I think you can handle it just fine. It’s not like I do a lot for the gala, anyway. You’re the one with the decorating and organizational skills. Hell, I’m lucky if I can even choose what to wear every day.

No truer words have ever been spoken, she said, and all three of them chuckled.

A waitress appeared and said something to the Maitre’d. Ah, your table is ready. Right this way, Mr. and Mrs. Darr. With that, the man turned into the dining followed by Dick, the woman, and the kids.

Danny stood staring at the dining room, reeling in shock as a heavy, hopeless feeling swept over him. His heart pounded wildly, and ice coursed through his veins. How in the hell could he not have known that Dick was married to a woman? And that he had a family? How had he not picked up on the clues? Those late nights at the office—all the canceled dates. All this time, Danny thought it was the firm that occupied all of Dick’s time. But it was all lies. His entire relationship with Dick had been nothing but one giant lie. A wave of embarrassment slammed him at how gullible he had been. Joey was always telling him that he was too trusting. Apparently, he was right.

His eyes prickled with tears, and he wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He clenched his jaw, and his hands formed into fists. His heart was pounding so hard that he found it difficult to breathe. He considered storming over to Dick’s table and confronting him in front of his family, calling him out for the jerk that he is. But what good would that do? As much as he hated Dick Darr right now, he wasn’t ready to break up a family and cause pain to his wife and kids. God knows it wasn’t their fault that Dick was such a shit.

He pulled out his phone and opened his text message app.

Happy Anniversary, asshole! You’re lucky I’m not telling your wife and kids. Don’t ever fucking call me again. Oh, and the trip is off. Your mother sure named you right: Dick!

He wished he could see Dick’s reaction, but Danny never wanted to lay his eyes on the bastard again. Ever. He felt the hot tears drip down his face. He wiped his sleeve with his hands and looked up. Jen and Julian both stared at him wide-eyed. Shit! He’d forgotten they were even there.

Danny, is everything okay? Jen asked. The concern was heavy in her voice.

Yeah, dude, Julian said. You don’t look so good.

"Um...I