* LOST !

‘ i already got my dream house.  a big, nice loft in the best part of the city.  a dream HOME, on the other hand …  i guess it would be one that is not lonely.  y’know.  where i bother to put up christmas trees in and actually cook sometimes.  that’d be nice. ’

          ‘ oh boy, then i’m the arrogant, conceited asshole here, aren’t i ?  you sound like you’d run across the beach into your own arms if you could. ’     he grinned with a shake of his head, liking the playful banter the two had on.  he was one of the few genuine friends lance had, not hanging out with him for his money, his father’s influence or the fallen star story that he had but just because he enjoyed being around him.  that was a rare occurence so this friendship was one that he cherished.     ‘ you spending it with the jones ?  man, good luck with that.  don’t know all of them personally but they seem like a handful. ’     he patted his friend on the shoulder and grabbed his drink when it was delivered, giving a nod to the bartender.     ‘ so, how’s things been ?  anything i should know ? ’

          ‘ well, this jacket is fancy too, mind you. ’     he said teasingly, knowing it was nothing but irritating but he could care less right now.  after getting the news from his manager that he still had long till he could return to the NFL, lance was still stuck in the company building all day for the rest of the week and he hated it so he was itching to stir something up.  poor choice, he knew, but oh well.     ‘ y’sure about that ?  in my experience, it always works.  wanna bet on it or too afraid to actually see how it works ? ’

          ‘ really, it’s fine.  wasn’t all that fun drinking alone anyway. ’     lance lifted his shoulders in a shrug, taking another sip of his drink and enjoyed the burning sensation for a moment before returning his gaze towards the woman.  at her question, he gave a nod of his head with a grin, a sigh slipping past his lips.     ‘ i was busy but not gonna lie, just didn’t want to bother taking some time for it either.  i mean, no one’s gonna see it anyway, what’s the deal with it ?  and then there’s the part where you disassemble it all ... ’     he whined at only the thought of all that work before chuckling.     ‘ wait, that soon ?  that’s crazy ...  those lights would have drove me crazy if i were you. ’

          ‘ because we’re gorgeous, wasn’t that clear enough ? ’     he vaguely gestured at himself with his hands before he was playfully shoved a bit, which caused a laugh to emit from his lips.  in all honesty, he missed this friendly banter he had with carson while he was away for his career.     ‘ man, that gotta be the biggest mystery of the decade.  all those ladies are missing out on all this. ’     he let out a sigh and gave a shake of his head as he acted as serious as possible before grinning and settling into a chair at the bar and taking off his jacket.     ‘ i’m with you on that.  y’know, just trying to get by another tear without having to attend a family dinner. ’     flagging down a bartender, he then patted his friend on the shoulder.     ‘ the hero among us, eh ?  well, let’s drink to that.  beer or something stronger ?  i think i’m havin’ scotch. ’

note :  “ you know i’m too bad at writing notes, man, so i’ll keep this short and sweet.  you’ll need this mini espresso machine on your christmas shift and the cocktail kit is for unwinding afterwards.  enjoy & have a good one mate ! ”

note :  “ merry fucking christmas, loser !  hope you like the hoodie/pillow thing i got you, but of course you will.  it’s like one of the coolest things i’ve seen and strangely, it made me think of you.  have an amazing one brother, get up to no good and turn down for fun on christmas and don’t, really, don’t agree to the christmas dinner that father suggests, i sad absolutely NO !  anyway, have a good one from your dearest brother.  p.s: do not try to sell the signed portrait, i’ll know ! ”

          raising an eyebrow at the woman, lance could see that she was disturbed by something and taking a not so wild guess, he concluded within himself that it was probably not related to the crowded bar but rather an internal issue.  he was not going to stick his nose into her business but since she started to talk to him, he turned towards her with a small grin.     ‘ nah, love  -  i won’t be caught dead making a lady pay for the drinks. ’     as traditional and old-fashionad as it might sound, that was how the sawyers were raised.  motioning for the barkeep for refills, he then looked back at her.     ‘ if it’ll make you feel better, we could talk about how christmas is around the corner and i still don’t have my tree up. ’     he offered with a grin, lifting the glass to his lips once they were served.

          ‘ i got british roots ... mate ! ’     lance grinned as he nudged carson’s side, giving a shake of his own head before holding his hands up as if to surrender.     ‘ fine, fine.  i’m willing to even stop being a little bitch for beer.  see how desperate i am ? ’     a chuckle slipping past his lips, he walked into the bar as he tucked his hands into his pockets, looking around the place to find the best spot.     ‘ well, it’s the time for people to exchange gifts and stuff their face with even more food after thanksgiving, of course they are all going batshit crazy.  but working on christmas ?  man, i feel for you.  first toast goes for that. ’

          ‘ pal  --  mate   --  bro, ’     grimacing at the last one he used, lance held his index finger up pointing at the other male, lips pursed.     ‘  -- you know what, i give you full permission to punch me if i ever use that again. ’     a grin appearing on his face, lance planted a hand on carson’s shoulder, excitement clear on his face as he looked at him  --  one of his closest friends that remained in contact with him even when he was away to follow his dreams of NFL.     ‘ if i don’t have a good drink shoved down my throat in the next ten minutes, i’ll lose it.  come on, drinks on me. ’

          a chuckle slipping past his lips as he looked at greg’s jumper, lance shook his head in amusement.     ‘ it’s the best thing i’ve seen today. ’     the grin remaining on his face, lance tilted his head to the side.     ‘ i need you to tell me where did you get it from, i know what i’m wearing to the family dinner now. ’