Page 18

Chapter Eighteen

Cade

Valentine’s Day was fast approaching, and Cade had immersed himself once again in business at the club. Jax was still in a cast so Kincade was playing chauffeur to the big man a few days a week, either to look at potential sites for his gym or so Jax could get a ride out to the stadium.

He’d been insistent Cade should accompany the Realtor and him as they toured potential sites and offer an opinion. When Cade pushed him as to why, Jackson always changed the subject.

Chicago had lost the game against Seattle, much to everyone’s dismay, but it had gone into overtime with Chicago losing by a field goal. Unfortunately, Colby Napier got hurt in the fourth quarter and the second stringer, Wade Doyle, couldn’t seem to hit the broadside of a barn that afternoon.

It was the defense’s game in overtime until the Seattle QB ran the damn ball in from the thirty-yard line avoiding tackles, left and right. Cade later commented if Jax was in the game it would never have gone that way. Jax smiled and said, “It’s a damn shame, but they fought hard without me. There’s no guarantee in any game. They’ll be back next season, even stronger.” With football out of the way, it seemed Jax had his mind on the future.

As Cade thought about it, a warm feeling spread through his chest. He was anxious for Jackson to find his next career ambition because Cade had read up on the “low following the high” of being a public sports figure. He didn’t want Jax to become depressed, especially since his frustration level was high with the cast. He wanted to help him stay motivated. He just had to figure out how.

“How about some sort of meal thing?” Ford offered, bringing Cade from his musings.

He was brainstorming with Ford, Cleveland, and Griff, about the upcoming Valentine’s holiday. “We don’t serve food, Branford. It would be too much of a mess to cater in. Besides, we’re a dance club, not a restaurant. What about a speed- dating kind of thing? There was this bar I read about where each table had a telephone. You called the number of the table where the person you’re interested in is sitting. You have a quick conversation and if the interest is returned, you agree to have a drink.” Cade didn’t think it was the worst idea in the world.

Griff patted his hand on the table. “Dolly Levy, that’s now called Grindr here in the twenty-first century. No, what we need to do is cater to the lonely hearts out there by throwing an anti-Valentine’s Day event. You know, appeal to those who think it’s a shitty holiday or those who don’t have a significant other. Drink specials, no cupids, no hearts, and no sappy love songs.”

Cade slapped Ford’s leg. “Instead of Cupid’s-a-No-No , how about Cute-Boys-a-Go-Go . We can rent platforms and play nothing but dance music. We need to have the carpets cleaned anyway, so what about a foam party? They do those in Vegas I’ve heard.”

“I want my furniture moved out if that’s the case. I don’t want shit ruined—it’s not that old,” Ford said.

Cade laughed. “Of course, Bix. We can use the high tops because the bases are metal, and we’ll move the chairs and banquettes into one of those “Pod” things out behind the club. How about we have the party the Saturday before so maybe people can meet someone to be with on Tuesday night?”

“Good, because I’m closing the club on Monday and Tuesday. Everyone who usually works will be paid for those days off.” Ford turned to Cade.

“I wanna take my guys somewhere that week. Cleve, can you cover for me the rest of that week? I’ll be back on Saturday, then you and Griff can take time if you’d like. Cade and I can cover for both of you.” Excitement built inside of Cade at the idea of the three of them going away together.

“Boss, that works out pretty good for me.” Cleveland’s mysterious smile intrigued Cade, but there was unfinished business.

“So, if we’re not going to be a lonely-hearts club, let’s make it sexy. How about a “Sexy Undies” party with bottles of bubbles as favors, along with colored lights and… Oh, I’ve got it. Leave it to me and my protégé.” Cade took Griff’s hand to lead him down the stairs. Inspiration had struck, and Cade wanted to go with it while the bug was still biting.

Cyrus wasn’t in yet so Cade left him a note to find the two of them so they could talk about a special playlist. Cade went to the booth to turn on the house and stage lights, looking around the large room for a theme. When it struck, he smiled and turned to his friend.

“Okay, instead of a foam party where the place is filled with foam and becomes a logistical nightmare, how about several bubble machines. We can assign waiters to make sure they’re working properly and adequately filled to keep the place full. Also, on television at a New Year’s party, I saw these cool helium balls with colored lights inside that change when they bounce. We could have various sizes of those for everyone to throw around.” Inspiration was a speeding car in Cade’s brain.

Cade continued his ramblings. “The dancers can wear white bikini briefs with some sort of bubbles sewn on. Oh, maybe plastic ones. Ugh. We need to go to the craft store to use our muse. Let me run up and grab the keys to Jax’s ugly behemoth. We can get lunch and bring it back, and I can pick up Jax at the stadium as well. Save me a trip later.”

Griff nodded, saying he was going backstage to pull on his coat. Cade rushed upstairs but paused at the door when he heard Cleveland laugh.

“I was gonna ask him on Valentine’s Day, but I’ll wait until I can plan a little trip. He snowboards or skis, and there’s this place not far from here with cabins and a lodge. I thought about it over the holidays, but this works out better. We can go after Valentine’s and before President’s, so there should be availability.”

“Of course,” Ford answered.

Cleve continued. “I’ve got an appointment this week at the doctor’s and then with a jeweler. You’ll cover for me if I tell him I’ve gotta run an errand for you, right?” Cade grinned and knocked before Ford could respond.

“Yeah. Come in.”

Cade opened the door and smiled. “Forgot my coat. Griff and I are going to the craft store to fuel our creativity. We can bring back lunch if you tell us what you’d like. I’m also going to pick up Lucky at the stadium and bring him here. I’ll bounce ideas off him or something.”

Ford laughed as he rose from his place atop his desk, sliding a drawer closed. He walked over to Cade and took his peacoat from him, holding it open. “He can use my computer and peruse the real estate section if he gets bored. We can go home at three, and I’ll change to come back tonight. Maybe you and Jackson want to have some time alone?”

Ford, Jackson, and Cade had been taking turns spending time in pairs, but Cade wanted the three of them together. He loved being with them individually, and he knew they had been alone together when he went to visit his mother one Sunday in Naperville to help her sort through the house that she was putting on the market.

Hudson Hayes had been arrested at his place of business, and it had been blasted on the local news for two days before the FBI raided the former gallery where Kenneth Shaw supposedly ran his business and Chicago Outreach Shelters. Whatever they found at his place of business, it wasn’t shared with local media.

They hadn’t heard from any of the boys, either. It had Cade worried until Ashton called to confide he’d heard from Kevin Ngu. He and Vance Blake were working for a courier service downtown and sharing a studio apartment. He didn’t have a number for anyone to call, but he’d asked about Jax, Ford, and Cade. He’d said they’d seen the news in the paper about Hudson’s arrest, and they wanted to be sure Ashton was okay. Cade knew his little brother would walk on clouds indefinitely over hearing from his crush.

Ash was happy to be home with his mother and Amy, and Cade was glad for him. He wanted to get to know his little sister, but Cheryl had recommended that the girl should be given some time to adjust to all the changes.

Apparently, Amy was having a hard time with the arrest because she’d been a daddy’s girl who believed Hudson Hayes could do no wrong. Cheryl wanted Cade and Amy to meet again under the right circumstances, and Katrina agreed with her, though no one could judge when the right circumstances might be. Thus, they were waiting.

Of course, with Hudson’s arrest, the divorce proceedings halted because it was Katrina’s chance to get a better look at Hudson’s books, thus squeezing a better settlement out of Cade’s father. When Cheryl came forward with the prenup she’d signed at the onset of her supposed marriage to Hudson, Katrina had laughed it off and said they’d divide his fortune and leave the “lousy, lying bastard” penniless. Much to Cade’s surprise, Cheryl was totally on board. The times, they were a-changin’.

Ford’s kiss to Cade’s cheek brought him from his thoughts. “I’d rather have the two of you with me at the same time. I have some very distinct ideas regarding things I’ve never tried, Bix.” Cade gave him a teasing wink.

The sexy blond laughed. “Bring back lunch, then. After we eat, we’ll go home for a little while, how’s that?” Cade nodded before he leaned forward to kiss Ford’s cheek in return.

“You’ve got a date, buttercup ,” Cade teased for old time’s sake, causing both men in the room to laugh as he went downstairs to meet Griff.

On the way toward the parking lot, Cade turned to Griff and smirked. “So, do you ski or snowboard?”

“A little bit of both.”

Cade seriously doubted Griff and Cleveland would make it out of the cabin, but he was happy for his friends. He simply grinned at Griff as the two went out to the Blue Beast, giggling to himself the whole way to the craft store.

Cade hit the button to the garage door of the Greystone as his two companions got out and headed toward the entrance into the mudroom. Once everyone was inside and coats, scarves, and hats were secured on the rack in the mudroom, he turned to his two lovers. “I’m going up to do a little maintenance. You two decide who does what.” He was feeling quite powerful in that moment.

Their laughter carried up the stairs behind him as he went into the bathroom and closed the door. When he’d purchased the douche kits on a whim, he was hopeful he’d have occasion to use them. As he pulled out the last one, he knew he needed to add a douche bulb to his pharmacy list, along with condoms and lube.

After a quick clean out and then a wash-up, he swilled Jax’s mouthwash into his mouth for a few seconds, spit, and opened the door, finding his two lovers naked on the bed. “Get over here, you little tease.” Jax’s voice was a low, sexy growl.

Cade ran and jumped between them, and before he knew it, he and Jax had each other’s cocks in their mouths. Ford had his tongue in Cade’s ass to loosen him up before he changed their positions, putting Jax on his back with Cade over him, still sucking each other while Ford pushed inside Cade from behind.

Jax grabbed the lube by his head and slicked up his fingers, slipping them inside Ford’s ass while he continued to suck Cade, moaning loudly when Cade took him into his throat. There were loud moans and swears. Love was declared, over and over, and when the three got into a rhythm together, the room was filled with satisfaction as the three of them were finally making love at once. Love poured from one to another.

The three men lay in bed, holding each other while discussing ideas about where Jax’s gym should be. “Any downtown properties where there would be a good client base are limited, I’m coming to find. I’d like to have a big place, but I haven’t found anything even remotely measuring up to what I’ve imagined.” Jax stroked his fingers through Cade’s hair as he rested on Jax’s fuzzy chest. Ford was snuggled up behind Cade, and he felt Ford’s hand on Jax’s hip over his body. It was exactly as he’d hoped it could be with the three of them.

Cade knew Jackson was frustrated regarding his career options, more so because of the cast than the geographic obstacles he encountered while searching for a location. Something occurred to him.

“How about before you run, you walk. I’d suggest you maybe step back from the gym for a bit and think about specialized training. Maybe something intense? You could call it Cajun Boot Camp?”

Ford moved closer and rested his head on Cade’s shoulder and smiled. “What’s that, sweetheart?”

Cade sat up between them and leaned against the headboard. “How about instead of a Field of Dreams approach to the business, you go out and create a base. Get Stan to book you on some local shows to talk about fitness and what’s in-store for Jackson Delacroix going forward. You have to attend rehab after that cast, and you can use it as an opportunity for people to come out and get healthy with you.

“ Oh! Channel 8 is sponsoring a wellness fair in a couple of weeks, and you’ll have your cast off by then. Get a booth and sign autographs and come up with a brochure regarding a spring boot camp you’re going to sponsor and run yourself. Make it cheap, fifty bucks for five Saturdays. Get them to meet in a park in the area and work them out like you’d work out with the team. Maybe get some of the guys to help you kick it off. I’m sure they’d help, Lucky.” Cade waited for the big man to respond.

Jax snuggled up into him, leaning against the left side of Cade’s chest while Ford did the same on the right. They held hands and reached for Cade’s, pulling his hands onto their respective chests.

“What do you think, babe? I need to drop some weight anyway because my leg’s gonna be weak for a while. I’m not playing football anymore, so I can trim down. Would you two try it with me?” Jax sounded hesitant to make the request.

Cade knew Ford worked out to keep himself in shape, and Cade hadn’t done much in a while—since the breakup, if he was being honest. He’d been working out with the dancers back then, but he’d noticed lately how his skinny jeans were getting a little snug since Miss Winnie was feeding him so well. Working out was probably a good idea.

Cade like the thought of working out with his men. “I could stand to tone up. I’m in.”

“I haven’t worked out much since we moved, and I don’t want to get a gut, so I’m in. You design us fitness regimens, and I’ll follow mine,” Ford said.

Jax sat up. “ That’s it! Specialized fitness goals. Lose weight. Build muscle. Tone up. That’s perfect. I’ll start with individual plans and boot camps to see what the reception’s like before I go sink an assload of money into a piece of property. Thank you for helping me figure this out. With some direction I can make things happen.”

Ford and Cade both smiled. It appeared a crisis had been avoided.

Jax continued. “I might start taking classes online to get my master’s in sports medicine since I have time. Yes, this is perfect. I love you both.” The three of them shared a sloppy kiss. Cade thought it was perfect.

Kincade was at Griff and Cleveland’s house helping Griff stitch clear, plastic-globe ornaments onto the thick, white, boy-cut briefs they’d bought for the dancers. “You can’t go too low, or they can’t sit down.” Cade giggled.

“They won’t be sitting down in these. Just go to the bottom of the legs and leave the crotch area uncovered so they don’t look like they have a ball shoved up their asses.” Griff and Cade were of one mind.

It was the Monday night before the Saturday party, and Cade had put it up on the website earlier in the day as he worked away at the club. There was a great response, according to the reservations, and he was looking forward to the party on Saturday.

“So, have you and Cleve talked about getting married?” Cade had a feeling in his gut it was on the horizon, but when he’d approached Ford and tried to pump him for information, he’d received a kiss and a slap on the ass with a nunya before Ford went to another room. It was a little condescending, but he remembered it was Ash’s go-to answer most of the time when he’d stayed with them.

Griff sighed. “Miss Winnie is morally opposed to it. She’s okay with Cleve being gay and even with me living with him, but as far as marriage, it’s not gonna happen. Momma Oakes’ apron strings are wrapped tightly around my big teddy bear. I’m fine with it, really. I mean, you’ll never be able to get married either, right? We all remember the grand exodus over the summer, Kincade. Until a few years ago, queers dared not even think of the M word being available to us, and now these politicians go putting ideas in our pretty little rainbow-filled heads.”

Cade glanced down and was almost at the end of his thread, so he tied off a knot and grabbed the spool. He threaded the needle again and continued with the pair of boy-cut briefs to complete the job. He wanted to get home. He was tired, and he missed his guys.

“Yeah, well, if people want to be together and committed, I’d say they should go for it.” Cade wasn’t happy with the acrid sound of his voice.

Griff giggled. “Don’t kill the twinkling messenger, hot stuff. I’m with you on this one, but I’m just saying we might be two girls who take our maiden names to the grave. I’ll be fine with it. How about you?”

Changing his name wasn’t something Cade had considered, but maybe under the right circumstances? What were the right circumstances?