Page 6

Chapter Six

Ford

Ford woke up alone. If he couldn’t smell the two men on his skin and in the sheets, he’d have sworn it was a dream he’d had too often. Thankfully, it wasn’t a dream any longer.

The clock read ten, and he was surprised he’d slept so soundly. Over the past few months, he’d had trouble getting to sleep when he got home from the club at four in the morning. It was the sleeping alone that had become a curse. Having Cade and Jax in his bed… their bed… the night before made all the difference.

He sat up and flipped on the television, catching the local news update after the end of the morning show. It was supposed to snow that evening, which meant he wasn’t taking his BMW to the club.

It wasn’t designed to maneuver Chicago snowstorms, but he still loved the car, more so because it was a gift from Jax. He’d have never bought anything like it for himself, though he did mention one time he thought it was a sexy car.

The next thing he knew, it was in the parking spot at the apartment building with a big red bow on top. In light of his sentimental attachment, he’d rather let the car service worry about the weather.

The trip to the bathroom proved to be rewarding. The smell of Jax’s body wash had his cock chubbing up, but he’d save it for when he got home that night after the party in hopes of a repeat performance.

Knowing Cade was leaving them on the twenty-third to stay at the shelter for the week between Christmas and New Year’s made him sad, but they’d figure out how to spend time together so it wasn’t a total letdown, especially since they’d just got him back.

Thankfully, Jax’s regular season ended on the first of January in Minnesota. The team would be eligible for a wildcard berth in the games played January 7 and 8. It was anyone’s guess if they’d make the grade.

After he pissed and moved to brush his teeth and shave, he found a sticky note on the mirror in front of his sink.

Ford laughed… hard. It had been a while since Jax had left him a note of any kind, much less with his number at the bottom. Hell, it might have been back in college for all he could remember. His number back then was 74, but it was already taken when he signed with Chicago so he settled for 79.

The three of them needed to discuss what free agency looked like for the three of them because, with the club, the house, and Cade’s job at Clark Street, they wouldn’t be free to move about the country. Plus, another team wouldn’t want Jax’s lover—much less two—around for the press to smear across the sports section if he played poorly. They were out, but they weren’t that out.

After he showered and dressed for the day, shoving a red tie in his pocket to seem festive for the Christmas party that night for the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, he made his way downstairs to have coffee and toast before he went to work.

He checked his phone to see nothing of concern, just updates to the work schedule. People wanted days off over the holidays, and Ford had agreed to close the club from closing on Friday, the twenty-third until Tuesday, the twenty-sixth, but the days leading up to New Year’s Eve were prime occupancy because people were sick of family and wanted to let off steam.

They weren’t having a special New Year’s Eve party, but they’d be open and serve champagne at midnight. He could spring for hats and decorations to make it more festive, so he set a reminder to discuss it with Cleveland when he got to work.

Just as he was about to leave, the house phone rang. He glanced at the number, seeing it wasn’t one that he recognized, ignoring it as he went to the closet to gather his overcoat and gloves. He’d texted for the car service after his shower, so he expected it any minute.

The machine answered, but it was turned down and while Ford could hear a mumbling to know someone left a message, he wasn’t too concerned about the identity of the caller. It was probably a charity with a last-minute appeal for a donation. He’d let Jax handle it when he got home from practice.

Ford was in the office calling in the liquor order Cleveland had left on his desk the previous night after the club was closed. Ford had to get it in that morning or he wouldn’t get a delivery before the end of the year, which would totally screw up New Years.

The knock on the door had him covering the receiver. “In!” he called as he waited for his salesman to get on the line.

Cleveland and Brady Jones entered with Griff following behind them on his cell phone. Ford held up a finger asking for a minute, and when the guy, Hal Black, answered, Ford made small talk for a moment before he got down to brass tacks. He still needed to call the beer man so he didn’t waste time with Hal, wishing him a happy holiday before they finished the call.

After hanging up, Ford glanced toward three expectant faces. “Good morning, guys. Is there a problem?”

Griff shoved his way between Brady and Cleveland, who put a large hand on his boyfriend’s shoulder. Ford laughed because he could see the small dancer had a lot to say, and he was pretty sure it had everything to do with Kincade.

“Before you piss me off when I’m in such a good mood, let me say we’re still in preliminary negotiations. He’s back with us through tonight, but he’s staying at the shelter from tomorrow night until the second of January. We’re not double-teaming him, okay?”

Unfortunately, the way he said it brought a loud guffaw from Brady Jones and a low chuckle from Cleveland Oakes. “Okay, pardon the pun.” Ford tried to hold his own laughter.

“So, he’s safe?” Griff asked.

The dancer’s comment landed all wrong. “With us? Of course, he’s safe. We’re not going to hurt him, Griffon. We love him.”

Brady stepped forward. “Boss, that’s not what he means. I believe Marcus Drury came into Pat Downs last night, according to a buddy of mine who still tends bar there. He said some maniac was looking for Cade at the club and asking a lot of questions. Thankfully, nobody knew where he was so there was nothing to tell but… that doesn’t make it any less of a threat.”

“Fuck!” Ford raised his hands in the air. “I thought the fucking idiot was in jail for violating the protection order Cade has against him.”

Griff looked at Cleveland, who nodded. “Cade didn’t go to court to renew it. He can’t afford lawyer fees on what he makes at the shelter, and he tries not to ask O’Malley for favors. It seems the guy’s really into the idea of other forms of payment besides cash if you feel me.”

Immediately, Ford wanted to call Robin Zacks to yell at her, but she’d only given the referral. She said he’d been a nice guy in law school. God only knew what years in the profession had done to him.

“ My God! What the fuck is wrong with people? Okay, Jax found Cade through Stan and as far as I know, it’s not common knowledge where he’s working. How about where he lives?” Ford stared at Griff.

“If anybody was following me, they’d find me at Cleve’s. Cade was subbing my place from me and if anybody shows up at Cleve’s place—"

Cleveland interrupted. “—they’ll die a painful death.” Cleveland flashed a wicked smile.

Ford swallowed. He was sure the large man could be quite deadly if push came to shove. “Okay, well, I just need to notify Jackson because I’m pretty sure the idiot figured out who he was when Jax put him in the hospital. Hell, they have security at the… Fuck ! There’s no security at Clark Street. I need to make some calls.”

He calmed down and looked at the trio. “The party’s coming along?

Griff grinned. “We’ve put up the decorations, so come take a look when you can.” Ford had been so caught up in his personal life, he didn’t even think about decorations after mentioning them to Cleve when he arrived at the club.

“Thanks, Griff. I really owe you guys.” Ford was aware the three of them had been carrying a lot of the business weight over the previous three months, and he was grateful. It would show in their Christmas bonuses, for sure.

After they left, Ford called Jax’s cell phone, waiting for it to go to voicemail. When it was answered, he was shocked. “Yeah?” It was a young voice. He then remembered Ashton Hayes was with Jax.

“Hey, kiddo. How are things at the stadium?”

“If I liked football, it would be great, but I happen to hate this barbaric sport. Don’t tell Sasquatch. He had this hot guy from the front office show me around, which was nice ‘cause I got to stare at his ass the whole time. Anyway, I’m sitting in a room called a box waiting for some fancy lunch. Jax is on the field tossing around the other players in white jerseys like they are scarecrows. He has a lot of pent-up aggression. If I was you and my brother, I’d be careful around him. Seems to have a quick trigger.”

Ford smiled. It was no secret Jackson Delacroix was a beast on the field but when it came to him and Kincade, he was as gentle as a pussycat… though he’d hate Ford saying so out loud. “Okay, well, have you talked to Cade yet today?”

“We took him to that dump where he works, but he hasn’t called this number. Why?” Ash’s voice sounded concerned.

Ford knew telling the kid his brother might be in danger was a bad idea, so he mentioned something slightly related. “Jax told me there was a big guy who got thrown out of the shelter yesterday. I was just worried if he’d come back. You have the number to the shelter?”

“Do I look like Google? Call his fucking cell. Food’s comin’. I gotta go.” The line went dead.

Ford growled. No , he didn’t want kids. Ashton Hayes solidified the thought.

He went downstairs to check out the main room, seeing things looked amazing. He’d forgotten how many decorations they had in storage at the club, which reminded him they had no decorations at home. As he looked around at the pink and purple lights with silver, disco-ball garland, he decided it was too late to think about decorating the house this year, but next year they’d have a proper tree. He’d see to it.

Around three that afternoon, Ford took off for a few hours to do a little shopping downtown, having borrowed Cleveland’s SUV. He found a pair of the new, overpriced cross-trainers Jax had mentioned he wanted to get after Christmas.

Ford picked him out a new robe and slippers because any other clothes had to be custom-made for the big man. He found a remote-controlled drone he knew Jax would love, and then he thought about Cade and his little brother. For the kid, he bought a tablet and an iTunes gift card after the saleslady told him it was what her thirteen-year-old wanted. Of course, her kid was a girl, but he was pretty sure it went the same with boys.

For Cade, he went to a pricey leather goods store and found him a new leather wallet, remembering the one he had was pretty beat up. He then went to a sporting goods store and bought him an official team jersey printed with 79, Jackson Delacroix . Cade had left the autographed one at the apartment, and after he left, Jax ripped it to shreds in a fit of anger. He was pretty sure the Cajun would autograph the new one for their lover without an argument.

On the way back to the club, he saw an adult store in Boystown not far from the shelter where Cade worked. He pulled into the parking lot and went inside, hearing Jingle Bells ring out. There was a motion-activated, life-sized, naked Santa with a hard phallus jutting up, moving from side to side as his balls swayed to the beat. It was definitely disturbing.

He made his way through the special deals, all seemingly tailored to hetero clientele…well, maybe not the massage oil. He stopped and smelled the offerings, cringing because they were too sweet or pungent. One was candy-cane-scented; another was sugar cookies, which made him think of Winnie Oakes and immediately, his dick retreated; and the third was pine scented, which reminded him of riding in the back seat of a taxicab.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see a handsome young guy with a pierced lip and a tattoo on the side of his neck. “You want the classier stuff, Mister, trust me. That shit made my co-worker’s girlfriend break out in a ghastly rash. I’m Travis. Do you have something in mind, or are you just trying to get ideas?”

“I, uh, I have a few people for whom I’d like to purchase intimate gifts but I’m fresh out of ideas.”

“Lingerie or something a little more, um, personal?” The guy gave Ford the up and down.

He smiled. “Something much gayer, if you’d be so kind.”

Both of them chuckled as the young man led him into another room. “A kindred spirit I see. It’s nice to know. So, we have a selection of G-strings, jocks, assless underwear, and spandex briefs if you’re in the market for lingerie. Also, we have this great sandalwood massage oil my boyfriend loves. It’s more expensive, so I take a few drops from the tester home with me. I can guarantee it gets smashing results.

“We have various types of condoms and flavored lubes, along with body paints in various flavors. I can testify to those being fun. If you want some artillery, we have dildos, vibrators, cock rings, butt plugs, beads, and for the more adventurous, various S&M goodies if you’re into exploring. Feel free to look around. These types of decisions are private so I’ll leave you be. If you have any questions just push the button on the wall.” He left Ford alone in a cornucopia of pleasuring devices.

Before he’d come out back in the day, Ford had an anal vibrator he loved. It was slender and stimulated his prostate which would cause him to shoot ribbons. He and Jax didn’t indulge in ass play often, but with Cade in the picture again things might change so he began perusing some of the silicone offerings.

After dropping three hundred dollars and earning himself a stamp card which, when full would win him a mystery gift, he left the store and packed the gifts under the contents of the more respectable bags. When he returned to the club, he took his bags upstairs where he realized he’d neglected to pick up wrapping paper.

He started down the stairs to walk over to the drug store when he saw Jax come in through the back entrance with Griff behind him. He headed toward Ford and shifted the Oakley’s behind his neck where he usually wore them. He was dressed in a team sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, not his usual track pants.

“Hello, love. What brings you by?” He kissed Jax on the lips. It was effortless, and it reminded him things shouldn’t have gone to hell as they had after Cade left. Fortunately, they had a new chance at putting things back on track, and Ford would do anything he could to make it happen.

“What time’s your party thing? I don’t want to mess you up?” Jax grasped the lapel of his coat and pulled him close.

“Not until ten. They’re giving a concert at the Episcopal Church down the street before they come here. Where’s Ashton?” He glanced around, not seeing Cade’s little brother. Jax had bags in his hands, which surprised Ford.

“I dropped the kid off at the shelter to be with Cade. Can I get a beer? We’re only blocking plays tomorrow, so I don’t have to be at the park until noon. Any of those pretty boys around here know how to wrap gifts? I’ve got wrapping paper and I’ll pay ’em.” He held up a Target bag.

“You shopped?” Ford was more surprised than anything. They usually didn’t exchange gifts, opting to do something charitable instead and then sneak off for a getaway after the season ended. It was a new Jackson.

“I did, mostly because we have the kid with us and all. Hey, I saw Toby sitting outside the shelter. Any reason?” Jax walked over to the bar and bumped fists with Cleveland who was stocking the coolers.

“Can we get a Michelob Ultra for the Cajun. I’ll have a glass of the new Riesling,” Ford requested.

“Sure thing. Toby’s there, you say? Well, I suspect Cade’s in good hands.” Cleveland winked at Ford, who cocked an eyebrow as he waited for a response.

“He was scheduled to work tonight, so I called him in early and repurposed him. Those choir boys ain’t gonna cause a ruckus, Boss. He’ll be in when Cade heads home.” Cleve nodded for emphasis.

Jax’s gaze snapped up, accompanied by a quizzical raise of his eyebrow, as he looked at Ford. “What’s going on?”

“Before we get into it, where’s the guy who works at the gift wrap desk at the mall?” Ford looked at Cleveland.

“He’s due any minute. Should I send him up?”

“Please do. Come on, love. Let’s go upstairs.”

Jax grabbed his beer and his bags and followed Ford upstairs. Ford wondered why his lover didn’t stop by more often, but he already knew why. They just didn’t function that way without Cade to remind them they were in a great relationship. He and Jax fell into old habits too quickly. It was sad but true.