Page 19 of Unspoken Lies

Picking up my garbage, I realize why the transition has been difficult. Our entire lives have been planned as far as meals and what works for our bodies due to our extra curricular activities. Now, if I want to eat a burger, I can.

The major pivot in schools led to the three of us losing our positions in the sports that we excelled at, but there are pick up games on campus we can play. It’s not the end of the world, despite the way our parents insisted it would be.

“What are you thinking about?” Jared asks, lifting his backpack up.

“The world didn’t end,” I grunt, almost in awe. “We left Portland, dropped all of our sports teams, and nothing happened.”

Elijah snorts in amusement at my train of thought, but nods as he picks up his trash as well.

“Pretty amazing, right?” he asks. “I do want to sign up for their rec team, but that’s more fun than competitive.”

“I want to as well,” I agree.

“I think I’m happy swimming in my pool,” Jared says with a chuckle. “There’s no one to judge me there when I push too hard.”

“Just don’t die, and we will let you have it,” I grunt as we toss our garbage away.

“You got it,” he says.

We all take our separate paths to class, and I can’t help the wide smile on my face. Fuck, we’re actually free. It’s a wild feeling.

Two Weeks Later

ELIJAH

Blowing out a breath,I walk toward the club to see how the construction crew is doing. The paperwork has been filled out, the contract signed, and the deposit paid. It doesn’t matter if they find out that I’m one of the owners, or think I’m his kid.

Life’s a stage, and I’m fully aware of that. Unlocking the front door, I open it and grin. The built-in shelving has been put in for the storefront, the register counter has been built and installed, and I close and lock the door behind me.

I can vaguely hear people working, and I walk toward where there’s a hole in the wall that’s where the sliding mirror will go. Stepping through it, I continue to where the club is coming together. New wallpaper and dark blue paint are being added tothe walls of the speakeasy, while kinky things are being created downstairs.

Several bondage walls will be made, shelving for the different instruments, and the contractors are also building out the different rooms. The work is being done fairly quickly, and I begin to pull out my phone so I can show the guys.

Jared is home swimming, while Theo is currently on the phone going through interviews. Our voices don't tell our age as easily, which means that’s a part of the business we can do ourselves. Anyone he hires will go through an extensive background check as well.

“Excuse me, you’re not supposed to be here, are you?” a rough, no nonsense voice asks.

Turning, I give him a grim smile. “Sorry, I didn’t announce myself. I’m Elijah. My dad asked me to come down to see how the progress of the project is going,” I explain.

There’s not a single tell as I state that, because I don’t feel bad about the white lie if it may color the way that he’ll treat me.

“Didn’t know you were coming by,” Roger Grimwald grunts. “Let me just check on that.”

He texts a number that will go to Theo, and I wait for the green light. Theo knew this was a possibility, and I would rather Roger ask questions than just let anyone back here.

I drove tonight, my only destination to come here and then check out a pizza joint down the street the guys want to try. It’s Friday, and this is how we want to start the weekend.

Calvin didn’t even put up a fuss, agreeing that it’s been a long week.

“Yeah, your dad confirmed you’re you,” Roger says apologetically.

“No worries,” I say. “Want to walk me through what’s being done this week?”

“Yes,” he says with a nod. “This place has really good bones. The architecture is solid, too. It’s making it easy to get things done.”

Smiling neutrally, I walk with him as he explains what they’ve been doing. The actual door down to the basement is open, and I can see that they installed the vault door. There will be a bouncer here with a list of who is allowed down.

Everyone who wants to participate in the sex club has to be fully screened beforehand, with a health, psychological, and emotional examination included in that. They’ll also have to sign a non-disclosure agreement and review the rules of consent.