Sums of the Heart (Luv by Numbers #1)

2. Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Cade

Cade looked around the larger apartment to see a much different setup than he had in his small studio. The apartment had a nice, open floor plan with a combined kitchen and sitting area with a counter and stools so one could sit in the sitting area but still speak with the cook. The kitchen had matte-finished dark stone floors with countertops like those in Cade’s own kitchenette. At least there were similarities.

The sitting area had a French country look to it, but it wasn’t frilly. There was a blue-and-ivory chintz covered sectional with a chaise at the end, along with a matching blue, overstuffed chair, a cream-colored leather, high-back recliner, a television on the wall with built-in shelving units which held various knickknacks and books. It struck Cade as cozy, and he liked cozy.

“So, we’ve got, uh, lager, pale ale, light lager, white wine if you’re so inclined, and some ultralight. What’s your pleasure?” Ford asked as Cade followed him into the large space. The only beer Cade drank was cheap beer. The bottles Ford was showing him were more expensive than he was used to drinking.

“I’ll, uh, I’ll have what you’re having,” he responded, thinking it the safest answer.

Two bottles were produced, and the caps screwed off quickly. “During the season, Jax only drinks ultralight and only a few a night. I usually drink wine, but I like this,” Ford told him as he handed Cade a pale ale.

Cade nodded in thanks and took a tentative sip, holding the brew on his tongue and smiling. “This is good. I’ve never had it.”

Ford smiled, which made the man’s blue-gray eyes come alive, just as they had on Friday when he’d rescued Cade’s nana’s stemware from crashing to the floor of the hallway.

“Good, good. So, your friend, Raney. He came to help you move?” As Cade was about to answer Ford, the front door opened and closed. Cade looked expectantly toward the hallway and sucked in a huge breath when Jax Delacroix strolled down the hallway with a large, dry-cleaning bag slung over his shoulder.

“Oh, hey man. Cade, right?” Jax asked.

Cade smiled at the auburn-haired man and nodded. When the Oakleys were removed, Cade saw the bright green eyes he’d seen in the publicity photo but missed seeing in person earlier that weekend. The man was gorgeous, like his friend, Ford Thomas.

“Oh, you two met?” Ford asked.

Jax smiled as he turned to Ford. “Yeah, babe. We met on Friday when I was on my way to work out. I actually called his place to let me in because I forgot Diana wasn’t there anymore. Where’s your friend?” Jax asked, casting his gaze at Cade.

For a moment, Cade was speechless. Taking in the sight of the two handsome men as they moved around each other in their kitchen was stunning to the senses.

Cade could tell they’d been together for a while, based on the way Ford went to the fridge and pulled out an ultralight beer, popping off the cap and handing it to Jax, who took the bottle and pecked a kiss on Ford’s lips. It was amazing to witness two such beautiful people interact in such an intimate manner. Cade almost felt as if he was invading their privacy.

“Cade?” Jax’s voice brought Cade from his stunned silence.

“Oh, sorry. Um, Raney… Yeah, he went back to Naperville to be lazy for the summer before he starts law school. He graduated from college in Indiana a few weeks ago, and he, uh, yeah. He’s not going to do anything over the summer.” Cade blathered on with a sheepish smile. They were both listening intently, and their focused gaze on him sent his heart racing.

“So, tell us something about yourself,” Ford asked as Jax sat down on the stool across from the gorgeous blond.

Cade smiled at Jax and wiped his hands on his jeans out of habit. “Well, um, I’m Kincade Hayes. I’m twenty-two, but I’ll be twenty-three in August. I graduated from… Well, that doesn’t matter. I’m set to work for a trader downtown as his junior administrative assistant. I studied finance in college, so it’s really a break for me.”

Cade felt his balls climb into his stomach as he watched the two men—especially Jackson Delacroix—scrutinizing him as he explained himself. Ford looked at Jax with a grin which confused him, but Cade considered maybe there was an inside joke of which he was unaware.

Jax turned to Cade. “You obviously know who I am because your friend almost had a seizure in the elevator the other day. I’m under scrutiny by the press right now, so Ford and I don’t go out much, but we both think you’re a stand-up guy and won’t sell out the fact we live here together. Will you stay for dinner?”

Cade fidgeted a bit, unsure of how to respond. He felt as if he was invading their privacy, and he wanted to get the hell out of there as fast as possible. Ford gave Jax an annoyed look and snapped his fingers at the man, though Cade wasn’t sure why. Jax chuckled and hopped up from the stool, walking to the other side of the kitchen to put his empty bottle in the recycle bin. A few looks passed between them, and finally, Ford turned to Cade with a grin. “How about… Do you like to cook, Kincade?” Ford sipped his beer while rising from his stool and headed deeper into the kitchen.

Kincade watched the two of them closely, attempting to judge their body language. They were standing across the counter, staring at him, so he swallowed the lump in his throat and spoke. “I, uh, well I can keep myself alive. My mother made sure I learned from Cook before I went off to live on my own.”

Ford glanced at Jax with a concerned expression. “Who are your parents?”

Cade nervously sipped his beer before he spoke. After he swallowed without choking, he looked at Ford. “My father’s Hudson Hayes of HH Financial Group.”

Jax appeared incensed and paced the kitchen. Finally, he turned to Cade and stared with a furrowed brow. “Do you know Brenda Sloan? Did she send you to live here so you could spy on me and report back to her?” The man’s voice was demanding.

Ford’s expression morphed into blatant worry. Cade knew the woman was a senior advisor to his father’s business but didn’t know the woman well. “She… um… I’ve met her at one of Father’s parties, but I’m not close to the business. Father and I aren’t close. In fact, my mom helped me get an interview at Triad working for Clary Radcliffe because she doesn’t want me to go into the family business.”

Both men seemed to know Clary Radcliffe’s name. Business journals around the world alleged that Clary was psychic when it came to the markets. His clients made money and put Clary on a financial pedestal.

“Why doesn’t she want you to go into the family business?” There was a bite in Ford’s voice, but Cade supposed the two men would have a suspicious nature, based on the bullshit they’d endured from the incident in Cabo. He didn’t hold it against them.

Kincade was at a crossroads—be honest with the two men in front of him and hope they return his discretion or blow them off and give them some bullshit answer before jetting the fuck out of there and avoiding them in the future. He’d never betray anything they told him, and he wanted them to understand he could keep his mouth shut, so it seemed appropriate for him to trade a secret.

“My mother dissuaded me of the idea of going into my father’s business because she found out my father has another family out there, and she didn’t want me to be caught in the crosshairs. My father’s been a philanderer for a long time, and he’s not exactly secretive about it.” Cade glanced at the floor after his admission.

He glanced up. Both men appeared to be intrigued by his response, so he continued. “I knew about it a long time ago because he actually took me to the woman’s house to meet two younger kids who looked enough like me to make me consider we might be related. I was sixteen at the time. Now that my mom has proof of his adulterous behavior, I’m pretty sure she’s going to make him pay, and she doesn’t want to involve me.”

Cade sighed. “Look, I never wanted to follow my father into the family business, but I went into finance and money management because that’s what he wanted for me, and I was trying to impress him. I guess. I mean, I was fighting for his affection with however many other kids he was gonna have with that woman, yet he always seemed to favor them over me. I’m sorry about this bullshit, but I won’t tell my parents I know either of you, okay?”

Jax gave Cade a relieved grin. “Don’t look so worried, Cade. Nothing’s wrong. When I get out of football, which might be sooner rather than later, I’d like to open fitness centers catering to people who actually need them—trainers who don’t work on commission; swim lessons for anyone who wants them; and a safe atmosphere for people to come so they can work up a sweat, regardless of their situation. I have a lot of money invested in the markets so I can make my dream happen, and I guess that woman found out and decided to hound me. I certainly don’t blame you for someone else’s greed.” Jax’s voice had adopted a soothing tone.

Ford smiled. Cade wasn’t sure why, but the smile seemed to have defused the tension from earlier. That was a relief.

“Okay, guys, I’m starving.” Jax rubbed his stomach. Ford kissed him on the cheek before he walked around the counter to take Kincade’s hand, leading him into the kitchen. “So, it’s a Sunday night. What do you like for dinner, Cade?”

Cade wanted to impress the two men, so he decided to take the comment as a challenge. He walked over to the large fridge to begin his scouting mission, pulling out ingredients before he moved to the pantry.

Glancing over his shoulder, Cade noticed the two men with puzzled looks on their faces, but he only smiled. “How about a vegetable ragout? You have a lot of fresh vegetables in your fridge, and I happen to know how to make a great sauce. You game?”

Both men nodded, and Cade went to work. He hoped they’d appreciate his offering because he hadn’t had the chance to cook for a while—well, since he’d left his parents’ home in Naperville to move to the dorm at college.

Cade didn’t cook while sharing the shitty apartment near campus because those assholes would never be appreciative. It would be nice to have someone value his food… hopefully.

After dinner, Cade readied himself to go while Jax and Ford washed the dishes. “Thank you, guys, so much for making me feel welcome. I truly appreciate getting to know you better. Let’s not be strangers.” Cade flashed a shy smile.

Ford turned his attention to Jax and cocked an eyebrow that had the big man chuckling. “Sure. That sounds great, Cade. I have some free time this week if you need help with any of that furniture you and your friend carried in, let me know.”

Ford cleared his throat. “Actually, that’s great because I have to work with my accountant for my quarterly taxes, and there are rehearsals this week for a new drag show coming up. Cade, if you’ll keep Jax occupied, maybe you can keep him out of the papers?”

Cade laughed. “I can try. I mean, I don’t have much else going on, but sure, Ford. I’ll try to keep him out of trouble. Anyway, I need to get home. I still need to make my… yeah. This has been nice, guys. It’s been a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for inviting me over.”

When Jackson hugged him, Cade was a little stunned. “Thank you for a delicious dinner. Knock on the door when you’re up in the morning.”

Jax released him into Ford’s arms for a hug before they both escorted him to the door. As Cade was about to leave the apartment, there was a business card thrust into his hand. “This is my card. If you need me for any reason, Kincade, please call me. I’m always available for you.” Ford hugged him again, completely stunning Cade for an instant.

Cade let himself into his apartment, having forgotten to lock his door. He went to his futon bed completely bewildered, unsure of what to think about the evening.

Jax and Ford had been extremely nice to him, but Cade didn’t understand why. They’d just met him a few days earlier. Why would they be that kind to him, a virtual stranger? The fact they allowed him to cook in their nice kitchen was another question. Obviously, he was missing some information, but what it was, he wasn’t sure.

On Monday morning, Cade opened his door to find Jax Delacroix standing there in a pair of jeans and a tight white T- shirt that highlighted his huge pecs. His hand was poised to knock, but when he looked at Cade, he grinned.

“I was just on my way to knock on your door.” Cade gave him a nervous smile. He was wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, feet bare and suddenly embarrassed.

“Something smelled damn good and lured me over.” Jax grinned.

Cade scrambled over to the stove. “I, um, I made you an omelet. Would you like toast?”

Jax’s face showed surprise, and he didn’t waste time at the door. The giant football player quickly closed it and walked over to the small table, staring at the café chair. “Uh, Cade? I’m afraid I might bust your chair. This is made for someone a lot smaller than me.”

Cade’s embarrassment spread from the ground up, and when his cheeks flamed, he looked down at the hardwood floor. “I’m sorry, Jax. I didn’t think about it. You’re welcome to, uh—”

He hurried over and folded up the futon into its couch position, stripping off the sheets and blankets to stuff against the wall behind it. “You can sit over here. I’ll have breakfast ready in a minute. Do you want coffee?”

Cade scurried around the tiny kitchen area, pulling the bread from the toaster before he plated the large omelet. Someone the size of Jax Delacroix could easily down a six-egg, Italian sausage with onions, peppers, and provolone cheese omelet without batting an eye.

He picked up the plate to carry it over, but then he remembered some people liked condiments. “Oh, um, I have ketchup, salsa, and hot sauce if you want.”

Jax stared at him with a tender smile. “You don’t have to be nervous around me, chère . I’m a Looziana boy, myself. Even though my daddy was a crazy Cajun, my momma taught me how to be a gentleman. Now, the first thing we’re gonna do is find a store somewhere and get you a bed and three sturdy chairs. I’m sure you can find a use for those little ones, but my fat ass would break ’em.” Jax emphasized his comment by slapping his attractive, denim-clad ass.

Cade had spent his extra cash on the things he had around his apartment, and he didn’t have the money to buy a bed or better chairs. Hell, his financial situation was the reason he was putting together the furniture instead of buying something already solidly made.

Jax walked over to him and took the plate, moving to the counter to stand. He grabbed the hot sauce Cade offered and applied a few splashes. “For your information, I like spicy food. Hotter the better, but Ford, he’s a lightweight when it comes to spice. What you made for us last night was incredible. This looks pretty damn good as well. Are you gonna eat?”

Cade swallowed as he watched the large man cut into the omelet. He popped another piece of bread into the toaster, happy he’d stayed up to unpack his kitchen and organize it so he could at least feel comfortable moving around it when he had company. He refilled Jax’s coffee mug and poured himself a cup as well. “Do you like anything in your coffee?”

“One spoon of sugar, please. Is that all you’re gonna eat? Here, try this. This hot young guy made it.” Jax held up a forkful of the omelet. Cade took the bite, feeling his cheeks explode with warmth. Jax winked at him as he continued to eat his breakfast.

As Jax finished his fourth piece of toast with butter and jelly, a contented smile spread on his face which made Cade giddy inside. “You keep cooking like that, and I might show up every day for breakfast.” Jax laughed at his own joke.

Cade laughed. “I don’t mind cooking for you, Jax. I’ll need to leave the house by seven starting Wednesday, but on weekends I could definitely make you breakfast. What about Ford? He mentioned meeting an accountant?”

Jax nodded as he walked over to the sink and rinsed the empty plate, loading it into the small dishwasher. “Come on. We’ll talk in the truck.” Jax walked over to Cade and kissed him on the cheek. His lips were soft and warm, and the man seemed to linger next to him and inhale. Cade had no idea what to make of it, but it left him weak in the knees.

Cade followed Jax as if he was the Pied Piper. When they arrived in the garage, the larger man led him to a massive Hummer. They got in—Cade was the only one who had to climb—and after Jax had the Oakley sunglasses on his handsome face, they left the parking garage.

Jax headed to the highway that led to the northern suburbs. Before Cade could ask where they were going, Jax turned down the radio. It was an eighties station, and it wasn’t unpleasant. “So, you asked about Ford and me? We met at Tulane University at the beginning of freshman year. We were in the same dorm, and we were both lost when we got to the campus. I’m from St. Tammany Parish down in Louisiana. Ford, well, he can tell ya about himself.”

Cade nodded, and Jax continued. “I was there for a football scholarship, and I was working on a degree in sports medicine and fitness. Ford was there for business management. We had a few of our general classes together in the beginning, and we’d run into each other at shit on campus. Eventually, we became friends.

“Our junior year, we started working more on our degree coursework, so we saw each other less. Neither of us liked living in the dorms, so we decided to get a place together off campus. After we moved in and became lovers. Things are pretty good between us except…” Jax’s unfinished sentence left Cade perplexed, but he didn’t know how to ask the man to continue without sounding horribly nosy. He glanced out the side window, noticing Jax had taken an exit.

“Uh, Jax, I’m afraid I can’t afford to… Well, I should have told you before we left the building, but what I have is all I can afford.” Cade felt his face flame again, and he dared not look at the man behind the wheel.

“I get it, but I plan to spend time at your place when I can, so I need somewhere to sit that won’t collapse under me. Also, that futon thing is fine for watching television, but it can’t be comfortable for sleeping. We’re gonna be friends, chère, and my momma would like that little table and chairs for her back porch, so I’ll trade ya.” Jax’s voice had a sexy drawl that gave Cade goose bumps.

Cade felt the front of his pants tighten, but it was quickly contained because he wasn’t out to steal Ford Thomas’ partner. He liked both men, and they were kind to him. Falling for either of them was completely out of the question. He’d seen the damage a homewrecker could do thanks to his father.

Two hours later, the back of Jax’s massive SUV was loaded with a new kitchen table and four sturdier chairs. There was a black leather recliner Cade wondered about, but every time he tried to argue, Jax would chuckle and kiss the top of his head which was puzzling.

When they returned to the building, Jax pulled out a large handcart from a storage closet. He put the table and chairs on it and pushed it toward Cade. “I’ll bring the chair,” he instructed.

“Oh, um, we didn’t reserve the elevator. It won’t have the pads up, and I don’t want that guy at the front desk mad at me. He wasn’t nice when I moved in, which was why Raney and I carried all my stuff up the stairs.”

By the look on Jax’s face, Cade regretted the words before the sound of them had settled in the quiet garage. “Darren gave you a problem?”

“Well, no—not exactly. See, I didn’t read all the fine print on the lease to know I should have scheduled the time to use the elevator so they could put up the pads. I didn’t realize I needed to reserve it, but no big deal.” He hoped Jax accepted his answer without too much fuss.

Jax laughed and, yet again, plopped a kiss on the top of Cade’s head. It was becoming a bit disturbing, so Cade felt he needed to comment. “Are you—? Do you think of me as a little brother or something? Do you think you need to watch out for me, because I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, okay.” It seemed to be the only rational explanation for the man’s actions.

On another note, Jax didn’t seem to be acting discretely either. Anyone could have seen them together at the furniture store and made more of it than necessary.

Jax didn’t seem too concerned about it, though Cade distinctly remembered Ford telling him they didn’t go out in public together. It caused a lump in his stomach because he wasn’t sure what Jax’s attention meant.

“No, Kincade, I definitely don’t think of you as a little brother. Let’s get this stuff upstairs and I’ll take you down to speak with Darren. I promise you that things will be fine.”

Jax chuckled and pressed the button to summon the elevator as he went to get the chair. Just as the elevator’s bell chimed, Jax strolled over, carrying the massive recliner. The two of them moved into the small space, squeezed together by the doors. As they stood nose to chest, Jax pushed the button for two before he pulled Cade into his arms.

“I know this is all confusing, but well, it’s gonna be fine, chère. Don’t freak out, please. You’re exactly what we need.”

If Cade thought he was confused before, it was nothing to how he felt at hearing the words whispered softly into his ear. When the elevator stopped on two, they broke apart. Jax carried out the chair and then came back for Cade and the handcart.

Once again, they moved the furniture around in the studio apartment, making two distinct areas—one for sleeping and one for watching television. Unfortunately, the futon was on the television side of the room, leaving the sleeping side of the room empty. “I, uh, I can’t afford—”

“It won’t cost anything. We don’t use it.” Jax took his hand and led him across the hallway to 2D. He opened the door and didn’t stop until they were in the spare bedroom where there was a queen-size bed along with a computer desk and filing cabinet not too far from it.

“What I’d like to do is take this bed to your place so Ford can have more room to make an office here at home. He spends too much time at the club as it is, so having him working from home sometimes would be great, don’t you think?” Jax stared at him, waiting for an answer.

Once again, Cade was stunned. “What kind of club does he work at?”

Jax chuckled, which was becoming Cade’s favorite sound. “He’s recently opened a nightclub in Andersonville. It’s why we moved here. I can get to the stadium easy enough, but with the hours Ford works, we needed to be close to the club.”

“Oh, that sounds fun. What’s the name of it?”

“Ball Sack.” Jax words brought a gasp from Cade.

“Are you serious?” Cade’s response earned him a hearty laugh from the large hunk of man in front of him.

“No, chère, it’s called Fairytails . It’s just starting to take off, and he’s got all kinds of events scheduled over the summer. He’s excited about it, and I’m happy for him. I’ve never been there because I can’t be seen coming out of a gay club right now. I’m already on thin ice with the team because next year I’m a free agent. To say I’m gay is one thing, but to flaunt it is an entirely different beast in the eyes of the team’s shareholders. Let’s take this apart.”

They took apart the bed, folding the linens and disassembling the bed frame. They carried the pieces over to Cade’s studio and reassembled it.

The bed made the place seem more like a home, but to Cade, it felt like he was accepting charity. “Look, I’ll just borrow this until I can buy my own, okay?”

Cade was no charity case. He didn’t play in the NFL, and he didn’t need a guy trying to be like a big brother who would shower him with things he couldn’t yet afford. He could make his own way in life. Period.