Chapter 9 November
Chapter nine
November
We set up a cookout and pool party for Daddy Vince’s birthday. We decided to keep the guest list to mostly the Afterglow family, and one just walked through the front door. I pulled Levi into a big hug. “Thanks for coming.”
“Hey. Of course, we wouldn’t miss it.”
His boyfriend, Hudson, walked up behind him and shook my hand. He’d become good friends with Vince, so I was happy he was here. “Where’s the man of the hour?”
I waved toward the back of the house. “Mingling, I think. Go on back.”
Hudson gave Levi a quick peck on the lips before passing him in the foyer. Of everyone attending, I probably knew Levi best since we played together a good bit at the club, but that was still superficial. But maybe that was my fault.
“Hey, Levi. We should get together for a play date sometime.”
“That would be so fun. Maybe next week?”
“Yes. I’d love that.”
“I’ll tell Daddy Hudson to call Vince to set it up.” He held up a hand for a high-five, and I slapped it.
We joined the party, and more people came.
Even Crow and Skyler, who were fucking around in the pool with a few of their friends whom I didn’t know.
We had told them to bring whoever they wanted as long as they gave us a head count.
But I trusted that if any of us used terms like daddy or boy, no one would blink, and I wanted it to be a safe space for anyone attending.
Watching them splash around made me realize I was totally over Crow.
There hadn’t ever been anything between us except my own imagination.
Jax Hoadley and his partner, Ward Predmore, were rich and connected, making them perfect for the fundraiser, too. I led them to the back patio and made sure they had drinks. “I haven’t checked the RSVP for the gala, but I hope you’ll be able to attend.”
Jax smiled, his mismatched eyes sparkling in the sun. “Oh yes. It sounds like a great evening. We’re so in.”
Ward squeezed Jax’s shoulders. “It’s definitely a cause we’re adding to our philanthropy list.”
“Fantastic. I’m glad to hear it. Thanks.”
“No need for thanks. I’m thrilled you included us.” Jax was a nice-looking man, probably around my age, if not a little older.
“Of course. Please enjoy yourselves. I need to go do the host thing.” I nodded toward the house. I liked these two a lot and hoped they’d continue to be a part of our circle.
Jax’s friend, Todd, was busy in the kitchen making a bunch of frozen drinks, though I wasn’t entirely sure why. But everyone seemed happy about it, so if he wanted to help host, I was fine with that. One less thing to worry about.
In addition to fun drinks, chicken, hamburgers, and two kinds of hot dogs, one of which was vegan, were on the menu, and Hudson was at the grill.
It became evident that Vince wasn’t around.
All his friends were pitching in, and he was missing from his own party.
But these were the people he needed to know.
Not only because of their social standing, but because, out of anyone in the world, this was the bunch that would not judge him for being my daddy, or whatever we were into.
These were our people, even if he didn’t know it yet.
“Hey, Todd.” I tapped on the island.
Todd shut off the blender. “Hey, Joey. Want a drink?” He poured a pink slushy concoction into a red Solo cup.
“Uh, no. Thank you. I’m looking for Vince. Have you seen him?”
He pressed his lips together. “Hmm…I think he went upstairs a few minutes ago.”
“I’ll check there. Thanks.”
“Sure.”
Rushing upstairs, I looked around. I heard some guys in the back shooting pool.
Maybe he was with them. Stepping farther into the room, I saw Braxton Caruso holding the little end of a pool cue in front of him, the other end planted on the floor.
He smiled, watching someone bent over with his back to me, making a shot.
I’d recognize those legs anywhere; it was Vince.
Maybe he did understand who his people were.
I waited for Vince to stand upright, the balls clacking together after his follow-through. “Ah…damn.”
Braxton snorted. “I swear, man. You should be better than this with a table in your house.” The owner of Afterglow was tall and broad, sporting a two-day growth of beard and colorful tattoos peeking out past the collar of his golf shirt and climbing down his arms.
“Eh. I haven’t even had it for more than a few weeks.”
“I’m sure you’ll get better.”
Vince turned, flashing those soft amber eyes at me. “Joey. Hey, you guys know, Joey?” He gestured to Braxton and then to another man, lingering in the back. I’d missed the guy. He was tall, thin, with curly dark hair cut short, and an air of sophistication otherwise absent from the room.
“Joey, hi. Nice to see you. This is Phillip.” Braxton held his arm out to Phillip, who stepped forward, offering me his hand.
“Phillip Stryker.”
“Joseph Bennick. Call me Joey, please.” I shook his hand, wondering why I introduced myself like that; I’d never been the formal sort, but this Phillip dude seemed cold and distrusting. Or maybe just out of my league, which made me uncomfortable.
“Joey’s done some advertising and promotions for the club,” Braxton went on.
Vince’s eyes went wide with that explanation. “Oh.”
Phillip snapped his fingers. “That’s why I knew your name. So nice to finally meet you.” Suddenly, warmth flowed from the willowy man. “I was hoping we could chat at some point, but I’ve been away.”
Braxton cleared his throat. “Uh, Phillip is a partner in Afterglow.”
Newsflash for me. I knew he had a couple of partners, but I’d never known the specifics.
I thought it had been some real estate company from up north who’d dropped a windfall on him, but maybe this guy did too.
He so obviously came from money. It was more than his looks and exquisite clothes; it was about how he carried himself.
Vince opened his arms, pulled me to him, and wrapped one around my shoulders. As if he sensed that I was unsettled, he kissed the side of my head. “We’ll be downstairs in a few. Everything else going okay?”
“Yep. But you should come soon. Hudson has food ready.”
“Fantastic. Getting my ass kicked at pool has me famished.”
Braxton laughed and Phillip chuckled—very properly.
“Good enough. I’m going down to get a drink. Todd had a whole blender station going on in the kitchen. Please feel free to join me.” I gave them a polite nod before going back down the stairs.
True to his word, Vince did come down a few minutes later, followed by Braxton with his arm around Phillip.
That was telling. Everyone knew Braxton was a Dom, so did that make Phillip a sub?
His sub, maybe? I hadn’t seen him around the club and hadn’t heard any rumors.
As far as I knew, Braxton was single. Maybe not.
At some point, Phillip caught up with me again by the pool. “Joey, got a second?”
“Sure.” My curiosity was beyond piqued.
“I meant what I said earlier, and I know this isn’t the place to discuss it.
” He slid his hands in the pockets of his fancy shorts and rocked back on the heels of his Sperry loafers.
“But I do want to set up a time to talk about promoting the club. I like what you’ve been able to do on a small scale, but I also know Brax is only paying you free drinks and membership discounts.
” He sneered a little, as if that kind of deal was distasteful, but I’d already been planning to ask for free membership to do more for him, or I’d have to cut it.
“We can do better than that, and so can you.”
I raised an eyebrow to glare at him. Was he judging me? “What do you have in mind?”
“Oh, a lot. Frankly, more than we have time to discuss here. A change in our membership structure, this guest pass problem—”
“Problem?”
Phillip waved his hand in the air as if wafting away a bad smell. “Sure, it’s increased membership, but it’s also brought in some unsavory characters?”
“Unsavory what?”
“To say it straight. Assholes.”
“Ahh…” Like that daddy that didn’t know how to back off when I told him no. I’d assumed Daddy Brian had his membership revoked, but I didn’t ask. “Well, that does sound like a lot.”
Reaching behind his back, Phillip pulled out his phone. “Give me your number, and I’ll call you next week to set up a time we can continue this conversation.”
“Gladly.” When he handed me the phone, I tapped in my name and number, then handed it back. I didn’t bother sending myself a message or a call. That seemed bad form. If he wanted to talk, it was on him.
Surprisingly, he did it for me. “There. Save my digits in your contact so you’ll be sure to answer my call.”
“Okay.”
“Right. I think we have cake coming out soon. I’ll leave you to it.”
And right on time, Levi beckoned me over to help him.
We wheeled out a giant cake on a cart, and everyone sang.
With drinks in hand and food on plates, everyone ate and laughed.
People were in and out of the pool. It seemed like Vince had gotten to know a lot of the people here.
But I was happy when everyone went home.
I was peopled out, and by that time, I needed a break.
We’d played around some, mostly kissing, and me calling him Daddy, but we hadn’t had sex in any real form. And I wanted two things. First, to get into my little headspace, and second, to get off. Preferably with Vince.
I went out to get my bag out of the car. I dropped it by the stairs before searching for Vince, who was in the kitchen. “Save the mess until tomorrow, birthday boy. I want to play.” I was apprehensive to see his response to this next step, but I felt like we were a lot closer and ready for it.
Vince’s hand slipped easily in mine, and I skipped through the house, leading him to the stairs. “Wanna show me your bedroom, Daddy?”
“Yes.” His word came out a little choked, and he cleared his throat before trying again. “Yes, come on, baby-boy.”