9. Jake #4
Jake wasn’t sure what concrete and visible pipes gave away, but the conversation wasn’t helped when one of the parking assistant guys came over to take his keys. Jake requested the things in his trunk to be brought up, and the man nodded, saying a polite goodbye as he got to work.
The building didn’t have the usual valet parking outside due to the lack of space on cramped city streets, but Allen still seemed weirded out. He was silent until they were in the elevator, and Allen slumped against the wall.
“I can’t believe you just let him take your car and touch your stuff. I know that’s a thing, but I’m a pessimist, and I would assume the worst about letting someone drive my vehicle.”
Jake was pretty sure Allen didn’t own one, but he didn’t think he was being literal.
“They get paid too well to bother stealing anything,” said Jake. “And there are cameras everywhere, so they would get caught and end up arrested if they did.”
Allen looked up at him, gorgeous brown eyes blinking slowly, reminding Jake of a wary cat.
“Shouldn’t you be marrying an heiress or something?” Allen asked, sounding…off. “I’m not trying to belittle myself or anything, it’s just that we’re from two very different worlds, and I feel stupid for walking around with my mouth open all the time.”
Jake furrowed his brows, already hating how uncomfortable Allen was. “You put up with me asking questions about your world. Why do you feel like you can’t do the same with me?”
Allen gave a standoffish shrug. “Things are basic with me; I have a job to afford food and rent. I’m not saying that I’m not willing to put in the work for this relationship, I just don’t want to end up annoying you if I don’t understand something.”
Frowning, Jake closed the distance between them and folded himself around Allen’s small frame. “I want to marry for love, not convenience. Ask your questions and react how you want. Don’t overthink things.”
Allen scoffed and pushed against him, making Jake loosen his hold. “Says the overthinker. And I haven’t said yes to your random proposal—I’ve barely acknowledged the incident, so don’t go pushing your luck, pal.”
Jake grinned because he knew that, but he didn’t think it would take much to sway Allen toward saying yes.
The elevator doors opened when they reached the top floor, and Jake reluctantly pulled away from the hug to take the lead. He held Allen’s hand as they entered the hallway, and the need to explain things overwhelmed him to the point he couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“The top floor holds the conference room as well as my office,” said Jake, gesturing to the glass panes surrounding a room with a large table and enough chairs to seat fifty people.
“My father uses this space for meetings he wants me involved in, because he knows I’m not comfortable with going to places I’m unfamiliar with. ”
Allen’s hand tightened around his. “Oh, so you work from home?”
The urge to shrug was overwhelming, but communication called for a deeper explanation.
“I don’t work in the traditional sense. I run a few projects my father gives me, and I shadow him to learn the ropes, but I don’t have a schedule.
That’s how I can still play hockey and manage the family business. ”
Allen nodded and glanced up at him. “Thanks for explaining. Here I thought you were living off your dad’s money and goofing around because you were always over my place.”
Jake admittedly had been slacking, but now that Allen was officially his boyfriend, he could stop coming on so strong and give the relationship time to breathe. Unless—Allen wanted to move fast, which would be fine by him.
“Riley has hockey, and I have real estate,” Jake stated simply. “We both work our fair share, and with Dad buying into the new Halifax team, I’m about to be handed a lot more responsibility.”
Allen didn’t respond, but Jake caught the nervous nibbling on his bottom lip, and anxiety slowly crept back into his chest.
Was it too much? Did Allen not like the idea of him working all the time?
“Your building is like…a five-minute walk from my job,” Allen said finally, adding nothing else.
Jake waited, but other than a blush and a furious headshake, Allen remained silent.
Alright then.
He brought them to the end of the hall and turned the corner to where the small entryway to his place was hidden, deceivingly plain despite what awaited them through the doors. Jake had his keycard out and was about to swipe it when Allen spoke again.
“And your dad better find himself a new heir, because you’re going to play in the NHL with Riley, too.”
The certainty in Allen’s tone had him pausing—processing. But then Jake smiled and unlocked the door to his home, gesturing Allen inside.
“Feel free to explore while I check how Riley is doing in the kitchen.”
Allen tugged the front of his shirt, forcing Jake to bend down or risk tearing the fabric. Allen’s mouth was on his the moment he was in reach, and Jake moaned softly when a tongue swept over his lip before he was pushed away.
“I’m serious, Mousey. Your dad has no idea what’s coming for him.”
No. He did not.
Jake grinned as he watched Allen take off into the penthouse, still moving slowly, but he seemed to have more energy now that he was in a new place. He waved at Riley and barely slowed to take his jacket off before he disappeared down the hall to the recreational area.
“I can’t believe he’s finally here,” Riley said in greeting when Jake joined him. “Do you have the chains secured to the bedpost correctly? Wouldn’t want him to weasel out of them.”
Jake smacked him on the back of his head and went to check on the turkey.
“I’m happy for you,” said Riley. “I know I’ve said that before, but you look so fucking happy with him that it’s tugging the heartstrings.”
Something in Riley’s tone alerted Jake to the hidden sadness behind his words, and he straightened and turned on his best friend. They knew each other too well after all these years, and even with Riley doing his best to minimize his feelings, Jake heard it.
Jake pulled Riley into a hug and tucked his head under his chin. “Not sure what’s up, but do you need me to ask Allen if his sister is single?”
He knew he had made the correct assumption when Riley grumbled and wrapped his arms around Jake, sighing into his chest.
Jake wished he could take away more of Riley’s loneliness, but he was only one person, and there was a lot of emptiness in his heart to fill. Now that he had Allen, they could work together once Jake explained the situation, and maybe that would be enough.
“Love you, man,” Riley said, squeezing him tighter.
“Love you too, Riles.”
Jake held the embrace until Riley was feeling better, and then backed away. The sadness was almost gone now, replaced by the familiar smile Riley always wore for him.
“So…did you guys have the sex?”
Jake chuckled and nodded, returning to the task of removing the turkey from the fridge where it was still sitting in the brine.
“Was it good?”
“Yes.”
“Are you boyfriends now?”
“Yes.”
“When is the wedding?”
“Soon.”
They were joking around, but Jake was half-serious about the wedding part.
“Holy shit!”
They both stopped as Allen came sprinting into the main area, eyes wide and shoulders heaving from his panting. He took one look at them before running down the other hall where the bedrooms and theatre were.
The penthouse was massive, and would take Allen an hour to fully explore, and that was without Jake showing him the hidden room that held all of his and Riley’s trophies.
“Holy shit!”
And again.
“Holy shit!”
“I think you broke him,” said Riley, shaking his head as Allen returned to repeat his new favourite two words, and then ran to explore somewhere else.
“Wait, how is he still walking after having sex with you?” Riley asked, nudging Jake hard in the ribs. “Shouldn’t he be in a wheelchair?”
Jake wanted to answer, but Allen’s cry of “Oh my god!” cut him off.
“I fucking love him,” said Riley.
Jake didn’t have to think about it. “Me too.”