11. Blake
Chapter eleven
Blake
S hit. Shit .
My conscience wouldn’t let me leave Kane alone on his first night in town, especially given our history. But our history means I know he’s going to think dinner is just the start of the evening, and that’s not good. Not now, when I’ve got a… boyfriend ? Unofficially of course.
The word is strange inside my head, and I’m not sure if it’s because we haven’t referred to each other that way out loud or because it’s the first time I’ve ever dated someone. Hell, it might be both. Either way, Kane’s presence just got a lot more complicated.
Jace and I didn’t talk about exclusivity, but I assume that’s the expectation since he’s moving in.
And I would’ve been perfectly happy with that—am happy with it—considering I’ve only ever wanted a person to call my own, and right from the start it felt like Jace could be that person.
What we shared that first night, not just the sex but the conversation, the intimacy…
Everything about it screamed meant to be .
It’s just that, for a fleeting moment the man who will sit down next to me any minute gave me that same feeling.
What are the fucking odds?
I want to give things with Jace a serious chance, which means I shouldn’t be thinking about the fledgling bond I felt with Kane. Except that fledgling bond is exactly what I first felt around Jace, which makes me wonder, if Kane had moved here first, would I be exploring things with him?
That’s a sobering thought. I hate to think something as trivial as timing is the deciding factor, especially when I know in my bones Jace is meant to be in my life.
But it’s the connection we had early on, the exact type of connection I felt with Kane, that resulted in us coming together so seamlessly.
I’m just supposed to ignore that with Kane because of timing? That seems cruel. But it’s equally cruel to be having these thoughts when I’m committed to Jace, especially given how important he is to me.
It’s only happened a few times, but already it seems natural to fall asleep and wake up next to Jace, to the point my bed feels wrong without him in it.
And talking to him comes so easily, which is a huge relief after years of guarding what I say.
Not only that, he’s also encouraging me to think—really think—about why I’ve never come out, and what would happen if I do.
He doesn’t judge my answers, but he doesn’t let me make excuses either, and because of him I’m warming up to the idea of telling everyone who I really am.
I truly feel like he’s in my corner, I don’t want to give that up.
I also don’t want to hurt Kane, who also feels natural to be around.
Though I don’t have a commitment to him, he isn’t a random hookup to me, and I don’t want to do anything to give him that impression.
Turning down any advances could have that effect, and based on past experience, he’ll probably make an advance if I don’t .
Somehow, I have to get through dinner without hurting either of them.
From my perch on the barstool at Murphy’s on Main—the new name since Lennon’s planning to open a second location on the mountain—I see Kane the moment he steps inside.
It’s a busy night here—it always is during the summer tourist season—but his pink hair and bright smile make him stand out.
It’s both cute and hot at the same time, making my stomach do a little flip. Dammit .
How should I play this? Professional? Familiar?
Smartass? What’s the protocol for hanging out with your boss who you slept with and have to keep at arm’s length even though you genuinely like him and maybe still want him a little?
I went for professional earlier since we were talking about work, but I might’ve been sort of flirty to ease the tension.
And I think I veered toward rude when he asked about dinner.
I hardly remember at this point since my primary goal was not losing my shit. It still is.
Seriously, what are the odds?
Kane spots me waving at the end of the bar and weaves his way through the crowd, heaving a sigh of relief as he takes the seat next to me. “Popular place.” His eyes are wide as he takes in the hum of activity.
“Best food in town. I usually try to avoid the dinner rush, but my boss had me lining up all sorts of people for this big project we’ve got going on, so I got stuck working late.” I give him a little side eye as I sip my beer, hoping smartass is the right angle.
“Your boss sounds like a tyrant.” Relief flows into my lungs as he matches my banter without any hesitation.
“Oh, he is. I mean, who makes you stay after five? Even if you’re excited about the project and working on deadlines, five is the cutoff.” I flag Lennon over before turning to look at Kane, who’s grinning from ear to ear. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Um, a beer is fine.”
“With that hair?” A deep voice rumbles from behind him. “No way, you need a—”
“Not another word, Deacon.” I interrupt my very inappropriate friend before he can finish. “This is my boss. We don’t play dirty drinks with him.”
“Yeah, save the dirty drinks for The Underground. Murphy’s is a family place.
” Lennon rolls his eyes at Deacon then wipes his hand on his apron and extends it to Kane.
“The boss, huh? You’ll fit right in. I’m Lennon.
This not-so-suave idiot is Deacon.” He grins salaciously and holds his hand out as well.
“Kane.” He shakes both their hands. “Why will I fit in?” His eyes dart between me, Lennon, and Deacon.
“If I’m not mistaken those are bike shorts you’re wearing, and people around here love to spend time on a bike.”
“In other words, you’re a badass.” Deacon hovers near his ear. I shoot him a warning glare that he pretends not to notice, which has me quickly burying my face in my beer.
There’s a decent chance that look won’t register as anything other than me warning a known playboy to stay away from my new boss. And if Deacon isn’t already thinking that, I can sell it. What I’m less sure about is why it’s Deacon who needed the warning in the first place.
I’ve only ever known the guy to pick up women, but maybe that’s just easier in this town and he’s really a switch hitter like his cousin, Cade.
If that’s the case, I can’t fault him for being attracted to Kane’s slightly delicate features since they really are stunning against his leanly muscled frame.
Whoa Blake, do you hear yourself ?
This is probably just a case of Deacon being an obnoxious flirt, regardless of who he’s talking to. I’m just seeing things, probably because I’m sitting next to a man I’m attracted to but who isn’t my secret boyfriend.
“What does that make me?” I snap back to the present and find Beck standing next to Lennon with a full pout on his lip. Since you’re more likely to find him in a dance studio than on the trail, he must be feeling left out.
“My trusty sidekick and also a badass,” Lennon slings an arm around his shoulders and introduces him to Kane.
“And the dirty drink names?” Kane searches our faces for a hint.
Lennon puts a beer on the counter and points a finger at Deacon. “Be nice. And no dirty drinks in front of Beck. I don’t need that headache.”
As soon as he’s out of earshot, Beck leans toward Kane so he doesn’t have to shout. “It’s a bar game where the guys string a bunch of dirty drink names together in a sentence. They use it to find someone to warm their beds.”
“Does that work?” Kane wrinkles his nose.
“Let’s just say this one has been around the world—” he jerks his thumb toward Deacon “—without leaving Katah Vista.”
“Beck.” Deacon puts a hand over his heart. “Don’t sell me short. I’ve been around the world at least twice.”
We all know he’s exaggerating, but for a second I swear Beck flinches.
Then it’s gone and his typical smile is back as he addresses Kane.
“Deacon has a medical condition that gives him Blue Balls if he isn’t Balls Deep in a Tight Snatch bringing Death to a Virgin at least five days a week.
Was that better?” He blinks innocently at Deacon, whose jaw is hanging open .
“Four drinks. Nice.” I give Beck a fist bump before he strides off, then turn to look at my burned friend over Kane’s head. “And that is why Lennon doesn’t want us playing dirty drinks in front of him. He’s gonna take your title soon.”
Shit ! Kane. I risk a look at him, expecting to find a scowl of disgust on his usually happy face, only to find his nose buried in his phone. “What are you doing?”
“Looking up drinks. I’m going to school you both in this game.” If that comment didn’t come from underneath a mop of pink hair, I’d have sworn Jace said it, since it’s exactly the kind of thing he’d do.
That’s one explanation for liking both of them, they both want to win.
I haven’t seen this competitive side of Kane before, but it makes my chest swell with pride as it sends a jolt of lust straight to my balls. Fuck me. How am I supposed to work side-by-side with someone I admire and want to sleep with? Again.
Deacon arches an impressed brow and looks at Kane’s phone over his shoulder. “This one should be your signature drink.” He points at the screen.
“Pink Panty Dropper. No points for originality, but at least it looks refreshing.”
I choke back a laugh as Deacon worms his way into the seat on the other side of Kane, which turns out to be a good thing since it makes things between him and I less intimate . Even though we’re using dirty drink names to make ridiculous sentences.
Eventually, our conversation turns to the bike park, and we tell Deacon about our plan to build at least one green run before the summer ends.
I had hoped that little teaser wouldn’t get him too excited—there’s still a lot that needs to fall perfectly into place to meet that timeline—but Kane’s amped and he picks up on it.
Only I’m not sure it’s purely his excitement that has him hanging on his every word .