19. Blake
Chapter nineteen
Blake
A fter the slightly awkward morning-after several days ago, Kane and I settled into a comfortable rhythm at work.
We meet first thing in the morning to go over plans, then spend the day fine tuning the sections of trail that have been excavated by the crew.
We part ways around five, and he comes by for dinner and entertainment before the three of us call it a night.
Most times the entertainment is sex, but sometimes it’s a game of cards or even watching some of the videos Jace has filmed.
The only thing that would make it better is if Kane slept over, though admittedly that would start talk we haven’t even addressed ourselves.
Several conversations have to take place between the three of us—sooner rather than later—so we can decide what to tell people and when.
That’s unfortunate since things are going really well in their undefined state, but if we ever hope to make things official, which Jace and I do, we’ll have to talk about what the three of us are to each other.
I’m both excited and terrified for that discussion.
Jace and I are careful not to act too familiar or couple-y in front of Kane, which just as he suggested seems to put us all on a level playing field, meaning Kane doesn’t feel like an addition.
At least, he doesn’t act like he does. Still, while I know there’s a well-intended purpose behind the deception, I’m worried that the longer we omit the truth the greater the risk Kane feels betrayed when we come clean.
The full story has to come out, and quickly.
That’s my opinion anyway. Jace still thinks it’s a little soon, believing Kane should feel comfortable spending the night before we say anything, so he doesn’t feel like an intruder in our bed.
To an extent I see his point, but since Kane is sensitive to the fact we work together I could see it being weeks or even months before he feels comfortable staying the night, and I don’t think Jace and I should keep our relationship secret that long.
Either way, since we’d eventually like to come out as a throuple, Jace and I agree it makes sense for the town to get used to seeing the three of us together.
The concert in the park tonight is the perfect excuse.
No one will think twice about me bringing my new roommate and boss to the event, and the three of us can do something outside the confines of my house.
Win, win. Now I just have to convince Kane.
“You want to take me on a date? Both of you, together?” He pauses mid-shovel with a leery expression when I casually mention the invite while we’re clearing the trail.
“I want you to come with us to the weekly concert in the park.” I very specifically didn’t say date, but it’s interesting that’s what he heard. It seems like a step in the right direction. I’ll have to tell Jace.
“Is that a good idea?” Kane dumps the loose dirt to the side and scoops up another load.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” I lean on my shovel, waiting for him to look at me.
“I didn’t think this thing with all of us extended beyond…
you know.” He talks to his shovel as he works, though I can see the pink creeping into his cheeks under the brim of his ball cap.
It’s cute that he st ill gets flustered talking about our arrangement when he’s anything but when the three of us are together.
“And I barely know anyone here. What will they think if we show up together?”
“They won’t jump to you sleeping with both of us if that’s what you’re asking.”
His nose crinkles as he squints up at me. “How can you be sure? I know how small towns work, and my car has been parked at your house a lot recently.”
“Your car is easy to explain. We’re trying to make progress on the bike park; I’m trying to be friendly since you’re new in town; take your pick. Besides, it's not there overnight, and even if you were to stay over that’s easy to explain, too. You crashed on the couch because you were exhausted.”
“They’d buy that I stayed over platonically instead of driving five minutes home?” He shakes his head with an exaggerated eye roll.
“We could always say you had too much to drink.”
“I hate that that actually sounds better.”
My shovel falls to the ground as I step toward him and take his hand in mine, knowing we’re well out of sight from the rest of the crew. “Are you having second thoughts about this?”
“No.” He sounds confident, thank God. “But I’m not ready to have my private life on display. I’d feel that way no matter what, not because of our…” He waves his hand around instead of finishing that thought. He’s cute in his little hat with a smudge of dirt on his cheek.
Wrapping my arms around his waist I pull him to me, his shovel clattering to the ground. “I get it. It’s different, and people don’t always accept different well.”
“I’m not suggesting different is bad. You know that, right?” He worries his lip between his teeth .
“I know that. You just want to be known as Kane and not the guy sleeping with two roommates. Tonight, we’re three friends hanging out.
No one will say more than that, and even if they do it wouldn’t be malicious.
There’s just not much else to talk about here other than what activity the weather is good for and what people are doing on any given day. ”
I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince him or myself with those words, but they do the trick.
He pulls out of my grasp with a shy smile and retrieves his shovel. “Okay. I’m in.”
***
A mixture of relief and excitement floods my veins when I spot Kane weaving through the crowd, making his way toward us.
Heads turn to follow his movements, which may be due to the pink hair, but for me it’s the graceful way he walks.
Even slightly intimidated, which I know he is based on his initial reaction to my invitation, his stride is so fluid he seems to float between the crowd.
I can’t help but admire that show of confidence despite the nerves I know he feels.
A quick peek at Jace tells me the same thought is running through his mind, and I elbow him in the ribs as I swallow down my own reaction, hoping no one noticed our momentary lapse.
“Hi.” Kane stuffs his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels as he stops before us, eyes darting back and forth like he’s unsure what to do next. Before I can panic, Jace lifts his fist for Kane to bump with his knuckles.
“Glad you made it.” He pulls his hand away and steps aside, both of them looking to me for guidance.
At a loss for words, I motion for them to follow me and spin toward the direction of my usual spot, where the rest of my friends should be gathering.
They all look up as the three of us approach—new people have that effect—though when Deacon jumps right up to greet him, I briefly wonder if he isn’t bi like his cousin Cade since I’ve never seen him be so hospitable toward another man.
“Pink Panty Dropper, nice to see you again.” He squeezes by me to give Kane a fist bump.
“We haven’t established that as my drink.” Kane bumps Deacon’s knuckles with a wry smirk.
“We’ll see.” Deacon winks and saunters back to his blanket.
“You remember Deacon.” I roll my eyes, shaking loose the blanket I’m holding and dropping it to the ground before I point to the smaller blonde sitting next to him. “And Beck. Then there’s Ryder, Cade and Maddox, and Finn and Ally. Guys, this is Kane, and you remember Jace.”
Kane gives them all a brief up-nod while Jace fist bumps the guys he met during his first trip here with Axel. Then I hand them each a beer as we all sit down.
“Where’s Lennon?” Kane asks Beck as he crosses his legs at the ankle.
“Working. We alternate who works on concert nights so neither of us miss all of them.”
“And Axel?” Kane turns to Jace. “I was hoping to meet the guy you work with.”
“He’s probably in Lennon’s office, hoping for a quickie when he takes a break… What?” Beck looks around at the shocked faces. “Haven’t you guys seen the new couch Lennon put in there? It’s not just so Axel has a place to sit and watch the TV.”
“Language,” Cade admonishes as he lunges at Beck to ruffle his hair .
He dodges Cade’s advance. “What did I say?” he cries.
“That’s how rumors get started.” Cade throws a handful of grass at him since he couldn’t muss Beck up.
“It’s not a rumor if it’s true.” Beck untangles a piece of grass from his hair. “And what’s so bad about Axel wanting to hook up with his boyfriend anyway? They’re hot for each other.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Deacon backs Beck up with a wink that makes his cheeks turn pink.
“Don’t encourage him.” Cade shakes his head at Deacon.
“He’s got a point, though,” Deacon objects. “Who cares if we know what goes on behind that door.”
“Cade doesn’t want Beck talking about it because he doesn’t want anyone talking about him that way. It’s a brother thing.” Ryder sips from the flask in his hand as we all fall into a stunned silence. It’s sort of rare for him to speak up nowadays, much less make such a coherent statement.
“Self-appointed brother,” Beck mumbles under his breath, although I’m not sure Cade hears it. His focus is on Ryder, whose eyes are closed as his finger taps the flask in rhythm to the music drifting over the crowd.
A throat clears on the other side of me, and I shift to see Finn extending his hand to Kane. “Hi. I’m Finn, and this is my wife, Ally.” He tilts his head toward the redhead sitting next to him.
“Finn’s the Director of Operations at the resort. And your counterpart on the snow side,” I explain as Kane shakes his hand. “He’s building some black runs on the back side of the mountain we’re cutting trails on.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t around your first day. We took a little trip for our anniversary and just got back. I can’t wait to see what you’re working on. ”