Chapter 56
FIFTY-SIX
Icount down the hours until I get to see Mackie.
Usually, I would be working late, getting my clients their proofs, but it can wait until tomorrow.
I deserve time off, and I want it with my boy.
It’s one of the big changes in my life. My work hours are consistent now, and I don’t live in my office anymore.
I know my team appreciates it, and they aren’t as worried about me dying in front of a computer screen.
It’s all thanks to Mackie, not to mention the new friends I have. Before the clock even hits six PM, I’m logged off and out the door.
“Hey, boss, this came by express mail,” Penny calls as I pass.
I take the big manila envelope and wave at them as I take the stairs three at a time.
Once I’m in my car, I put the envelope in my passenger seat as I turn up my music and pull out into traffic.
I’m picking my boy up from work, and I can’t wait.
The drive, even in rush hour, feels like it flies by as my excitement grows. Mackie has been busy with training recently, and I want to be supportive, but I’ve missed him. Tonight we are going on a date, and we are going to forget all about work.
By the time I pull up at the garage, I’m still a little early, so I leave the engine running, blasting music as I wait.
I glance at the envelope, drumming my fingers on the wheel, and reach for it.
It will probably be work, but it’s right here, so I might as well.
Tearing the top, I reach inside, expecting a contract, but what tumbles into my hands are photos—photos that have my happiness disappearing as I stiffen.
Confusion and horror wash through me before I look around and shove them away. I don’t want anyone else to see.
I consider what to do, but if I kept this from Mackie, it would hurt more. I promised I would never lie to him, and I won’t.
Leaving my car, I walk into the garage, nodding at the people I recognize. Sky blinks at me as I pass. “Are you okay?”
“Sure,” I grit out, my voice tight. “Where are Noah and Mackie?”
“His office.” Skylar tilts his head. “You look angry.”
“I’m fine,” I reply as I knock on the door, not wanting to walk in on something.
“Come in!” Noah calls, and I open the door and step inside.
“Shit, am I late?” Mackie asks as he hops up from the couch, paperwork surrounding him that he tries to gather.
“No, you’re fine. We need to talk, all of us.”
Mackie’s happy expression drops, and he sits, looking between Noah and me. “Did I do something wrong?” I hate his concern, so I shake my head.
“No, baby boy, I just figured we should all see this together.” Walking over to the desk, I set the envelope down, and Noah looks at it before grabbing it and spilling its contents across the desk. He sits back and swears.
Mackie heads over and freezes as he stares at the images. “I’m so sorry, Mackie. I don’t know how they got these,” I whisper. “It’s my fault.”
I share a look with Noah, seeing his anger and horror as we share an understanding look. Whoever did this is dead, but for now, our eyes swing to Mackie, worried how he will react.
It’s obvious someone is trying to hurt us or, more specifically, Noah or Mackie.
It’s tense as Mackie reaches for the photos, flipping through them.
There are a few of him and Noah here in the office, obviously taken through the window.
Mackie is facing away, but it’s clear who they are.
Then there are some of him and me from the other night on my balcony as he rode me.
Across the back of one, it reads, “I’ll tell everyone. ”
“I look pretty good here,” Mackie comments as he picks up a picture and shows us. “We should frame it.”
Noah barks out a laugh, and despite my anger, I smile. “The composition is shit. I can take a better one.” Reaching for him, I touch his arm. “Are you okay?”
“I mean, I’m annoyed because they got my bad side in some, but I’m not going to break down if that’s what you mean.
We all know who did this and why. She wants me to break, for you to leave me, and Noah to panic about his reputation and walk away.
She won’t get any of it. So what, she has pictures of us fucking?
If she releases them, we’ll sue her for revenge porn.
We’ll make it public too. She’s just threatening us.
We can’t give her a reaction, or at least not the one she wants. ”
Noah and I share a worried look. “You’re handling this very well,” Noah comments.
Rolling his eyes, he drops the photo and looks between us. “I’m not a child. I can deal with this. You two look angrier than I do.”
“Of course I’m fucking angry. Someone took a private moment and ruined it.”
“They didn’t ruin it.” He shrugs and points at Noah. “And no freaking out and pushing me away again.”
“Never going to happen,” he vows as he sighs, looking at the photos. “You do look good here.”
Mackie grins, and I can’t help but look, noticing what Noah does. Honestly, it’s fucked up. I try to push back my desire, but Mackie does look good.
“Alright, here is what we are going to do.” Mackie claps, making us both jump.
“Pack them up. We’ll take them with us so no one finds them, and then we’ll go about our night.
We are going out, all of us, on a big date.
We’ll forget, and we won’t let her ruin one more thing. ” He looks between us. “Problem?”
“Nope.” I shake my head, and he softens.
“Is it okay if Noah comes? I know it was just supposed to be us.”
“It’s fine,” I assure him as I kiss his head. “Let me change the reservation.”
“No, you guys go and have your date—”
“You’re coming,” I state, putting my foot down. “Smile, Noah. Let’s have some fun.”
We go out to eat, and it’s surprisingly nice. Noah and I get along well, and seeing them content together only makes my happiness grow. I know he feels the same when Mackie smiles at me or reaches for me. It’s natural for him now. He includes both of us, and it’s impossible not to enjoy the night.
Afterwards, we decide to return to Noah’s place because Mackie wants to swim. It’s impossible to say no to him, so I end up in borrowed swim shorts, watching Mackie dive and do headstands in Noah’s pool. I hold a glass of wine, while Noah nurses a water, also watching Mackie.
“He looks so happy,” I muse.
“He is. Don’t worry, this won’t break him. You saw him at the qualifier. It’s only made him more determined.”
I nod, but I still worry. When he climbs from the pool and drops into the seat opposite me, it’s impossible to hold on to those turbulent feelings. Everything but him disappears, and the box in my pocket burns until I reach for it, wanting this happiness to last forever.
I was going to save it, but honestly, what’s a more perfect time than when we are all together? Pulling the box out, I slide it over to Mackie. He’s dripping wet, sitting on the lounge in Noah’s backyard.
“What is it?” he asks curiously as he grabs the box and opens it, his mouth dropping open.
“Noah helped me design it,” I say as we both sit nervously. “We felt it was important for you to have a piece of all of us.”
Lifting the custom piece, Mackie looks at us and then his new ring. Three different metals entwine—black for Noah, rose gold for Mackie, and silver for me.
“It represents the three of us. We are a unit.”
“Thank you both,” he whispers as he strokes the ring, and when he lifts his eyes, they are glassy with unshed tears. “I’m so happy.”
Thank fuck. I thought I’d made him cry. Never mind Noah, I would have kicked my own ass.
“No tears,” Noah grumbles. “Come on, I’ll swim with you.”
He perks up and closes the box, carefully putting it away in his pants.
He stands, but he keeps glancing back at it like it will disappear.
Even if it did, I’d just get him another one.
I never want him to worry about anything.
Heaving to my feet, I wrap my arm around his waist and tug him closer.
He lands against my chest with a little gasp, peering up at me.
“Come on, let’s go play.” I turn him, and when he’s at the pool’s edge, I grin evilly at Noah, who’s already in the water.
Lifting Mackie, I leap in. The water surrounds us for a second until I break the surface.
Mackie gasps in my arms before he pushes away, splashing me with a narrow-eyed look.
“Is that how you want to do this?” he snarls in what I presume he thinks is a threatening way, but it’s just so fucking cute, I want to kiss him.
“Show me what you’ve got, baby boy,” I taunt as Noah comes up behind him. Mackie yelps as he’s dragged under, only to pop up a little ways away, pointing at us as he pushes his hair back.
“I see how it is. Team up on me. Fine!”
“You take the left. I’ll take the right,” I tell Noah, who nods, and Mackie’s eyes widen.
“Oh shit!” He turns and tries to swim away, but we are too fast. We dunk him in turns, swinging him around until there are no more tears, just his uninhibited laughter filling the air.
His eyes glitter with happiness, and he looks so beautiful that all I can do is stare at him.
He must feel my gaze because his laughter trails off as he stares into my eyes and swallows, his hair hanging on his forehead in wet tendrils. I reach out and push his hair back, kissing him.
He gasps into my mouth, his hands pressing against my pecs as I drag him closer, pulling on his hips until he’s flush against me.
I can feel every inch of his warm, hard muscles rubbing against me as I tilt my head and deepen the kiss.
It’s cruel, since Noah is right there, but I couldn’t stop if I tried.
I want him too badly, and when he’s so happy and beautiful, well, I have to prove he’s mine.