Chapter 6 Chad
CHAD
“So, who did you end up sharing a room with?” Blake asks me as our group makes our way to the hotel spa.
I texted everyone weeks ago to see what type of massage they’d want. Ash was the only one who wanted a facial, and John never responded, so I booked everyone their requested couple’s massages and chose one I thought John would enjoy.
“I slept with John last night. It was great!” I answer, unable to suppress my huge smile. John, who’s so cool with all his tattoos and man bun, held my hand last night multiple times, defended me in a fight, took care of me, made sure I ate, and tucked me in. He’s so thoughtful.
Oh my god, and he actually bit the fry that I was holding in my mouth!
That was fucking hilarious. I knew we’d become friends, but I wasn’t expecting all of that so quickly in our relationship.
And as much as he pretended like he hated the idea of sharing the bed, I barely even had to ask him to stay by the time we were back.
John was gone this morning, but when I woke up in the middle of the night, he’d totally been cuddling with me, and you can’t fake that kind of comfort with someone, so I know our bond is real. I’m so glad he stayed; I haven’t slept that well in ages.
“Oh, I bet he loved that,” Blake jokes.
“I think he’s got a soft spot for me,” I insist, knowing he’s too strong-willed to have stayed if he didn’t want to.
My goal today is to spend more time with John and get even closer to him. We’re starting off with the spa, then we’ll go to the pool before dinner and go out again tonight to the casino and wherever else the group wants to go. Plenty of opportunities for bonding.
“Hello, there,” says a woman with brown hair pulled back in a bun behind the check-in counter in her all-sage green spa uniform.
“Hi, we have reservations for the Moore–Barclay party,” I respond, and she takes a moment to find our reservation on her computer.
“Great, here are clipboards for your party to fill out quickly before we get everyone started on their treatments.” She slides them forward, and I turn to pass them out with Blake’s help.
Everyone stands around, quickly checking boxes, and signing their names, except Ash, who appears to be reading through every line.
“Did we just sign away our rights to everything?” Jace asks in a teasing tone to Ash.
“Pretty much. Just means if you die in the sauna it’s not their fault.” He finally starts to check some boxes and sign his name. “So don’t die,” he deadpans.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” Blake jokes before pulling Liam in for a quick kiss. “I have a wedding in two months that I plan to see through until the end.”
“Alright, thank you, everyone. I have Kieran and Jace in room 1, Blake and Liam in room 2, Chad and John in room 4, and Ash, you’ll be in room 8 for your facial.
The locker room is down this hall on your left, and there are fresh robes and slippers hanging up in the open closet as well as a water cooler in the room.
Don’t forget to hydrate. Once you’re ready, you can head to the waiting room for your couple’s massages.
Your masseuse will get you when they’re ready. Enjoy!”
I throw my arm around Blake’s shoulder and quickly pull him down the hall with me, ignoring John’s questions about “why the fuck” I booked us a couple’s massage.
“I’m so excited! I’ve been waiting for this,” I say to Blake, purposefully trying to avoid John right now because I’m pretty sure I can feel his “I’m going to kill you” look aimed my way even if I can’t see it.
“Me too,” Blake says, wrapping his arm around my back. “Thanks for planning all of it.”
“Anything for you, man. You’re my best friend in the world.
” I grin at him, giving his shoulder a little squeeze.
Blake is so much more than that though, he’s like a brother to me, and I’m so happy he’s found his person.
I wanted every detail of this weekend to be perfect, and so far, it’s exceeded my hopes.
Our friends are all behind us as we lead the way, and I keep my attention on Blake.
We push the door open to the locker room and immediately walk over to the robes hanging up in an open closet with wood interior walls.
We both grab an extra large, and I follow him to an open locker, picking one that’s right next to his.
We start to strip down, and for a moment, I’m reminded of all the years we spent in locker rooms when we played football together. We also lived together in college, so him changing in front of me is nothing new.
Liam comes in on the other side of him. “How you feeling, baby?”
“Good, I’m so excited for our first couple’s massage!” Blake beams, and I smile at them. Their love for each other is so sweet.
I hope I find that someday.
“Me too,” Liam confirms, raking his eyes over Blake’s chest before he turns to open an unused locker and starts to get ready.
“Wait, do I take my underwear off?” I ask Blake.
Blake gives me a confused look like he’s thinking about it, and from behind me, John answers my question with a growled “On.”
I spin to face him. “But then I won’t be able to see your dick.” I pout, all worries of him being upset at me for booking us a couple’s massage forgotten. “Shouldn’t we be naked for the massage?”
“No. Chad, there is no reason for you to see my dick,” John argues for some reason.
I playfully roll my eyes as I put on my robe over my boxer briefs.
He might think that, but I’m determined.
I will see his dick before this weekend is over.
I’m not sure when, but I’m far too curious about those piercings to drop it, so I’m sure I’ll figure out a way.
John having his dick pierced and not allowing me to see it feels like a cruel, cruel punishment for a crime I didn’t even commit.
“See you guys after,” Kieran calls out, walking out of the locker room hand-in-hand with Jace. God, they’re so cute and stable and in love. Another example of couple’s goals for sure.
“Ready to go?” I ask John as the rest of our friends head to the waiting area.
He glares at me for a moment, his nostrils flaring while he takes a big breath in.
It also looks like he’s clenching his jaw.
So maybe he’s not over the whole couple’s massage thing yet, but he looks kind of adorable with his pissed-off expression and tattoos in complete contrast to our Zen surroundings and his big white fluffy robe.
“Ya know, if you would have responded to my texts then I would have known exactly what massage to book you for. If you’re worried about privacy, it’s all very respectful.
Plus, we were cuddling all night in just our underwear,” I remind him.
“Compared to that, this will be really casual, and I promise not to talk about your dick while we’re in there. ”
“We weren’t cuddling all night,” he grumbles. “And you shouldn’t ever talk about my dick.” Then he storms out toward the waiting area.
I follow as he heads to the fancy water station that appears to have cucumber and lemon floating in it. To my complete surprise and delight, John hands me the first cup he fills. I try to act casual as I accept the drink, but I know my smile is probably obnoxious as I thank him.
“How are you so fucking peppy?” he grumbles. “Aren’t you hungover?”
I shrug. “Not really.” Before I can say more, someone comes from the hall leading to the rooms and calls out our names.
There’s a second masseuse waiting with them and they introduce themselves as we walk back to the room, asking us questions about how much pressure we like and confirming that neither of us have any injuries or areas to avoid.
“Alright, we’ll give you a moment to remove your robes and get settled on the tables under the sheet.”
John nods and walks ahead of me, but then he just stands there, staring at the table.
“Don’t make this weird,” he grumbles as he removes his robe, and I try really hard, but holy fucking shit.
This man’s body is incredible. I can’t look away.
Every inch of John’s skin is covered in ink, and I can see the ridges of his muscles.
I should’ve been watching him get undressed in the locker room instead of talking to Blake. Amateur move on my part.
“Chad, you’re staring,” he calls me out, and I snap out of it because I’m sure the masseuse will be knocking on that door and coming in any second. I pick my jaw up and watch as John’s tight, black boxer briefs hug his thick ass as he moves to lay face down on the table.
I still haven’t said anything—I don’t think I can speak—as I quickly drop the robe and get under the sheet on the table.
Why is John’s nearly naked body short-circuiting my mind? I couldn’t see all that last night after he turned the lights off. He’s easily the coolest person I’ve ever seen in my life, and the fact that I’m friends with him now makes me feel so special.
Now that I think about it, everything about John makes me feel special.
He stood up for me last night, made sure I ate, and got back to the hotel safely.
Even him handing me a cup of water first in the waiting room—it’s like he’s always casually looking out for me in ways that none of my other friends ever have. I really like it. A lot.
“You okay over there?” he asks, probably just as stunned by my lack of speech as I am.
“Yeah, you’re just… holy shit, John. You’re way more fit than I was expecting,” I blurt out.
“You jealous, Princess? Good thing we kept our underwear on, huh? Thought I was going to have to pick your jaw up for you,” he jokes, still just the two of us in the room.
He’s right. “Yeah, I think I would’ve passed out if I saw your dick on top of all those tattoos and muscles.”
“Uh-huh, and what about Blake’s dick?” he says, catching me completely off guard.
“What about it?”
“Well, you’re real touchy-feely with him, and you did ask for his permission to get naked.”
“Are you jealous?” I ask excitedly, because, oh my god, John is gay.
He’s completely avoiding eye contact with me right now!
I have my face turned toward his table, but he’s staring into the little face hole on the massage pillow.
Is he nervous? He totally sounds jealous about the possibility of me, what?
Being naked with Blake? Does John want to be naked with me?
Physically, he’s like the ideal man, and I’m over here jealous that he casually walks around looking like that. Could he be into me? Do I want him to be into me? Is all my casual touching and charming personality breaking down his walls?
“No,” he answers, but I think he’s lying, and just as I’m about to call him out, there’s a knock on the door. Fucking perfect timing.
I wish I could say “Never mind” because I suddenly need to know if John is attracted to me, but instead, I call out that we’re ready, turning my head back into the pillow as I hear footsteps approach us.
“Great, we can get started,” says the person who is by me.
“This is the first massage I’ve had in far too long,” I comment, making conversation even though I probably should be quiet, but hey, I paid for it so I feel like I can talk if I want. And I want to talk to John more. “What about you, John?”
“Never,” he says flatly, but I’m not deterred. If he really wants me to stop talking to him, he’ll tell me.
“Never?” I gasp. “But you work so hard at your job, you should get them at least monthly.”
“Not interested,” he grumbles.
“When’s your birthday? Maybe I can send someone to your house as a present,” I suggest, and then immediately hate that idea, picturing some hot guy showing up at John’s house, only for them to fall in love. Not sure why that bothers me so much. Maybe I could send a woman.
“No,” he mutters.
Well, that solves that problem!
“Is it a stranger-touching-you thing? No offense!” I turn to the masseuse, who chuckles. “Maybe I could learn some tips from today and I could do it,” I offer, liking that idea much better.
“Definitely not,” he dismisses almost instantly.
“So grumpy,” I tease him, but even though he’s prickly, I’m certain I’ve already worked my way into his heart, and it makes me emotional in the best way.
“I thought massages were supposed to be quiet,” John whispers. “Stop talking.”
Knew it. That’s fine. If John wants me to be quiet so he can get the full, relaxing experience, I can be quiet.
And maybe this massage will loosen him up so he can have a little more fun today.