Chapter 7 John
JOHN
Chad was right, a shock for sure, and he doesn’t need to know about it, but that massage was great, even if I didn’t love having a stranger’s hands all over me.
Touch is something I’m usually far more reserved about, but with the whole couple’s label and all of Chad’s talking during the beginning, I was so distracted that I barely had time to think about what was happening.
Then Chad actually listened when I told him to be quiet, so I ignored the thrill of him finally doing something I asked him to and attempted to focus on the massage itself.
It probably would’ve been more relaxing if I could get the image of Chad being the one giving me the massage out of my head though.
Why did he offer to come to my house and do that? We barely know each other. If he was into men, I’d have assumed he was coming on to me, but I don’t even think he realizes how the things he says could be taken. I’ve never met a more confusing straight-identifying man, that’s for sure.
It also didn’t help that I was hyperaware of the fact that Chad was mostly naked only a couple of feet away from me. He thought that I was fit? The man could easily be an underwear model. He obviously works out a ton, and he’s one of the most conventionally attractive people I’ve ever met.
He also keeps commenting on my tattoos. I wonder if he’s ever thought about getting any.
He seems like the type that would get something he thinks is funny, probably on his ass, but as far as I’ve seen, his skin is free of ink.
Temptingly so. Smooth and tan with such defined muscles. A perfect blank canvas.
But I won’t be giving Chad any tattoos—that would be ridiculous. I need to stop thinking about it and how easily he’d probably agree if I asked. Besides, I don’t even have my tattoo gun here, and I won’t be seeing him when we’re back in New York, so it doesn’t matter. None of this matters.
We’re at the hotel rooftop pool now, and seeing Chad nearly naked twice in one day feels unfair.
I’ve been trying to avoid him by staying on my lounge chair, away from the water.
I don’t know what it is about Chad that I’m even drawn to.
He’s so loud and talkative, cheery and positive.
It should be annoying, not endearing, but it’s like my gaze is drawn to wherever he is, and I can’t seem to look away for long.
“Come on, let's play! It’ll be fun.” Chad’s voice cuts through the crowd from his spot in the pool.
“We’ll go easy on you,” Blake says, and it looks like Chad is already attempting to climb onto his shoulders.
Kieran and Jace just smirk at each other from their place next to them in the water. Kieran shakes his head. “There’s too many people to play chicken. I don’t think the other people here want someone splashing them.”
“They’re ridiculous,” Ash comments, laughing beside Liam and me on the lounge chairs.
“Have they really always been like this?” I ask Ash, referring to Blake and Chad.
“Like what? Obnoxious and all over each other?” he asks fondly.
“Oh yeah, I met them in middle school, and they’ve always been the popular, life-of-the-party kids that everyone wanted to be friends with because they always seem like they’re having the best time.
They did absolutely everything together and just built off each other’s silly ideas.
I’d say it was actually worse growing up.
If one of them did something, the other had to try to one-up them. ”
“That sounds like the opposite of John and I back then,” Liam says with a chuckle.
“Blake was eventually the star football player too. It was all very cliché,” Ash adds.
“We were all on the same team, and I used to hate how casual they were with their affection for each other while I felt like I was desperately trying to hide any evidence that I was attracted to other guys. Sports are weird though, and their touching and antics were completely accepted. I never actually thought either of them were queer though. And it was hard to even really be jealous of them when they’ve both always been so nice. ”
“And how physical they are isn’t weird to you?” I ask Liam. I knew they were close, but I haven’t spent this much time with them both before, and I can’t help but feel like maybe Chad is into Blake.
If his own fiancé doesn’t seem to worry, though, then I probably shouldn’t.
Chad isn’t my anything. But I keep thinking about the way Chad asked Blake if he should take his underwear off in the locker room this morning.
Almost as if he was asking for his permission.
I’ve been around Blake and Liam plenty, and I know how happy Blake is to have Liam in charge, but Chad seems to revert to letting Blake make the decisions between them.
And I don’t care about how submissive Chad seems. I’m just looking out for my friend, that’s why I asked.
“No, not really. Blake’s mine, and I’m his; we both know and respect that,” he starts.
“But, growing up, Chad was really all Blake had besides his dog. He has always had a complicated relationship with his family and they always made him feel excluded, but Chad never did. He’s more like a brother to Blake than his actual siblings ever have been, and Chad’s family took Blake to do things with them that his own family should’ve, so for years his only safe place was his best friend.
I’m lucky to be that now, and I know Blake loves me more than anything, so it doesn’t feel weird.
I’m happy he has other people who love and care about him. ”
Wow. That was a far more detailed explanation than I was expecting Liam to share, and when I think about it, I guess it makes sense. Liam is the only friend I’m close with, and our friendship has never looked anything like what Blake and Chad have.
There was Luke, but that was different. He was always more than a friend, even before I realized why I cared about him so fiercely.
I don’t think I’m envious of Liam for getting married, I’m happy for my friend, and Luke’s been gone for a long time. Any thoughts of having that future for myself died with him. But maybe a tiny part of me is, because I keep thinking about what he would say about all of this.
Chad is absolutely nothing like Luke, but for some reason, I think Luke would really like him.
Every time I catch myself almost smiling or suppressing a laugh at something Chad says or does, I hear Luke’s voice in my head.
There’s my favorite smile, why are you trying to hide it?
Or, You’re allowed to have fun, ya know?
I know I can get too in my head, too stuck in the past. But I’m trying. I’m here, in Vegas, celebrating my best friend. That should be my focus this weekend.
“I didn’t know all that,” I finally respond to Liam.
“Yeah, I think Chad being in Blake’s life really helped keep him positive and happy, even when his home life was bleak. They definitely have a similar outlook on life, even now,” Liam adds.
“I’ve never met anyone who seems to be as happy as they are,” I admit.
“They never let the bullshit get them down or hold them back,” Ash agrees.
I turn back to them in the pool, all four of them smiling and laughing. Kieran clearly gave in to Blake and Chad’s request since he’s now on Jace’s shoulders, holding Chad’s palms, seeing who can push the other over first.
“Come on, baby,” Jace encourages his partner.
“I’m trying! They’ve got the height and muscle advantage.” Kieran laughs, wet hair dripping down his face.
“Get ready to go under, Jace!” Blake taunts, his competitiveness shining through, and sure enough, a moment later, Jace goes under, bringing Kieran down with him. Chad pushes off Blake’s shoulders and slides down his back, and they hug while whooping in victory.
After a few moments of celebration, they head our way. Chad pushes himself up on the ledge of the pool, muscles bulging with the effort, and locks eyes on me with a massive grin. He runs over and shakes his hair on me, just like a fucking dog.
After sitting in the sun, the cold of the water is a shock to my system.
“What are you—” I grunt, but he doesn’t stop there.
In no time at all, Chad has somehow draped his half-naked body over mine, and is lying right on top of me, like that’s a totally casual thing to do to someone you barely know, getting me soaking wet in the process. “Chad! What the fuck?”
“Now you can’t use the excuse of not wanting to get wet!” he explains, sounding proud of himself as he pushes up so he’s fucking straddling me on this pool chair that is likely about to collapse under our combined weight.
Does he not think anything of this position?
There’s water still dripping down his defined abs, and for a moment, all I can think about is leaning forward to lick him, to trace the water down from his chest all the way into his questionably short swim shorts.
Fuck, if he scoots his ass back at all, he’s going to be directly on my thickening cock.
I know he’s claimed that he wants to see my piercings, but he’s said multiple times this weekend that he’s straight, and I don’t think he wants to be introduced to them like that.
“I missed you out there, Grumpy. You want to be my partner in the next round? We can play against Blake and Liam. I can climb on your shoulders. I’m an awesome top,” he suggests, bouncing slightly on my lap in his excitement.
Ash cracks up at his top comment, but all I can focus on is him squirming in my lap.
It is not helping my hardening dick situation at all.
“Nope. Time to get off,” I groan, moving my hands to his hips in an attempt to help lift him off, but the angle sucks and he’s a big guy, so when he fights the move, I’m unsuccessful. Seriously, what does this man do in the gym? He must be made of solid muscle.
“I’ll get off if you agree to come in the pool with me,” he promises sweetly, batting his eyelashes, continuing to wiggle his hips on my lap.
Even if I wanted to swim, I don’t need to stand up right now and make my erection any more obvious than I’m sure it already is. “I’m good hanging here with Liam and Ash,” I insist.
“Guys, not to be a buzzkill, but we really should get ready to go to dinner soon,” Ash says, and Chad finally stands from my chair. I nod, liking the idea of him putting on more clothes even though a stupid part of me also hates it.
“I’m so excited for tonight,” Blake announces, draping his wet arm around Liam as he stands.
“You two love birds ready to go change for dinner?” Ash shouts to Jace and Kieran who are still wrapped around each other in the pool.
“Yeah! We’re coming,” Kieran calls out, holding Jace’s hand the entire time as he leads them to the pool steps and back to our group.
“Great, I’m really excited about the place we found for tonight,” Chad says, loudly enough that I think he’s talking to our whole group, but then he hangs back as they start walking, and I realize he’s waiting for me. When I eventually stand, he puts his arm through mine, just like last night.
I should protest. His overly comfortable casual touching should bother me; he doesn’t even have the excuse of alcohol now.
But I can’t bring myself to say anything.
When we get to the penthouse, the couples scurry off to their rooms, and once again, I’m left with Chad and Ash. Our two rooms share one bathroom in the hallway between them, so we’ve got one shower for the three of us.
I’m not nearly as wet as Chad is from the pool, so I turn to both of them. “Chad, do you want to go first since you’re the only one who swam?”
“Thank you, John. You’re so thoughtful!” Chad grins. “Ash, would you rather?”
“Nah, it’s fine.” Ash shrugs before heading into his room and calling out, “Someone let me know when it’s my turn.”
I head for the room I’m technically sharing with Chad, and he follows me in. “You know, that shower has multiple waterfall showerheads. It’s big enough for two,” he says suggestively, waggling his eyebrows at me.
I stare blankly at him, completely unsure of how to respond to that. What the fuck is even happening? Nothing about this straight man makes sense.
“Uh, okay?” I finally say like a question, so confused about why he’d possibly be pointing that out if it isn’t sexual.
“You could come in with me and show me your piercings.” He smirks, and I’m so surprised by the suggestion that I snort a laugh before I can stop it. He looks even more proud of himself now, as if getting me to laugh is some sort of accomplishment.
I shake my head, attempting to school my features. “Chad, go shower. Alone.”
He shrugs, still smiling. “It was worth a shot!”
As he walks back into the hall, I realize I’m still smiling at his back.
What the fuck is this man doing to me?