Chapter Nine
The night became a blur of champagne and congratulations.
When it finally wound down, and it was only a select few friends left, Salem’s shoulders relaxed.
Six chairs surrounded the small table inside the kitchen, Salem at one end and Lazarus at the other.
Dodge and Quest sat on the right and left of him.
Joesph and Noir sat on the right and left of Lazarus.
In the center of the table, along with a few open liquor bottles and filled glasses, sat the infamous Two Dares game.
Salem eyed the deck, wondering how and why they were doing this.
It seemed Noir had made a valiant effort to get to know the boys.
From there, it hadn’t taken long for them to confess their secret career.
Then, somehow, here they were. Salem had no idea how this would go or where it would end.
All he knew was it wouldn’t be the same as last time.
This time, it turned out Joesph was the oldest. Somehow, miraculously, they had already made one loop around the table without anything lewd happening.
Joesph drew his second card and read, “Hop on one foot or text your crush.” Joesph looked down at the wheelchair he sat in and chewed his bottom lip.
Dodge jumped in to save him. “That one is a bit unfair. You can draw another card.”
Joesph shook his head. “It doesn’t say what I have to text them.” He picked up his phone and typed for a moment before setting his phone facedown again. “There.”
Thankfully, no one was nosey enough to ask who or what Joesph had texted .
Dodge drew the next card. “Tell your biggest secret or tell the person to your right how you really feel about them.” Without missing a beat, Dodge looked Joesph’s way. “It was really great talking to you tonight. I hope you want to be friends.”
Salem’s heart squeezed. Dodge was such a beautiful soul. It was hard to make friends as an adult and it definitely wasn’t easy to ask someone to be your friend without sounding like a five-year-old. Salem loved him.
Joesph smiled. It was genuine and lit his eyes. “Absolutely.”
Salem grabbed a card before anyone dared make Dodge uncomfortable.
“Do the entire Electric Slide or take five shots of the nearest liquor.” There was less than zero chance Salem would do the Electric Slide.
Luckily, there were already a few bottles of alcohol on the table he could stomach straight.
Salem grabbed one and Dodge jumped up to get him a shot glass.
He poured the first shot of tequila and quickly did all five while everyone counted loudly.
Lazarus blew out a low whistle. “Damn. You didn’t even flinch.”
Salem laughed, hoping to hide the way his head already spun. “This is the good shit. I worked in casinos my whole adult life before marrying JD. I’ve drunk a lot of shots. ”
Quest shook his head. “Maybe stop there just the same. You don’t weigh enough for all that.”
Salem snorted but didn’t argue. He wasn’t a big drinker any longer.
Quest drew the next card. “Do a backflip or tell an uncomfortable story about yourself. Well, fuck. I’m too old to be doing backflips.”
“Not to mention you can’t do a backflip.”
Everyone laughed at Dodge’s interjection.
A big, goofy smile lit Quest’s face. “True.” He tapped the card on the table and stared into space, as if trying to think of a story.
Finally, another smile passed over his lips.
“When I was six, my mom introduced me to JD. It’s important to note I don’t know my dad.
If my mom knows who he is, she never told me, and we don’t talk anymore because I chose JD over her.
” Quest used air quotes around the last part.
Salem got it. She was fucking childish. “Anyhow, I didn’t know my dad, so obviously, I didn’t know his family.
So when Mom was all, ‘there’s someone I want you to meet.
’ All I saw was an old man. A man old enough to be my grandfather.
Hell, maybe my great-grandfather. So, of course, I got all excited and yelled, ‘Are you my grandad?’” A loud bark of laughter burst from Quest. “My mom beat me for that.”
Salem’s smile fell at that last tidbit.
Joesph’s phone loudly buzzed on the table, saving Salem from saying all the words clogging his throat and ruining the night. Joesph turned over his phone and read his text. His face stayed completely blank. “Well, guys. I hate to bail on you, but it looks like I need to head home.”
Dodge stood. “Do you need a ride? I don’t remember if you’ve had anything to drink.”
Joesph’s expression turned sweet. “Thank you, but no. Stay. Enjoy your game.”
Dodge nodded .
Noir stood. “I hate to abandon you too, but it’s late.”
Everyone came to their feet.
Salem followed them to the door, saying his final goodbyes.
A wave of relief washed over him when he shut the door behind them.
He was beyond ready to have his peace back.
The kitchen was empty when he returned. Their cleaning staff would pick up the mess, so Salem left it behind and went in search of his men.
The light was on in the bedroom, so Salem started there.
The room was empty, but the French doors stood open.
Through the doorway, he saw Dodge shirtless and staring at the sky.
Quest was nowhere to be found. Salem made his way outside.
He didn’t want to disturb Dodge, but he equally needed to touch him.
Salem molded against his back. With his cheek pressed against his skin, Salem ran his hand up Dodge’s chest until he covered Dodge’s heart. He savored the steady beat.
“Sometimes, I just stand out here and think about how small I am.”
Salem’s eyes stung at the wonder in Dodge’s voice. He was so much more than anyone saw. His mind was beautiful.
“There’s so much out there. I wonder if anyone else thinks about that—like how we’re not even a speck by comparison.
Yet I still believe you’re part of me. I still think this isn’t the first lifetime where I loved you and Quest. It’s like I knew you two already when we met, and I know I’ll find you both in the next life.
I just don’t understand how less than a speck ended up blessed like that. ”
Salem could barely swallow past the lump in his throat.
Then Quest’s arms wrapped around them and Salem’s eyes closed.
He realized he wasn’t scared. Salem didn’t need to guard himself in any way.
Because Dodge was right. They had loved each other before, and they would love each other again.
Maybe that sounded crazy to some people, but not him.
“I just came out here to let you know I’m about to take a shower.” Quest kissed his shoulder.
“Okay, sweetie.”
He felt Quest smile against his skin before he pulled away, leaving Salem and Dodge to their stargazing.
Salem kissed Dodge’s spine.
Dodge’s hand covered his. “You should join Quest. I want to spend a few more minutes thanking the universe.”
Love filled Salem until it nearly drowned him. Still, he took a step back. “I love you. ”
Dodge flashed a sweet smile over his shoulder. “I love you too.”
Salem headed for the door.
“Hey.”
Salem turned at Dodge’s call.
He found Dodge staring at him with that same flood of love. “Thank you.”
Salem smiled. “I thought you were thanking the universe tonight.”
“I am.”
Salem’s throat swelled. “You never have to thank me.”
“Yes, I do.” Dodge went back to staring at the sky.
Salem forced himself to leave Dodge behind. He understood the need to have a moment from whatever powerful thing it was the three of them shared. They had an overwhelming love. Sometimes it was almost too heavy.
He slipped into the bathroom. Inside the wet room, Quest sat on the bench and let the shower heads blast him from every direction. He, too, seemed to stare at nothing, completely lost in thought. Salem didn’t undress. If Quest wanted peace too, then Salem would make himself scarce.
He peeked open the door. “You good? ”
A sweet smile turned his way. “Yeah. I was just waiting for you.”
“Are you sure? You look like a man who wants to be left alone.”
Quest rolled his eyes.
Salem couldn’t stop smiling as he stripped.
“I was a bit lost in thought, though.”
Salem paused with one foot in the wet room.
“You should have an engagement ring too. It should match, but I wasn’t sure if I should just ask where you got ours or try to drop hints. Then I decided you’re the straightforward one, so I should just ask.”
Salem shook his head. He was so in love with this man. As he had once said to Dodge, Quest was the ‘everyone gets love in this house’ guy. It never got old.
Salem closed the distance between them. “They were specially made by Grant Cullier.”
Quest blew out a low whistle. “Damn. Really? I thought it took months to get him.”
Since Grant was the most famous jeweler in the country, that was true. “Not when you have money like ours. I got all three rings, so they’d match.”
Quest tugged Salem down into his lap. “I expect you to wear that ring. ”
Salem held up his hand, showing he already wore his.
“I put it on earlier. When you went upstairs to get the game, I dipped in here and grabbed it.” They put their hands together, studying the rings side by side.
Quest settled deep into the corner, with Salem held against his chest. Salem listened to his heartbeat as he stared at the matching rings. His throat swelled.
“I genuinely can’t wait to be married to you two. It’s been hard as hell, pretending I didn’t want this while you two chose everyone else but me.”
A sharp laugh burst from Quest, confusing Salem. He looked up. Quest shook his head. “Dodge and I had the same fucking conversation about this. Almost word for word. It’s like we’re all stupid or something.”
They weren’t. “No. Just scared. I’m not anymore. I know we’re unbreakable.”
The shower door opened. A nude Dodge stood on the other side. “Can I join the cuddle puddle?”
He sounded so adorable.
Quest lifted his arm.
Salem lifted his legs.
Dodge slid into place. The three of them clicked together like Legos.
They sat in silence, enjoying the hot water and each other.
Their fingers played as they quietly mused over the rings on their hands.
He didn’t know how long it would take for Noir to set things in motion for their marriage, but it couldn’t come fast enough for him. He was in love. This was forever.
Keep an eye out for the next Atlantic City’s Most Wanted, Single Greatest Threat .