17. Casey
Casey
K ai had this way of making every kiss feel like it was the only thing that mattered to him in the world, even if we were relaxing, lazily tangled on the couch. After a week of intense passion, we were alone for the weekend. Yara had left for a glassblowing workshop in Portland, practically skipping with excitement, though she'd regretfully let us know she would intensely miss our dicks. And our winning personalities, of course.
She'd given us carte blanche to spend the weekend exploring every inch of each other without restraint. But despite her trust and encouragement, the thought of getting that intense with Kai alone made my stomach twist into knots. It was one thing to fool around with him knowing she'd soon be there to play, too. It was quite another to think about fucking him all night while my wife was in a hotel across the state.
Not that I didn't want to bury myself in his cute little ass and make him scream, but we were still figuring out how things worked between the three of us.
"Relax." Kai's gaze was reassuring, his fingers trailing down my arm. "You look like a man who is thinking way too much."
"Can't help it." I let myself sink deeper into the cushions, closer to him. His touch was electric, sending shivers racing up my spine. The now-familiar scent of Kai's soap making my thoughts blur at the edges.
"Enjoy it." His voice was a melodic purr that vibrated through my chest. And then his lips were on mine again, coaxing, teasing, tasting.
I sighed into the kiss, letting my hands roam over his soft shirt, exploring the hard planes of muscle beneath. Kai responded by tugging me closer, deepening the kiss until everything else faded away. Our touches grew bolder, more insistent. His hand slipped under my shirt, fingertips grazing my skin, and I gasped, arching into him.
"Casey," he breathed, breaking the kiss to press his forehead against mine. His eyes, dark and filled with unspoken promises, locked onto mine. "Do you want this?"
"Yes," I answered, though my voice wavered. The nerves were still there, buzzing like a swarm of bees, but so was the undeniable desire. I wanted him.
We lost ourselves in another kiss, bodies pressing tighter together. My hands found themselves under his shirt, exploring the warmth of his back, the curve of his muscles. Every touch, every kiss felt like falling deeper into something I couldn't — didn't want to — escape. This was how it had always been with Yara, and I was surprised that I could experience that twice.
Abruptly, a knock sounded at the door, loud and jarring. We sprang apart as if struck by lightning, our breath coming in ragged pants. I quickly ran a hand through my hair, then his, trying to fix the mess we'd made of each other.
"Who the hell is at the door?" Kai asked, a voice tinged with frustration and a hint of amusement.
"Shit, shit, shit. My mom texted me this morning about a surprise." The litany of curses spilled out as I glanced toward the window beside the door, realizing that the surprise probably meant they were popping down for a visit. My heart stopped when I saw my mother peering in. My dad was right behind her. "It's my parents," I hissed, panic flooding my veins.
"Should I hide?" Kai's eyes widened, and he glanced around as if looking for a quick escape route.
"No time," I said, hurriedly fixing my clothes. "Just—" I took a deep breath, fighting to calm my racing heart. "Act normal."
We hastily straightened our clothes and hair, the heat from our interrupted moment still simmering beneath my skin. I took a deep breath and opened the door, forcing a smile as my parents bustled in with a burst of hot summer air and cheerful energy.
"Casey! There you are!" my mom exclaimed, wrapping me in one of her signature bear hugs before turning her attention to Kai. "And Kai, right? You stood up with Yara at the wedding?"
"Yeah. Hi, Mrs. Nix. Mr. Nix," Kai greeted them with his usual charm, extending a hand.
"Oh, none of that 'Mrs.' business," my mom said, ignoring his hand and pulling him into a hug instead. "Call me Margaret. And this is Tom."
"Good to see you," my dad said, shaking Kai's hand firmly. "Casey's talked about you moving back nonstop."
Kai shot me a quick, brows-up look, curiosity in his eyes.
"Yeah, Kai's a good friend," I cut in, blushing. My nerves were a tangled mess.
"Well, how about you join us for lunch at The Glassblower's Bistro? I've been craving a good sausage, and they've got the best brats in town."
"Yes, the brats there are fantastic," my dad chimed in, patting his stomach as if already anticipating the meal.
"Uh..." I started, my mind racing with images of Kai eating sausages in front of my parents. Why did they have to have a sudden craving for brats? The anxiety shot through me like a lightning bolt.
"That sounds great," Kai said with an easy smile that made my heart lurch. Damn him and his calm confidence.
"Wonderful!" My mom clapped her hands together. "Let's get going then!"
"Great," I echoed weakly, swallowing hard. Despite my rising panic, I couldn't deny the warmth spreading through me at the thought of Kai being welcomed by my family. If he was happy, then maybe this could work. Maybe we could make it all work.
We all piled into my parents' car, Kai and I ending up in the back seat together. The leather was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from where our thighs brushed. I felt like a horny teenager again, just sitting this close to him. My hand twitched at my side, aching to reach out and hold his, but the uncertainty of our status kept it firmly planted on my knee.
"Comfortable back there? Those long legs never fit in the back seat, Casey." My mom glanced at us through the rearview mirror with her usual maternal concern.
"Yeah, we're good." I wanted to sit next to Kai, even if we couldn't touch, so I'd deal with the cramped quarters. Kai flashed one of his sweet grins that made my heart do somersaults, and I had to look away before my face gave anything away.
"Can't wait for you to try those brats, Kai," my dad said, turning slightly in his seat. "They're the best in town."
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my thoughts from spiraling into X-rated territory as we drove through the familiar streets of Greendale. The town was alive with people, vibrant art displays, and the occasional scent of pine wafting through the open windows. It was a perfect day, and yet I was a bundle of nervous energy.
We finally arrived at The Glassblower's Bistro, a charming spot right on the edge of Madrone Park. The outdoor tables were bustling with activity—families enjoying lunch, couples sharing intimate conversations, and friends catching up over coffee. We found a table shaded by a large umbrella, the lively hum of chatter providing a comforting backdrop.
"Casey, why don't you tell your folks about the hot springs project?" Kai suggested as we settled into our seats, his hand brushing mine under the table. That brief contact sent a jolt of electricity through me, but I quickly pulled myself together.
"Sure," I said, clearing my throat. "After the success with the ranch, we're actually starting a new eco friendly lodge at Huckleberry Park Hot Springs. It's going to have cabins, hiking trails, and even some community gardens. We're really excited about it."
"That sounds wonderful, dear." My mom beamed with pride. "You've always had such a knack for projects like these."
"Thanks, Mom." I was a little less anxious now that we were talking about something familiar and safe.
"How about you, Kai? Any exciting plans?" my dad asked, taking a sip of his water.
"Actually, yes," Kai began, his eyes lighting up. "I'm be starting a job as an art professor at Greendale University next week. I'm really looking forward to it."
"That's fantastic!" my mom exclaimed. "Art is such an important part of the community here. You'll fit right in."
"Thank you," Kai said, smiling warmly. "I'm excited to be a part of it."
As we waited for our food, the conversation flowed easily around us. I tried my best to focus on what my parents were saying, but my eyes kept drifting back to Kai. His plush lips wrapped around the rim of his glass, his laughter mingling with the sounds of the bistro, and the way he effortlessly charmed my mom—it was almost too much to handle.
"Greendale is lucky to have someone like you as a teacher."
Under the table, my fingertips brushed against Kai's. A jolt of electricity shot through me at the contact, and I realized just how much I wanted my parents to like Kai. His skin was warm, inviting, and I found myself wanting to hold his hand, to feel that warmth spread through me. But with my parents sitting right across from us, I didn't dare.
"Did you hear about Lydia Parson's new gallery opening in Portland?" my mom asked, her voice filled with excitement as she leaned closer to Kai.
"Yeah, I've heard great things. She's working with encaustic techniques, right?" Kai took a sip from his glass, and I watched, mesmerized, as his plush lips wrapped around the rim. Fuck, he was so damn handsome.
I tried to focus on the conversation, really, I did. But my eyes kept drifting back to Kai. The way his dark hair framed his face, the curve of his neck as he laughed at something my mom said—it was driving me crazy. Underneath the table, our fingers brushed again, and this time, I let them linger for just a second longer.
"Casey, are you okay?" my dad's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.
"Yeah, Dad. Thinking about the firm's latest project," I lied, forcing a smile.
"He's got a lot on his mind," Kai chimed in. "Did you see the new hot springs he worked on? So amazing."
"Yes! We reserved a room for next month. Can't wait to brag that it's our son's work!" my mom said, clapping her hands. "Have you been yet, Kai?"
Kai swallowed a big gulp of his water, eyes darting to me. "Yep. It's really beautiful."
"It's not really all me. I was just one of the engineers. The architect came up with the concepts."
The server arrived with our food, saving me from expanding upon our trip to the hot springs, and as the meal progressed, my parents fell into a discussion about some Portland gossip, something about their friend's daughter getting engaged. I nodded along, pretending to listen, but my mind was elsewhere. All I could think about was Kai. The way his tongue darted out to lick his lips after a sip of water, the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, the way his laugh seemed to make everything else fade away.
"You're staring," Kai leaned in close enough that I could feel his breath on my ear.
"Can't help it," I said, my voice thick with longing.
"Careful, Case." His eyes flicked to my parents before settling back on me, reminding me where we were.
He was right, of course. I needed to be careful. This thing between us—it felt like walking a tightrope, thrilling but precarious. And I wasn't even sure what Yara wanted.
But as I looked at Kai, I saw the way he fit so seamlessly into our lives, and our bed and our home. I wondered if maybe this was more than a fling. Kai was our friend, our lover, not a beautiful distraction. He was something real, something lasting. But could we make the throuple thing work? My parents were open-minded, but were they that open-minded?
"This is some damn good sausage," my father said, and Kai choked on a laugh, eying me.
"Couldn't agree more," Kai said, raising his own sausage in a mock toast, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"Bon appétit," I echoed softly, feeling a little more at ease. For now, everything seemed right. But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning. And whatever came next, I'd have to face it head-on, no matter how terrifying or exhilarating it might be. I focused on my food, trying not to betray any of my thoughts too soon. Yara needed to agree about whatever was going to happen to the relationship between the three of us before I could tell my parents anything.
Though I was pretty sure she would feel the same way that I did: that Kai was meant to be ours. As I finished off the last of my fries, my mom reached for my hand.
"Tom, you take care of the check. I'm going to take a walk in the park with Casey," my mom said, pulling me to my feet. "You two follow behind."
As we left the outdoor seating area, she looked up at me, and her eyes twinkled with that familiar mix of curiosity and concern. We had just finished lunch, the lively chatter of the bistro fading behind us as we stepped into the park. The sun was warm on my face, but a cool breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of flowers and fresh grass.
"Sure, Mom," I agreed, glancing back at Kai and Dad, who were engaged in a deep conversation about some art exhibit. Kai's laugh floated over to me, light and melodic, making my heart skip a beat. He was so damn captivating.
"How's everything with you and Yara?" my mom asked casually, her tone innocent enough to almost mask the underlying probe.
"Everything's great," I replied quickly, too quickly. "Why do you ask?"
She paused, looking at me with those perceptive eyes that saw right through me. "I noticed you staring at Kai."
"What?"
She chuckled. "Don't look shocked. I've always suspected you might like boys, too. Remember Danny Thomas? You had the biggest crush on him."
"I did not!" Though, thinking back on it, maybe I had. Blood rushed to my cheeks, my mind scrambling for something, anything, to say.
"Mom, it's not—" I started, but the words faltered. What could I possibly say? That I was still figuring it out? That Kai was more than a friend, but I didn't quite know what yet? Certainly not that Yara and I enjoyed fucking him together.
"Yara and I are as strong as ever," I finally managed, my voice steadier than I felt. "Kai is just... a friend."
"Just a friend?" She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"Yeah," I insisted, though my stomach twisted at the lie. "He's a good friend."
"Alright." She tucked her arm through mine, squeezing my elbow. "Just remember, Casey, it's okay to be honest about who you are. With yourself and with others."
"Thanks, Mom," I muttered, feeling out of sorts. How could she know? How could she understand something I was only beginning to grasp about myself?
We rejoined Dad and Kai, who were strolling behind us, looking at the park's massive sculptures. "Ready to head back?" my dad asked, glancing at his watch.
"Yeah, let's go," I said, forcing a smile.