33. Grady
Grady
These three are getting on my last nerve.
I love them all, but if they could stop moping, it would be appreciated.
We’re mere minutes from the hotel Leah set up for us, and you’d think we were about to walk into our executions by the solemn energy filling this car.
Silence so heavy I wish Quincy would say something stupid just for the laughs he’d get.
Leah will come through. Her silent dedication is obvious to everyone, but not in the way it is to me.
I sensed it the first time I met her. When she stood tall to tell me that she could unload her own tack and handle her own horse, others might view it as her being difficult. In reality, it was a show of her will.
A strong-as-steel will that is going to be our saving grace.
I don’t need to know all the details of her plan to believe it’ll work out. Olympic glory or not, she’s going to make sure Parker gets his training facility and that Warren, Quincy, and I have jobs there, too. Nothing and no one will convince me otherwise.
“Well, Star’s studs, we’re here,” Parker announces.
“Never call us that again.” Warren shudders behind him, and I can’t stop the chuckle that rushes out.
“What? It’s accurate,” Parker fires back with a coy smirk.
“That doesn’t mean I’ll allow it,” Warren grumbles.
We grab our bags out of the trunk and make our way into the front lobby. The receptionist is an adorable older lady, frail and southern as can be.
“Lordy, welcome, fellas! You must be the handsome devils that little pink-haired sweetheart warned me about. I’ll have to thank her for the heads-up if I see her again.
She got y’all the best room in the building, and some gifts, they’re in a bag on the stand next to the bed. ” She side-eyes us subtly.
“Bed” means there’s only one, and she definitely has a knowing twinkle in her eye.
Key in hand, we head to our room. Inside, the first thing I do is grab the pink gift bag. An envelope is taped to it, pink with four adorable hearts drawn on the front.
As I peel it open, Parker reads over my shoulder.
To my team, my lovers, my everything,
I’m sorry. But only because this isn’t how I planned our great escape.
I know, I know, punching people is bad, but she had it coming.
Anyway! The bag has a brand-new phone for each of you.
I’ve already programmed my number in them, so grab whichever one, it doesn’t matter.
Text me when you get this, don’t call. I may not be able to talk right away, depending on what I’m up to.
I’ll see you soon, just trust me. I’ve had some things in the works for a while now, and it’s almost ready for the big reveal.
All I need from you is patience. That’s it.
Give me a few to iron out the last of these details, and we’re in business, okay?
I love every single one of you so much it hurts,Leah
Warren empties the contents of the bag onto the blanket next to me.
“These are way nicer than the phones Henrietta gave us. How much do you think this all cost her?” His wide eyes travel across our faces until they stop at Parker—lips curled into his mouth, avoiding his gaze. “What aren’t you telling me?”
With a swallow that gives too much away, Parker offers his best lie, “Nothing.”
“Don’t,” Warren orders, stepping closer to him.
As his lips find Parker’s neck, I know he’s not messing around.
“I don’t like being kept in the dark.” He kisses his way upward, stopping just behind his ear.
“We don’t keep secrets from people we love, do we?
” Voice low, he grabs Parker by the jaw, wrenching his face toward him.
Parker whimpers in his hold, licking his lips. His body trembles as Warren pins him against the wall.
Quincy, gaze heated and intense, speaks up from across the room, “Answer him,” he demands, voice uncharacteristically gravelly.
I’m not entirely sure if he’s turned on or pissed off, but my money’s on the former.
Warren presses closer. The whine Parker lets out is filled with pure, delicious submission.
We should focus on what to do now, but I’m powerless to stop this because I know Parker loves it.
The way he can be vulnerable and reckless with Warren is freeing for him.
So, as his yearning eyes dart to me, I nod, permitting him to let it out, as if he needs my approval.
But Warren is right, secrets don’t belong here. While they aren’t ours to tell, Leah won’t mind. She’s out there somewhere actively pulling strings in a grand scheme to salvage this. I don’t think having their shock thrown into the mix will be helpful.
“Leah, she’s not who she claims to be.” Parker gasps as Warren’s free hand glides down his arm.
“We’re aware. Why do you think we were sent to watch her, to distract her?” He brushes the tip of his nose against Parker’s, lips nearly touching.
Quincy, sitting in the chair at the foot of the bed, groans. This probably shouldn’t be such a turn on, but Parker breaking for Warren, in a way he’s longed so desperately for, is unfathomably arousing. I’m just glad Quincy agrees.
“Tell us what that means, and we’ll all fuck you senseless tonight, isn’t that right?” Warren turns just enough to catch our nods, then presses his lips to Parker’s with dizzying intensity. When he drags his hand to the bulge in Parker’s pants, I have to bite back my own desperate sounds.
“War,” Parker says on a gasp, understandably caught off guard.
All this time Warren has never touched him.
“Shh, just be a good boy for me.” Reaching into Parker’s waistband, he groans like a man who knows what he wants. “What’s she hiding, Pretty Boy?”
By the crazed look on Parker’s face, Warren isn’t putting on a show. Slow, torturous, he strokes until Parker lets out a garbled moan, filled with astonishment and long-awaited relief.
“So hard for me. Do you like knowing I’ll never touch another man’s cock but yours?
If you’re a good boy, I might even let you come in my hand.
” After a few steady pumps, Warren stops, and Parker whines against him.
“We’ll get you off so many times you’ll forget your name from moaning ours so much. All you need to do it tell me.”
Quincy curses under his breath, gripping himself through his pants. This is going to be good. The thought of us using him until he’s delirious has my cock straining against my jeans, ready for whatever the hell this is.
“A-answer.” I hear myself say, having absolutely no clue what has possessed me.
He hisses, hips jerking as Warren strokes him again. “She-she’s rich. Filthy rich. I don’t know the exact number. Never cared to ask. Her money doesn’t matter.”
“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Warren growls, nipping at Parker’s neck.
“Now, here’s what’s going to happen. We’re all going to fuck out our feelings because god do we have a lot of them going on.
Then, once we’re all sated, we’ll talk about our situation.
” With a final kiss, he steps away and motions for us to join.
And do we ever.
“So, should we text her?” Quincy asks as he steps out of the bathroom. “Also, the next time we have some crazy gay foursome shit, I’m not the last to shower. There was precisely fifteen seconds of hot water left.” He plops next to me on the bed.
“Are we not going to address the money situation?” Parker asks, half asleep, curled between Warren and me.
“No,” Warren answers, “because you’re right. Her money, regardless of how much, doesn’t matter. She could be broke, and I’d cherish living on the streets as long as we’re all together.”
“Yeah, I don’t really care, to be honest.” Quincy shrugs. “I just want to talk to her so bad I could cry.”
Same here.
“Well, it’s getting late, but what’s the harm?” Warren says, reaching for our phones off the nightstand. “I’ll just make a group chat real quick.”
Warren:
Hey there, Gorgeous. Come here often?
Leah:
You know, I’m not exactly sure which one of you this is. Have you all molded into one giant cheese ball?
I snort, smiling at my screen.
Parker:
Not quite, but after the way I just fucked all of them, we’re pretty much fused into one person.
Leah:
Parker! ALL of them?
Quincy:
Technically, Warren only jerked him off a bit, then made Parker give him the sloppiest head, but still.
Leah:
WTF! I’m so sad I missed it!
Me:
I miss you.
Leah:
I know, Grady, I miss you too, you giant teddy bear. <3
Quincy chortles. “She clocked you, just like that.”
Quincy:
When are we going to see you again? :(
Leah:
Based on the jokes and angst, this number must be Quincy. Which means Warren opened with a joke? No way!!
Warren:
Answer him.
Leah:
Yes, Boss. The World Cup is coming up and you all have an important mission.
The four of us exchange quizzical looks.
Parker:
And what would that be?
Leah:
Make it to Texas. I’ll need one of you to get a bank account so that I can wire you money.
Me:
Are you in Texas already?
Leah:
No, silly, I will be tomorrow. I’ve already let the arena managers know my team will be a little late. Please don’t rush yourselves, just be here in time for the show. Okay?
Parker:
We can be there tomorrow.
Warren:
We’ll leave now.
Leah:
You all need some good sleep. Don’t worry about me, I’ll live through a couple of days without you.
Me:
We won’t.
Warren:
I concur.
Quincy:
Yeah, if Parker thinks we can make it tomorrow, we’re there tomorrow.
Parker:
We’ll sleep for a bit in the hotel, then take turns driving. If we rotate shifts in a buddy system, we can probably even beat you there.
She doesn’t respond. We’re all glued to our phones like high school losers talking to their crush. I chew my lip, unable to look at the others because I don’t need to. We’re all tense, wondering if we’ve gone too far, done too much.
And then, after several painful minutes, a message pops up.
Leah:
Sorry, I definitely didn’t just pull over to sob. You’re all so freaking precious. I love you. Get me bank details so I can send gas money.
Parker:
I have an account. I’ll get you my details. I love you, Star. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow ;)
Quincy:
Be ready for us, Baby. <3
Me:
Good night, Sassy. See you when we get there.
Warren:
Sweet dreams, Gorgeous. It’s the last time you’ll ever sleep alone.
Leah:
I love you all, and I can’t wait to get this mess over with.
Sniffling, Parker wipes his damp eyes. “Okay, sleep for a few hours, then we hit the road. Sound good?”
“I…” My face heats, heart hammering in my chest. Try as I may, embarrassment prohibits the words from leaving my mouth.
Parker slides next to me, gently raising my face to meet his easy eyes. “What’s up?”
“He never learned to drive.” Warren spares me the shame of having to admit the harsh truth.
“He was deemed ‘unworthy’ before driving age,” Quincy adds, voice warm, understanding.
“Oh, that’s not a big deal, you can just rotate co-pilot duties. We can work around it. Every few hours, we’ll pull over and swap, and you’ll just ride passenger every other time. Easy.” Parker kisses my cheek.
I pull my head back, brows scrunched. “J-just l-l-like that?”
“It’s that easy. No sweat at all. We love you, there’s nothing to be upset about.”
“He’s right, we love you. You’re so much more than what Henrietta made you out to be,” Warren says, rubbing my shoulder.
Quincy claps, flashing a vibrant smile. “Exactly! We all are. We’re never going back there, and have a whole future full of love to live. Let’s sleep so we can get to it!”
This world is rough to navigate, but they always know exactly how to make it easier. The future gets brighter by the day.