21. Cassidy
Chapter twenty-one
Cassidy
“ Y ou okay, babe?” I ask him, reaching out to grab his hand and bring him inside.
“Neither of you were answering your phones. I was knocking for ages.” He runs his hands through his hair again. He’s wearing smart tailored shorts and a button-up short sleeve shirt. Sunglasses perch on top of his head and fancy flip flops grace his feet. He looks preppy-hot, all dressed up for brunch.
“We were a little busy. Sorry, I don’t even know where my phone is.” I look around and see it on the coffee table.
Tom makes an appearance at my bedroom door, naked. “Hey, Jack,” he says as he leans against the doorframe, folding his arms across his chest. I look between the two men. There’s an internal conversation going on that I’m not party to. And it feels like it might be a little hostile.
I run a hand down Jack’s bulging bicep that pokes out from his shirt sleeve. He’s mirroring Tom’s folded arm pose, although he’s standing straight up with his legs planted in a wide stance.
“What’s wrong?” I ask Jack, still caressing his arm, trying to soothe him.
He breaks eye contact with Tom to look down at me. He sighs and then gives me a smile. “Nothing, Cass. I’m good.”
“You sure, Jack?” Tom pokes.
“I just felt left out.” His shoulders drop. He’s not looking at either of us, staring at his feet instead.
“Hey, that’s okay. This is new. Well, it is for me, anyway. You guys have shared before.”
“We only did stuff as a trio then,” Tom drawls from his sentry post.
“Ah, so this is new for you, too?”
Jack nods, raising his chin, looking at me and then Tom. “I just need some time to get used to it.”
I watch as Tom gives him a nod before turning back to the bedroom.
“I’m hungry, let’s go get brunch,” he calls over his shoulder as he disappears further into the room.
“Would it help if you knew what we did when you weren’t here? Or would you rather not know?” I ask Jack. I can see him pondering the question. He looks at me, some of that Jack-glint in his eyes.
“I want a full recounting.”
“Come on then. Come sit on the bed while I get dressed and have a listen.”
We are all seated at a corner table in the trendy little cafe on the corner. As we peruse the menu, Jack’s holding my hand on his thigh under the table. I give it a squeeze and ask him what he’s going to have.
“A full English, I’m ravenous.”
I look across to Tom with a raised eyebrow.
“Same, bro, same.”
“I’ll go up and order then.” I check how they want their toast and eggs before making my way to the counter. I order their two breakfasts, and eggs florentine for me, as well as coffees all round before making my way back to the table. It’s clear that they’re talking about something serious. Jack shakes his head vehemently in the brattish way I’ve come to recognise. They both ease back, keeping close lipped as I slide into my seat.
“What’s going on? I thought we were okay,” I say, looking between them.
“Tom’s being a dick,” Jack says with a sigh. “Offered to step back so I can have you all to myself. Bloody martyr.” He throws a dirty look in Tom’s direction.
“Is that true?” I look at Tom, unable to keep the hurt from pinching at my voice.
“I just wanted to see if he wanted you to himself,” he huffs.
Hmm, both these guys are struggling with this turn of events, it seems. I ponder for a moment, trying to work out a way through this.
“I think you guys need to have some time to yourselves… you know, together.” I wiggle my eyebrows. They are both staring at me, and I want to giggle at their mirrored brooding glares.
“What about you?” Jack asks.
“I’m good, Jack. More than good. I’ve had more orgasms in the last…” I glance at my watch to check the time “…fifteen hours than I can count. I’m more than happy to tuck up in my bed tonight with a book or a cheesy movie.” They look at each other, and I watch as they have another wordless conversation. They look so gorgeous together and I have no intention of splitting them up. They were a thing before I came along. And I want us all to move forward as a solid unit. No one is getting left behind on my watch.
“I’m working tonight,” Tom says with a grimace.
“Well, how about this afternoon before you go to work?” I suggest.
“Okay,” Jack says with a nod.
I look at Tom. “Whatever you say, Mac.”
When the food arrives, the plates are piled high and I watch in amazement as Jack and Tom both devour their brunches. And then I look down and see I’ve also devoured mine. All this sex is clearly hungry work.
It feels comfortable after the initial uneasiness, and I’m grateful that we seem to have worked things out. Although, who am I kidding? This is new territory and there’s going to be a lot we all need to learn about our relationship and each other as we move forward.
“Hey, what’s with all the New York books?” Tom asks Jack, his brow raised.
“I was chatting with Duncan, the guy I used to work with that moved there and thought I’d do some research.”
“You planning a trip?”
“Maybe. And there’s the possibility of some work coming up. But it’s all up in the air at the moment. Probably won’t come to anything.” Jack shrugs. I frown. He seems more indifferent about it than when he told me. Perhaps it’s looking less likely.
“I see.” Tom purses his lips but goes quiet, taking a gulp of his coffee.
Jack heads to the bathroom and sneakily pays the bill on the way back. Tom and I both try to give him our share, but he’s not having any of it.
“What’s the point of having two lovers if I can’t spoil them?”
I start to chuckle but have the wind taken from my sails when a woman at the next table tuts loudly, and leans to the man next to her to whisper shout, “Disgusting. They should keep their sordid love lives private. I shouldn’t have to sit here and listen to this.”
What a bitch. I look over to the guys to see if they heard it too. Tom is giving the woman a furious side eye, but Jack seems oblivious as he puts his wallet back in his pocket and reaches up to check for his sunglasses on his head.
Frozen in place, I don’t know what to do. Should I call this woman out for her bigotry or just leave and keep the peace? It turns out I don’t need to do anything because Tom has stepped past Jack and closer to the woman.
“If you weren’t eavesdropping on other people’s conversations, you wouldn’t have to hear it,” he tells her in a low voice. He means business. It’s evident from his tone and his stance.
“You shouldn’t be flaunting your perversions in public. This is a nice place.” Her lip curls.
That’s it. I can’t just sit here and watch. I stand up to move beside Tom. Jack is standing by, watching this play out, with confusion on his face.
“Are we offending you?” I ask her. “Scared of people showing love and affection for each other, are you?” I look across to the man beside her. He’s certainly not taking this woman’s side, but he’s looking at us warily. “I feel sorry for you, love. If you don’t share her bigoted views, I suggest you find someone that has a little more room for fun and adventure in their life.” I give him a fake smile and the woman huffs.
“Come on guys, this woman isn’t worth our time or attention. Let’s go.” I take hold of Tom with one hand and thread my other hand around Jack to make our way out.
“Er, guys, what did I miss? What the fuck just happened?” Jack asks as we stumble out the door. Tom still feels tense, and I pat his chest to soothe him.
“She made a horrible comment about us after you mentioned having two lovers,” Tom says quietly.
“Oh shit, sorry,” Jack says.
I spin around, now we are out of the cafe and have a bit more space. “What the fuck are you apologising for? Did you know her?” I ask him.
“What? No. I just didn’t realise I’d spilled it in a public place.”
“So you want to keep this a secret, then?” Tom asks. It’s all starting to spin again.
“I don’t know. I didn’t even realise what she was talking about until you guys ganged up on her.”
“Ganged up on her? You think she was the victim in this?” Tom looks furious.
“That’s not what I meant.” Jack’s eyes are wide as he looks between Tom and I. Trying to roll the tension from my shoulders, I draw a deep breath.
“Let’s all just take a moment. Let’s head back to mine and we can talk in private,” I say to them both.
“Sure,” Tom mutters. He also seems to take a moment to calm himself, putting his arm around my shoulder and kissing my forehead.
“You were fierce in there, Mac. I’m proud of you, standing up to people like that.”
“Thanks, Tom, you too.”
Jack sighs beside us before turning in the direction of our apartment block. It feels like it’s been a roller coaster of a day already, and it’s barely noon.
As we get back to the apartment building, I stand by my idea that the guys need time together alone, but I’m not sure if we need to talk it out anymore before that happens. As we approach the front door, Tom slows to a halt.
“Guys, I think I’m gonna head. I should move my car from the visitor's space anyway…”
I look between him and Jack, who looks disappointed, but isn’t forthcoming. Tom looks resigned.
“I thought you were going to spend some time together alone?” I remind them both.
Tom looks across at Jack. “Is that what you want?”
“Well, yeah, but don’t worry if you’ve got other stuff to do.”
“Do you want to come with me back to mine?” Tom asks Jack. Jack seems to light up at that suggestion. He looks across at me as if seeking approval. I keep smiling, but give no nod or acknowledgement. This is up to them. It’s not up to me to approve of them spending time together.
“Is that okay with you, Cass?” Jack asks. He’s shielding his forehead with his hand as he’s facing the bright sun behind me.
“Jack, you don’t need my permission. If you want to spend time with Tom, you go.”
“That sounds good,” he gives Tom a nod. “You want us to walk you upstairs?”
“In broad daylight? I’m good, thanks,” I say with a chuckle.
I fist his shirt and plant a kiss on his lips. He reaches behind to squeeze my bum, slipping me his tongue, which makes me giggle. As he lets me go, I take Tom by the hand and step up so we are standing chest to chest.
“Okay?” I ask him and he gives me a nod. So serious. I reach up to stroke his brow. His eyes close as he leans into my hand and I take the opportunity to kiss him too, before heading inside.