23. Jack
Chapter twenty-three
Jack
W eeks have passed by in this throuple situation and I’m pleasantly surprised that I’m not feeling bored or antsy. I’m starting to question why I spent so long being committed to being mostly single with causal stuff. I’m having more sex since Tom, Cass and I became a thing and I’m not mad about it. The occasions we all spend together blow my mind and I’m finding the times I spend separately with Cass and Tom special in their own ways.
At the start, when I knew Tom and Cass were together without me, I felt something that I figure must have been akin to jealousy, but it’s fading over time. I’ve never felt left out. They always invite me along when they make plans and it’s up to me if I join in or not.
Take today, for instance. Tom invited us over to his place for a couple of hours before he needs to leave for work. Cassidy took him up on his offer and I decided to go to the gym instead. I’m now heading back to the apartment after a challenging workout. I feel good though.
I sat in the sauna for a while post workout, thinking about Tom and Cass and wondering what I was missing. But instead of feeling jealous or left out, I’m happy for them having time together. I know that they’ll be more than happy to spill the beans of what they got up to without me later. It wouldn’t be the first time that Cass recalling what she did with Tom urged me to bend her over the nearest firm surface and rail her until we were both sated and exhausted.
I’m feeling strangely introspective lately and sometimes get lost in thought, daydreaming about stuff we’ve done, coming up with dirty, filthy plans for what I want to do next with them and even pondering happiness and how fulfilled my life feels these days. I give my head a shake. What the fuck is wrong with me?! Apparently, regular threesomes turn me into a dreamy romantic. Who the fuck would have thought it?
I’m close to the apartment when my phone starts ringing. I lift it from my pocket to see that it’s my mum calling.
“Hey, Mum.”
“Jack. It’s been a while. How are you, baby?”
“I’m good, just heading home from the gym. How about you? How’s Dad?”
“We’re in town. We were at a loose end, so I dragged your father out the house for a change of scenery. We thought we’d go to your friend Tom’s bar for some dinner and drinks. Would you like to come?”
Mum and Dad met Tom one weekend morning when they surprised me with a visit. I tried explaining we were casual, but my mum doesn’t let that get in the way of her plans for my eternal happiness.
I grip the back of my neck with the hand not holding the phone and think for a second. “Sure, that sounds good. What time?”
“How about 5 pm-ish. Get an early dinner before it gets busy.”
“Yep, I can swing that. I might bring someone. Is that okay?”
“Is Tom not working tonight? Can he come?” Mum asks, sounding confused.
“Er, no, he’ll be working. It’s someone else.” I rack my brains trying to work out how to explain it and realise it’ll be better done in person.
“Are you and Tom okay? Should we go somewhere else for dinner?” Mum’s sounding worried now. Perhaps I shouldn’t have even mentioned bringing someone along, but I thought Cass might want to come and grab a bite.
“Tom and I are good, Mum. It’s a different friend, a girl. Let me see if she’s available, and then I’ll get Tom to save us a table.”
“Okay, love,” Mum says. She still sounds a little wary, but I’m sure she’ll be fine when she meets Cass and gets a handle on the situation.
We hang up and I realise how privileged I am to have supportive parents. They know I’m bisexual and have always supported my choices. I just hope they can get their head around my polyamorous triad relationship… we shall see.
I drop Cass a quick text to see if she’s back from Tom’s yet and get a quick affirmative reply. I run up the stairs, stretching out my legs from the earlier workout, and bound up to her door to knock. She swings the door wide wrapped in a towel with another around her hair.
“You look adorable. Just out the shower?”
“Um, yeah, Tom and I got a little distracted, and he had to dash off to the bar so I came home for a shower,” she says with a blush appearing high on her cheeks. I raise my eyebrows.
“Distracted, huh… Tom is very good at distraction—I’ll give him that.”
“He sure is. You coming in?”
“I just wanted to see if you were free at 5?”
“Free as a bird,” she tells me, tilting her head to the side, intrigue in her eyes.
“How would you fancy going to Tom’s bar for an early dinner?” I ask, and she nods excitedly.
“Ooooh yeah, I want to go and watch him mix drinks. Do you think I can convince him to dance while he makes me cocktails?” Her eyes widen as they twinkle with mischief.
“Er, there’s a bit of a catch though…” Her brows furrow as she quietly waits for me to continue. “It will be with my mum and dad. Is that okay?”
Her eyes go wide and her jaw drops. “You want me to meet your parents?”
“Er, yeah. Only if you want. They’ve met Tom—that’s why they suggested going to his place for dinner. But it would be cool if you could meet them too. I’m not sure what their reaction will be, but they are usually supportive, so I think it’ll be okay.”
She’s still frozen, looking astonished.
“Your parents?” she repeats her earlier question. “You’re going to tell them about us?”
“Yeah, I like giving them a shock every now and again, to keep them on their toes,” I joke.
She swallows slowly, as if she’s letting the information settle. “What should I wear?”
“It’s up to you, Cass. You’d look gorgeous in a sack. It’s pretty casual—no need to dress up. Do you want to come? You don’t have to. Have I overstepped?”
“No, no, not at all. Sorry, Jack. I’m just surprised. I didn’t know we were doing the family introductions thing.” She pauses for breath. “I’d love to come and meet your parents.”
“That’s settled then. Shall we walk down there? Leave about 4.30ish?”
“Sounds good. So you’re not coming in?”
“As much as I’d love to spread you out and devour you, Cass, I need to go and get sorted. But I can devour you after dinner if you like?”
She giggles. “Sounds good. I’ll see you in a bit then.” She blows me a kiss before shutting the door.
I head over to my flat and get my gym stuff in the wash. I’ve already showered at the gym, so I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t take Cass up on her offer to go in. I second guess my decision to come home for a moment. And then remember, I need to speak to Tom to reserve a table. I shoot him a text asking if he’s got a moment and my screen flashes with his incoming call.
“What’s up?” he asks by way of greeting.
“Hey, can I make a reservation at your place for an early dinner?”
“You gonna bring Cassidy?”
“Yeah… and ummm, my parents too,” I tell him, unsure why I’m stumbling over my words.
“Oh, wow,” he says quietly. I find it hard to pick up any inflection in his reply.
“Is that okay?”
“Of course it is, Jack. What time?”
“5 pm, if that’s okay. My parents want to eat early so they can head back up the road.”
“Table for four?”
I hesitate for a moment. “Maybe one with room for five, in case you can join us for a bit. If you’re not too busy.”
“Sure.” The cagey bastard is not giving anything away. I wish this was a video call so I can see the expression on his face. “It should be fairly quiet then. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat a whole meal, but I’ll try and come over for a drink if that works?”
“Sounds good.”
“Jack?” He says my name somewhat hesitantly.
“Yeah?”
“What are you going to tell them?”
“I want to tell them about the three of us being in a relationship.” I listen as he exhales a breath.
“Okay. I look forward to seeing you all soon. I gotta go—we’re restocking before it gets busy. You good?”
“Yeah, I’m good. See you soon.” I hang up and take a deep breath.
I can tell that I’ve surprised both Tom and Cass by wanting to tell my parents. But I can’t imagine keeping it a secret. Let’s see how it goes.
I’m dressed smart-casual in some denim shorts and a shirt. I chuck some aviators on top of my head before sliding my bare feet into loafers. I grab my keys, wallet, and phone before checking myself out in the mirror by the door. I stare for a moment before I head out, lock up, and over to Cass’s front door.
I knock lightly and hear her approach from the other side. She opens the door, wearing the yellow sundress she wore a while back when Tom and I paid her a visit at lunchtime. I lean against the doorframe and bite my lip.
“Fuck, Cass, I’m going to be thinking about eating you out all night.”
She looks faux-shocked but gives it away with a dirty giggle. “Do you need me to change?” she asks, lifting a brow as she pulls on a denim jacket.
“Nah, I’ll be good. It will give me something to daydream about if it all goes to pot.”
Her eyes widen. “Are you sure this is okay? You don’t have to tell them. I can just be your friend.”
“Cass, my parents are awesome. I want to show you off and for them to know you’re mine.” I lean in to kiss her lips. “Ready to go?”
She twirls around and I watch in admiration as her skirt billows out. She really is fucking radiant. I love it.
She gathers up a bag, which she pulls over her head to wear across her body. In goes her phone and lipstick. And then she’s stepping closer. I purposely hold my ground so that I can kiss her again before stepping back, giving her room to lock the door and pop her keys in her bag.
We stroll down to Tom’s bar together, hand in hand. It’s not far off autumn now, but it’s still light and warm in the evenings. We walk past the park and along to where Tom’s bar is nestled between a florist and a bakery. It’s in what would have been the little high street when this town was just a town and not connected to the big city. Now it’s a suburb of the city, but I still love this spot.
We make our way in and I recognise Abby behind the bar. I raise my hand with a wave as I look around for my parents.
“Hey Jack.” Abby comes up on her toes to give me a peck on the cheek. “Tom said you were coming in. And you must be Cassidy.” She turns to Cassidy with a big smile on her face.
“Yep, Abby?” Cass asks and I watch as the two girls hug.
“Oh, jeez. Whatever he’s said about me can’t possibly be true,” Abby laughs. “He’s put you at the best table in the house. Come on over.” She leads us to the table that sits in the bay window. It’s light and airy, with plenty of space for everyone around the round table. “You want me to bring you over some drinks?”
“Hey, no special treatment for this pair. They can order at the bar like everyone else,” Tom shouts as he approaches us from the back office.