Chapter 13
CHAD
“Ican’t believe this is my home!” I say to absolutely no one in the empty house.
I don’t know what Derek did, but he got all the paperwork sorted out with Phil this morning, and the company I paid a ton of money for next-day help has gone.
Phil said something about most of his stuff already being in South Carolina anyway, so he left me the furniture he didn’t want, and now, I’m going to spend my first night in my new house!
I hate that John isn’t here, but he had to actually go to work today.
Good thing he’s almost done for the day.
I walk around the giant mansion, taking it all in. The house feels massive now that I’m here all alone. It’s almost eerily quiet. Yesterday I was on such a high with John and Phil here with me, but now that it’s real, I’m a bit nervous.
There are seven dedicated bedrooms upstairs, and it’s not like I plan to have a bunch of kids or anything, so it’s probably unnecessary.
It’s weird to think about having so much space to myself.
Endless room for activities. I suppose I should pick up some more hobbies, but one room will definitely be a gym.
After exploring all the bedrooms, I find the biggest one and decide it’ll be my room.
I start bringing the boxes in from my car, and by the third trip, I feel like I’ve started a decent workout. I did bring in all our wedding merch, too. John isn’t here to tell me to put it away, and Blake and Liam are on their honeymoon, so no one can stop me.
At least until John’s brothers come over. Hmm, maybe best in the closet for now.
I really should’ve gone over to say hi at the wedding instead of dancing, but having John’s eyes on me was a treat. I couldn’t focus on anything but him and the way he watched me. I truly had no intention of stopping until he walked away.
My phone starts ringing, and for a moment I perk up, hoping it’s John, but it’s my mom.
“Hi, Mom!” I greet her, putting the phone on speaker.
“Chad, honey, how is it going? How’s the house?”
“You and Dad have to come and see it. It’s huge! It’s an old Victorian-style house, and it’s going to be so pretty when it’s all updated. The guy I’m dating, his brothers are contractors, so they can help. But I think it’s going to be a big project.”
“We can’t wait to come see it. How are things going with your mystery man?”
I chew on my lip as I consider what to say because I really don’t know how they’re going. On one hand, he gave me the best, most intense orgasm I’ve ever had in my entire life, but he’s also still very grumpy. I thought sex would get him to relax more than it did, but I’m still undeterred.
“Good, I think. We’re adjusting to being in the same place,” I say, which is true. “Just got to get a bit more settled. Last week was so busy with Blake’s wedding.”
“Your father and I texted him and sent him our gift. I hate that we had to miss it. We feel so bad, but with your father’s knee surgery, there’s just no way for him to sit in the car that long.”
“Don’t worry, Mom, he completely understood,” I reassure her.
“As soon as he’s better, we’ll plan a trip!”
“Good. I know I just left, but I miss you both so much already.”
“We miss you too, Chaddy. Send me pictures of the house and the progress, okay? We’re so proud of you for chasing your dreams.”
“I will, bye, Mom!”
“Bye, sweetie,” she says before hanging up.
Talking to my parents always makes me feel better.
I definitely grew up spoiled as an only child, and my parents pretty much let me get away with anything, but they’re also my best friends and so supportive.
It’s why Blake spent so much time at my house when we were kids.
Unfortunately, his parents were the opposite.
I head back downstairs, and there isn’t much to do, so I work out, but after about an hour with no equipment, I get pretty bored so I take a quick shower and make my way to the kitchen.
I realize I have nothing here, and I figure I might as well order some things online.
I fill up my cart with kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, and more, then realize I’m still going to have to go out for dinner because I can’t get food delivered here.
It’s a bit crazy, even to me, that I moved from NYC, where everything was right there at my fingertips, to a place out in the middle of nowhere that doesn’t even have a single food delivery app. This town really does feel like it’s twenty or so years behind, but I’m enjoying the change.
I start dialing John before I walk out the door so I can invite him out with me. I assume he’s almost finished with work.
“Hi, Chad,” John says dryly after a few rings.
“Hi, Hubby. I have nothing to eat here so I was going to go into town to pick something up. Do you want to come?”
John lets out a sigh on the other side of the phone. “I’ve got food at home I was planning to make for dinner.”
How did I marry someone so responsible?
“So, is that a no?” I clarify.
“That’s a no,” John confirms, but another idea springs up in my mind, because John said we couldn’t have sex two days in a row, and we didn’t last night, so today we definitely should.
“What if I get food for me and bring it over to your house? Then we can eat dinner together and maybe do other things!” I suggest hopefully, then I add more quietly, “My house is too big and scary to be all by myself.”
After a moment, he lets out what I can only assume is a huffed laugh. “Sure, Chad. I guess that’s fine.”
“Yay! I can’t wait. I’ll see you soon.”
I hang up the phone and nearly sprint to my car, so excited that I’ll be able to see John soon. I’ve missed him all day.
At least tomorrow I’ll be able to go to the farm during the day to help Wyatt and hang out with the animals while Blake and Liam are on some island in the middle of the ocean.
I’d planned to go to the same restaurant John and I went to last time, but I pass a sports bar and figure I’ll check it out.
I pull into the half-empty parking lot and walk into the building under the red neon sign.
The bar has TVs all over the walls with tables down both sides of the building and another row down the middle.
The hostess approaches me. “Hi there, how many?”
“Hello, I just wanted to order some food to go. Do you have a menu?”
“Sure thing, you can head up to the bar and Daisy will take good care of you.”
I thank her, then walk to the bar and pull out a stool to sit on. Sports are on every channel, and I’m in heaven. I wonder if Blake knows about this place? If not, I’m going to have to drag him here during football season.
Hockey playoffs are on, and it’s a close game in the third period.
I don’t particularly care for either of these teams, but it matters for advancement to the next round.
The woman whose name must be Daisy drops a menu for me to review, and I’m aware I need to focus, but I’m too busy watching the screen until a commercial comes on.
The menu is standard bar food, so I order two sandwiches to go, just in case John changes his mind and wants one.
“There’s no way they win this game. No way, bro,” I hear someone say as they approach the bar with two other guys.
They look a little familiar, maybe they were at the wedding, but I was so focused on John, and there were so many people, it’s hard to say for sure.
I’d guess they’re somewhere around my age, maybe. I’m kind of bad at that sort of thing.
“They have to, I need them to for my bets,” another one explains, and I can’t help but butt in as they pull up a chair.
“You guys Werewolves fans?”
“Nah, most people around here are pulling for the Griffins, but I want the Werewolves to win this one.”
“No, they can’t win. Let me have this one, come on,” the other guy complains.
I stick out my hand. “I’m a Dragons fan personally, just moved here from the city, my name’s Chad.”
“No way,” one of the guys says as he shakes my hand. “Why’d you move here?”
I should’ve thought about how I wanted to answer this question before I told them, because once again, I’m not sure what to tell people.
I shouldn’t say my husband lives here, for all I know, these could be some friends of Liam and Blake who I have yet to meet.
Oh, that could be a good excuse, actually.
“My best friend moved here with his husband over at Moore to Love Farms.”
“Blake?”
“Yes! Do you know him?”
“Sure, but also everyone knows about them from the show and his social media. His videos are hilarious. So are you the guy that gave the speech?” I nod, beaming as he says, “That was great. By the way, I’m Drew, and this is Mark and James.”
“Hey, man,” James, the one with a hat on says.
“Sup?” Mark nods. “We’re going to watch the rest of the game if you’re planning to stick around.”
Staying actually sounds great; how often will I get a chance to make new friends? I wonder if John will mind. I doubt it. I pull out my phone to text him.
Chad
Met some cool guys at the bar, I’m gonna hang with them for a bit then I’ll be over. Didn’t want you to worry ;)
“Yeah, I’ll stick around for a little. But you should know, I do want to see the Griffins lose,” I joke.
“That’s what I’m talking about, man!” Drew says. “I like this guy.”
I grin at the compliment. This place is amazing.
John
What guys? Where are you?
Look at John asking questions and caring about me.
Chad
The sports bar with the red sign above the door. Their names are Mark, Drew, and James.
“You want a beer?” Drew asks.
Briefly checking my phone, I see that John still hasn’t responded, but I also know I have a full day on the farm tomorrow and need to drive home. Plus I’m really hoping John and I can take things even further physically tonight.
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks, though.”
We watch the game, chatting more about hockey while I wait for my food.
I’m having a really good time, and I’m glad I decided to stop here for dinner.
Daisy sets down a bag with to-go containers in front of me with the check, so I pull out my card and set it down as I hear my new friends say, “Oh shit, what are you doing here?”
I turn toward the door and meet John’s glare.
He brushes them off completely, gaze locked on me. “You get your food?”
“Just waiting to pay,” I confirm. John picks my credit card up off the bill and throws down some cash instead, handing my card back to me. “Come on.”
“You should stop by the farm this week, guys! I’ll be there every day, but we’ve gotta go now!” I wave and smile as John leads me out the door with one hand on my lower back and the other holding my food. “Did you miss me that much?” I ask when we get outside.
“You can’t just hang out with strangers at the bar, Chad,” he mutters, avoiding my question.
“Why not? I live here now. How else am I supposed to make friends?”
John grumbles something incoherent and then asks, “Did you have anything to drink?”
“Only water while I waited,” I answer with a shrug. “They asked if I wanted a beer, but I said no.”
His shoulders seem to relax as he sighs. “Just… just meet me at my house, okay?”
“Okay! I’ll follow you,” I agree easily. I’m not sure what’s up with John’s reaction, but he came all the way to where I was, paid for our dinner, then hurried me along to get to his house faster. I couldn’t be happier as I climb into my car and follow him.
Even though Blake is far away right now, it feels like I’m sneaking around with John while keeping a huge secret from him.
I wonder if that’s how John feels about Liam.
I want to ask him if we can tell people we’re seeing each other now that the wedding is over, but I’m also so nervous with all the rules we have.
He said we’re not dating, so I’m guessing that means he isn’t ready to tell anyone.
The second we pull up at John’s house, I’m jumping out of the car. He still has my food and carries it inside as I follow.
“I missed you all day,” I tell him honestly.
“Well, I work all week every week. I can’t just hang out with you,” John reminds me.
“Maybe you could teach me how to do what you do, and I can come on jobs and help? Wouldn’t that be so much fun!” I say, lighting up at the idea.
“You can’t just become an electrician, Princess. It’s a long process with an apprenticeship and—”
“Ooh, I can be your apprentice! Add it to the rules of our arrangement,” I suggest, loving that idea. I bet we’d look great with matching tool belts. I’ll have to look into that, but right now, I have other priorities. “So, can we have sex now?”
John pinches his nose as he sets the to-go bag on the counter and lets out a sigh. “What the fuck am I going to do with you?”
“Anything you want,” I answer, waggling my eyebrows.
“Eat,” he instructs, opening the bag and taking my food out. He even places it in front of me.
“Yes, sir.” I sit where he wants me to and nod at the other sandwich. “I didn’t know if you’d be hungry, so I got a second order for you.”
“I ate already,” he dismisses, but he still sits with me.
I smile and take a bite, working on a plan in my head.
“All done,” I announce, pushing the food away.
“You literally ate one bite, Chad.”
“Yeah, I ate, so now I’m ready for the sex. Ravish me, Hubby, I’m ready for you.”