“Not outgoing? That surprises me since you had a full on prank war. The poppers under the doormat was amazing by the way. You should have seen Jasper freaking out,” he said, cackling before giving us a reenactment of the flailing Jasper had done. It was the perfect way to ease the tension, all of us cracking up and becoming easy friends.
By the time we got into Port Grayson Jax was already starting to feel like a friend, though I could feel my anxiety rising at the prospect of going to the club and dancing surrounded by tons of strangers.
I took in the sights of the bigger town as we rode towards the Chinese place that Leo eats at whenever he comes up this way. The town was bigger than Echo Bay, but not a big city like Seattle or Portland. The streets had less hometown charm and more chain stores with people bustling in different directions. The constant moving of the city made me feel twitchy, but I tried to take calming breaths. We are here for Jax to take his mind off of last night. I can do this. Not letting my anxiety get the best of me I turned to focus on Leo and Jax who were deep in conversation, though for the life of me I didn’t know what it was about.
Luckily I didn’t have to wonder long since the Uber came to a stop a minute later.
“We’re here.” The brisk voice of the driver jolted Jax and Leo out of their conversation with Leo handing the Uber driver a tip as we got out of the car.
“Thanks for the ride man!” Leo called out and the driver gave him a smile then drove off to pick up another fare I assumed.
“All right boys, get ready for the best Chinese food you’ve ever had! I mean it isn’t pizza, but I’m sure you will like it. It’s just a block over into the shopping area.”
I chuckled at him, poking fun at the trope in gay romance books where couples always have pizza or Chinese food. Why couldn’t they at least go for BBQ or tacos? Everyone loved tacos, and if they didn’t, something was fucking wrong with them. Jax just seemed confused and I gave him a small smile. “If you want, ask Leo, but be prepared he’ll get on a roll.”
Jax looked toward Leo who had started off ahead of us and shook his head. Falling into step beside each other I looked at him. “I’ll tell you later, when it’s just us. Trust me, you want the short version.”
That made him chuckle, but it seemed we were lucky since Leo wasn’t paying attention to figure out what we both started laughing about. This was nice, getting out and making new friends. I’ve realized since I started talking with Jasper that I had Leo and my business, but that was it. I needed more friends and even with my anxiety I could have friends. Using my work schedule as an excuse wasn’t something I could really accept anymore.
Leo abruptly turned to us and inserted himself in-between myself and Jax before throwing an arm around each of our shoulders.
“Here we are! Time to feast!”
His excitement was infectious and soon we found ourselves both laughing at some crazy story of Leo’s. My lo mein arrived along with Jax’s sweet and sour chicken and Leo’s shrimp fried rice. I wrinkled my nose at the shrimp but he just laughed at me. I grabbed the chopsticks the waitress left on the table and broke the sticks apart so I could start eating.
“You know how to use chopsticks? I’ve wanted to try, but could never figure it out.”
I looked over at Jax at that and gave him a smile. “I can show you, if you want. It does take practice though.”
At the offer to show him he grinned at me like it was Christmas morning. “I’d love that.”
“Okay break them apart. Now roll them to get any splinters off of them.”
Then I reached over to show him the proper way to hold them and soon enough he was making a fine first attempt at using them to eat. All the while Leo dug into his food with a fork.
“I don’t know why you make it so hard on yourselves when you could have been halfway done by now.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Some people want to learn new things.”
Jax just laughed at us. “You guys sound like a bickering married couple.”
“We’ve been friends for too long for that to work,” we replied at the same time, which made all three of us break out in laughter. The rest of the dinner was filled with stories, jokes, and laughter. Jaxtyn didn’t share too much but he seemed to relax just being in our company.
“So are we still going dancing after this?” I asked Leo hesitantly and both he and Jax gave me a look.
“Yes! You need to loosen up and have fun. So first things first I’ll settle the bill here and then shots. Dancing will happen soon after that.” Leo stood to go pay at the front and I looked over to find Jax studying me.
“You don’t want to dance?”
I sighed at his question and give him a rueful look. “I like dancing, sometimes, but I’m not very good at it. But it’s mostly because I’m not a big crowd person, most of the time.”
He gave me a small nod. “I’m not either. But it can be energizing to be around the right crowd.”
I considered his words and the man who said them. “You’re right.” I nodded. “Let’s make this a night to remember.”
A mischievous look filled his eyes as he leaned toward me. “We should let Jasper in on it.”
“That’s what photos and videos are for. Besides, you laughing, drinking, and dancing in a gay bar. Jasper is going to love that you’re having a good time.”
I thought about it and gave him a single nod. “You’re right. He’ll love that I’m having fun. I’ll just have to let him know we’ll have an Uber and when I get home safe or he’ll send the sheriff over to make sure I got back all right.”
Leo overheard me as he came back to the table. “Fuck yeah. You think he could send him my way? I have plenty he could check over.”
I rolled my eyes at him but I noticed that Jax looked a little flushed. Not wanting to make him uncomfortable I didn’t mention it.
“Alright, well you promised drinks Leo. Time for you to pay up.”
Leo smiled at my enthusiasm and I grabbed Jax’s arm as Leo pulled me out of the booth. “Let’s go then!”
We left the restaurant and walked down another block to get to the only gay bar in Port Grayson, Waves. The outside had a pride flag flying, pounding music spilling out onto the streets, and people waiting in line to get in. There were small outside heaters for people to huddle around as they waited to get in, which was good since December was fully settled in by now. Not having brought a hat or gloves with me I made sure to stand as close as possible when we got close to one as we waited.
Thirty minutes later we made it inside and the difference in temperature had my glasses fogging up. Letting Leo and Jax lead the way, I pulled my glasses off so I could wipe the condensation, taking in the scene when I could see again. Not a big drinker, I let Leo order my drinks, plus he was paying so I didn’t mind just having what he ordered.
“All right! Here’s to a friends’ night out and many more to come.” Leo shoved a shot glass at me and Jax then turned with his own glass in hand. “Cheers!”
“I’m up for that.” I gave a smile at both of them.
Jax looked us both over with a quizzical look. “Friends?”
“Yeah I hate to break it to you,” Leo threw an arm around Jax’s shoulders. “You’re stuck with us now. We’ve claimed you as one of our own.”
Jax gave us both a large grin. “To friends then.”
At that we all threw back the shot. It was far from our last one of the night. Before long I was five shots deep and had a beer in hand when Jax grabbed my phone from the small table we had managed to snag as a group was leaving.
“I think we should send Jasper a picture!” he yelled over the music.
I tipsily nodded. “Okay.” The movement had me stumbling a little bit into Leo on my other side. Shit, I’m such a lightweight.
“Dude, you gonna be okay over there?” Leo pushed back at me slightly, sending me teetering in the other direction.
“Just going
to send a pic to Jasper to show we are having a good time. You want in?”
Leo looked at me with a large smile. “Hell yeah. Let me take the pic, I have a longer reach.”
Jax handed him the cell and we all gathered together to snap a group photo and I took it from him to send the picture to Jasper.
Ezra: Friends night in Port Grayson!
It wasn’t long before I felt my phone buzz against the table.
Jasper: Looks like you guys are having fun? Dinner and dancing?
Ezra: I’m not a big dancer, but I’ve had enough drinks that Leo will probably rope me out onto the dance floor.
I was grinning at our conversation when Leo himself started trying to drag me out to the dance floor. “All right, lover boy. Come focus on us since we’re here! Dancing time!”
I laughed at his dramatics and slipped my phone into my front pocket before I slipped Jax between myself and Leo on the dance floor. The beat of the music flowed between us as we danced the night away, getting lost in the flow and laughter as we kept our promise to keep strangers away from Jaxtyn.
By the time we decided we should head back to Echo Bay, it was almost closing time. Leo opened the app to get an Uber as we all went to the bathroom one last time. The bartender let us wait inside until the Uber pulled up and we called out a goodbye and stumbled out to the car as it pulled up.
We poured ourselves into the backseat and within minutes of driving Jax and Leo were both asleep beside me. I chuckled and pulled out my phone carefully to see that I had missed messages from Jasper.
Jasper: I hope you think about me.
Jasper: Actually no, don’t think about me. I don’t need you getting a boner dancing with some stranger.
Jasper: Now I want to punch this random stranger I’ve conjured up. You’re killing me.
Jasper: Damn. Now all I can think about is you dancing and that’s hot as fuck.
A few hours later
Jasper: Let me know when you make it home safe. I don’t care how late it is.
I was planning on letting him know anyway after him wanting to make sure I made it upstairs safely the other night, but the texts had me feeling warm inside and I could feel the flush on my cheeks. I had a feeling I was starting to fall for the caring man behind the pranks and I didn’t know how to feel about that given the playboy vibes he always gave off.
Lost in thought about Jasper, I jolted when the driver pulled to a stop in front of my bakery. I gave him a nod as I saw him look back at us in the backseat.
“All right, guys. We’re at my place. Let’s get moving.”
I try to nudge them awake and Leo brushed me off with an annoyed mumble but Jax immediately woke.
“Help me get Leo out of the car? Between the two of us we should be able to get him up the stairs and on the couch.”
Jax nodded sleepily and we set about getting Leo out of the car carefully. We did manage to get him up the stairs, but with Leo being taller than both of us, it was a challenge. We dropped him on the couch and I looked toward Jax. “You can crash here with Leo or on the chair here, if you want. I also have plenty of room in the bed with me if you want to crash there instead?”
Jax eyed me, contemplating what I said. I waited, giving him a chance to think, “The chair should be fine,” he answered softly.
“All right. Blankets are in the basket beside the chair, throw one on Leo for me?”
I turned and walked down the hallway to my room, slowly undressing as I heard Jax shuffle around and then settle. Walking into my bathroom, I pulled out Tylenol and took two with a glass of water. I’d be thankful for that when I woke up.
Padding back out to the bedroom I flopped down on top of the bed, the exhaustion from tonight and being around crowds hitting me all at once. That’s when I remembered I was going to text Jasper. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table where I had set it to charge.
Ezra: Settled into bed now. Had to get Leo up the stairs.
Not even a minute later I heard a ding.
Jasper: Good. And I could have helped if you needed it.
Ezra: Jax helped me, so we were good.
Ezra: But thanks.
Jasper: So did you think about me when you danced?
Ezra: You told me not to remember? Besides, how could I think of you while I’m dancing with Leo and Jax?
Jasper: Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be? I have competition.
Ezra: Well, Leo did buy me dinner and drinks…
Ezra: But I’m texting you as he and Jasper sleep off the drinks in the other room.
Jasper: So I win?
Ezra: I’m holding off judgment.
Jasper: For?
Ezra: Our date got interrupted the other day. I’m waiting until we cash in our rain check.
Jasper: You’ve got yourself a deal.
Jasper: And don’t worry… I’ll exceed your expectations ;)
Ezra: So cocky
I was smiling by the end of our exchange and fell asleep to some wicked dreams of what Jasper might have planned for our next date and the dessert afterwards.
Jasper
Today was Sunday, which meant family dinner with the Kings. Gideon and Claire would be there, along with my nieces, but Emily was still off in New York. She fled Echo Bay as soon as she turned eighteen and hadn’t looked back. We were lucky if we got to see her on Christmas.
I let out a sad sigh as I pulled up outside of the quaint house I grew up in. It was a standard ranch style home, the shutters and door a soft blue. He even still had my mom’s favorite garden gnome and wind chime decorating the front. It was like stepping through a time warp. I knew before walking inside that nothing had changed from last weekend, just like it hadn’t changed in the last few years.
Gideon’s voice drifted through the house as soon as I stepped inside, going on and on about some idiot at work. He was only two years younger than me, but other than his crystal blue eyes, we could pass as twins. Though I had a few inches and more than a few pounds of muscle on him. That’s where our similarities ended. He was passionate and intense as much as I was laid back. He was more of a numbers guy, where I preferred working on running a business.
“Hey, Gid. Dad,” I greeted as I walked in, heading straight for the fridge and the cold beer I knew I’d find inside. I sat down at the small farmhouse style table and watched them for a moment. As soon as Gideon stopped yammering on, Dad turned to me with intense eyes.
“How is your boy?” he asked, the term making me pause for a second before I realized he meant Jax. I kept my laughter to myself, because Jax definitely gave off that whole kinky, Daddy’s boy vibe, and Leo already pegged my dad as a Daddy.
“He wasn’t good when I talked to him that night. He tried to fuckin’ apologize to me,” I started, my anger seeping through. I took a quick swig of my beer to ground myself. Dad growled at the apology thing, surprising me. Helping Jax that night must have gotten under his skin. I couldn’t blame him, Jax had a way of making you want to protect him.
“He had nothing to apologize for. That bastard is the one who needed to apologize,” he finally added, his voice clipped and forced.
“I couldn’t agree more, and I told him as much. But he seemed to be doing better last night. He went out with Ezra and Leo last night; I got pictures from the dance floor. Ezra told me they poured themselves in after closing time.” A smile spread across my face as I remembered our text exchange.
“Good,” was all Dad said. Gideon, who was staying quiet as we went back and forth, finally chimed in.
“Is he that little queer that works at your bar?” Gideon asked, his lips curling with a hint of disgust. Before I could even say anything, Dad reached over and smacked him on the back of the head. A surprised chuckle escaped me and I had to hide it with a cough.
“You don’t talk about people like that. Your momma taught you manners, you best remember them in my house,” he growled, his deep voice thundering in the small dining area.
“Yes, sir,�
� Gideon mumbled, looking like a properly chastised child. Just then, Claire and her girls, Allie and Lexie came in like a tornado. She swept in after the girls, who came in screaming and launching themselves at their ‘Gwampa.’ I grinned as they turned their attention to me, ignoring Gideon.
“How are my favorite girls?” I asked, kissing one on the head before the other. “You been driving Mama crazy?”
“No…” Allie trailed off before they both dissolved into laughter, knowing damn well they pushed her buttons.
“I just got notice that he’s gonna be gone for another month,” Claire complained, flopping onto the empty chair next to me and resting her head on my shoulder.
“We’ve got you, Claire,” I reminded her, but I also knew her stubborn ass wouldn’t even let us know if she was struggling. “Let me watch the girls soon and you can have a day off and nap or something.”
“No, sleep isn’t the issue. I’m just tired of being alone,” she said with a sigh that broke my heart in two.
“Ian will be back before you know it, and isn’t he out soon? This is his last deployment?” Dad asked, his voice soothing as he reached over and ruffled her hair, earning a scowl and laughter from her.
“So he says. He also told me that four years ago before he signed back on,” she said, defeated. “He says he doesn’t know who he is without the Army. I just wish he’d take a chance to find out.”
“Well, I’d tell him how you feel. Be honest about how hard it is without him here and how much his girls need him. Maybe he just needs to hear it again,” I tried and she waved me off, her eyes getting misty.
“New topic. How about we talk about Jas and his new hottie. He’s got that whole sexy nerd vibe going on,” she said, my mouth dropping open.