Page 15 of Twice the Problems


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“I can’t move.”

Dodge laughed at the genuine exhaustion in Salem’s voice. “It looks like Salem has chosen.”

A low rumble of sexy laughter vibrated from Quest. “That’s fine. Fewer stairs means I can save my cardio for you two.”

Dodge felt Salem shake with silent laughter. Hecouldn’t stop smiling. Dodge honestly hadn’t thought this dream would come true. He knew it would take work to keep it. Dodge had never looked more forward to a challenge in his life. Whatever it took. He wouldn’t lose these men.

Chapter Six

Salemtriedforthethird time to tie his bow tie. Dodge kept making a mess of it. A growl rose in Salem’s throat. One thing he loved so much about Quest and Dodge was they were giant kids. They made him laugh and allowed his shoulders to relax. Times like now wasn’t one of those times.

“Seriously, Dodge. You have to stop. Shaw will be here any second.”

Quest curled his lip and looked away.

Dodge bounced on the bed. “Why do you have to go? You should be here with us.”

Salem couldn’t say, really. He just had to see this through. For one night, he had to show the upper crust he wasn’t hiding from them. He just didn’t like them. He went with the easier truth.

“I told Shaw I’d go. He knows it’s just as friends, and I can’t abandon him on such short notice. No one wants to face the sharks alone.”

“Do you want us to go?”

At Dodge’s question, Quest joined the conversation. “We could get dressed and meet you there. You don’t have to do this with just Shaw.” The way Quest said Shaw’s name left no doubt he didn’t like the guy.

“No.” Salem felt strongly about this. “I’m doing this with Shaw because it’s bad enough I’m doing this. There’s no way I’d subject you to those people, and Quest, you know your mom will be there. You don’t want to deal with that. I promise I won’t stay long. Dinner. A few drinks. I’m out the door.”

Dodge pouted for half a second before Salem had to fix it.

“Besides, this gives you two a few hours to move your stuff down here.”

Dodge immediately brightened. “That’s true.”

“We could order pizza, I guess,” Quest muttered under his breath, sounding like a moping child.

Salem shook his head. He knew he should find the words to make this right, but he didn’t know what to say. Before he could try, the doorbell rang. “Well.” He took a breath. “Here I go.” Salem headed for the door.

Quest stood and blocked his path. “Unh uh. Nope. You’re not leaving here without a proper goodbye.” Salem went up on his toes and swiped a quick kissacross Quest’s lips.

Quest grabbed his waist and took the kiss he wanted, stealing his breath and scattering his thoughts.

“My turn.” Dodge practically pounced the moment Quest released him. His kiss was a bit more playful but still had Salem regretting his decision to leave.

Quest moved from blocking the bedroom door. “Okay. Now you can go. We love you. Be good.”

Salem smiled at the fatherly speech. “I love you two too. Both of you behave while I’m gone.” The innocent smiles he received in return did not set him at ease. Salem truly did not want the two subjecting themselvesto society on his behalf. He made his way to the front door, ready to get this over with. Salem was going soft. He should have told Shaw to get fucked. It had only been a week since Quest and Dodge had begun their new lives as his nightly bedmates. He shouldn’t risk everything on whatever kept driving him in the opposite direction from them.

He opened the door to a very sexy Shaw. While the guy was always dressed to impress, this was different. He came to slay. Salem couldn’t help but smile. He appreciated beauty as much as the next person. “Hey. You clean up nice.”

Shaw’s smile grew. Laughter flashed in his eyes. “You too. Are you ready to do this?”

With a nod, Salem stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind him before the boys burst outside like overactive guard dogs. They made their way down the front steps.

“Really, though. You look amazing.”

At Shaw’s compliment, Salem looked his way with a smile. Shaw wasn’t quick at hiding his hunger. Salem swallowed a groan. Every time he spent time with Shaw, it felt like a mistake. He was great… for someone else. The guy was a full-ass adult with a good job and his shit together. Hewas a gentleman. Someone out there would hit the lottery in him, but Salem had already scored big. He didn’t need more.

Still, he needed to keep things light. “You too, seriously. I can tell you pulled out all the stops. Tonight must be important to you for some reason.”