I’m in the gym with Steve, so if you come down naked, he’ll stare at you, and I’ll have to defend your honor and punch him in the nose a mere week before he’s supposed to get married stateside.
Since Ethan, his half-Canadian husband-to-be, plays hockey, this will reprise the Treacherous Canadian Ice Feud of the households akin to the Montagues and Capulets, but with better pancakes.
Speaking of, I’ll make you some as soon as I’m done. In the meantime, since you have a long weekend, pack a bag. I have a surprise for you.
-CC
I’m reminded by the things he says and does that even I fall into the trap of his greatest acting skill—duping people into believing he’s just another stupid actor. He plays that part to protect what’s left of his sanity and because he’s shy. But he’s not an idiot—unless he’s horny. He reads, follows politics more than most of us who were born in the US, and loves to learn or try new things.
It doesn’t matter if he’s the goofy idiot who wants to play, or a nerdy guy with his nose shoved in a book. I love them both.
I shower, pack a few things, and stop as the black bag sitting in the closet catches my eye. With a wicked grin, I crouch next to it, pulling out a few toys, and tucking the bag away again when I’m done. I hide everything I picked out in the bottom of my travel bag. He’s not the only one who enjoys surprising people.
They’re just coming in from the garage when I head downstairs. Chase tries to hug me, but I duck out of his reach and make him chase me around the living room while Steve yells about him having too much post-workout energy. I finally grab a pool towel and throw it at Chase before I race out to the patio and shut the door behind me.
“Don’t you dare! You’re all sweaty and I already showered!”
“Without me? Aww. Besides, you like it when I’m all hot and bothered for you!” he yells through the glass door before flashing me a pouty face, batting his eyes like a cartoon character. “Come on, beautiful.”
“Promise me, no grabbing or hugging!”
“Fine. Come in here and properly meet Steve since his bitch ass didn’t show last night.”
“What?! I promised Lala I’d be there, bro!”
I’m cautious as I slide the door open, but I give in when Chase holds up the towel with a shrug. He wraps it around me so he can give me a hug without covering me with sweat. “Fuck, you smell incredible. You get my note, Sunshine?”
“I did, Puppy. What’s the surprise?”
“Tell you later, but not till I have to.” He turns to Steve, who I’m pretty sure has been staring at my ass the whole time. I didn’t expect his sheepish grin from all the stories I’ve heard about him and his reputation. We’ve met already, but only in quick passing as he’s coming into the house and I’m leaving.
I thought Chase had muscles until now, because standing here and staring at Steve? I could do this all day. He’s built like a fucking truck and more. Chase has better hair and a better smile, and if I’m being honest, I hope he never has to get my Chase that big. But Steve’s still fun to stare at. I’m sure he thinks the same about my ass.
“Hi, I’m Steve,” he chokes out nervously before adding, “I have a boyfriend.”
“Husband,” Chase corrects.
“Only in Italy.”
“That’s not how that works, dumbass. Now, stop ogling my girl or I’ll tell Ethan. And Dev.” Chase smacks him hard in the arm, making him wince and pulling his eyes away from me.
“I swear, I’m not! Wait, did you just call me a bitch ass because I went to my husband’s game instead of being here?”
“Steve has made progress in his recovery fromfucking anything that walkssyndrome. In fact, he’s so busy with his recovery—which I think—involves a lot of sex with his husband, he hasn’t even had time to meet my damn girlfriend,” Chase explains to me, smiling and teasing Steve the entire time. “I’m sure Dani told you about him, right?”
“She has, but I’ve also heard a lot about you from Jamie, Lexi, Chase, and Devin. So, don’t worry, I’m sure you’re nothing like anything they said. Are you staying for breakfast?”
“Yes, he is. Come on, Stevie. Gimme a hand in the kitchen, yeah? Ren, you’re the best, baby.” He tosses the towel aside and picks me up, spinning me around while he kisses me and I scream at him. He ignores me. “Oh no! Now you need another shower! With me this time. Two-person minimum, remember?”
I’ve learned that Chase’s group of friends all have unique bonds between each other—even Dani. With Jamie, Chase behaves the most like himself, but with the others, he’s picked up a part of their personality and made it his own when they’re near. Steve gives him an equal amount of shit talking back, and even smacks him in the back of the head a few times for good measure. I sit back and watch the two clowns. It’s better than those reality shows Mama watches.
“So,” I interrupt after a low dig by Chase. “You have a husband, but you’re getting married again?”
“Yeah. Fucking crazy, right? I mean, I tried teaching Chase here the art of the playboy life—no offense. He sucked at it. Anyway, I met Ethan at one of Chase’s parties about a year and a half ago. It got off to a shaky start, but I got him to say yes. We got married in Italy last month while Lala—uhh, Ethan—had a break for the All-Star game. We thought about waiting for the off-season, but his folks are in town for the Boston games, so it works out.”
“That’s so sweet, having two weddings.”
“Did you pack your bag?” Chase asks before slamming his coffee back.
