The boys nodded, but their expressions wereso closed off I wasn’t sure what they were thinking.
Wade must have wanted to clear up a fewthings because he kept going. “Austin has threatened him with utter ruin ifanything comes out. The only times he told us details about someone’s past waswhen there were rumors around them that hinted they’d been abusing someoneclose to them and a few things like that. We were not told anything about you.”
Turning to me, Wade chuckled. “I didn’teven know Griffin had put in an application or that he was the caterer.”
That had them giggling as the tensionbroke.
I shrugged. “Well, I didn’t even know whothe owner was, so that trumps not knowing I was there.”
He smiled. “I was really surprised at thenumber of people who took a chance and applied.”
“The grapevine in the community works prettywell, so rumors said the owner was someone who had a vested interest in keepingtheir name quiet, but that was about it.” I shrugged as he shook his head.
“I’m not sure I could’ve just randomlytrusted other people like that.” Wade smiled sheepishly. “I’d have worriedmyself sick.”
The boys chuckled and nodded.
I could understand where he was comingfrom. “There are holes in it though, which is how a few bad apples get by. Butoverall, it’s fairly reliable, and I think that’s one of the things that everyoneappreciates most about the club. Knowing the people there are safe makes thingsa lot easier.”
I chuckled. “Though it is odd seeing peopleyou already knew, but who you didn’t know were in the lifestyle.”
Wade laughed. “Yeah, I can understand that.”
Ari nodded. “Yeah, I like knowing that thepeople there would be safer to date than just finding guys online or inperson.”
He glanced over at Seth, who reached overand took Ari’s hand, squeezing it before letting go. Yeah, those two hadclearly had a few rough dates. Maybe it was time I took a more active role inkeeping them safe.
“But now that you’re going to be at theclub on a regular basis, that will be easier. Just make sure to talk withpeople before you get intimate with them.” They giggled, making me chuckle.“No, I’m not just talking about sex, but a really good scene is intimate and iseven better when you trust the person or people you’re with.”
Wade spoke up again. “And be honest aboutwhat you want, but trust your instincts. Don’t settle—wait for the right personto try new things with. Just because you know the person is safe doesn’t meanthey’re the right person to have a scene with.”
I nodded. “Yes. And if you want us to meetsomeone first, we’ll be happy to do that.”
Seth giggled. “Yes, Dad, we’ll bring ourdate home so you and Papa Wade can okay him.”
Ari sat up, grinning ear to ear. “Oh, thatmeans when they have kids we get to be big brothers.”
Seth nodded as his eyes got wide withexcitement. “Just like the regular kind of brothers. We’d be good at that.”
Oh goodness gracious.
I was trying to figure out a good way tochange the topic, but Wade spoke again, blushing but taking it in stride. “Ifyou two don’t behave, I’m going to sic Austin on your dates.”
They both groaned dramatically but wereclearly pleased with themselves.
Ari sighed. “But then we’ll have to getdates past Silas. I’m not sure that sounds like a good idea.”
Wade laughed. “He’s a mush. You just haveto give him big puppy dog eyes and he crumbles. Austin just loves it when he’sall gruff and grumpy, so he has no incentive to be nicer.”
The boys loved that, and I could see theirbrains working overtime on how to exploit that new bit of information. Wavingmy finger at both of them, I did my best to look stern. “Behave. I know thatlook.”
They just grinned.
Yep, I needed to work on my laying down thelaw face.
Even Wade giggled, so I shifted to him.“Hey, you’re going to be at the club later, so I’d watch your behavior if Iwere you.”
Wade’s cheeks pinked, but the boys justgave mock shivers and pretended to moon over me. Ari batted his eyelashes.“Pretend to be the grumpy Dom again, Daddy.”
