Joining the Party (7 page)

“You said you had all day off!” Alex stomped his foot.

But Ham was already out the door.

“What’s with him?” Monty asked. “Think there might be a girl among those new recruits? You can ask your sister.”

“She never tells me anything. She’s not a gossip. But he’s there more and more.” Alex shook his head.

“He’s a workaholic. Ham takes the fire station seriously. He always had to be unique. Not satisfied with the normal or fitting in.” Dom hoped Ham found a girl who made him as crazy and obsessed as he was with his job.

Cassie wasn’t a new factor. Dom had been hit by the thunderbolt the first time he’d seen her. They’d had lots of little conversations, neighborly, flirting and casual, but nothing more. Now, he had to find a way to hold onto her so this could grow.

“Five hours until game time. Let’s hit the grocery store.” Monty nodded to Alex.

“Sure. Dom, you need anything?” Alex asked.

“What?” Dom shook out of his fog. Five hours.

“Need anything from the grocery store?” Monty waved the list.

“No, I’m good.” Dom didn’t care about food now.

Alex propped his hand on his hip. “You better take off that Saints shirt before she gets here.”

“Why? It’s game day. She wore it for an hour at most.” And it smelled like her from last night. It was the only thing keeping him from going next door right now and just kissing her. If he had work or something to occupy him now, he could distract himself. But on a Sunday, he was stuck.

“You’re going to scare her off. I want this to work as much as you do.” Monty punched his brother’s shoulder.

“Diet soda,” Dom said. “I’ve seen her drink it. We don’t have any.”

“Sure, good thing we’re going to the store.” Monty added it to the list.

They left, but Alex poked his head back in. “Stay here. Vacuum or something.”

Dom went in search of the vacuum. It was all he could handle for now, and she was a guest. They needed to keep a nice house. Plus he’d have a nice view out the back to see if Cassie came over early. She had family and friends to visit, and Sunday was the traditional day to do that. Dom knew her world couldn’t revolve around him and his family. But he looked forward to game time for more than football.

* * * *

When Dom heard a car pull up in the driveway, he knew something had changed. Sometimes, they invited friends over for a game, but no one would do that when Cassie was coming. Ham’s half-time comment had them all thinking dirty things.

Looking out the front window, he saw a funky old VW bug painted silver with
Jessica’s Salon
on the door. Cassie got out of the passenger side and Jessica, the popular salon owner who happened to be Cassie’s cousin, got out of the driver’s side. Jessica also happened to be biracial, but that didn’t mean much to Dom. She and Cassie were reportedly inseparable growing up in Lucky Springs, and Alex’s reports were thorough.

“Change of plans, extra company,” Dom said.

Alex walked up and glanced outside. “Great. I love Jessica!”

“Think it’s kinky or approval?” Monty asked.

“Not kinky. Not this soon. And Jessica has never been to a party. Two of her stylists are gay, and they say she’s pretty straight-laced. Gay friendly and all that, but like Cassie, very aware of her reputation and who she sees. She’s on the Creole side of the family, but their grandmother didn’t approve of girls running wild.”

Dom looked at Alex.

Alex shrugged. “If you went to the salon instead of shaving your own head, you’d hear these things. Besides, the gay network talks. Her stylists would love to bring her to a party but it’s a hard subject to bring up at work even if they’re friends.”

“So Cassie’s running us by the family and putting us on the spot.” Ham laughed. “I like her more and more.”

“That fast?” Dom muttered.

“Her cousin lives in Lucky Springs and owns a business here. Jess is here twenty-four-seven. The salon is a fixture. If she doesn’t know about our parties, it proves we can keep a secret. I think it’s all good for us, big brother.” Monty patted Dom’s shoulder and opened the door as they ladies stepped onto the porch.

Everyone exchanged greetings, and Dom felt more at ease when Cassie hugged him—she hugged all of them. It meant she wasn’t putting up a wall.

Alex ushered them into the living room, and Cassie sat to one side of the couch. Jessica sat next to her, keeping any of the men from getting too close. Without knowing what Cassie had told her cousin, Dom decided to play it cool.

“Can I get you some drinks?” Monty offered. “Sweet tea, light beer or diet soda?”

“Sweet tea, please,” Jessica said.

“Diet soda.” Cassie smiled.

Dom grabbed some beers for the guys and sat in the chair on the side of the couch where he was nearest Cassie. Ham grabbed the recliner while Alex sprawled on the loveseat. Once Monty delivered the beverages to the ladies, he joined his boyfriend. It was all very orderly.

“Must be nice to have Cassie back, Jessica,” Monty said.

“Absolutely. We need to tie her down or something. I’m always worried she’ll get hurt on those stories.”

“There’s no danger. I’m just documenting things.” Cassie sipped her soda.

“No danger? Katrina scared me from up here. It was like a war zone.” Jessica shook her head. “You need to stay put.”

Dom agreed but didn’t want to be the pushy guy. That spirit of adventure is no doubt what made her so open and natural with four men in her.

“I’m right here, just fine.” Cassie rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who said there were no good men left in Lucky Springs.”

“I think we should be offended.” Ham winked at Dom.

Monty jumped in before Dom could reply. “Wait, what about that guy who shows up every six months or year and you take a week off work?”

“That’s right! Jessica’s high school boyfriend. Frank. Very sexy.
Very
successful. You two still get hot and heavy?” Alex nudged Monty. “I think she’s waiting him out.”

Jessica shrugged. “I don’t think it’ll work. I keep hoping he’ll settle down here after all his success. But he keeps having another deal or whatever. What can’t you do with a home office these days?” She squeezed the lemon into her tea.

“A good home office and you’d have everything,” Dom agreed.

Cassie’s cheeks pinked up a bit, but she kept her eyes on her cousin. “You don’t have to stay here forever. Nothing says you can’t go visit him sometimes if you’re both on the same level for commitment and a future. Compromise happens.”

“How can I be sure? Since high school, we’ve only had stolen weeks together. Sure we email and call, but his ambition always came first. His family was dirt poor so I understand why, but half the time, he brings his best friend and business partner to town so I feel like I’m in the way or ignoring him.”

“Ham’s single,” Monty piped up.

“No, he’s as obsessed with his career as Frank. Always running off to the fire station.” Dom cleared his throat. “I think she’d want someone a little more regular.”

He knew the look in Jessica’s eyes. The only thing keeping her from being one hundred percent sure was the distance her man kept between them. It didn’t take lots of time to fall in love. But people changed over the years, and she needed more. The right person had found her, but he had to make a sacrifice, too. He had to show her those feelings.

Maybe Cassie had trouble there as well. Jessica probably wanted a normal life while some small town kids craved getting out. But love and family was a package deal and required compromise. Dom couldn’t offer Cassie a normal life, bi brothers included and Ham on the side. Blood was thicker than anything in the south. She’d understand that, but would Cassie want to live with it?

Jessica held up a hand. “Enough of my drama. He didn’t show last week anyway, and he was due in. So it might be over. We can still email and call but just be friends. It’s fine. I like it here. This is my home, and I don’t need to travel all over to sit in a hotel room while he has meetings. I’d rather do hair.”

“Amen. Do what you love. You don’t need to give it all up for a man. The right one won’t change you.” Alex leaned on Monty.

“Let’s save solving all the romantic problems of Lucky Springs until halftime. The game is about to start, and we need to put out the food.” Monty grabbed Alex’s hand and dragged him off the couch.

“They’re so cute,” Jessica said.

Cassie nodded.

Dom wondered what Cassie thought of him.

Chapter Four

Cassie was still trying to get a grip on her new life. For the past week, she’d puttered with photo projects that didn’t really grab her and caught up with old friends. In the evenings, she had dinner next door and spent the night in a fantasy sex world.

Tonight as they cleaned up, however, Dom brought up something that had been nagging at her. “So how’s the photo project going?”

“It’s not really. I can’t get the one idea out of my mind to work on the rest.” She didn’t want to get graphic. One week wasn’t enough time to ask two men if she could photograph them in sexual and romantic poses.

“The one we want to volunteer for?” Alex hugged Monty.

Cassie snapped a dishtowel at Dom. “You told them?”

“Secrets don’t work in this lifestyle or arrangement. Yes or no, at least, you’ll be able to move on with that project. They’re not the only interracial couple in town.” Dom pulled her close and soothed her with a kiss.

She wasn’t sure if he meant they were a couple or not. There were plenty of couples who fit the profile, but she felt as if she were dating three men, well three and a half. Ham’s presence was random at best, but she respected his work devotion. Cassie had sacrificed for her job for so long. Maybe this was her burn out? There was no itch to get back on the road yet.

Either way, Dom was right. Secrets with this many people involved would only bring trouble. “Okay, you’re right. No secrets. So are you two interested. I won’t shoot your face or any genitalia. Tasteful. It’s all about the connection and passion, so kiss or whatever you feel.”

Monty smiled at Alex. “We’re in. And don’t worry, if you get shots of our faces or dicks. We’ll keep those for our fun.”

“When can we do this?” Alex asked.

“Whenever you want. Tonight?” She hadn’t really expected it, but the potential triggered a rush of creativity like she’d never had before. “Wherever you want. Your bedroom works. White sheets. I’ll get my camera and some lighting.”

“I’ll help!” Dom followed her.

Half an hour later, they had even draped a white sheet over the headboard to give a backdrop effect. She had the lighting set, and two naked men in love, who she was seriously falling for, were ready to take a chance on her.

“Ready?” Alex already had his shirt off and was undoing his belt.

“Whenever you are.” She picked up her camera and waited for the right shots.

“I’ll leave you guys.” Dom smiled at her.

“Why? You’ll have a sex party but don’t want to watch them?” she teased.

“I don’t need to watch them. You like it. Plus I’ll get in the way. The room isn’t huge.”