Page 17 of R for Rough

I didn’t miss them, but I did miss being happy.

I arrived earlier at work the next day because we’d had a lunch service today, and there wasn’t enough time to get the kitchen ready unless everyone helped out.

Coho’s lunch services came and went on a month-to-month schedule announced on Instagram, and it was only two or three days a week. We didn’t have enough staff for more than that. The lunch chef was good, as long as he didn’t go off-script.

Tracy seemed to be in a great mood, I noted. He wiped down the surfaces a final time and declared us ready while Adam and I went all in with food prep. We helped the cooks chop vegetables and prepare marinades, and?—

“Can I take my break at eight tonight?” Tracy asked, coming over to Adam’s station. “I’ll make sure Taylor can cover for me if we’re busy, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem. I checked thereservations, and we only have three at eight and one at eight-fifteen.”

“Go for it.” Adam really trusted the kid. “What happens at eight?”

“Madigan and Abel are having dinner here,” Tracy responded with a smile. “They’re bringing three friends from the East Coast, so I’m gonna meet them.”

That was interesting.

“I take it this is a kinky thing?” Adam guessed. “Just be careful. Iwillcall your mom if I think you’re taking too many risks.”

I snorted under my breath.

Tracy laughed. “Um,thanks? But I’m a grown man, and I’m not sure you know what kink means.”

“I know my own brothers,” Adam retorted, referring to Alex and Jameson. “If it weren’t for Madigan being there, I woulda sent in a rescue party for you and Abel.”

I rolled my eyes. Good thing he was mostly joking.

The lull in the service that occurred before eight o’clock worked for me too. Adam and I could both take our breaks, and he went into the kitchen while I ate my meal behind the bar. Where I could spy on Tracy joining Madigan and Abel.

Madigan and I got to exchange a few words too, when he ordered drinks at the bar.

“So who are the mystery friends from the East Coast?” I asked, biting into my burger.

Someone Tracy might play with?

“Tardy is what they are.” He checked his watch. “They were just gonna get settled at the inn…” He shrugged it off andreturned his attention to me. “They’re friends from DC—the Little and Abel got involved in kink together back in the day. You’ll meet them on Saturday. Colt’s a riot. You’ll like him. He’s a primal Daddy like you—Sadist, too. Lucas is also a Daddy, and Kit’s the li’l brat.”

So,notsomeone Tracy might play with?

“Are they a closed triad?” I pressed.

I was a fucking dumbass.

Madigan smirked. “Why, you interested, buddy?”

I threw him alookand chewed my food.

“Yeah, they’re closed,” he chuckled.

Okay. Cool.

Good.

“How long’s your break?” he asked next. “I’d be happy to introduce you now—when they show up.”

No, Saturday was better. “I can’t really leave the grill. I’ll just be over here studying Tracy in the wild.”

That was honest enough.

Madigan lifted his brows before a lazy smile took over. “I’ll be damned. Abel’s rooting for you two.”