Page 42 of Subtracting the Heart

“Of course, I’ll help, Jax, but you’ve got the perfect partner standing right there in that shower. Remember the wizardry he worked with your contract with Stan? We just gotta keep him out of jail.”

Jax remembered what Tony had said on the plane. “That might not be as hard as we once thought. Seems Kenneth Shaw has left the country with all the donations people contributed to the shelters. Someone’s called the cops and reported each shelter with an anonymous tip. I’m gonna have Mitch Ross call the team lawyers and see what he can find out.”

“Don’t forget to contact Lionel Rawlings. He got Cade out of jail with the help of the mayor in the first place after Katrina got involved,” Ford reminded.

“How come he didn’t call that O’Malley prick?” Jax crutched to the sink to shave.

Ford took a seat on the counter at the end. “Not sure. Kincade, sweetheart, why didn’t you use Liam O’Malley to get you out of jail?”

Cade stuck his head out and wiped the water out of his eyes. “Huh?”

“When you were in jail, why didn’t you immediately contact Liam? Did you call him, and he refused to come because of the holiday?” Ford tilted his head to the ceiling and closed his eyes. Jax could tell he was trying to stave off anger if the man had indeed refused to help Cade.

Cade stepped out and pulled a towel around his waist, standing on the bathmat. “No. He, uh, he hit on me, which I didn’t appreciate, and I don’t plan on using him again. He told me about the job at the shelter because somebody mentioned it to him. I was pretty sure he was going to use it to get me in bed.”

Jax rinsed his razor and wiped his face with a wet cloth. “That was probably Mitch. He helped organize the donations from the team to the shelter. I need to call him about those donations and Shaw. Anyway, fucking O’Malley hit on you?”

Cade’s face flushed red. “Yeah. It was after we broke up, but I told him I wasn’t ready to see anyone yet, and I wasn’t sure if I would be ever again. When I got picked up, I was afraid to call him because I’d decided not to use him again out of fear that he’d hold it over my head. Anyway, why?”

“I’ll explain it in the shower. Can I get a little help?”

His younger lover did as he asked and helped him into the shower boot, securing it tightly, as they got into the large marble space. Jax sat on the plastic chair with Cade’s help, proppinghis plastic-covered cast on the shower bench, seeing yet another reason for having such a large, luxurious shower. He closed his eyes as Cade washed his hair. In that moment, he was in heaven, broken leg or not.

Chapter Eighteen

Cade

Valentine’s Day was fast approaching, and Cade had immersed himself once again in business at the club. Jax was still in a cast so Kincade was playing chauffeur to the big man a few days a week, either to look at potential sites for his gym or so Jax could get a ride out to the stadium.

He’d been insistent Cade should accompany the Realtor and him as they toured potential sites and offer an opinion. When Cade pushed him as to why, Jackson always changed the subject.

Chicago had lost the game against Seattle, much to everyone’s dismay, but it had gone into overtime with Chicago losing by a field goal. Unfortunately, Colby Napier got hurt in the fourth quarter and the second stringer, Wade Doyle, couldn’t seem to hit the broadside of a barn that afternoon.

It was the defense’s game in overtime until the Seattle QB ran the damn ball in from the thirty-yard line avoiding tackles, left and right. Cade later commented if Jax was in the game it would never have gone that way. Jax smiled and said, “It’s a damn shame, but they fought hard without me. There’s no guarantee in any game. They’ll be back next season, even stronger.” With football out of the way, it seemed Jax had his mind on the future.

As Cade thought about it, a warm feeling spread through his chest. He was anxious for Jackson to find his next career ambition because Cade had read up on the “low following the high” of being a public sports figure. He didn’t want Jax to become depressed, especially since his frustration level was high with the cast. He wanted to help him stay motivated. He just had to figure out how.

“How about some sort of meal thing?” Ford offered, bringing Cade from his musings.

He was brainstorming with Ford, Cleveland, and Griff, about the upcoming Valentine’s holiday. “We don’t serve food, Branford. It would be too much of a mess to cater in. Besides, we’re a dance club, not a restaurant. What about a speed-dating kind of thing? There was this bar I read about where each table had a telephone. You called the number of the table where the person you’re interested in is sitting. You have a quick conversation and if the interest is returned, you agree to have a drink.” Cade didn’t think it was the worst idea in the world.

Griff patted his hand on the table. “Dolly Levy, that’s now called Grindr here in the twenty-first century. No, what we need to do is cater to the lonely hearts out there by throwing an anti-Valentine’s Day event. You know, appeal to those who think it’s a shitty holiday or those who don’t have a significant other. Drink specials, no cupids, no hearts, and no sappy love songs.”

Cade slapped Ford’s leg. “Instead ofCupid’s-a-No-No, how aboutCute-Boys-a-Go-Go. We can rent platforms and play nothing but dance music. We need to have the carpets cleaned anyway, so what about a foam party? They do those in Vegas I’ve heard.”

“I want my furniture moved out if that’s the case. I don’t want shit ruined—it’s not that old,” Ford said.

Cade laughed. “Of course, Bix. We can use the high tops because the bases are metal, and we’ll move the chairs and banquettes into one of those “Pod” things out behind the club. How about we have the party the Saturday before so maybe people can meet someone to be with on Tuesday night?”

“Good, because I’m closing the club on Monday and Tuesday. Everyone who usually works will be paid for those days off.” Ford turned to Cade.

“I wanna take my guys somewhere that week. Cleve, can you cover for me the rest of that week? I’ll be back on Saturday, then you and Griff can take time if you’d like. Cade and I can cover for both of you.” Excitement built inside of Cade at the idea of the three of them going away together.

“Boss, that works out pretty good for me.” Cleveland’s mysterious smile intrigued Cade, but there was unfinished business.

“So, if we’re not going to be a lonely-hearts club, let’s make it sexy. How about a “Sexy Undies” party with bottles of bubbles as favors, along with colored lights and… Oh, I’ve got it. Leave it to me and my protégé.” Cade took Griff’s hand to lead him down the stairs. Inspiration had struck, and Cade wanted to go with it while the bug was still biting.

Cyrus wasn’t in yet so Cade left him a note to find the two of them so they could talk about a special playlist. Cade went to the booth to turn on the house and stage lights, looking around the large room for a theme. When it struck, he smiled and turned to his friend.

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