Page 102 of Triple Pucked
He’s right.
It is nice in a way that I didn’t know I needed until he voiced it.
“Sorry to break up the club,” I reply, “but I’m a switch.”
“I don’t discriminate. You’re still welcome,” Cassian declares, earnestly. “Wait, please tell me that you dom D’Angelo…”
“Cas,” Everett says, sharply. “You know the rule is to call him Master Fire and Ice on event nights.”
Cas blushes. “Sorry, Ev.”
“Sadly I must destroy that happy daydream,” I say quickly to distract Cassian, who looks close to tears even from Everett’s mild scolding. I see now why Kay is so gentle with him. “But it’s Shay who I dom. I’m his Ma’am like D’Angelo is his Sir. But it’s still different between us.”
“Of course it is,” Everett says, simply.
“Are you coming to my next event?” Cassian peers at me, sweetly.
He looks like he wants to say more, but nerves have overtaken him.
Everett gently encourages, “Go on.”
“My Valentine’s Down the Rabbit Hole event. Ev has been helping me with it. Please do. I don’t have any actual friends of my own to ask and…” He glances down, playing with his fingers on his lap.
“You have me now though, right?” I grasp his hand for a moment to still it, and he looks up. “I haven’t been to a full fetish event before, and it’ll be a good way to celebrate after these stressful games.”
Cassian doesn’t need to know that it would be a Valentine’s farewell to Shay, before he was traded across the country, if the Bay Rebels lose more than one of their next four games.
“We all need things to look forward to. Helping with events like this helps me to stay calm. They make me happier in myself. Kay even let me choose the theme. I loveAlice’s Adventures in Wonderlandbecause I run Alice’s Book Café bookstore on top of my studies.”
I stare at him.
Eden is going to freak out in a good way.
“I fucking love that place,” I blurt. “It’s amazing. Shit, did Ev help with the way that it’s decorated? Because it’s like a stage set.”
Cassian’s cheeks pink. “Yeah, Ev designed it. Master Fire And Ice put up the funding for it, and Mistress helps with the business side.”
I should have known that D’Angelo would own it.
Does he own half the town? Has he been stopping this struggling town from collapsing ever since he moved here to join the Bay Rebels without most people knowing?
After all, he has also been keeping his sports charity and hockey scholarships anonymous. He won’t allow me to use them in his PR.
He’s a good man even if he struggles to admit it to himself.
“Can you invite the one with the beautiful tattoos as well?” Cassian kicks his legs, turning back to face the stage. “I see him come into my bookstore all the time. He likes my tea and cakes. But I’m too shy to talk to him.”
“And Eden is too shy to talk to you.” I smile. “You’re well matched. Eden will be pleased, however, that you invited him individually. If he doesn’t attend, it’s not personal. He doesn’t go to parties, bars, or places with a lot of noise and people if he has a choice. He doesn’t enjoy it.”
Cassian’s expression is understanding. “The parties are meant to be fun. I wouldn’t want him to push himself to do anything he doesn’t like. But what if I set up a private room for him and you? We have ten, and a large one for special events. Then you could still be part of the event, but the room would be quiet and away from the crowds for Eden. I want him to be included.”
My eyes sting.
Has anyone, apart from Cody, tried to include Eden before like that?
Everett tilts his head in thought. “I could decorate it specially for you as well.”
“Thank you.” My eyes are misty with tears. “I’ll check with him but that sounds awesome.”
