by Luna, David
Braden frowned. “But that’s ridiculous, everyone’s needs are equally important. Also, I thought I’d need to at least 15 miles to get today out of my mind. Strange how seeing Cade’s reaction kind of took the wind out of my sails.”
Cooper raised a sardonic brow. “Yeah, funny how caring for someone kind of makes you worry more about that person’s needs over yours.”
Braden expelled a breath and shook his head. “It’s not like that.”
Cooper huffed out a laugh. “It’s exactly like that, Braden. I’ve never seen Cade act the way he does around you. This is much more than him just protecting you, and that makes me happy for you both.”
Braden’s shock was apparent and several long moments had passed without a comment from him, so Cooper figured he’d let his words sink in for a bit and changed the subject. “So, Cade mentioned that you helped him with his form. You gonna do the same for me?”
After a couple seconds of silence, Braden smirked. “Nice subject change. You’re leaning forward too far over your feet. You need to stay more upright. Yep, like that. It will be uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get used to it. It will end up making your stride stronger, and in the end, lengthen it so you can get more out of your runs. Also, when you run long distances, you probably end up with a bit of achiness in your joints, possibly your back, the next day. This will get rid of that for you.”
Surprise washed over Cooper’s face. Damn, he was right. He was also correct in that jogging upright was definitely feeling uncomfortable, but he’d continue to do it, if it was going to deal with the other issues he sometimes got when running any length of time. They ran in companionable silence for the remaining miles.
At Vaughn’s gym, there were no aerobics classes or juice bars, no mirrored walls or techno music. This was where people came when they were either serious about learning from the best on MMA fighting techniques or wanted to learn how to defend themselves. Cade and Cooper had recovered something, or rather someone, very important to the owner, Vaughn, an ex-MMA fighter. For that, they enjoyed free use of Vaughn’s facilities any time they were in town and tickets to any MMA fight they wanted to attend.
Cade entered the gym and walked straight to the security guard. Vaughn didn’t allow weapons of any kind into the gym itself, and everyone had to pass through the security metal detector before entering. This was a precaution he instigated after one of the gym’s members brought a knife into one of the rings and cut the guy he had been sparring with, after losing the match. After that, he wasn’t taking any chances. However, for a select few, Vaughn would personally lock up weapons and firearms in his own office. The security guard was a new one, so Cade wasted no time with small talk. “Vaughn.”
“Who should I say is asking, sir?”
“Cade.”
The security guard straightened, obviously having heard this name before, most likely from his new boss. “Right away, sir.” He picked up his phone and dialed. “Cade is here, sir, asking to see you. Yes, sir.
“He’ll be right down, Mr. McCade.”
Cade removed his two guns and a knife and placed them on the counter. The security guard’s eyes went wide at the weapons, but he refrained from comment. Cade figured that was smart of him, as he didn’t want to field any questions. Vaughn came out from the gym and his smile of greeting fell from his face when he took in Cade’s demeanor. He glanced down at the weapons and gathered them up into a small fireproof lock box he stored under the counter. “Go ahead and get changed, and go out to the heavy bags. I’ll lock these up and get changed myself, and we can go a few rounds when you’re done on the bag.”
Cade walked into the gym and heard only the very beginning of Vaughn’s discussion with his new guard. “No questions, no comments, as discussed in your training. There are a select few individuals I allow to bring weapons on the premises. I keep those weapons secure until they leave, no questions asked. No one but those select individuals are allowed weapons of any kind on site. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Vaughn went into the gym carrying the lockbox. He detoured to one of his regulars on one of the heavy bags. “Mark, I’m gonna ask you to give this bag over to a man named Cade once he arrives. He needs it more than you. When he comes out of the locker room, why don’t you go over to the speed bags and work some on your footwork.”
“Sure thing, boss. What’s the dude look like?”
“Intimidating as fuck, can’t miss him.”
Cade emerged from the locker room dressed only in loose fighter shorts. Upon approaching the heavy bags, a guy took one look at him and moved aside to the speed bags. Cade stepped up to the bag the guy had vacated and was finally able to let shit fly. He pounded the bag with fists, elbows, knees and feet. Nearly an hour went by and he would have kept going, but Vaughn intercepted the swinging bag and made eye contact, which slowed Cade down. He bounced in place and shook out his arms and loosened his neck and shoulders while Vaughn called over the same kid who’d moved over to the speed bags for him earlier. “Mark, bring some tape and gauze. Get Cade’s hands wrapped so he and I can go a few rounds, and wipe down the bag too, please. Thanks.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re bleeding all over my bag, Cade. You’ll get wrapped before we dance.”
Cade shrugged and set the timer on his phone so that he’d be able to get to Braden when it was time to run. He donned his headgear and mouth guard and let the kid wrap his hands. He was already feeling some of his anger dissipate. A little sparring with Vaughn would probably be exactly what he needed. He pulled out his phone and checked to make sure he hadn’t missed calls or texts from Cooper. It looked like he was good, as long as he got home before too long. He made his way over to one of the boxing rings and stepped inside to bump both fists with Vaughn. He zoned in on his sparring, which he was happy to learn was more full contact than he thought Vaughn would give him. He took Vaughn down with a series of front and straight kicks and backed off immediately. Vaughn hopped to his feet with a huge grin splitting his face. “I forgot, you’re more than just a pretty face.”
They went on for another 20 minutes, Cade keeping up with his friend. Sometimes he’d beat Vaughn and sometimes not. They’d drawn quite a crowd, but Cade barely noticed. He’d set his phone on the edge of the matt, and it dinged at him, letting him know he needed to wrap things up. Vaughn heard it too and backed off immediately. Cade gave him a two-fingered salute, grabbed the phone and hopped over the ropes. “Thanks, man. See you out front in 10 minutes.”
Vaughn unwrapped his hands and glanced up at the stragglers that were left after the sparring match with Cade. Mark looked hyped. “Does he train? He’s amazing, boss. Was that Krav Maga? Would he be willing to train me some?”
Vaughn laughed and shook his head. “That was a mix of Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai; and no, he doesn’t use his skills for evil like us MMA junkies, fighting for money, he uses them only for good.”
Cade showered and met Vaughn up front to gather his weapons. “Thanks, man. This is exactly what I needed today. I’m here on an extended assignment, so I’m sure I’ll be back.”
“You’re welcome at any time. You know that. I’ve got a couple pro bono self-defense classes a few times a week. I’d love to have you teach any of them, if you’re free.”
“We’ll see. I might be able to help you with a few of them. I didn’t know you offered pro bono classes.”
“Ever since you brought Mikayla back to me, I’ve been offering free classes for women, some men, and some kids a couple nights a week. I know you’re in the middle of an assignment, but give me a ring and we can discuss the schedule, if you’re up to it. It would be a great help.”
“I’ll let you know. Coop will be here as well, so between the two of us, I’m sure we can work something out.”
“Sounds like a plan. Hope today did some good. You looked like you needed it. Take the tape off when you get home and wrap your hands again after washing them
thoroughly.”
Cade chuckled and agreed. He got into the car and let out a pent up breath. He was feeling remarkably better, but he still had Braden to contend with when he got home. He’d have to apologize after they were done with the run, and talk to him about his reaction to put Braden back at ease.
Cade arrived back at Braden and Maya’s house and let himself into the front door. He was just unlocking Braden’s door when he heard Cooper and Braden come in the front. “What are you doing back already? I was expecting a call to come meet you guys. Everything alright?”
Braden looked at Cade and relaxed a bit, realizing he was much more at ease than he had been when he’d left earlier. Whatever he’d done for the last hour and a half had done him a world of good. “Everything’s fine. I just didn’t need to run as long as I thought I would. How are…. What the fuck? Zavier, what the hell did you do to your hands?”
Braden rushed to Cade and grabbed his hands, pulling him through his front door. Cooper took a look at them as well. “I’ve got my kit over at Maya’s. You OK for a few while I go take a quick shower and then I’ll bring it over and so you can wrap them?”
Braden huffed. “No, we need to take care of this right away.”
“Braden, look at me. I’m fine, this is nothing but heavy bag hands.” To Cooper, “Yeah, it will take me that long to get myself free of this fighting tape and washed up.”
Cooper left and Braden grabbed Cade’s wrist and pulled him into the kitchen. “Here, sit.”
“Braden, I’ll take care of this myself when Coop brings his supplies, don’t worry about it.”
“Zavier, so help me god, if you don’t sit your fine ass in that chair right now, I’m gonna lose my shit.”
Cade grinned at Braden and sat. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re absolutely adorable when you’re angry?”
Braden laughed despite himself. “Shut up, you jackass. Let me fix this. It’s my fault your hands are messed up in the first place. Don’t think I don’t know how pissed off at me you were, despite your automaton act earlier.”
Braden pulled another chair up, sat in front of Cade and gently held one of his huge damaged hands in his own. He began to unravel the bloodied tape over Cade’s fingers. Cade watched Braden closely. He didn’t feel any pain; Braden’s touch was so light. At Braden’s concerned noise, Cade looked down at his battered hands and tried to pull them away. “Braden, really, I can take care of them.”
Braden’s eyes widened, his head tilted to one side. His mouth formed a sexy pout. “Please, let me help you.”
Cade smiled and sighed. “All right.” He leaned down to put his forehead to Braden’s. “We’re fine, you and me. I wasn’t mad at you.”
Cooper walked in and cleared his throat. “Ah, sorry guys. Want me to come back?”
Braden moved back. “No, set that stuff right there. Zavier, wash your hands in warm water and soap, please. Why you guys have stuff for after the fact when you should very well be protecting your hands before you use a big bag is beyond me.”
“Heavy bag,” both men retorted.
“Whatever the fuck. Use your heads and wrap your hands first, not last! Imbeciles.”
Both men snickered and tried to hide it. It didn’t work. Once Cade sat down, Cooper handed over his kit and Braden wrapped Cade’s bloodied hands up with fresh gauze and tape after putting on some ointment. He had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time he had to wrap Cade’s hands. Funny, that same thought was on Cooper’s and Cade’s minds as well.
While Braden took a shower, Cade fixed dinner. He wanted to talk to Braden about that afternoon. He was usually much better at masking his emotions, and the fact that Braden thought it was his fault that Cade’s hands were messed up was making Cade more and more frustrated with himself for how he handled the situation.
Braden came out of his bedroom in loose sweatpants and a long sleeved t-shirt. His hair was still damp, and he was rubbing his stomach, which let Cade know he’d just taken his insulin. Though he looked tired, he didn’t look haunted, as Cade feared he might after their conversation earlier in the day. Cade pulled out a chair at the head of the table and sat next to Braden, instead of across from him. “Go ahead, dig in before it gets cold.”
Braden rested a hand on Cade’s wrist and squeezed. “Thanks for making dinner, again. You didn’t have to do that. Are you trying to take care of me, Zavier?”
Cade turned his wrist over and clasped Braden’s hand in his own. “Would that be such an awful thing?”
Braden blushed. “You know I can take care of myself, right?”
Cade nodded. “Yeah. I’m positive of that. Does it feel so bad, having me take care of your needs?”
Braden’s brows drew down. “Bad? No, it doesn’t feel bad. I just don’t want you to feel obligated when I’m perfectly able to do for myself.”
“OK, let me ask you this, does it feel good?”
Braden paused at that, as he wasn’t expecting the question, and he had to really think about how it made him feel. He could honestly say it was a foreign feeling, being taken care of. He was usually the one taking care of his partners. Whoa, where had that come from? Cade wasn’t his partner. Although he did take care of Braden as if he was, and that was pretty amazing in itself, as this friendship they were forming was still quite new. He realized all of a sudden that it did feel good, actually scratch that, it felt great. He blushed when he realized that, and he decided to be honest. “No, it doesn’t feel good.”
At Cade’s disappointed expression, he whispered, “It feels great.”
Cade’s mouth grew into a wickedly beautiful smile. “Yeah?”
Braden, dumbfounded by Cade’s gorgeous, smiling face could only nod in response.
Cade let out a relieved breath. “Good. That’s what I want.”
They looked at each other for several moments. Braden swallowed nervously, feeling shy all of a sudden, and then glanced down at his plate. The spell was broken and Braden heard Cade clear his throat. He touched Braden’s arm. “So, we should talk about today.”
Unable to come up with a reason to avoid it any longer, Braden glanced up and nodded. “I’m sorry. I know I made you angry, the way I handled Eric. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Cade leaned toward Braden, who set down his fork, and Cade took that opportunity to take Braden’s hand in his bigger one. “I handled today poorly. None of what happened was your fault and if I made you feel to blame, for any of it, I can’t apologize enough. Bray, I wasn’t pissed at you at all, I was angry that you were in that situation, that you had to go through it. As ridiculous as it sounds, I was pissed that I couldn’t be there to protect you. I didn’t stop to think about how my anger was affecting you. All I knew was that I needed to get away from you, calm myself down and find an outlet for that anger. I obviously didn’t hide my feelings from you at all, which means that you are actually really good at reading me, when most others aren’t. If it was anyone else that could read me like that, after only knowing me for such a short time, I’d be pissed off and worried I’d lost my edge. But, I want you to see the real me, even if it means I can’t ever hide behind my calm façade with you.”
Braden caressed his thumb over the back of Cade’s hand. “I want to see the real you as well, Zavier. I didn’t know who Eric was until it was too late. If this friendship of ours turns into something, I have to know that I get to see the real you from the beginning.”
“OK, I’ll do my best to be forthcoming with not only my thoughts, but also with my emotions. This thing between us--and there is a thing between us--makes me happy, but it also makes me feel uneasy. I’m not used to being so transparent, this early on. I’m willing to keep doing it, because I think in the end, it’s so worth it, to be feeling what I’m feeling for you.”
“You’re not the only one that’s feeling uneasy. Things with us are moving pretty fast. That the feelings we’re discussing usually occur much later in relationships. I think part of that is because
we’re in a situation where you’re with me now 24/7, but I also think it’s because you’ve set a precedent for us. From the beginning, you spelled out how you feel for me. You told me, the day after I’d met you, that you were attracted to me and wanted to get to know me. That takes a lot of courage, Zavier. So all I can do is respect what you’re doing and make sure that I’m as open as you are with me.”
“So I guess we’ll continue to be uneasy with the situation because we both agree that it’s worth it, in the end.”
Braden nodded. “I think that about sums it up.”
They continued talking over the remainder of their dinner. Cade knew Braden was in need of some time with his closest friend, and he was happy that Maya came over and was just as eager to see him. Cade placed a call to Brody, their resident computer hacker, with the info that Braden had supplied him with earlier that day. Brody was a night owl, so he asked him to get on it right away. The sooner they had the information on these guys, the better. He let Brody know that this was personal, so he didn’t care how he had to get it, he just needed every single piece of information that was out there to be found. Brody assured Cade he’d get back to him the next day.
Just as he was ending the call, Maya came out of Braden’s room. As she was leaving, she asked Cade to check on him in a bit and Cade assured her he had already been planning on it.
He headed quietly into Braden’s darkened room to check on him. He was lying on his side, facing Cade, with his eyes closed. Cade kissed Braden’s temple gently, doing his best not to wake him. Assured that he was comfortable and asleep, Cade turned to go, when Braden reached out and touched his hand. Cade crouched down, brushed the hair off Braden’s face and rested his hand at the nape of his neck. “Hey, I didn’t mean to wake you. I just wanted to come check on you and tell you goodnight. Was it good seeing your girl?”
Braden smiled. “You didn’t wake me. And yeah, it’s always good to see her. Love her.”