Page 59 of Rule the Roost
The guest house was warm and comfortable, decorated nicely in creams, woods and leather. The guests raved about it whenever they stayed and booked for months in advance. For a club and resort that the owners thought might be a nice novelty, it was a hit.
The redheaded man I recognized from the weekend at the club came sidling into the common area, falling back on a sofa after telling me hello. “You’re the dancer. Has anyone told you how hot you are? What am I saying? Of course, they have.”
“Ain’t he a terr’ble flirt?” Joel asked, laughing.
“Yes, he is, but I appreciate the compliment.”
We all sat, and Joel told his two friends, “Kan, ‘ere, he’s livin’ with the mayor. Don’t that beat all?”
“The mayor,” Clover repeated. “Interesting. Are you vying to be first gentleman?”
I felt like my face was a traitor as I broke out into a smile that tightened my entire face. The three laughed at me, and Joel answered him, “He’s a bigun, that mayor.”
“Joel! Do not look at the mayor’s…crotch,” I hollered, making them laugh more.
Xen pointed his thumb to his friend and rolled his eyes as he silently giggled.
“Xen is trying to say that Joel looks at all the crotches of all the men. It’s a gift he has. Truly gifted, our Joel.”
Beaming from the compliment, Joel whispered, “Can’t he’p it. My eyes are jus’ drawn there!”
After we all had a good laugh, Clover asked, “So? Are you…?”
“He’s a straight man with two kids. I work for him, that’s all.”
That got all three of them rolling their eyes.
“Joel, what is all this secrecy? I thought we were friends.”
“We are,” he shouted. “I swear to ya, Kan, iffin I could tell ya, I would. I’d git the whippin’ o’ a lifetime iffin I said anythin’.”
“So, Damon and Burke are definitely in on it. Noah and Eli too, I’m guessing.”
Clover answered for him while Joel stammered and knew he was in trouble, confirming that the entire town was likely in on the big mystery. “Don’t get Joel into trouble, Kanan. Yes, there is a huge conspiracy, and it has to do with your love life, or the possibility of one. They’re your friends and they’re looking out for you. That’s why they haven’t said anything yet.”
“In case it don’t work out, ya know it?” Joel added, pleading. “Don’t be mad at me, Kan.”
I reached over and cupped his cheek with my hand. “I could never be mad at you, Joel. Not ever.”
Xen threw his skinny arms around Joel and kissed his cheek.
Clover explained, “Xen loves Joel. Xen loves everyone, but PJ and Joel are his two besties.”
“Best friends are great to have,” I said, currently without one. I had close friends, sure, but I hadn’t let myself get truly close to anyone in a long time.
“Yer one of mine,” Joel said defiantly. “One o’ the best I ever did have!”
“I feel the same, Joel. So, being that no one is allowed to tell me what I came here to ask, what else is going on? Clover, why are you here?”
“Ugh,” he groaned. “I’m learning to ride a horse. Yes, I could have done that in Denver at Memphis’s and Xen’s place, but my dear Beast thought I should get away for a while. My partners are scattered to the four winds with filming, Beast is busy, so he sent me here. Joel is a great teacher.”
“It’s been great havin’ ‘im.”
I didn’t want to pry, but since they knew more about my love life than I did, I decided to ask, “Are you guys all…doing what you do?”
“No,” Clover said with a huff. “Beast won’t allow it if we’re by ourselves. Which is cool, I guess. I’m just like always horny.”
Xen pointed to Clover, nodding vigorously.