Conrad (Carrington Book 2)
Page 3
Soon they arrived at the table and Conrad and Jade let the others get seated first. Then they sat and Conrad placed his hand on the top of Jade’s thigh. He leaned across to speak with Ward.
“Stop frowning like that before you face sticks that way.”
“Like that could really happen.” Ward rolled his eyes. “I don’t even know why I came. I should be home sleeping enjoying my days off.”
“You’re here to show support to your fellow station mate,” Liam said.
Ward snorted. “I’m here because Conrad said he was paying.”
Jade glanced at him.
Conrad shrugged. “Yes I bribed him with food.”
“Good plan.” Jade put his hand over Conrad’s on his leg then turned and started talking with Storm.
Conrad focused on his friends. They chatted and as the night wore on and drinks flowed they got mellow. Reuben came along with his bandmates and joined them before their set. Soon they went to get ready.
“Drinks?” Micah rose.
They gave him their choices again. Conrad lost sight of him as he went into the crowd heading for the bar.
The lights increased slightly in the club but the stage went black. The sound of a bass guitar filled the air. The room quieted as the melody grew. The steady beat of drums added to the music then a piano before finally a sax. The light flashed on the stage illuminating Reuben and the others in his band. Conrad heard the gasp to his left and glanced at Ward. He blinked at the look on Ward’s face.
“He wants him,” Conrad whispered.
“Yup,” Jade said softly beside him.
Conrad turned his head. “You knew.”
“I figured when you mentioned about Reuben bugging him. Also something Reuben said.”
“What did he say?”
“It’s more like what he didn’t say.” Jade smiled. “He mentions all of you at the fire station except for one person.”
“Ward.” Conrad didn’t ask just knowing.
Jade inclined his head.
“Oh boy. They wouldn’t work. Ward is too…reserved and intense. And your cousin is…affable and gregarious.”
“Opposites attract.” Jade kissed him. “Look at us.”
“Yeah, true.” Conrad glanced at him. “I’m wonderful and sexy while you’re snarky and pain in my ass.”
“And you love it,” Jade said.
“I do.” He kissed him but pulled back when a rich voice reached his ears.
Conrad stared at the stage shock filling him. Micah prowled across the stage the sensual magnetism he was known for on full display. He walked up to Reuben and they swayed together as Reuben played his sax. The song changed and Conrad sat forward as he recognized it as the one he loved that he and Jade had talked about.
Reuben lowered the sax and one of his bandmates took it. Then he started to sing. Conrad mouth fell open as that same voice he had told Jade could make someone come just from hearing it came out of Reuben. He couldn’t even fathom it was the same man he worked with everyday. Reuben sounded nothing like he did when he spoke. Jade placed a finger under his chin and pushed up gently. Conrad turned wide eyes toward him.
“You were telling the truth.”
“I always tell the truth.” Jade frowned and muttered something that sounded like, “At least when I’m not hiding from even myself. Damn no wonder I can’t find a special moment.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh…nothing.” Jade kissed him a huge smile on his face. “Enjoy the performance.”
“You set this up.”
“I did.” He nuzzled into the side of his neck. “Listen and enjoy.”
Although he wanted to ask, Conrad instead did as he said deciding to wait until later to ask. He rested against Jade as they listened to his brother and cousin perform.
* * *
After the song Micah rejoined them and Reuben and his band continued to perform.
“He could really be a professional at this,” Conrad whispered to Jade.
“Yes.”
“He’s a hell of a firefighter.”
“Yes.”
“It’s good he followed his passion.”
“Everyone should do that,” Jade said softly and at the tone Conrad focused on him.
Jade had this indescribable look on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Everything is perfect.” Jade kissed him softly.
Conrad didn’t know what was going on but he liked it.
Chapter Three
Conrad surreptitiously looked at Jade. A few days ago at the club he’d liked what was happening but now he wasn’t sure. Jade had become secretive and surly. Every time he asked him what was wrong Jade brushed him off. Conrad didn’t know what else to do to get him to talk with him.
“If you wash that plate anymore you’re going to break it.” He took the dish from Jade.
Jade scowl deepened. Conrad didn’t even ask him what was wrong. He just continued cleaning up the dinner dishes.
“Are you ready for the show tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Jade replied. “I won’t see the guys until tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Conrad thought of what they still had left to do.
“I can see you thinking. We’re ready for our Christmas Day get together. Your friends and family are coming and will mingle with my friends and family. We’ll all get a little tipsy and happy. Stop stressing about it so much.”
“I’m not stressing,” Conrad said then. “Did you really have to invite your parents?”
“You’ve met my parents.” Jade looked confused.
“Yes. As here is my boyfriend, Conrad. Not as here is my boyfriend Conrad and we are hosting a Christmas get together maybe you can come on by. That’s different.”
“They know you. They like you. Hell I think my mom wants to adopt you. So what is the problem?”
“Apparently to you nothing,” Conrad muttered.
“You run into burning buildings for a living to save people. Why is the idea of hosting this party with me so much more frightening?”
“Don’t do reasonable with me.” Conrad sighed. “Parents are a whole different thing. God I can’t even say what is bugging me.”
“Oh good I thought I missed something,” Jade said.
“I can tell you are trying not to laugh at me.”
Jade laughed.
“Okay so not trying but laughing at me.” Conrad pursed his lips. “I hate you right now. How can you be so calm about this?”
“They’re my parents.” Jade shrugged. “I see them all the time. I promise they are not aliens or something.” He grinned.
“Cheeky smart ass.”
“You know it,” Jade said then in the next moment he sobered. The same look like something was bothering him was on his face.
Knowing better than to ask Conrad tried to come up with something that could get their minds off things. “So you want to watch a movie?”
Jade made a noncommittal sound. Conrad stifled a sigh.
“Jade.”
“Yes.”
“Talk to me. What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” Jade narrowed his eyes. “Why would you think something is wrong?”
“You’ve been acting…well more weirder than usual.” Conrad turned and leaned against the sink. “There is something going on. Why won’t you tell me?”
“I can’t,” Jade said frustrated. “Not yet. I need to find…”
He stopped.
“Find what?” Conrad prompted.
“I can’t say.” Jade blew out a breath.
“J—”
The sound of Jade’s cell ringing cut him off. Jade took it out looked at the screen and then said, “I need to take this.”
He abruptly walked away before he could reply. Conrad returned to washing the dishes. He was putting the last one in the rack when Jade returned.
Seeing he had on his jean jacket Conrad frowned. “Where are you going?”
Before he could form a reply he was gone then the sound of the closing door came. Conrad slumped against the counter.
“What the hell is going on with you, Jade?”
There wasn’t any answer and from the way Jade was acting Conrad wasn’t sure if he would be getting one anytime soon.
Later Conrad blinked briefly as the bed dipped. Jade slid in the bed.
“Sorry I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“No problem.” Conrad studied him. “Did you get your mysterious errand done?”
“Yep.” Jade didn’t say anything further.
Conrad frowned. Jade snuggled into him and his breathing evened out as he went to sleep. Conrad was too tired to think about what he had been up too. He went back to sleep.
Conrad tapped his finger on his leg and watched as Jade paced back and forth in his dressing room at the arena. Jade went by again and when he hopped slightly Conrad couldn’t help but chuckle.
Jade looked at him. “Why are you laughing at me?”
“With you,” Conrad assured. “This is the first time I’ve seen you prepare for a show. You have a lot of nervous energy.”
“Is this where I say let’s work it off. Because I’m willing but in these pants…” Jade glanced down. “You’d have to help me get out. And by the time you do the show might be over. What the hell was the stylist thinking with all these strings? I’m not fucking shoes or something.”
Conrad bit his lips. He’d already heard Jade’s complaints about the pants they had chosen for him to wear. The band had given their usual stylist the holiday off and was using a new one. Conrad figured after this they wouldn’t be using them again. The laced up front of Jade’s slacks were really too much. Conrad stood and shucked his jeans.
“Conrad.” Jade came toward him his intent clear.
“Uh-uh.” Conrad held up his hand. “Out of those pants. You can wear these.”
Jade blinked obviously surprised.
Conrad lifted the jeans and wiggled them. “Are you going to stand there and gape at me or get moving? Or maybe you really want to wear those awful pants which will make it hard for you to do your job.”
Jade grimaced and started to unlace his pants.
“I don’t know why they made them so tight.” Conrad shook his head. “You’d think they’d know you need to be able to move when you play your drums.”
Jade finished unlacing and took off the pants. Conrad stepped forward and held out his jeans. Jade took them but then grabbed his hand as he went to step back. Conrad looked at him with askance.
Jade cleared his throat. “This is as special a moment as I can think of.”
“Huh?”
Jade dropped both garments and tugged him behind him as he went to the dressing table. He held onto Conrad and he opened the drawer and pulled out a small box. He turned and dropped to one knee. Conrad inhaled as he realized what he was doing.
“Conrad, ummm…I wanted to find that one special moment to ask you to move in with me.”
“What?” Conrad glanced at the box that was too small for a key. “Okay. I’ll move in with you.”
“That’s not what I am asking.” Jade dragged his hands through his hair. “God I’m fucking this up.”
“You—”
“Shut up.” Jade snarled then blew out a breath. “Okay. I have this. At first moving in was the plan but I couldn’t get myself to ask. It wasn’t until we were at Zeus Rising I realized why. And I knew I wanted more. So much more.” Jade lowered his lids partially over his eyes.
Conrad gulped at the look that he loved to see.
“I had to get something that showed you all you mean to me. Something that is us.” Jade cleared his throat. “I love you, Conrad. Will you marry me?”
He opened the box. Conrad stared at the ring with the green jewel in the center surrounded by drumsticks on one side and a firefighter hat on the other with two gold jewels on the side.
“How did you have this made so quickly?” Conrad asked hoarsely.
“I sort of have some cash.” Jade shrugged. “And know some folks.”
Conrad laughed.
“Are you planning to answer me anytime soon?” Jade frowned. “A man asks you to marry him, he at least deserves an answer.”
“And again you are scowling at me,” Conrad said fondly.
“And you love it.”
“Yes, yes I do.”
“Is that an answer?” Jade demanded.
“Yes.” Conrad knelt before him and gazed into those green eyes. “Yes, I will marry you, Jade. Every weird, snarky, and cranky inch.”
“Good.” Jade kissed him.
Conrad sank into his embrace returning the kiss.
Loud clapping and yelling penetrated their embrace. Conrad glanced at the crowd in the doorway.
“Now that folks is romance,” Romy said.
“Why?” Asher demanded.
“Conrad stripped out of his jeans so Jade wouldn’t have to wear those awful pants on stage.” Galen gave the stylist a look. “Yes, they are awful.” He then smiled. “A man who would give you the clothing off his back is a keeper. And what better moment than when he is half-naked. Too bad they can’t do anything about it. We need to get on stage in a few minutes.”
The men came over to them and helped them up. Micah took the ring from Jade and pressed it into his hand.
“Put this on your fiancé and put on the pants. And let’s go to work. You can have nookie later,” Micah said. “Oh I can’t wait for you to tell the parents about proposing in your underwear while Conrad was in his. I can imagine the expressions now.” Micah laughed.
“At least we weren’t naked.” Jade smirked.
Conrad put his hand over his face then lowered it. “You are not telling your mother this story.”
“Okay.” Jade agreed.
Conrad frowned. That was too easy. Then he thought of it. “None of you.” He glared at the rest of the men in the room.
They all smiled and then the others in the doorway parted and Conrad stifled a groan as he saw Jade’s mother as well as his dad in the doorway.
He punched Micah in the arm. “Why’d you say you wanted him to tell your parents and their expressions when they are already here?”
“Because I know Mom will ask him too. And it is your expressions I couldn’t wait to see. Mom is devilish like that,” Micah whispered loudly. “Jade gets that from her. I’m the nice one.”
Jade’s parents waved and left the room laughing. It was then Conrad realized that most of the others in the crowd by the door were the parents, siblings or relatives of those in the band as well as Conrad’s friends. They all dispersed along with the band.
“Five minutes, Jade,” Micah called.
Jade lifted his hand then he reached for Conrad’s and slid the ring on his finger. “That looks good on you.”
“It does.” Conrad looked at the ring before saying. “You better get dressed.”
Jade did that while Conrad took the pants with the strings and put them on. As he laced the slacks he shook his head.
“These wouldn’t be so bad if they hadn’t decided to make them festive.” He studied the green, red, gold and blue colors of the strings. “Really festive.”
“That’s one word for it.” Jade kissed him then said, “It’ll be fine. I’ll just do the concert and I promise when we get home I’ll help you out of the pants.” Jade leered. “Think of it as my unwrapping my Christmas gift early.”
Conrad laughed. “Now for that I’d wear these pants again.” He looked at the pants. “Nah…once is enough.”
He kissed Jade and sent him off to the concert. Conrad went and stood in the wings and watched his fiancé making music.
Jade was pumped. They raised a lot of funds for charity last night. Then he came home and celebrated with his new fiancé their engagement. And now any moment they would be having the famil
y over. He glanced at Conrad who was surprisingly calm.
“Merry Christmas.” Jade hugged him.
“Merry Christmas.” Conrad placed his hand on his chest.
Jade smiled at the ring on his finger. He couldn’t wait until their wedding bands were there also.
“I’m glad we got to talk to my parents before all the madness starts today.”
Jade nodded. Conrad’s parents were away on a cruise for the holiday. Both had been ecstatic about their engagement. They were going to tell the rest of Conrad’s family when they came over.
“Do you think your mom will really ask about the story of our proposal?”
“Definitely.”
“You could have at least softened your answer by hesitating or acting like you were thinking about it,” Conrad grumbled.
“The answer would have still been the same.” Jade kissed his nose. “She’s going to ask for the story often. She’s getting a kick out of how I proposed.” Jade smiled sheepishly. “Besides she’ll want your family to have the experience of the engagement story.”
“Why does that sound like she already said that?” Conrad tapped his finger against his lip. “Oh yes. Because she said that last night. I thought it was just the excitement of the night. Now I’m thinking it isn’t.”
“See I didn’t want to tell you this before you agreed to marry me.”
“What?” Conrad said with trepidation.
Jade stared at him soberly. “My parents are aliens.” He lifted his hand and gave the Vulcan sign. “We all are. Welcome to our planet.”
“Asshole.” Conrad pushed at him and walked away.
Jade leaned against the wall and laughed.
“Ummm…Jade come here.” Conrad sounded off.
Jade hurried in the direction of the hallway here he went. He paused in the living room doorway. Conrad had the door open a disgruntled look on his face. Jade went over and when he looked outside he immediately turned to him.
“I didn’t plan this. I swear.” Jade turned to his parents. “Guys really who the heck dresses as Spock for Christmas?”
“What this is our usual dress?” His mother blinked innocently. “After all we are aliens.”
His mother and dad both did the Vulcan sign. Jade glared at Micah who was leaning against Asher and both were laughing hysterically. Storm, Romy, and Galen were also and had tears running down their face. The rest of the guests were also there and laughing. This made Jade know that they had all coordinated and planned this.