Chapter 42: Trouble In Paradise

(CASEY’S POV)

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"How dare you?!" Jace repeated. "Is this how you see all this? Everything we’ve shared, everything I feel for you, it’s all one mad race to orgasm? That’s really how low you think of me?"

"Jace..." I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"I’m done with this conversation! Just keep driving to Ethan’s house." He said as he took out his earbuds and plugged them in. Effectively shutting me out.

Without another word, I started the car once more, pulled back onto the freeway, and resumed driving. I glanced at him and saw that he was reclined in the seat, his eyes were closed as he listened to whatever was playing through the earbuds.

I knew that my words had hurt him. I should never have said that. I knew very well that Jace loved me dearly and for him, it wasn’t just about sex and climax. I had said that to hurt him and unfortunately, it worked. This was totally my fault.

But then, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that we hadn’t really done anything besides sex. Every time we met up, it was always passionate and fiery, there had never been time enough for anything else. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had never given what we could have a chance.

The first time we made love, I left the hotel in a hurry even after he begged me not to. The second time, I felt disappointed in myself and didn’t hesitate to let him see it. I had not given him a chance to show me how much he loved me and what he could do for me because I was so busy fighting it. And now, it seemed I had ruined it all. Maybe it had all finally gotten to Jace.

Still, despite everything, I felt justified. There was just so much on the line and so much for me to lose. One of us had to be smart here, and since it clearly wasn’t going to be Jace, it had to be me! I worked so hard to get to where I was and I couldn’t bear to destroy it all simply because I was fucking a man. Why the hell was he finding that so hard to grasp? This wasn’t just a simple case of falling for a man, there were so many factors involved that could destroy not just our feelings for each other, but our very lives and I was trying to ensure that it didn’t get to that point! If he didn’t want to see things my way, then he could do whatever he wanted!

All through the rest of the trip, neither of us spoke. Only Jace did minimally. When he felt the car turn off the freeway, he opened his eyes and gave me the rest of the directions until I pulled into Ethan’s driveway. This place looked like the ghetto version of Silicon Valley. While it wasn’t the slums, it had the feel of community and neighborliness that my estate and Paragon Park lacked.

As we drove through the streets, we saw kids playing in the yards, some people were jogging and walking their dogs. There were people outside their houses, chatting with their neighbors. It painted a happy neighborhood, however, none of that could change the way I was feeling.

Ethan’s house was a bungalow, and the colors were beginning to fade, but it was a neat building. The lawn was perfectly mowed and the flowers were well taken care of. As I killed the engine, the door opened and Ethan opened up. We were about to step out when he shook his head sternly.

"Hold on," he said as he looked around with a piercing gaze. At that moment, he wasn’t our host, but a security officer taking care of his boss.

When he was done, he stepped back and nodded.

We got out of the car, and Jace, completely ignoring me, walked in. He did it in a way that told me it was familiar movement. He sure came to Ethan’s place a lot.

"You have a beautiful home," I muttered as I walked in after Jace. "Thank you for having us."

"Anytime, Casey." He closed the door behind us.

The living room was beautifully furnished and brightly lit up. I saw wedding pictures of Ethan and a beautiful woman. It was at that moment I realized that he was married. Before then, I had not given a thought to Ethan’s personal life.

Jace took a seat on one of the couches, making sure that he was as far away from me as possible. I didn’t mind. At that point, I didn’t care anymore. If he was still going to act this way, even with Ethan with us, considering what we were about to tell him, then he could have at it.

"Would I get you guys anything?" Ethan asked, glancing at us both.

"I’m good," Jace replied curtly.

"Uhm... water would be nice." I told him. "I wouldn’t mind it being a little cold."

Ethan smiled, "I got you."

When he returned, he came with a bottle of water and a pack of cookies, "sorry for the poor hospitality. I’m still shocked that you and Jace are here."

"Well, it was his idea to shock you," I replied, for lack of anything else to say. "But your hospitality is perfect. I might even have to learn from you."

He laughed deeply, "Sure. Thanks for the compliment."

He leaned back and took his seat on yet another couch, taking the one that would keep us in full view at all times, so he could see both of us without having to twist his neck.

"So, I guess this is the period where you tell me why you’re here. Or should we continue with small talk?"

"Come on, can’t we just come say hi to you?" I muttered, trying to lighten the mood, but it was pointless because it wasn’t even tense. I was simply stalling.

He laughed at that, "You’re funny. Jace comes by once in a while, I know that. But you and Jace? Now come on, something is going on! So, who is gonna tell me what it is?"

I was about to speak, but Jace spoke from his corner in the living room, "We used to fuck!"

The past tense was stressed in the powerful statement.

"What?" Ethan and I gasped in shock, even I could not stop myself from the crude way he said it.

"What the fuck, Jace?!" I cried.

"Why are you acting so shocked? Isn’t that what we came here to tell him?" Jace said as he turned to Ethan, "My friend, Casey and I used to fuck. But not anymore, we’re done!"

At that moment, I felt as if my life had ended! It was clear then that my issues with Jace was only going to get worse!

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