Caden's Dilemma (Indiscreet #6) (18 page)

“Caden,” Cisco called from his office. Even though he had a few inches, less years and a few more muscles than the man in front of him, he was a force to be reckoned with. “My boy isn’t speaking to me in solidarity with Johnny. You better fix this or I’ll make life very uncomfortable for you. Nothing comes between me and my boy.”

Bear and Gary were in the corridor waiting for Cisco’s fundraising meeting. Gary said, “I’m running out of tissues and patience. Fix it.”

“Brian is in high huff. This pout is his Mount Everest of pouts. He didn’t pout this much when I threatened to get rid of that damn dog. You better start to get the job done. I don’t think it will be an easy fix.”

Caden drove back to the office because he didn’t really have anywhere else to go. He passed Bull’s office. Bull shouted at him. “He’s cleaning again. The whole place smells like Clorox and Windex. If I lose any shirts or sweats over this, you’re a dead man. He won’t even let me pet my cats. He’s going to give them a bath. He chased me out of the house with a broom. Out of my own house…you better suck up real quick. They’re really serious.”

He got to his office and found Reed waiting for him. “Don’t go anywhere near Jim today. He’s beyond pissy and well into bitchy. You won’t survive the encounter. I’m barely standing myself. Fix it fast or I’ll bury you in so much paperwork you’ll never see the light of day.” Reed sat down in the uncomfortable chair. “If you weren’t family, I’d threaten to fire you. I almost fired Bull when he pulled the same type of shit with Jamie, but I knew that they’d patch it up eventually having to look at each other every day.”

Reed stood and backed him against a wall. “But Johnny, he doesn’t have to look at you. He could leave that house and buy another before you could say jackrabbit. I’d say you’re running out of time. Two weeks is all they’re going to give you and I had to practically kiss Jim’s shoes to get that much information. By the way, Jim said the security was really bad at his house and Brian thinks the chimneys are dangerous. I figured I’d be
kind
and give you something else to chew on.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Caden went home early. He didn’t have much time. He went to Angie’s List and found the best florist in Jackson. He drove down to Ocean County not caring about the snow and ice.

He went in and practically bought out her store. He found his dog tags in his mailbox and ordered new ones made from a local jeweler in gold, even though he had to take a loan out to do it. It was twelve months, no interest. He knew with his new job, he could swing both that and the car payments. The collar and wedding rings were already paid for. He’d work out a deal with Reed for the reception. He’d use Johnny’s money but only for charity or a necessity. They would have to live on their joint salaries even if Johnny’s was larger than his. Johnny’s house was paid for; he’d try to chip in for Mrs. Mills and Aubrey. He had it all figured out, now if he could just get Johnny to talk to him.

He showed up at five in the afternoon. Mrs. Mills was kind enough to take his flowers before slamming the door in his face. There was a card. At least he’d know where the flowers came from. He didn’t think that nice elderly woman would throw out his card.

§ § §

Johnny was waiting for her as soon as she came into the house. She gave him the flowers but palmed the card. Johnny caught her and grabbed the card. “Mrs. Mills don’t do that. If you ever do that again you will be in deep trouble.”

“Speaking of trouble, that man is trouble. If you’re wise you’ll stay away at least until he realizes your worth,” Mrs. Mills said in a huff.

Johnny watched through the window as Caden looked around outside.

§ § §

After having the door slammed in his face Caden looked around the yard. There was no security. He was a billionaire for God’s sake and he didn’t even have floodlights or cameras. Not even a goddamned dog. It was supposed to be cold tonight. He’d bundle up, get a thermos of coffee and watch the house until he could get Johnny to install some security in the morning.

§ § §

Wednesday Morning

That’s how Johnny found him in the morning; freezing cold in his car with a worn army blanket and a thermos of cold coffee. Johnny touched his arm. Caden awoke with a start and almost went for his gun. He blurted out, “You have no security here. You’re the largest stockholder of Adroit Systems and anyone could get to you. You have a target painted on your ass if anyone finds out you’re here and someone will, believe me they will. I’ll bet you don’t even have smoke alarms, or radon detectors and according to Bear, Brian says you haven’t had your chimneys cleaned in years.” Caden ran out of breath. “You need a keeper,” Caden said when he caught his breath. He tried to get out of the car but Johnny blocked the car door with his body.

“I asked you to apply for the job, remember, you turned it down,” Johnny said with a sigh. “How do I know that you didn’t think on it and decide to take me because of the money after all, since all you see when you look at me is a dollar sign?” Johnny turned to go back into the house.

Caden was hurt at what Johnny said but figured he deserved it. He tried to continue.

“At least let me arrange for security and some smoke and radon alarms. I’ll pay for it, no matter what you think of me. I just want you safe,” Caden begged.

Johnny opened his door and walked inside closing it abruptly behind him.

Caden went to work. He drove from Johnny’s to the office sick to his stomach. Now he knew what Jamie meant when he said he needed help. His head was in the clouds with his goddamned code and he needed someone to ground him in reality.
Why couldn’t I have seen that days ago?

He burst in on Reed. “I need an advance on my paycheck.”

“Since you’re the cause of all my recent troubles, why should I help you?”

“It’s not for me, it’s for Johnny. He doesn’t have security and refuses to put it in. I’m just going to have it done. What’s he going to do, sue me? I don’t have anything to take. Put me in jail? I already did that to myself. I’m not going to stand by and let something happen. He doesn’t even have a goddamned dog.”

Reed shook his head and agreed.

Caden called in a few favors from some old army buddies, one of whom ran a security outfit in Toms River. He thought he could get Ron out today by promising to consider him for Indiscreet’s business. It was a bribe pure and simple, but he had to make sure Johnny was safe.

He dropped by later in the afternoon to see how things were progressing and was greeted by a surprisingly calm Johnny. “Initially I was angry, but then I thought about Mrs. Mills and Aubrey and his family, it would be foolish to refuse, and unlike you, I’m no fool. Anyway, I got a date out of it.” Johnny went back into the house.

Caden was ready to hit the roof. “Which one of you grunts gave him your phone number? Did I ask you to give him your phone number? No, I asked to have security installed. If you have his number you better rip it up and hope he doesn’t call you, because he’s mine.”

One of the men had his hat in his hand. “Sorry Master Sergeant, I was out of line. I didn’t know he was taken—”

“He is, he just doesn’t know it yet so tell the others, stay away. Do I make myself clear, corporal?”

“Yes, Master Sergeant.”

They responded to him just as quickly as they did a year ago. They were a good unit. It pained him to know that soon some of them would be going back, this time without him, but he couldn’t do it anymore or he would have gone insane. Greg was right, he did have issues.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Friday

He bought a box of candy. It came in a fancy heart with the best Belgian chocolates. It was a week until Valentine’s Day. Maybe he could get Johnny to go out with him to the club for Valentine’s Day. He heard that the club did a nice job and the Valentine’s Day Dance was very popular.

He knocked on the door. This time Johnny answered. He kept the screen door closed. “I eh…brought you some candy for Valentine’s Day. I hope you like truffles because the lady at the store said they were the best and you couldn’t go wrong with them if someone was allergic to nuts.”

“She was less than honest with you. There is always a residue of nuts in the machines they use. It isn’t nut free unless it says so on the package.” Johnny stood in the doorway, neither coming out nor going back inside.

“You’re not allergic to nuts are you?” Caden asked in horror.

Johnny took pity on him. “I’m not allergic to anything, I just hate sushi.”

“I remember. Will you take the candy? I was hoping to go to the Valentine’s Day Dance with you.”

“Oh, I’ll be there, but I’m going stag. There’s a new crop of Doms, some of them very nice, Danny told me.” Johnny stayed behind the screen.

God help him he was going to strangle his own brother.
Caden shifted his weight from foot to foot, something he hadn’t done since he was a kid. “Will you please take the candy? I would like you to have it. Maybe Mrs. Mills would like some.”

Johnny opened the screen door just enough to get the candy box. “I’ll give Mrs. Mills your compliments.”

Caden stomped down the stairs. Patience was not his strong suit.

§ § §

Monday Morning

“At least they’re talking to us now, so you must have done something right. Did you apologize?” Bear asked. Caden’s face went blank.

“Tell me you didn’t apologize…” Cisco said as he ate his eggs, which he said were too runny.

“I brought him candy and flowers,” Caden said in his own defense.

“Which mean nothing unless you apologize.” Gary stood up. “How can you be such an ass?”

“Yeah,” said Bear. “You raise it to the level of fine art.”

Bull pulled a chair over to the table and sat backward on it. “You’ll never get him back if you don’t say you’re sorry. They should have been the first words out of your mouth, along with I love you and need you. Haven’t you ever had a relationship? They write about this kind of thing in Out and The Advocate.”

§ § §

The sub club met as usual at Jim’s. Today though, Aubrey and Johnny picked up Danny and Brian picked up Jamie. Greg, as usual, arrived by himself.

“How is the campaign progressing?” Jim asked, making the tea.

The cakes were laid out on the counter. “We’re going to have leftovers for the men.”

“Not me, my leftovers go to Mrs. Mills and Aubrey’s family.” Johnny popped a scone into his mouth.

“What is wrong with Aubrey’s grandson?” Brian asked as he sliced the banana bread.

“Henry has cystic fibrous. I’m afraid Henry doesn’t have very long. Aubrey and Ellen will be devastated.” Johnny shivered just thinking about it.

“Why don’t you bring him over to St. Mary’s?” Greg told him. “The autoimmune disease lab is doing groundbreaking work. A wing dedicated to research and development and treatment of autoimmune diseases would be welcome. We have many patients with diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and other rarer autoimmune diseases. A new research and development lab is planned for when we get the funding. But we already have the best doctors available in this area even if we don’t have state-of-the-art labs yet.” Greg extolled Cisco’s vision. “Gary and Bear are also working on an orthopedic and sports medicine wing.”

“I’ll call Cisco about donating for an autoimmune center,” Johnny said thoughtfully.

“Change of subject,” said Jim. “What are we going to do about Caden and the Valentine’s Day dance?” Jim took a sip of tea, lavender and black tea this time compliments of Jamie.

“I already told him that I’m going stag.” Johnny smiled remembering Caden stomping down off the porch.

“He’s coming around. Don’t close off your options.” Brian ate another scone.

§ § §

Caden shouted at Bull, “No, I’ve never had a relationship, only fuck buddies. You remember DADT? Afterwards I was too busy ducking bullets to find someone. Johnny is the first person besides Danny that I’ve ever loved.”

“Take it easy, Bull was only trying to help. You do need to apologize. Ask him out on a date. If you don’t have his phone number, get if from your buddies who installed the security. They must have it. The rub is we can’t give it to you.” Bear took a sip of his coffee.

Caden jumped up. “Where are you going?” Reed asked.

“I’m going up to my office to call Ron and then hopefully, Johnny.”

§ § §

“Nguyen Residence, this is Mrs. Mills.”

“Is Johnny in?” Caden asked, afraid she’d want his name.

“I’ll get him.” He didn’t know whether to kiss her for putting him through or scold her for not screening the call.

“Hello, this is Johnny. If this is you, Harvey, stop bullying me. I’m not coming back to work, period.”

“Eh…this is Caden.” He held a tight grip on the phone.

“I don’t know what’s worse, Harvey or you. What do you want?”

“About Friday, the dance…” Caden was stuttering, he never stuttered.

“I already told you I was going stag.”

“I wanted to talk to you before the dance…” Caden rubbed his eyes.

“What about? You’re talking to me now,” Johnny said stiffly. “How did you get this number? Did the club give it to you because if they did there’s going to be trouble.”

“No, calm down. I got it from the security company.” Caden was glad he didn’t get his friends in trouble.

“So…” Johnny said.

“Will you meet me for coffee? Any place you choose would be fine.” Caden’s palms began to sweat.

“What can you say over coffee that you can’t say right now?” Johnny remained recalcitrant.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to say it in person. I tried to say it with the candy and the flowers. I don’t know what else to do. Please agree to see me again.” Caden held his breath.

“You hurt me. I can’t do that again.”

“I promise I won’t hurt you, please.” Caden wasn’t above begging at this point.

“You can’t promise me that, no one can.”

“I can sure as hell try, just give me one more chance, I beg you. I promise I’ll treat you right. I’ve never broken a promise.” Caden’s eyes were tearing up.