Bradley James Page 4

  “No, Jacob is almost six. He had a hole in his heart and stopped growing. John is a cardiac surgeon, and he operated on Jacob and fixed the hole in his heart. He’s growing now, but it’s going to take time for him to catch up to his age group.”

  “I want to adopt a boy first. Is that something you would want to do?”

  “Let’s get through school before we make any long-range plans. I do want children, but I think we need to keep our heads on our studies. Then when we both graduate, then we can talk about marriage and children.”

  “Are you thinking that you don’t want to be with me?”

  “Nope, I do want to be with you. I had planned on doing like John and Clay said and make friends with you and see if I could figure out if you were gay or not then make a pass at you if you were. I was hoping you were. I want everything you want, Cade. I just think we need to get our education done first. Then we can make plans on what we want.”

  Chapter 6

  They stood in the pool for a long moment, just holding each other. Finally, Cade said, “Babe you’re shivering. Let’s get dried off and dressed. I don’t want you to get sick. I’ll go home when you're ready to go to bed. Then come pick you up tomorrow, so I can take you to my house. My parents are looking forward to meeting you.”

  “Yeah, I can’t wait to meet them too. What time will you be here? I need to set my alarm. I’m afraid I would sleep in with not having a bed for two weeks. It wasn’t easy sleeping.”

  “No, don’t set the alarm. Just call me when you get up and dress. I want you to get as much rest as possible. Even if you can sleep all day do it. I can come anytime, and if you sleep all day and tomorrow night too, that’s fine. They aren’t going anywhere.”

  “I don’t think I’ll sleep that much. Even if I do sleep in, I will be up by noon for sure.”

  “Well, either way just call me when you get up, and I’ll come and get you.”

  Bradley nodded and pulled Cade into his arms and kissed him. Cade gave all he had into that kiss. He wanted to make sure Bradley knew how much he loved him. He did take notice when he said he loved Bradley that he didn’t say it back to him. It was a little early for that, and he probably shouldn’t have said that to him so quickly, but he felt it, so he had to say it.

  Bradley took Cade’s hand and led him out of the pool. He grabbed a towel and started drying Cade’s back off. He handed the towel to Cade and then got another one for him. Cade grabbed his towel and dried Bradley’s back off and gave him his towel. They dried their legs and feet off and wrapped the towels around their waists so the water would not run in the floor as they went into the house and up the stairs to Bradley’s room.

  Bradley grabbed a pair of sleep pants and a t-shirt and went into the bathroom and grabbed a quick shower and got dressed. Cade went in after him and grabbed a shower to get the chlorine out of his hair. He got dressed in the bathroom and hung up the swimming trunks up on the shower and placed a towel under both of them. That way they would be dry for Bradley’s mother to wash.

  They went downstairs and into the family room. Bradley turned on the tv, and they snuggled together on the couch watching the tv. Bradley had his head on Cade’s shoulder. Cade said, “Are you enjoying this show?”

  Bradley didn’t answer him, so he glanced over at him, and he was sound asleep. Cade smiled and eased himself up from the couch and put a pillow under Bradley’s head and covered him up with an afghan that was on the back of the sofa. Bradley didn’t even wake up.

  Cade went into the kitchen where Bradley’s mother and father were. “Bradley fell asleep on the couch in the family room. I put a pillow under his head and an afghan over him. I’m going to go home and let him rest. I’ll come to get him tomorrow and take him to meet my parents. They are looking forward to meeting him.”

  Charlie said, “Oh, I thought you were spending the night. If you want to go home, that’s fine. I don’t know how these relationships work.”

  Cade smiled. “They work the same as a straight relationship. Bradley and I just got together today so it will be a while before we get to the point where we spend the night together.”

  “John said tonight that he was going to see if you and Bradley wanted to go with him and Clay and Jacob up to his cabin in the mountains before you both have to leave for school. From what I hear, it is a nice big cabin. Is that something you and Bradley would want to do?”

  “Yeah, I’m game if Bradley wants to go. Sounds like it would be nice.”

  “I’ll tell John. I don’t think Bradley has been up there yet. At least not that I heard of.”

  “I’ll talk to you both tomorrow. Have a good night.”

  After Cade left to go home, Martha woke Bradley up and told him to go upstairs to his bedroom so he could be comfortable. “Where is Cade, Mom?”

  “He went home and said he will be back tomorrow. He said you fell asleep and he didn’t want to wake you up.”

  Bradley nodded and went upstairs and crawled into bed. He was out like a light.

  The next day Bradley woke up about ten. He got a shower and put on the best clothes he had. He wanted to look presentable to Cade’s parents. He went downstairs to the kitchen, hoping his mother had some coffee made. He went to check the pot and found it was fresh, so he poured a cup and sat down at the table to drink it while he called Cade.

  He dialed his cell phone and pushed the talk button. Cade answered on the first ring. “Hi, babe. How are you feeling? I wasn’t expecting you this early. Did you get enough sleep?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I feel a lot better now after a good night’s rest. I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. I know how worn out you were and was glad to see you get some sleep. Are you ready for me to come to get you?”

  “I just got up and am drinking a cup of coffee. Let me get a little something to eat, and I’ll call you back.”

  “Don’t worry about eating. Mom has made a big lunch for us. She said she would keep it until you got up. We will have to eat like an army. She wanted to make sure she had something you liked. I couldn’t tell her what you like to eat. I’m sorry, babe.”

  “I like just about everything. I’m not a fussy eater. In that case, come and get me now. I’ll tell Mom and Dad I’m leaving if I can find them. I don’t know where they are, but Mom left a fresh pot of coffee for me.”

  “All right babe. I will be there in about twenty minutes. Is that enough time to get dressed and ready to go?”

  “I’m already showered and dressed. I’ll just finish my coffee while I wait for you. I’ll see you in just a little while.”

  “I’m on my way, babe.”

  Martha came into the kitchen. She smiled at Bradley. “You look so much better today. I know you needed to rest. Maybe you can invite Cade over today. We can have a BBQ if you want to.”

  “Cade is on his way to pick me up. His parents want to meet me, and his mother made a big lunch for us. I want to meet them, but I’m afraid they won’t think I am good enough for their son. I really want to be with Cade and his parents could cause me not to be. I guess I am just nervous about meeting them.”

  “Honey, you have nothing to be nervous about. You’re a good boy and very sweet. If they don’t like you, they will answer to me.”

  “Mom you can’t go over there and spank them, you know. If they don’t like me and make Cade stay away from me, then I can only hope that he will have something to do with me at college.”

  “I don’t know why they wouldn’t like you. Since they know their son is gay then naturally, he wants to bring his boyfriend to the house to meet them. If your dad can handle it, I don’t see why anyone else wouldn’t.”

  Bradley chuckled. “Yeah, Dad surprised me with that. I figured I would be living with Clayton and John by now. I’m glad he finally accepts Clayton and John. They are good together. I want what they have with Cade.”

  Bradley heard a knock on the door. He got up to let Cade in, but when
he opened the door, the police were standing there. Bradley took a step back. “Um, can I help you?”

  “Bradley James?”

  “Yes, I’m Bradley James.”

  “Can we come in and have a talk with you for a few minutes?”

  “Yes, please come in. We can go to the kitchen. Mom has a fresh pot of coffee ready. Is there a problem?”

  “No, not really a problem. We just need to talk to you about what happened to you. Mr. Sanchez has made some statements that we really don’t believe and wanted to ask you about it.”

  Bradley nodded. They walked into the kitchen and Bradley said, “Mom can you get Dad. These officers need to ask questions about some things Ben said, and I want Dad to hear it.”

  “Sure Honey, he is out on the back deck. I’ll be right back.”

  Bradley told the officers to take a seat at the table, and he got them each a cup of coffee and refilled his. He sat down across from them. “Can we wait until my dad gets here?”

  “Yes, that’s not a problem.”

  Charlie and Martha came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. The first officer spoke, “Bradley, are you gay, and were you Mr. Sanchez’s lover?”

  “I am gay, but I have never been anyone’s lover. I have never even touched another man or have a man touch me. I did date Ben a few times, but he got strange, so I broke it off with him. He wanted me not to go to college and to flip burgers with him. My brother Clayton can tell you this as well as his husband, John Willis. They were on speakerphone with him, and both heard him clearly.”

  “Are you talking about Dr. John Willis?”

  “Yes, he’s my brother in law. I was in the closet because of things that happened with my brother. Ben showed up at Clayton and John’s wedding and outed me to my family and John’s family and friends. I told him to leave, and when he finally did, I guess that’s when he decided to kidnap me.”

  “He’s saying that you weren’t kidnapped. He said that you wanted to go with him and just did it like a kidnapping so that your dad wouldn’t get mad at you.”

  “Why would anyone in their right mind choose to be locked in a filthy basement and get one fast food meal a day? He’s lying to you.”

  “I know we saw the basement you were locked in and it was nasty. I don’t doubt that you needed to take a round of antibiotics. That was horrible. So, you’re saying that it was not your choice.”

  “Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “What are you going to do with Danny? He only did his part because Ben threatened to kill him. He’s a decent kid just had the wrong half-brother.”

  “He’s being charged with accessory after the fact. He had a cell phone on him and could have called us at any time. He just chose not to. He deserves to be punished.”

  “Do I have anything to say about what happens to him?”

  “No, the district attorney has all the say, and he wants to charge him, so that’s what will happen. I can understand how you’re feeling, but he could do this again. I don’t think Mr. Sanchez will be getting out of prison for a very long time. I’ll speak to the district attorney on your behalf and see if we can offer him a deal to turn states evidence. That will help with his brother’s case, and maybe he won’t be afraid of him anymore.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. Danny is just a confused kid. Maybe some time in a mental health program will help him get over his brother. I think Ben needs to be locked up in a mental institution because he’s completely out of control.”

  They heard a knock on the door and Martha went to the door. She opened it to find Cade standing there, smiling. “Mrs. James, I see a police car out here. Is Bradley all right?”

  “Yes, come in. The officers just had some questions for him about his ordeal. I think they are about done now so come into the kitchen and I’ll get you some coffee.”

  Chapter 7

  Cade came in and sat down beside Bradley. The officer stared at him for a few moments. “Aren’t you Cade Maxwell, the one that saved Bradley?”

  “Yes, sir. It’s me. Am I in trouble for anything?”

  “Oh no we just wanted to talk to you. If you don’t mind talking in front of these people, we can do this right now.”

  “Sure, I don’t have anything to hide.”

  “Mr. Sanchez said that you are one of his lovers and that you got jealous when you saw he had Bradley in the basement and you told all these lies on him about the kidnapping and all that happened after that.”

  Cade stared at him for a few minutes then started laughing. He looked at Bradley. “Oh my, I hope you don’t believe that garbage babe. He hit on me once, and I told him to go fly a kite. There is no way I was ever anything to him. I wish I were able to get my hands on him now. He would get more of what he got when I broke into the house and grabbed him.”

  “So, you’re saying that what he is telling us is all lies?”

  Bradley said, “Yes, it is all lies. He’s just trying to get out of trouble. I begged Ben to let me go home but he wouldn’t. He said he was going to keep me locked in the basement until I fell in love with him. Then he would let me out so we could get married. I just couldn’t say that even if I could have gotten freed by saying that I loved him, but I sure didn’t want to say it.”

  “I don’t think he would have let you go even then. He’s going to need to see a shrink. He’s really sick in the head. Just talking to him made us both see that.”

  “Are we done here then? I have an appointment I have to get Cade to take me to, and I don’t want to be late.”

  “Oh yeah, I think we have all we need. I was sure Ben was lying, but I had to question you about it.”

  “Yeah, he is a lying fool. I hope you can help Danny out. He seems like a good kid, he’s just scared of his brother.”

  “We will do what we can. All right we are out if here.”

  The officers left and then Cade and Bradley left to go to Cade’s house. When they got in the truck and started down the street, Cade chuckled.

  Bradley asked, “What is so funny Cade?”

  “You have an appointment that I have to take you to. Where did you come up with that one?”

  “I do have an appointment. I have an appointment to meet your parents. You came to get me, so you are taking me to it. Am I right or wrong?”

  “I guess if you put it that way then yeah, I am taking you to the appointment to meet my parents.”

  “Do you think they will like me, Cade?”

  “Yeah, babe they are going to love you. What’s not to like about you?”

  “I’m a nerd! You know it, and I know it. I’m not a jock like you.”

  “You played football the same as I did.”

  “I did, but do you know why I did?”

  “Because you like sports?”

  “No Cade. I like to watch, but I don’t want to play. I was forced into playing because my dad thought if I played football, I wouldn’t be gay like Clayton is.”

  Cade glanced at Bradley. “You’re joking. Right?”

  “Nope. Clayton wanted to learn to cook, and my dad wouldn’t let him in the kitchen to make him not be gay anymore. He thought if he learned to cook, then he would stay gay.”

  “Your dad seems to be so accepting of gay people. That really surprises me.”

  “He was a total bigot about gay people until Clayton’s husband operated on his heart and saved his life. Then we went to Clayton’s wedding, and John’s parents showed him the error of his ways. He was better after John talked to him in the hospital, but he still was shocked when Ben outed me at the wedding.”

  “Why did you invite Ben to the wedding if you were trying to break up with him.”

  “He wasn’t invited to the wedding. Evidently, he followed either me or Clayton and John. He just showed up there. I had taken Celeste to the wedding to make my dad think I was straight and would still pay for my college. Anyway, it didn’t work because when my dad
asked me directly if I was gay, I had to admit it. I can’t lie about it. I’m not ashamed of who I am.”

  “You mean the lesbian Celeste?”

  “Yep, she needed my cover too. Her dad is the same way my dad was. Now since John talked to my dad, he’s ok with who I am, and he seems to really like you.”

  Cade laughed. “Yeah, I’m a gay football player. Wonder how he likes that. That’s the craziest thing I ever heard. I love to play football, and I’m gay, so how did he think that was going to stop you from being gay? Some parents just do not make sense.”

  “That’s an understatement. So, you like nerds, huh?”

  “Just one in particular. He’s adorable and sexy. Can’t wait until we move to Penn State. I’m going to be glad to get you all to myself. I have big plans for us.”

  “Oh, you do. You want to enlighten me about your plans?”

  “Nope, it’s all going to be a surprise. You do like surprises, don’t you?”

  “They’re alright, I guess. I would like to know if it’s going to be important to our life together.”

  “Well, the biggest thing is to finish college. I was wondering if you wanted to move back here or go somewhere else. I would like to come home and be around our families. I think we could do well here in the city.”

  “Yeah, I want to come back and be around our families too. Especially when we get some children. I want to let the kids have both sets of grandparents in their lives. We didn’t have that because they moved to Florida when Gramps retired. I hated that. Seems it's important to have grandparents to teach you things that your parents don’t have time to. Know what I mean?”

  “Yeah, I had my mom’s parents in our life, but they were ancient and didn’t last too long after we were old enough to remember them. Both passed within a month of each other. Mom said her dad died of a broken heart since her mom went first.”

  “Jacob has both sets of grandparents. They both spoil him rotten. My mom buys him something every time she goes to the store. John’s parents get all kinds of things for him. They have a lot of money, and they spend a ridiculous amount on that boy all the time. If it is a toy, then Jacob has it. The cabin is so full of toys; it's hard to walk around in it. All that comes from John’s parents. My mom buys Jacob clothes all the time. When he said last night that Grandma had him some new clothes, he knew she did because she buys him a new wardrobe every week it seems.”