Blue Persuasion (27 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Inscape

by Stateless

I
stretched into the mid-day sunlight, feeling better than I could have imagined. Touching the cold bed beside me, a chill ran down my back and I wondered how long Tate had been up. Out of bed, I rubbed my face and searched for my clothes. I gathered them together and placed them by my bag.

I saw Tate out back as I scurried to the bathroom. Once freshened up, I made my way to the deck. “Good morning,” I said, leaning in for a kiss.

He gave me a brief peck. “I’m going to be leaving soon.”

My gut clinched over the cold reception.
What the fuck!
“Oh, okay, I’ll take off.” I went back inside, my eyes watering, and found my phone.

Me:
Can I come over? You at Red’s?

Bond:
Yeah. Just waking up myself. Coffee?

I smiled through the pain.

Me:
Yes. Be there in 15 minutes or so.

I gathered my belongings, showered quickly, and dressed. Outside again, I asked, “Can I use the Jeep or do you want to drop me off at Red’s?”

“I’ll drop you off and can pick you up after my classes.”

“I’d appreciate the ride, but don’t worry about picking me up.”

“Judy,” he said, reaching for my hand.

“Fuck you. I’ll have Bond pick me up.” I stormed through the living room and out of his house, slamming the door behind me. With my backpack slung over my back and my duffle across my chest, I stomped down his drive to the street. I heard the tires of the Jeep squealing after me.

“Get in,” Tate ordered, pulling up beside me.

“Fuck you. I’m such a colossal idiot.” I shook my head and kept walking.

“Blue, come on. I’ll drive you to Red’s.” The Jeep kept rolling slowly beside me.

I stood in the road, staring at him.

The groove between his eyes, right above his nose was as deep as ever. He looked like the man I had first met. Closed, in pain, and oh so sad.

“Fine, just don’t talk to me.” After throwing my bags in the back, I slid into the front passenger seat, belted in, and folded my arms around myself.

He didn’t say anything until he pulled off of A1A onto US1. “I haven’t had a dream about Christina in a long time.”

I sighed in relief.
Christina.
“That makes sense.”

“How do you mean?”

“You’re opening up. That shit has a way of escaping or inscaping as in your case. The unresolved past has a way of pushing out, whether we want it to or not.”

He scratched his head. “Do you still dream about—”

“Occasionally. Bond woke me not long ago and I was back in that very moment, crouching against the headboard as if—”

“Damn, I’m sorry.” He touched my thigh and I just stared at his hand, not feeling his energy. The fortress of steel was back.

“One of these days, you’ll realize I’m not her.”

“I know that,” he said, driving onto Red’s block.

I looked at his profile. “Unfortunately, you still don’t. I think we need some time apart. We can touch base tomorrow.”

“Blue, I—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” I got out of the car and grabbed my stuff from the back of the Jeep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Over My Head

by The Fray

L
ugging my bags, I walked up to Red’s door. I knocked and waited.

After a few minutes, Bond opened the door and took my bags. “Why did you knock?”

“I figured it would be locked.”

“Nope. Red and Jacqs have already taken off. Come.”

I followed him into the living room and plopped down on the couch, facing the pool and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Bond brought me a cup of coffee with lots of cream and sugar. “What happened?” He sat next to me, draping his arm across my shoulders.

Letting the coffee cup warm my hands, I filled him in on the night before.

“Wow. I have to be honest, I’m sort of jealous you tried with him. You’ve never even let me get close.”

“Really?” I turned my body to face him.

“Yeah.”

“It’s my turn to say wow.” I fell against his side, and he embraced me.

“Do you think we were wrong about us?” he asked.

I sat up straight. “I think you were too wrapped in Jacqs for it to be anything more.”

“Yeah. So messed up.” He laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back.

We both watched the drizzle out back morph into pelting rain. The palm trees bowed to the wind, the sky mirroring my mood: cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms.

“How are you feeling about Tate now?”

“He’s like surfing the ocean and so far, I’ve been able to pull myself back on my board.”

“That’s an interesting analogy.”

“Simile.”

“Right. I always get those mixed up.”

I shrugged. “Maybe I’m too empathic. I get his pain, even though I don’t know all the details. Maybe, it’s partly because of us. You and me.”

“Huh?”

“It took you years to share your past, and I know you kept a part of you closed off for a long time.”

He held me tightly. “He’s in love with you, Blue. I don’t know if knowing that helps.”

“That’s what Helena said.”

“She met him?”

“Yeah. Yesterday.” My eyes widened. “Holy crap, was that just yesterday? Fuck, if I didn’t live a lifetime in that one day.” I took a sip of my coffee and stared out the French doors. “So tell me about Rory. Anything new?”

“She’s a very jealous woman.”

“Oh? And?”

“She was super pissed off that I left work early to be with you...”

I lifted my head. “But you saw her last night after you left my place?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you talked to Jacqs?”

“No, and nothing happened. I told Rory that I need time. You know, Blue, you and I ending has me thinking a lot.”

“In what way?”

He sighed out and pulled his long hair away from his face. “Truthfully? The threesome with Jacqs and Red never would have worked without you and...”

“And?”

“I’m not sure I love Jacqs the same way anymore. I’m trying to sort out how much is male ego, not letting the past go, or genuine love.”

“And what have you come up with?”

“I know we’ve missed our shot, but I’m hurting more over the loss of us than the idea of losing Jacqs.”

“Holy hell, dude.”

“I’m not trying to confuse you. I think we’ve helped each other grow up a bit.”

“Yeah, I understand.” And I did, but my eyes filled with tears anyway. Where was Bond and his revelations
before
I met Tate?

“I put Jacqs up on a pedestal and never totally let her in like I have with you.”

Holy hell,

holy sheep shit in a bucket,

holy moly,

holy guacamole,

holy cow,

holy priests,

but mostly HOLY FUCK!

“Trying to take that in,” I said, shaking my head. The words I had so longed to hear, for what felt like forever, had finally arrived and yet, I wanted them from Tate, not Bond. “So what now?” I managed to get out.

He chuckled derisively at himself. “I don’t know. I mean, I do. I need to bite the bullet and talk to Jacqs. I’m not sure my heart can deal with another goodbye just yet.”

“I’m sorry you’re hurting but in all honesty, it’s reassuring that it’s hard for you too.”

“Yeah, I get it. I’m sorry I didn’t do a better job loving you, Blue.”

“You gave me just what I needed. Don’t forget that. I love you, dude.”

He kissed my forehead and held onto me.

Watching the rain ripple on the surface of the pool, I thought of Red. “Red must be beside himself.”

“He’s ready to ask Jacqs to marry him.”

“Wow. How do you think Jacqs is going to feel about what you have to say?” As bad as it sounded, I wanted to kiss Bond’s pain away but refrained.

“Part of me thinks she’ll be relieved, but I was her first love and those are hard to let go.”

“Yeah. Dude, pull the Band-Aid off. It’s better to get it over with than letting it fester.”

“I know. Is that your phone?”

I fished my phone from my short’s pocket and swiped the screen: three messages.

Unknown number:
This is Daniel. I emailed you the address to the attorney’s office. Give your mom a call. She’d love to check in with you.

Instead of my mother checking in with me, she had her minion tell me to do it. I loved the woman, but she frustrated the hell out of me as well. I added Daniel to my address book and texted him back.

Me:
Thanks. I will soon.

I pulled up the next message.

Lainie:
Hey you. Hanging in there? Sam sends her love and hopes you’re okay.

Me:
With Bond at Red’s. Could be better, could be worse. How’s the shop?

Lainie:
Rocking and rolling. We have a sale going on right now.

Me:
Love you, Lane. Thanks for the check in. Give my love to Sam.

Lainie:
Will do. Later.

Me:
Later.

I looked up to find Bond watching me. “First one was from Daniel, my mother’s boyfriend. I just texted Lainie back, and I still have one from Tate. Then I have to call my mom.”

“Want something to eat?”

“Sure, whatever’s fine.”

Bond got up and I checked my last message.

Tate:
I think we’re going to have to change my name to Dick.

Me:
LOL! Well if we go with the meanings for Tate, “wind” suits. You sure blow hot and cold. Did you know that Tate in English means cheerful? Got that wrong. I found another American Indian meaning: A man who talks too much, or something like that. Wrong again! Plus, I actually ran into a “Dick” and lucky for you, you’re nothing like him.

Tate:
You looked up the meaning of my name?

Me:
Yes. Keep up with me.

Tate:
I’m trying. :) I won’t say sorry again because I know you hate it, but can we chalk it up to a bad morning?

Me:
Are you at work?

Tate:
Yes.

Me:
Do you have an office?

Tate:
Yeah.

Me:
Send me a cock shot.

Tate:
No!

Me:
Yes. It’s your apology. Two-way street and all.

Tate:
Clearly, you need to be tied up again so you know who’s boss.

Me:
Clearly. Now send me that pic.

I strolled into the kitchen, my mood vastly improved, and hopped up on the counter.

“Sandwiches okay?”

“Great.” I dialed my mother’s phone and waited for her to answer.

“Hi Jude.”

“Hi Mom. How are you doing?”

“Crying on and off. My face is so puffy.”

“I understand. I got Daniel’s text. Is he with you?”

“Yes, he’s been amazing. He’s taken care of all the details.”

“That’s great. I’m glad you have him. I still can’t wrap my head around that Helena is gone. It still seems so—”

“Unreal, like I’ll wake up and it’ll all have been a really bad dream.”

I sighed. “Yes, exactly.” I felt my phone vibrate and couldn’t help but smile.

“Let’s go to brunch after the meeting tomorrow, k?”

“K. See you then?”

“Yes. Daniel’s going to take me to lunch now.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Bond handed me a sandwich. “That was awkward.”

“Yeah, she doesn’t do good phone. I’m used to it.” I swiped the screen again and pulled up my text.
Holy hotness!

Wearing dark slacks and sitting in front of a desk, Tate had taken a shot of the outline of his hard cock bulging down his thigh. The caption read,
Only for you
. I giggled and glanced up to see Bond watching.

“I guess you guys are sorting things out.”

I blushed. “We’re working
hard
at it.” I burst out in laughter. I texted Tate back.

Me:
Very hot. Now don’t go to class like that.

Tate:
I don’t plan on it. Are you with Bond?

Me:
Yes, and he’s professed his undying love.

Tate:
That’s not even funny. Major discipline tonight. I’ll be there at around 5:30 or 6:00.

Me:
Is there a question in there?

Tate:
I need you in my bed tonight, and I want to drive you in the morning to your meeting. Blue, will you please come back to my house when I’m done teaching?

Me:
Better. I’ll think about it. :P

Tate:
You’re killing me.

Me:
I have to make you work for it, or you’ll think you can be Dick whenever you want.

Tate:
I put Dick away for good.

Me:
As long as Mr. Cock is still mine.

Tate:
All yours.

Me:
There you go. That’s how to woo me.

Tate:
My cock wants to do more than woo.

Me:
Pound nails?

Tate:
Hahahaha! Shhh. You’re not helping.

Me:
Take this as a lesson. I could’ve been under your desk right now, taking care of you.

Tate:
Definitely not helping and class is soon. I need a cold shower. Lesson duly noted.

Me:
Good. Have a good class and please feel free to have a HARD time keeping me off your mind. :P

Tate:
Twice as hard, Blue. Very, very red ass.

Me:
Mmmhmm. Have to catch me first.

I clicked out of my text and took a bite of my sandwich. “Yum, thanks.”

“Sure.” He swallowed and said, “I’m going to talk to her tonight.”

“Good luck, dude.”

“Going back to Tate’s?”

“Yeah, later.”

After lunch, I took a nap on the couch and slept through the afternoon. I apparently needed the rest.

“Hey, Blue,” Red said, shaking my shoulder.

“Oh crap. What time is it?”

“After five,” he said, sitting down next to me.

“Where’s Jacqs and Bond?”

“Outside talking.”

I sat up. “Holy shit, really?”

“It’s happening.”

“I’m glad we have a few minutes. I wanted to apologize for assaulting you last night.”

He faced me and held my shoulders. “There’s really nothing to apologize for. You didn’t hurt me, and I felt honored that you felt safe enough with me to let it out.”

“You’re crazy, you know that? Seriously. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Do you think Bond and Jacqs are ending today?”

Red rubbed his chin. “I don’t know. I think it might be the first step in that direction.”

“You’re a patient man. Me? The in-between is driving me crazy. You would think I’d be a pro at it by now.”

“Love makes it different.”

“Yeah.”

Bond came in and said, “Blue, Jacqs wants to talk to you.”

“Me?” I asked, hopping up. “Did you—”

“No.” He shook his head.

“Are you okay?” I asked, touching his arm.