Essentialism (Bridgette & Troy's Story) (20 page)

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I say.

“I don’t know if I can give you what you need.”

What? No, this is not how this was supposed to go.
“Bridge, you already have. Honest to God, I’m not some sex freak. Yeah, I like a little kink and spanking, but that’s it. I don’t need any of this. I have rope at home and my hand is my favorite prop.”

She looks into my eyes, like I’m lying. “You promise?”

“I swear. Does it turn me on to play with this stuff? Yeah, hell yeah, it does. But I would also be fine if we left.”

“No. I wanted to do this and I believe you. I know you’ll always be honest with me. Tell me what you like?”

Dammit, I haven’t been honest.
I need to tell her about David seeing us. She wraps her arm around my side and asks again. “Tell me what you like?” Fuck that motherfucker. He’s not going to ruin this moment for me. Another time. I’ll tell her another time.

“I want you to pick out a crop, anything will do. I’ll be gentle and bring you pleasure, I promise.” She picks out a red weighted vinyl heart.

“Interesting choice. Let’s get one of these too.” I grab a large foam wedge pillow that I can use to position her body any way I see fit.

“Troy, that costs over a hundred dollars.”

“I don’t care. How much did you spend on my house?”

She sulks back and shakes her head. “Exactly. We’re buying this stuff.”

“I got a sign-on bonus at work, so it’s different.”

“Don’t start with me, woman, or I’m buying handcuffs.”

She doesn’t speak another word about price as we finish up our time inside the store. I love how curious she is about everything. She scrunches her eyebrows as she scrutinizes the displays of items. The best was the anal section. I had to fuck with her for a minute about wanting to buy a huge strand of anal beads. She swallowed hard and before she almost fainted, I busted out laughing.

Driving home, she’s rubbing her forefinger over her lips and staring out the window. I wish I had a glimpse into her head, even for a brief moment. She’s so intense and I’m almost positive dirty thoughts are clouding her mind.

“Dude, I can’t do this without you. You’ve got to help me.” Abel basically begs.

“Come on, man, you’ve got Vincent.”

“Yeah. That’s exactly why I need you. That fucker is made of money. I don’t need his superficial opinion getting in the way of a logical one.”

“He’s your brother. I can’t believe that’s how you talk about him.”

“Whatever, it’s nothing I wouldn’t say to his face.”

“Fine, but I have to get Bridgette a birthday gift and a good one while we’re out.”

“I’ll help you, if you help me?”

“Deal. Want me to pick you up at noon?”

“Yeah, that works for me. Thank you, and remember, don’t mention this to Bridgette. I don’t want Cara to have any idea what I’m up to,” Abel says.

“I won’t, man. Stop worrying.”

We hang up and I go in search of Bridge. She’s out in my backyard, enjoying the August heat, reading. “Still on that book, huh?”

“Oh my God, Troy, you were right about what happened with his wife, he just found out.”

“See, I told you. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Listen, I’m gonna run a few errands. Are you still going to that wedding thing with Alexa today?”

“It’s called a Bridal Expo and yes, we’re going at one o’clock.”

“Okay, well, have fun and I’ll meet you back here for dinner?”

“Sounds perfect.” She opens her book and sticks her nose back in it. I smile and know what I need to get her for her birthday. I kiss the top of her head and walk back inside, grabbing my car keys before I head out. It’s hot and muggy today. We’ve had a bit of rain lately, giving it an east coast feel of humidity.

The drive to Abel’s is quick. I park in front of his building and text him. He comes right down and hops in. “What up? Thanks for picking me up.”

“Of course. Where’s Vincent meeting us?”

“The mall.”

I head in that direction and notice Abel is particularly anxious. He keeps bouncing his knee and is picking at the skin around his nails.

“You all right?”

“Yeah…no…dude, I don’t fucking know. This is such a huge step.”

I chuckle at him and think how I can calm his nerves. “What’s got you so worked up?”

“I don’t know, maybe that this is…forever?”

“Do you see yourself spending forever with someone else?”

“Fuck no.”

“Then it’s settled. She’s the mother of your child and you love her. Stop questioning this.”

“I know, dude. I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am.”

“Then don’t do it.”

“What? But I want to,” he says evenly.

“Then do it and stop being a bitch about it. I swear it would be easier for you to get her name tattooed than it’s going to be to buy a fucking ring.”

He’s watching me and I glance over at him. “How can I not be nervous?”

“It’s not that hard. Just live your life, knowing what you want and going after it. I know how determined you are. Don’t let that confidence slip away. Is Cara your forever?”

“Yeah.”

“Then?” I ask.

“I’ll do it.”

“Atta-boy,” I joke with him.

He rubs his face with his hands and I go in search of a parking spot at this nightmare of a shopping mall. Finally I find one and pull my Jeep into the small spot. We hop out and both walk up to the entrance. I see Vincent as we approach, getting a valet ticket.

“What’s up, guys?” he says.

“Not much, just calming your brother down,” I say.

Vincent laughs, “I can’t blame him. I was nervous as fuck when I went through this.”

“I’m not nervous. It’s just forever, you guys.”

We both laugh at him and head through the mall. “Nothing’s forever, Abel. This is only for the rest of your human life,” I say.

“Same difference.”

“Where do you guys wanna go first?” I ask.

“Jewelry store,” they both say at the same time.

We make our way through the mall and I scan all of the stores, looking for the perfect gift for Bridge. Although I have one in mind, I wouldn’t mind getting her another.

“So when are you going to ask Cara?”

“I think in Napa. She loves the ocean and I want to do it before the baby gets here. Do you think Bridgette would mind?”

“Nah…she’ll be happy for you. Bridgette’s not like that – at all.”

“Then that’s the plan. Unless I get the balls to do it before then.”

“When the time’s right, it’ll happen,” Vincent says.

He bobs his head and we walk into the top of the line jewelry store. I’m a little thrown off by the security guard standing by the door, but then again I’ve never actually been inside one of these places. An overzealous saleswoman immediately greets Vincent and Abel. I keep my distance for now and browse the cases. There is nothing right off the bat that catches my eye. However, I’m not sure if Bridge would wear any of this.

I walk over and check on the guys. They are in full engagement ring mode. The woman pulls out option after option, ‘til I hear Abel say, “That’s the one.”

Vincent snatches the ring out of his hand and nods his head. I glance over at it and it looks nice – really nice. “What do you think, Troy?” Abel asks.

As I hold the heavy metal in my hand and inspect the diamonds, I’m shocked. How could I argue? “Dude, it looks pretty fucking amazing to me.” The woman scowls at me and I give her my sincerest smile.

“I looked at rings with her when she helped me pick out Alexa’s and this one reminds me of what she liked,” Vincent says.

“Yeah, this is definitely it.”

“I think it’s a great choice,” the woman adds. “Now if you would like to pick out a center stone, let’s head over here.”

“Do you guys mind if I peace out real quick and grab Bridgette a few things?”

“Go right ahead. We’ll catch up with you,” Abel says. I love how calm he looks. I know he’s making the right decision and I can tell he now knows that too.

As I leave the store, I head straight for Apple. She needs something to read her books on. The place is slammed and I kick myself for not making an appointment. But to my surprise, as soon as I tell the guy I’m here to buy an iPad he has a sales associate right over to help me.

As I weigh my different options, the harder question isn’t which size. The color is what’s throwing me off. Who knew choosing between black and white could be so hard? I settle on black, because I know that’s what she’ll like, and then I pick out a case before heading out to find the guys. On my way to meet them, I see a line of people, and as I reach the front of it, I notice an author signing books.

I look through the line once more and notice everyone is holding that book Bridgette’s been into. I would love to get her an autographed copy. Then I realize I can get her iPad case signed. I hop in line and text the guys. Fuck, the lines so long.

Surprisingly, the line moves quickly and before I know it, I’m almost up. I fish the case out of the bag and package to get it ready for her. Then it’s my turn and she asks, “Hey, just that signed today?”

“Uh, yeah. Unless you have any paperbacks.”

“I’m all sold out, I’m sorry. Do you want me to make it out to anyone?”

“Bridgette, please.”

She spells the name back to me never looking up and signs away.

“Thanks,” I say as she hands it back to me. I place the case back in the bag. With this gift, I might’ve won boyfriend of the year. I try to think of anything else that I could buy her, but I think this is perfect. Maybe the guys will have some better ideas. I see them emerge and Vincent pats Abel on the back.

“All done?” I ask.

“Yup, it’ll be ready before we leave.”

“What about you, did you find her a gift?”

“Yeah, I’m all good.”

“What did you get her?”

“An iPad with an autographed case from her favorite author.”

“No shit,” Abel says.

“Should we eat since we’re done so early?” Vincent asks.

“Hell yes. I’m starving.”

We both laugh at Abel’s comment. He’s always starving, so of course he would want to eat. My phone chimes with a text and I check the message, it’s from Bridgette.
Can we just go to Vegas and get married? I’m so not down with the whole wedding thing.

I shake my head at her comment; it’s the last thing I expected her to say. I guess my joking about taking her there for her birthday has paid off. It puts a shit-eating grin on my face.
Let me know when I should book our flights.

It’s my last shift of the week and I’m stoked. Although I do have to help Cara and Abel move, I’ll be with Bridge and that makes any situation better. I’m showing Shawn how to check the inventory on our medical items when we get a call. The sirens go off in the station and that familiar feeling of adrenaline courses through my veins.

We both drop what we were doing and run over to our gear. Quickly, I step into the pants and grab my coat. Abel flies down the pole and gets dressed next to me. “Wanna drive?” he asks.

“I wish,” I respond.

In order to even dream about being behind the wheel of the rig, you have to be certified. I’ve been working my ass off to pass the test. Hopefully, soon I’ll be able to say, “Fuck yeah.”

Abel hops in the driver’s seat and I get in behind him, sitting in the passenger seat of our beautiful rig. He starts the engine and she purrs to life. As the guys start to pile in, we do a head count and then pull out of the stall. The ambulance leaves before us like they always do.

Putting my headphones on, the dispatcher gives crisp, clear details of the situation and the directions to get there. Abel turns the sirens on and I love how all the cars part to the sides of the road as we pull out. We’re headed to a house fire. It’s been weeks since we’ve been to a fire. Lately, we’ve had a lot of car accidents and medical incidents, but this is what we do and the adrenaline of knowing we are about to fight what each of us has trained for, is exhilarating.

It sounds like the house is vacant, so no one was inside. I smile knowing Bridgette will be happy that we don’t have to go in. It’s complete chaos as we approach the scene and Abel starts to give us all orders. The fire is huge and completely out of control. The neighbors are all out ogling, standing far too close in my opinion, and the cops are doing their best to keep them at bay.