by E. L. Todd
She would. My brother always had a soft spot for my wife.
“Now spill it, Sean. Why are you trying to get rid of me?”
Goddammit, why did my wife have to be so smart? Why did she have to trust me implicitly? Was the idea of me cheating that unrealistic? I guess that was a stupid question since I was obsessed with her since before I married her. Perhaps that was a bad plan. “Let’s sit down.”
She moved to the couch and watched me.
I sat beside her.
“It wasn’t a deer, was it?” she whispered.
She always pieced things together quickly. She could be a detective if she wanted to. “No.”
“Sean, talk to me.”
“When I went downstairs, I cracked the window open. There were two men outside dressed all in black. I couldn’t see their faces. But I could hear their voices.”
She listened patiently.
“They were trying to get into the house but the alarm stopped them. One man said they were stupid for assuming I wouldn’t have an alarm. And when the other one responded, I recognized his voice.”
“Who was it?” Scarlet spoke so calmly, like we were discussing the weather.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I recognized his voice but I couldn’t recall his face. I keep searching for it but I can’t find it. It’s someone I know, but not well. If I did, I’d know it immediately.”
“It’ll come to you.”
“They weren’t trying to rob us.” I stared at the wall and didn’t look at my wife. “They were trying to come after me. If they’ve been keeping an eye on the house, then they know you’re home all day alone. So they obviously have no interest in you or my possessions. It’s me they want.”
“Then why are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Because if they get me, I won’t be able to protect you. Just because they don’t seek to harm you doesn’t mean they won’t hurt you if you’re in the way.” I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling scared. “I want you to stay with Ryan for a while. I’m going to stay here, and when they come again, I’ll be ready. And I’ll kill them.”
She shook her head. “You think I’d ever believe you were having an affair?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t want to tell you the truth, Scarlet.”
“But that was just stupid,” she said.
I smiled even though I didn’t want to. “I’m glad you didn’t believe me, actually.”
“You’re more likely to sign up for ballet than touch another woman.”
I had the best wife in the world. And that knowledge brought me back to the situation. “Baby, you need to stay with Ryan. I know he’ll protect you and I can’t worry about you while I’m trying to deal with this.”
She gave me a serious look, telling me she was about to say something I couldn’t argue with. “I’m not leaving.”
“Scarlet—”
“Unless you tie me up and drag me to Ryan’s, and then chain me to the wall, I’m not leaving.”
“I don’t think you understand how serious this is.”
“I know how to fire a gun. And I’m a damn good shot.”
“That doesn’t matter,” I argued. “I need to keep you safe. If I die, so be it. But I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
“If I die too, I accept that.”
I felt the anger course through me. “We have two kids, Scarlet. They can’t lose both of their parents.”
“And they can’t believe that I would ever desert my husband when he needed me.”
“We aren’t having this conversation,” I snapped. “You’re going to Ryan’s—end of story.”
“You don’t tell me what to do, Sean. I understand the danger of the situation and I’m still not leaving. We’re in this—together.”
“Scarlet—”
“I refuse to be scared in my own home. I’m not going to let some assholes scare me off. Honestly, if their brilliant plan was to break into a wealthy person’s home and assume there wouldn’t be an alarm, then they are obviously a bunch of idiots. I’m not afraid of morons.”
“Don’t underestimate people.”
“Don’t underestimate me.”
I wanted to strangle my wife right now. Why couldn’t she just do what she was told once in awhile?
“I’m not leaving,” she repeated. “I’m home all day with the alarm, and when you’re home we’ll keep our eyes peeled. We have enough guns and ammunition for an army, thanks to you.”
“No.”
“Yes,” she said. “I’m not going to budge on this.”
She wasn’t. Why couldn’t she be scared like most women?
“My mom tried to kill me and I survived that. I’ll survive this.”
“Not the same thing,” I argued.
“She had a gun,” she said. “And I made it through.”
I was sick of arguing with her because I kept losing. “The only way I’ll let you stay here is under one condition.”
“I’m listening.”
“The cellar in the attic is bullet proof. If something happens, you have to go inside and lock the door until it’s safe to come out.”
She considered the proposal. “Why don’t you hide in there with me?”
“Because I need to kill them so we don’t have to live our lives in fear.”
“I’d rather kill them myself,” she said.
I’d taken Scarlet to the shooting range numerous times. She was a good shot and she knew a lot about guns. But who knew how well she would do under pressure. When you were terrified your life was about to end, it was a different ballgame.
“That’s all I’m willing to compromise on,” I said. “You can stay with me but you need to go in the cellar if something happens. And not come out until I come back for you.”
She shook her head but didn’t say anything.
“This is the only offer on the table. If you reject it, you’re going to Ryan’s.”
“You do realize you can’t make me do anything,” she said. “And my aim is always true.”
“In the cellar or at Ryan’s. Pick.”
She considered it for a long time, remaining silent. Then she turned to me. “Cellar.”
“You need to promise me you’ll go in there when I tell you, and not to waste time arguing.”
She looked away, clearly hoping I wouldn’t make her promise anything.
“Scarlet,” I pressed.
“Fine.”
“Fine, what?”
“I promise.”
Scarlet always kept her word, so I knew I could trust her. “Okay.”
Chapter Six
Roland
Jasmine and I met up for a drink after work. She texted me out of the blue and I wasn’t sure what she wanted, but I couldn’t blow her off. She’d always been nice to me and she didn’t care I was gay. Honestly, she was the only real friend I had at the moment.
She sat in the booth across from me and ordered a beer. “Hey, Ro.”
“Hey.” I sipped my beer then rested my elbows on the table.
“How’s it going with Heath?”
“Good.” I couldn’t help but smile when I thought of him.
She pointed at my grin. “Really good, huh?”
“I’m not one to kiss and tell.”
“I’m glad you finally opened up and took the plunge with him. He’s really cute.”
“I know.” I thought about his broad shoulders and muscled chest on a daily basis, especially at work when I should be doing other things. “You should see him naked.”
“I’m good,” she said with a laugh. “So, what do your parents think? They were cool with it, huh?”
“Uh…I haven’t told them.”
“You haven’t?” she asked incredulously. “Haven’t you and Heath been together for, like, a year?”
“Well, we were friends for six months so that doesn’t really count.”
“You were falling in love so it does count,” she countered.
“Any
way…no I haven’t told my parents.”
“When are you going to get on that?” She snapped her fingers twice.
“There’s just a lot going on right now…my dad is busy…you know.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Ro, you sound like a pussy. I know gay guys are sensitive but they aren’t pussies.”
“I’m not a pussy,” I argued. “It’s a big deal. It’s not like I’m telling them I got a tattoo or something.”
“What’s the big deal?” she asked. “You’re telling your parents you’re into men and not women. It’s not a big deal. It’s not like it affects their lives at all.”
“But it does,” I argued. “Who wants to have a gay kid?”
“Ask any gay parent and they’ll tell you they love it.”
I shook my head. “Gay people have a lot more rights than they once did, but they’re still persecuted for their lifestyle. When I tell my parents the truth, it’ll affect them. They’ll see me differently. Heath’s parents disowned them and haven’t spoken to him since. I don’t want that to happen to me…”
Her eyes softened. “It won’t, Ro. Your parents love you.”
“I know they do. But…what if they change their mind? What if they can’t accept me? What if they’re uncomfortable around me?”
“That’s not going to happen,” she said seriously. “And even if it did, would you seriously want to hide your true self for the rest of your life? Would you want to keep Heath in the dark forever?”
“No, of course not but—”
“Even if your parents turned their backs on you, which they won’t, you got all your friends. They wouldn’t abandon you.”
“They might…”
“I’ve met them,” she said. “There’s not a doubt in my mind they wouldn’t care.”
“Then I got my aunts and uncles…they might be freaked out about it.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re seeing things that aren’t even there.”
“Look, it’s a lot easier to judge my situation when you’re on the greener side.”
“I’m not judging anything,” she said. “I just think you’ve waited long enough. You love Heath, right?”
“Of course.”
“Have you…you know?”
“Oh yeah.” I grinned at the memory.
“Then there’s absolutely no reason to wait. Heath isn’t going to put up with it forever.”
“I know he won’t.” I was terrified he would get sick of waiting and leave me.
“Just sit down with your parents and pull the bandage off. Whatever happens, happens. Make your peace with it.”
“But I love my family. I can’t imagine my life without them.”
“If they really disowned you, they wouldn’t love you to begin with,” she said seriously. “So, just go for it.”
“Maybe I could write them a letter…”
She rolled her eyes. “Man up.”
“My dad is going to be so disappointed in me. Even if he accepts it, he’ll be embarrassed by it. Our relationship will be different from there on out.”
“The relationship will be better,” she reasoned.
“Or he’ll be awkward around me for the rest of my life…”
“This is going to happen eventually. You may as well get it over with.”
I was sick of talking about this. I didn’t feel any better about it. It was like a cloud looming over my head and the distant sound of thunder was evident in my ears. “Are you seeing anyone?”
“Actually, I am.” She flipped her hair over one shoulder and grinned wider than I’d ever seen.
“Spill it.”
“He’s so good-looking. He’s sexy, sensitive, sweet, and funny. And he’s awesome in the sack. He clearly knows a thing or two. It’s a nice change. I haven’t had a good lay since Cayson.”
“Um, ouch.”
She laughed. “You know what I mean.”
“Since I’m gay, I’ll let that go.”
She suddenly turned sad. “But we won’t last long.”
“Why not?” I asked. “It sounds like he’s the real deal.”
“He’s too good to be true. He’ll lose interest in me when he’s tired of the sex and meets someone else. Then I’ll be history.”
That was a depressing way to think about it. “Why would he lose interest in you?”
“I’ve never been able to hold a guy’s attention for long. Even though they say I’m good in bed, they get bored and leave. It must be my personality. I really don’t know.”
“I think you’re really cool,” I blurted.
She shrugged. “I’m just not what men want for a serious relationship. I’m good for hot sex and a few beers but they never see me as their future wife. Maybe I put out too easily and I don’t have the class of a debutante, but I’m not going to change. This is who I am, and I’d rather be disliked for who I am than loved for who I am not. And I like sex. Who said you have to wait until the eighth date to slide into home plate? If the chemistry is there, it’s there. And if I did hold out, by the eighth date he would be bored with me anyway, and then he would sleep with me and never call again. So, really, what’s the difference?”
I didn’t have much to say to that. I’d never really given much thought to a woman’s perspective on dating. I’ve always just wanted to get laid then take off. “When I slept with you, you were awesome in bed. But I liked hanging out with you afterwards. I think you’ve just had a lot of bad luck and it’s making you question your worth.”
“Maybe,” she said. “But I doubt it.”
“How many dates have you been on?”
“A few,” she answered.
“And you’ve already slept with him?”
“Yes,” she said defensively.
“Well, if he keeps asking you out then he must like you.”
“He’ll go out with me for a little while longer than ditch me like all the others. I try not to take it personally and just enjoy our time together. The problem is, I really like him. He makes me laugh and feel good about myself. I have to hold myself back from falling for him because it’s so easy to do. Last time I fell for a guy who was only partially into me, he left.”
I felt the condensation of my glass under my fingertips. “Not all guys are jackasses. Perhaps you’ve finally found one who isn’t.”
She smiled. “Thanks for making me feel better, Ro. But I’m a big girl and I can handle the truth. Honestly, what’s a rich, sexy banker going to want with a hairdresser?”
“A banker?” I asked. “That’s not that impressive either.”
“He owns several banks on the East Coast. He’s very wealthy.”
That sounded familiar. “Who is this guy?”
“Oh, that’s right,” she said. “You know him.”
“Who is it?”
“Reid. He dated Trinity for a while.”
I vaguely remembered him, mainly from Slade’s point of view. “Yeah, he is really good-looking. He has a nice body.”
“And a big dick,” she said bluntly.
Now that I had a boyfriend I had to make sure I didn’t check out other dudes. It was disrespectful. “Lucky you.”
“How’s Heath’s package?” she asked.
“You ask a lot of personal questions,” I noted.
“This is girl talk. You’re supposed to ask stuff like that.”
“Okay, I’m gay but I’m not that gay.”
She laughed. “Just answer the question.”
“It’s nice. I haven’t looked at another dick besides my own so I wouldn’t really know. But it’s as big as mine.”
“Ooh…lucky you.” She winked at me.
I smirked and blushed at the same time. “Please don’t mention this to Reid—about me being gay.”
“Why?” she asked.
“He might tell Trinity or something.”
She rolled her eyes. “Would it be the worst thing in the world?”
“Actually, yes,” I said. “That would be a hor
rible way for my friends to find out. Please keep it to yourself.”
“Reid wouldn’t say anything.”
“I’d still rather him not know.”
“But when I talk about you what am I supposed to say?” she asked. “I’m just friends with a dude? The only way that works is if he’s gay.”
“Fine,” I mumbled. “But tell him to keep it to himself.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Now that’s one person down and twenty more to go.”
I wish I could just send everyone a card and not have to look at their faces as the realization hit them.
“We should go on a double date.”
“The four of us?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“But if doesn’t sounds like you’re that serious anyway,” I noted.
“Hey, I finally have a good couple to do a double date with,” she said. “I’m going to take advantage of it while I can.”
***
When I walked inside Heath’s apartment he was on the couch.
“Hey, Ro.” He looked at me over his shoulder.
“Hey.” I leaned over and kissed him.
“How was Jasmine?”
“Good,” I answered. “She’s seeing someone and wants to go on a double date.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun.”
“I’m sure it will be,” I said. “She’s pretty cool.”
“And the guy?”
“He’s pretty cool too. He used to date one of my friends.”
“Which one?” he asked.
“Trinity.”
“Pretty blonde, right?”
“Yeah.” I sat down beside him. His laptop was on the coffee table, and a game was on the TV. “Do you have any girlfriends?”
“A few.”
“You’ve never introduced me to them.”
“Why should I when you haven’t introduced me to yours?” he countered.
I ignored the jab and avoided eye contact.
“I’m sorry.” Heath put his arm over my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to come off like that.”
“It’s okay.” I knew he was frustrated and Jasmine said I needed to speed things along.
“There’s something I want to ask you.”