The asshole scoffs. “No need to feel sorry for me. I feel sorry for you. I was ready to marry you. Give you and Jordan the commitment you deserve. All Rogers is offering is you being together,” his inflection changed in that last word. “Have a nice life, Zoey. My sincerest prayers are with you and Jordan. See you around.”
I can hear his ballerina taps out of her office and the door slam. This time I don’t jump. I stay put. For the first time, I empathize with Bernard. He’s lost her. I have too at a point in my life. I’m not sure how he valued Zoey or why, but I do know life without Zoey’s bright light is worse than not having it shine on you at all before. She’s that incredible.
“Well, Mr. Rogers,” Angela sighs as she stands from her seat, wearing an indisputable grin. “This has been a robust conversation, but I have a batch of cupcakes to whip up before boss lady comes fumbling out of that office, ready to shoot anything not moving.”
Angela leaves the small office and I’m up seconds after her. I gait over to Zoey’s office and open the door without bothering to knock. She jumps at my presence. She’s surprised. Through her eyes, she asks if I heard. I offer a small smile as I hand her the bouquet of flowers over her messy desk. I bend over and kiss her on the forehead.
When I pull back, I offer softly, “As usual, you were on my mind. I just wanted to show you. Have a good day, Zo.” And I walk out.
I’m not angry, but a bit frustrated after hearing that shit with Bernard. Who the fuck is his cotton candy ass to speak about my commitment to my family. Shit, I may have caused Zoey lots of confusion and pain, but I’ve never ventured far. I’ve never left her side.
As I hop into the truck, my phone goes off. It’s Zoey.
Zoey: Are you mad?
Me: No
Zoey: Well why did you leave?
Me: Because I know when you get upset like that you need a minute to settle shit.
Zoey: He doesn’t know us. What he said doesn’t matter.
Me: But what you believe does. You know what I ultimately want from you. I guess I’ll just wait for you to want it too. Until then we’re just “together”.
Zoey doesn’t respond. I don’t expect her to. She’s still brewing. And me? I’m brooding. That conversation with Bernard and Zoey leaves me feeling unsettled as I go about my day. I have a league signing at Wells Fargo and I’m cutting it close, time-wise. It’ll be good to get my mind off this frustrating woman.
~~~~~~~~~~
“Mommy,” I hear soft knocks at the door. “Mommy, you locked yourself in there?” More knocks. Impatient knocks. “Mommy!”
Goddamn demanding knocks, disturbing my comfort around a soft warm frame, bathed in our collective erotic scents. I open my eyes to the sunlight.
Damn. I overslept.
I tap Zoey who’s sleeping blissfully. She should be. With the stunt she pulled last night, using the body candles we used in our scene, her ass should be out for a while.
“Zo,” I tap her. She stirs a bit, but doesn’t rouse. “Zoey, it’s time to get up. JR’s up.”
That woke her ass up. Zoey jumps from the bed like a mad woman, her eyes are wild in search of something…clothes maybe.
“Holy mother of Joseph! Hide!”
I ball up my face. She’s nuts. Where is my long ass going to hide?
“Stent!” she whispers forcefully. “He’s going to see us! You have to hide. Go in the bathroom or something!”
Zoey comes over and grabs me at the arm with her small hands, trying to tug me off the bed without success.
“Stenton, please!” she cries in a panic.
“You know what?” I throw the covers off as I leave the bed and snatch up my underwear then jeans. “To hell with this.”
I go toward the door, and from behind me, hear Zoey whisper, “Stenton! What are you doing?” I unlock and yank the door open. “Holy mother—”
“What the?” Jordan’s mouth drops. He’s not scared, just a bit surprised as he examines my topless form in his mother’s bedroom. “Daddy…”
“Morning, Lil’ Captain,” I greet as calm as I can. Zoey’s gasping in the background doesn’t help. “Listen, remember when I told you Mommy and Daddy would be boyfriend and girlfriend?”