Page 36 of Blinded
“Wish your friend was as willing to talk.” GT took a tentative sip of the coffee and grimaced. “Man, this tastes like shit.”
“I know. Have some water.”
By the time GT finished his cup of coffee and two glasses of water, he was somewhat himself again. “Now tell me what’s going on with you and Sandra, Greg.”
Hesitant at first, GT started to tell Ruby about Sandra’s problems with intimacy and commitment. Patient and attentive, Ruby listened, and let him speak without interruption.
“When I suggested a Valentine’s present, she got all cold,” he ended his monologue.
“What did you do then?”
“Hell, I told her I wanted to be with her for more than just play.” He scratched the back of his head. “What’s the crime in that?”
“Do you remember your exact words?” Ruby chewed on her bottom lip.
“Dunno.” GT stroked his chin as he thought back to the fight. “Just that I wanted to be with her because I love her.”
Ruby gasped, and GT glowered at her. Is loving someone a bad thing now?
“Sandra has a pretty warped image of love, Greg.” Ruby heaved a sigh and stroked her hands over her face. “I think you’ve met her mother?”
GT carefully moved his head up and down. “Once, albeit briefly.”
“Gisela is...” Ruby sighed again and studied him for a moment like she was making her mind up. “Okay, I can’t tell you everything, because it’s Sandra’s story if she trusts you.”
She ignored his huffed, “Yeah, right.” but she pressed on with her explanation.
“Gisela uses the word love to manipulate Sandra and her dad into complying with her demands. I don’t think that the woman has a maternal bone in her body, and she’s been using Sandra to get attention and praise from the moment she was born. As I said, I won’t tell you more about it.” Ruby paused, but GT stayed silent. He knew there would be more. “Did she tell you about her fiancé?”
GT nodded. “She told me a bit, but only once. Something about him using her.”
Ruby made a sound of acknowledgment. “That’s right, David worked in her Dad’s department and saw her as an easy way to get promoted. I don’t think Sandra would have ever considered him for a partner if her mother hadn’t kept pushing. Sandra has a hard time standing up to the woman.”
“That’s why she minimized our connection at the fundraiser. It didn’t make sense at the time.”
Ruby’s head moved like a headbanger listening to Metallica and following the movement with his eyes made his head pound. “Yeah, meeting Gisela is a good way to lose Sandra. The woman has been pushing Sandra to marry a rich man for ages, and you’re probably a golden boy in her mother’s eyes.”
He closed his eyes. “I’ve been blind! I never caught on to her reasons or pressed her to explain more.” GT took Ruby’s hand and squeezed it lightly. “Thank you for telling me. Now I need to act before I lose my chance.” He released her hand slowly.
Ruby smiled for the first time that night. “You’re welcome.” She hopped from the stool. “Now, let me give you a lift home. There’s no way I’m going to let you drive in your condition.”
GT slid from his stool as well, and Ruby halted him with a flat hand against his chest. “Wait until tomorrow and sober up some more before you go to her, okay? And be prepared to beg.”
The next morning GT woke up with the hangover from hell, but it was the least he deserved. When he got home safely, courtesy of Ruby, he’d downed two glasses of orange juice. It saved him from vomiting all night, but it didn’t prevent his head from exploding now.
GT struggled out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. He didn’t bother looking into the mirror but headed straight for the toilet. When he flushed, it reminded him of Sandra in the shower and how she’d slapped his chest for turning the water scalding. His mouth twitched in a semblance of a smile. He loved so much about her – her patience when he bound her, her personality, hell, even her pride in her work. Sandra was so right in his life, at his side, but his knowledge wasn’t enough. He needed to convince her of it, too.
GT made a hearty breakfast, took two Naproxen, which he drank with a bottle of Gatorade, and gathered his gear to do some heavy lifting at the gym. On his way there he called Jim.
GT was finishing his warm-up when a blond man in sweats stepped into his line of sight. He finished the last two movements without hurrying and looked at his friend.
“You look like hell.” Jim grinned.
“Thank you. You’re no prize either,” GT shot back, but a smile tugged at his lips, too.
“Actually, I am. My melda tells me so every day.” Jim sobered. “What’s the matter, man?”
“I had too much bourbon last night, and I’m paying for it now.”
