Page 37 of Blinded
“Should have stuck to vodka instead.”
GT grunted. “I’ll keep that in mind the next time.” He brought Jim up to speed on the events of the previous week and last night, and Jim winced.
“The crack about her job was a low blow, man,” he admonished, and GT hung his head. He had been mentally berating himself for the last couple of days.
GT pulled his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know. I have to make amends with her, but right now, I don’t think she’ll let me near her without taking my balls off.”
Jim crossed his arms and agreed, “Sounds about right for your woman.” GT stilled. “I’ve seen how she looks at you and the way you look at her. You’ve got the real thing, GT!”
He slapped his friend on the shoulder. “You’re absolutely right, my man. Now all I have to do is convince Sandra. Piece of cake, right?”
Jim chuckled and shook his head. “Let’s move to the weights and talk this plan out. You won’t get her back that easily.” The blond man grinned widely. “Knowing your sub, she’s having thoughts about you that will get her arrested if she acts on them.”
GT winced. Sandra might not voice her anger easily, but she knew how to hold a grudge. “You’re right. Damn, men are so much easier to deal with than women. Piss off a man he’ll punch you in the face, you’ll punch back and then apologize and buy a beer.”
Jim roared with laughter, and two women in black and neon spandex halted to look their way, with interest in their eyes and inviting body language. Jim was oblivious to their attention and wouldn’t have shown any interest regardless. Paula was everything to Jim as Sandra was to GT.
Sandra had been miserable for two weeks and stayed at home when she wasn’t working. She spent her evenings binge watching You on Netflix. The series was a great example of how dangerous love was she thought, as she witnessed Joe murder another person so he wouldn’t lose Beck. She recognized she didn’t like the female lead much either. She was so self-absorbed and completely oblivious to his fixation on her. How could that woman be so blind?
When her doorbell rang, she was stunned for a moment. She wasn’t expecting anything or anyone. She paused the episode and struggled up from the couch, where she had cuddled under a blanket.
Sandra walked through the hallway to her door. Strange, the doorman hadn’t announced visitors or a package. She gazed through the peephole and sighed as her doorbell rang again.
Sandra swung open the door to invite in her best friend, who was closely followed by Will. Ruby looked all peppy and energetic as she bustled into Sandra’s living room like she owned the place. Will followed at a much slower pace with a thoughtful and worried expression on his face. Sandra closed the door and braced her hands against the cold wooden surface. She rested her forehead on her upper arm and inhaled slowly before pushing away, turning and following the others to the room. So much for watching Netflix tonight. Not wanting the confrontation with Ruby and Will, but knowing she couldn’t avoid it, Sandra squared her shoulders and walked into the open space. Ruby stood on the rug in the living room, and Will leaned against the kitchen bar. A glance at Will confirmed her suspicion.
She greeted him politely, “Evening, Will.”
He wouldn’t butt in unless he needed to. Ruby would be doing the ass reaming. Sandra shook her head in resignation and turned to her oldest friend.
“Good evening, Ruby.”
“There is nothing good about this evening.” Ruby placed her hands on her hips, glared daggers at Sandra, and started firing questions, “Why aren’t you answering your phone? Or your texts? And why haven’t you been to the club?”
Anger, regret, and apprehension warred inside Sandra. GT’s crimes against her kept growing. She’d not only lost their play and her visits to the club, but now Ruby was mad at her, too.
“Why are you mad at me and not GT? I’ve done nothing wrong?”
Ruby closed her eyes and shook her head like Sandra was some silly child.
“What?” Sandra didn’t understand.
“Girlfriend, I…” Ruby didn’t finish her sentence but looked over Sandra’s shoulder, apparently seeking help from Will.
The big man cleared his throat, and Sandra whipped around to face him. His face softened when their eyes met. “Why don’t we sit down?” His tone was gentle, but there was a hint of command in it.
Sandra was confused, but she followed his lead. None of them spoke until they all sat. She noticed Ruby and Will exchanging a look. Will’s big warm mitt landed on her clasped hands. “You know, sweetie, a relationship is a two-way street.”
Sandra tugged on her hands, but Will simply squeezed, and she had nowhere to go. Sandra glared at him, but she didn’t say a thing.
“You know, Sandra, this right here is the heart of the problem.” Sandra turned her head to Ruby, who’d spoken quietly. “You either go with the flow when you don’t want to or you retreat. That’s not a way to handle disagreements.”
“GT said something like that.” Sandra narrowed her eyes. “But I hate conflict, and I won’t start it.”
Ruby cocked an eyebrow.
“What?”
“You start them constantly with Gisela. You just don’t realize it because the two of you never finish your arguments.” Ruby’s tone was still gentle, but she spoke her words with a certainty that baffled Sandra. She looked back at Will.
