Page 80 of Corporate Escapades

Back at Paris and Vic’s condo, Vic had been awoken by Paris's nine o’clock alarm. Feeling the bedsheets next to him, he ascertained Paris had left some time ago. Sitting, he stretched himself out, then climbed out of her bed. It surprised him to learn that she’d left the apartment altogether.

The prior night had been such a whirlwind that they hadn’t even put the wine glasses or leftover wine away. He immediately set to tidying up. He couldn’t stand the idea of leaving the living room in such disarray.

Once the condo was back in order, he called Chase, who picked up on the first ring. “Hey, man, I don’t feel like playing tennis today. Want to meet me for a run?”

“What time is it?” asked Chase sleepily.

“Buddy, are you still in bed? It’s almost ten-thirty.”

Clicking his tongue, he said, “I didn’t get to bed until four. When do you want to go?”

“Why were you up so late?”

“I had a date,” he replied, “and before you ask, it went well.”

“Good deal,” replied Vic in amusement. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. Scratch that. I didn’t know you were back to dating after your breakup with Mitch.”

“It’s been two months. I’m not waiting around for him anymore. He doesn’t deserve this,” Chase replied.

“Too true,” agreed Vic.

“What time?”

“Well, I meant now, but I suppose I can hold off a bit. Eleven works for you?”

“No,” he said with a sigh, “but I’ll be there.”

“Wait, is your date still there?” asked Vic.

“Oh, no, he didn’t stay. It’s all good. I’ll be over at eleven,” he replied and hung up the phone.

Chase arrived as he said he would, at eleven o’clock sharp. Vic was dressed and ready to go. He followed him out of the building, and they set out together at a nice brisk pace. Running was the other thing that helped Vic cope. Chase, luckily, shared a similar view, which is why they’d begun running together on a more regular basis.

Chase knew firsthand what it was like to struggle with life. As a thirty-year-old gay Native American, he was no stranger to prejudice. He’d grown a thick skin and worked hard to maintain his positive demeanor. Running and therapy had been his only saving graces as a young teenager; they helped remove him from the angry path he’d set out on and brought peace and calm back into his life. He hoped Vic would discover the same as he continued through his therapy.

“Hey, I want you to know, I think you and Paris did really well this week. Between you and me, there’s a rumor that you’ll be making a positive move next week. Possibly in more than one area,” he relayed between breaths.

Vic glanced at him as he kept pace. “That sounds great. This situation is exhausting. I can’t wait for it to end.”

“Yeah,” replied Chase, “let’s hope it ends on a positive note.”

After their run, they met Jack at the pool to get some sun and drink a couple of beers. Much to Vic’s surprise, Mya and Paris were sprawled lazily on lounge chairs in their two-piece bathing suits when he and Chase arrived. Luckily, he had dark sunglasses on because he couldn’t stop staring at Paris's nearlynaked body. He had no desire to give himself away when she again was acting as if nothing had happened.

“How’s it going?” he asked. Paris was lying on her stomach, her skin glistening in the sun. He noted she smelled like coconut and some exotic fruit he couldn’t place.

Tipping her head back and sheltering her eyes, she looked up at him. “Oh, hey.” Motioning toward Mya, she said, “We thought some sun was in order. Cool weather is going to be here before we know it. Supposedly we’ll be getting some rough winds this fall.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” replied Chase. “We were thinking the same thing.”

“Have you seen Jack?” asked Vic. “He’s supposed to meet us here.”

Chase tapped Vic’s shoulder and pointed across the pool at Jack, who was entering through the gate at that very moment. “It’s uncanny how he materializes anytime someone is looking for him,” laughed Chase.

“Yeah,” agreed Mya. “He really does have that tendency, doesn’t he?”

“So, what’s the plan, boys?” asked Paris.

“We’re going to enjoy some drinks and some splashes in the pool,” replied Chase.

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