Page 38 of Belonging to Them
She laughs.“You should see your face—you’re blushing.I’d love to know what you’re thinking about.”
“Dirty things,” I say.“No way am I saying it out loud.”
“Fair enough.”She fans herself.“The life you must live, whew!”
She’s not wrong.Six months ago, I never would have imagined any of this.Being in a relationship with two great men?No way.
The dumpling house is closing, so we gather our things and head outside.Traffic moves past on Caro Boulevard, headlights blinding, bass tones blaring.
“Where next?”Natasha says.“I’m not ready to go home yet if you aren’t.”
“I can stay out.The only guy waiting for me tonight is Sebastian’s cat.”
“Hmm.We could go to Bartleby’s and fuck with Nicholas-don’t-call-me-Nick.”Natasha holds her hand up for a high-five, which I give her.
“Let’s do it.”
* * *
Kingston
The dinner with my fellow presenters at the symposium goes late.At least the food was good.I wish we had this same upscale Chinese restaurant in San Esteban; Ella would love it.I check for more messages from Ella, but the one she sent about her brother is the only one.I can’t imagine how this thing must be weighing on her, and I wish I were there to help support her.
“Thanks for dinner, Maurie,” I say to the older man who helped organize the symposium and hosted dinner tonight.
“Anytime, Kingston.”He shakes my hand.“Glad you could pry yourself from San Esteban this week.See you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there.”
I say a quick farewell to the other lingering guests and then head outside.A wave of heat rises up from the street and sidewalk.Fuck.I immediately begin to sweat in my suit jacket.It amazes me that even at ten p.m., Sacramento is still hot as balls.It’s got to be ninety degrees out here.How do people live like this?I can’t wait to get back to SE.It can get hot there, too, but at least we occasionally get a cooling breeze rolling over from the coast.And it cools down at night.
While I wait for my ride, I pull out my phone and check email.A message from Kristin waits in my inbox.Hey.All’s well here.The Ruberetta accounts are up to speed, finally.Stop worrying—I have this under control.
I email back a thank-you, then text Grant Ramanathan.
Everything all right there?
He responds immediately, but I feel bad because it’s technically after work hours.All was fine when I left the office.She’s doing a good job.
Sorry to bother you so late.
It’s okay.You’re worried, I get it.I know you had some concerns about Kristin at the start, but she’s just as driven as you.I think Ruberetta is even starting to like her.
Exhaling with relief, I write back,Thanks, Grant.I appreciate your input.
This weight of worry and responsibility I’ve been carrying is starting to ease.Maybe I really will be able to step back, let Kristin take the lead on the company.I’d still work at the office, of course—I love my company and what I’ve built.But I won’t have to babysit it constantly if someone else capable takes the reins.
Then I could spend more time enjoying Ella, listening to her sing, worshipping her body, loving her.
* * *
Ella
Natasha and I are halfway to Bartleby’s when I notice a sign on a dingy doorway.Lo-Cal’s.The name sounds familiar, although I know for a fact I haven’t ever been inside the place.The sidewalk around it smells like urine, and a huge man stands next to the door.He’s wearing sunglasses, so I can’t see whether he’s even aware of us as we walk past, but I have a feeling he’s just as watchful as my two guards.He looks like the kind of guy who’s waiting to crack someone open if he can’t pay up?—
With that thought, it hits me: Lo-Cal’s.It’s Tommy’s “bar” that he’s mentioned in passing, which, now that I’m looking at it, is probably more of an underground gambling club.
He’s probably in there right now, losing more money.
