Page 40 of The River in Spring
Quickly I regroup and put back on a cool persona. Jimmy. What kind of a pussy name is that? Can’t let him know he got me good. Obviously, he isn’t finished with what he has to say though, because he points in my direction. Round two.
“What about you, Nobel? Dove said you work from home. You’re an attorney, right? It’s not quite as exciting as making music, but I bet the money is better and steadier,” he says, pretending he’s making the effort to get to know me.
What is happening is he’s pointing out my career is boring and lacking in any excitement whatsoever. I’d say he is attempting to point out to Dove how colorless life would be with a man like me. How dry and dull her days would be. Thing is, he has not considered the most important detail.
“True. The days can get a little routine,” I say, looking at Dove and smiling. Then I turn back to Jimmy.
“But the nights? I think those are every bit as exciting as you’d imagine.”
Imagine is the operative word, dude. That is what you have to do. I live it. His face begins to flush with my words. You could hear a pin drop. Literally. Three people start talking at once, filling the void. But Jimmy and me? We are both silent.
In reality I’m sure he would much rather grab the back of my head and smash my face into the table. For emphasis. Just as I’d like to do with his. An image of his rather large nose breaking comes to mind. I wouldn’t hate it if there was a pool of blood involved.
Get ahold of yourself. Do not show this jealous side or any lack of confidence. I smile before responding.
“Yeah. I’m hired by other attorneys to weigh the evidence of their cases. Sounds boring, but it’s far from that. It’s heavy on the cerebral.”
I pause after that declaration just to make sure he understands the insult. How I am turning his own words against him. I can give as good as he can.
“And yeah, the pay is good,” I continue. “And reliable. But then it’s not as exciting as a keyboardist’s life. That’s for sure.”
I add a half grin and my tone sounds sincere. That’s how good I can fake it when someone deserves nothing less. This is his doing. I am just a player on the stage he built. Hopefully, he hears the message I am sending.
And he does. As the conversations continue and the toasts are made, he’s eyeing me. Not with a smile or relaxed body language. Instead, dark eyes and a furrowed brow accompany his silence. Like he’s deciding what to do next. Yeah, I don’t much like you or your intentions either, guy. I see you.
12
Dove
Come on! It’s your birthday. I have plans, you know.”
“I just have to finish this one thing,” Nobel says for the third time.
I have left him to his work for the last two hours as planned, but soon I’m going to head for the river with or without the man.
“You have five minutes. Tick, tick, tick. We are on a schedule!”
His eyes lift to mine and he smiles and stretches. “All right, warden. Let’s go fishing.”
Maudie’s head turns as Nobel gets up and makes his way to me. Her understanding of the inflections in her human’s voice is impressive. Even without us being by the door, she knows we are about to leave the house.
“You look awfully cute, you know. Reminds me of when I saw you that first day. Except for the naked thing.”
We come together into default position. Arms encircling bodies. The kissing. The wonderful kisses.
“Happy birthday, baby. I love you.”
“This is the first time I’ve looked forward to the day since I was twelve.”
“From this one on, it’s going to be your favorite day of the year.”
“You’re aiming a little high, aren’t you? It’s just not my thing to be the center of attention.”
I spank his ass. “We need to make up for all the ones you missed celebrating. And I know how to win you over.”
“You already have. In every other way.”
“How did you end up loving a woman who thrives on the spotlight?”
