Page 42 of Blueberry Cake
Her mind was racing, at war with itself. She felt as if the strong woman she’d become was all just an act; thrown back to the dark shadow that was high school. Luka couldn’t touch her anymore. That’s what Boyd had promised her. Once the panic subsided, Queenie finally started her car and drove away.
She hadn’t even known he was in town. Boyd hadn’t said anything either. But would he have?Shouldhe have? Boyd didn’t owe her any explanation when it came to Luka. She’d known from the beginning who he was.
She shouldn’t have been in that office, if she were honest. But why did she feel so betrayed? Boyd hadn’t done anything wrong, nor hurtful. He’d responded as he should have when Queenie used her safeword, though that didn’t stop the guilt from settling in.
Boyd
“Blueberry,” Queenie whispered. Boyd could only watch as the blood visibly drained from her face. She cleared her throat. “Blueberries. I forgot the blueberries in the car.”
Queenie shoved the items in her arms into Boyd’s chest, spun on her heel, and sped towards the elevator.
“What the—”
“Stay here,” he growled, spilling the gifts onto the front desk, and ran after Queenie. He caught the doors right before they closed, trying like hell to tamper down the panic spiking in his chest. “I’m sorry and I know you want space right now. Please text me when you’re safe and sound at home.”
Then he took a step back, and watched as the elevator doors slid shut, separating him from the woman he loved. He fought every cell in his body to stay where he was. He was desperate to chase after her and explain himself. Luka had surprised him with his visit, and Boyd hadn’t gotten a chance to tell Queenie as much. But she’d used their safeword, and he had to respect that. He didn’t feel safe letting her go, given the state she was in. He just hoped thatshe would give herself time before attempting to drive.
Once he’d found his composure—at least enough to get to his office—he turned and retrieved the things she’d left behind.
Luka was on his heels, and the second the door closed behind them he combusted. “Is that who you’ve been seeing? Do you know we went to school together? She’s my fucking age!”
Closing his eyes, Boyd took a moment to centre himself. He placed the flowers and the lunch bag on his desk and slowly turned to face his son. He tried to keep his mother’s words as present as he could. “I knowexactlywho she is. And if I were you, I would use your next words wisely, because I also know what you have done to her.”
Luka froze, but relented and crossed his arms over his chest. “Since when?”
“A few weeks.”
“And you’re serious?”
“Yes, and I will not tolerate any disrespect towards her.”
For a moment it looked as if Luka was ready to fight him, but then he dropped onto the couch and sighed, defeated. “Fine. How did you meet?”
“At a bar where she politely let me know that my son was a bully.”
“I can’t deny that,” Luka grumbled. “And then you started dating?”
“That’s right.”
Luka took a long breath and slowly bobbed his head in understanding. “What now?”
Boyd turned back to the desk and picked up Queenie’s flowers, rolling them between his palms. “I’m not sure. I didn’t plan on you two meeting like this, and it clearlyupset her.”
“You should’ve told me.”
“I was planning on telling you,” Boyd spat, livid at how things had played out. He set the flowers down and opened the lunch bag. The smile on his face was involuntary when he withdrew the food along with a folded note.
Boyd,
I know you’re busy, so I’m hoping this will help you fuel energy until you get time to eat a proper meal.
I couldn’t find any blueberry cake so I hope the cupcake will do.
Love,
Queenie
Fuck.He didn’t deserve her. Depending on how this whole thing played out, he may be very close tolosingher.
