Page 35

Chapter thirty-four

Birthday Bonbons

Karma

I throw my pencil down onto the manuscript. “I’m sick of this. If T?rlig wants a war, then bring it. It’s time to kick some Jhorvandian ass.”

“You finally figured that out?” Patterson snorts from behind the book he’s currently reading.

I snatch the novel out of his hands and toss it onto his desk. “Listen up, Professor P. Jeanrire isn’t just gonna lay down and die. If the trilogy ends in his death, so be it—but he’s not giving up without trying.”

“At last,” the professor groans, leaning his head back as he peers at the ceiling. “I thought you’d never decide to fight back. Your grit is the reason I asked for your help with The Ceranic Continuum in the first place. I always knew you weren’t a quitter, even though you’re throwing away your own writing career.”

“What are you talking about? I still want to be a novelist.” My mentor should know me better than that.

He quirks an eyebrow. “Oh really? Then why the MBA, Mr. Wilson? And don’t bother telling me that you’re going to be both a writer and a businessman.”

“Why not? You’re a novelist and professor!” I clap back.

Patterson waves a hand through the air dismissively. “I have no personal life. I work all the time—I can’t even remember the last time I took a vacation. Is that the kind of life you want?”

“No.” I slump into a chair and let my head fall into my hands. The more I picture a future like that, the harder it is to stomach. But what about Hank and Em? Their dreams are important to me, too. “God, I don’t know what I want anymore.”

“Liar.” He picks his book back up.

“What did you just call me?” I raise my head to look at him. The professor had better watch what he’s saying or T?rlig won’t be the only one who gets his ass kicked.

“You heard me, Mr. Wilson,” Patterson says as he turns a page. “You’re either a liar or a coward. You know exactly what you want to do with your life. You’re just too chickenshit to attempt it.”

I ball my hands into fists. Did he just call me a chickenshit liar? “Say that again. I dare you.”

The professor drops his book onto the desk. “No, Karma, I dare you . It’s about time you grew a pair and dropped out of business school.”

Did my mentor just tell me to grow some balls? What the actual fuck. “I can’t drop out—I’m halfway through my MBA program! Besides, I’m planning to start a business with my brother and sister. If I don’t get my MBA, then what will I do?”

“Write!” He pounds a fist against his desk. “Fiction is obviously your calling. Why do you think I’ve been mentoring you for the past four years?”

”I do want to write,“ I yell at him, “more than anything else in the world! I just don’t know if I’m good enough to make a living at it, OK? What if I try and fail?”

Arghh . I can’t believe I just said that. Is that honestly how I feel?

Patterson’s eyes narrow into slits. “You’re no better than Jeanrire. Go ahead, then—lay down and die. Give up on your writing career without even trying.”

His words are like a slap in the face. He’s right, I’m a hypocrite. I’ve been lying to myself all along. The Wilson Wake and Bakery isn’t my safety net—it’s a hiding place, an excuse for why I’m not living the life of my dreams. Fuck , I am a coward.

“It’s not too late to change course, Karma,” the professor tells me, his gruff voice softening. “In fact, I have something that might help.”

I doubt that, but I’ll take any offer of help I can get. I’ve got no idea how to fix the mess that I’ve made. “What do you think I should do, Professor P?”

He leans his elbows against his desk, templing his fingers as he looks me in the eye. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve been working with the university’s administration to start a master’s program in creative writing. I think you should join me. Drop out of business school and become my student again. I guarantee you a spot in my course—anytime, just name it.”

“Holy shit, are you serious?” A creative writing program taught by best-selling author, Rodrick Domingo? I’d give everything I own in the world to be a part of that. “But I’ve got a scholarship to business school. I don’t think I could transfer it over.”

Patterson waves a hand through the air. “You’d be given a full scholarship, obviously. You’re my protégé, after all.”

No fucking way. “Are you joking?”

“Do I look like a comedian?” He gives me a flat stare. “There’s only one condition to my offer. Help me find a way to kick T?rlig’s ass.”

As I gaze at the professor, something clicks inside me. It’s more than a feeling of determination… it’s almost a sense of fate. I may not know how I’m gonna break the news to Hank and Em, but I am going to join Patterson’s graduate program. I am going to try to become a successful novelist—and I’m gonna keep trying until I succeed. And there’s one other thing that I know for sure… I’m going to plot the perfect ending to The Ceranic Continuum . Not only can I solve the novel’s dilemma, but I will . It’s what I’m meant to do.

It’s my destiny, as Josh would say.

“I’ll do it, Professor,” I swear to him. “One way or another. I promise.”

Patterson settles back into his chair and picks up the book he’d been reading. “It’s like I said before, Mr Wilson. I knew you weren’t a quitter.”

“Ruby Reidel! How’s it goin’, gurlfriend?” I give the tiny twink a big hug. “Hey, didn’t your hair used to be purple?”

He swipes a hand through his pastel pink locks. “I had to tone down my fierceness. It was making the other queens jealous.”

“Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle,” I tell the stylist.

“As if anyone ever could.” Ruby buffs his chrome-colored nails against his sequined crop top. “Speaking of sparkle, I need to get ready for the party. I’ll see you bitches on the dance floor.”

As he saunters out the door of Josh’s apartment, Tyrell shows up on the front step. The way they bump fists in passing, it’s obvious they know each other. When did the two of them become friends?

That’s not the only surprise. The football player has had a makeover.

“ Damn , Typhoon! Looking good.“ I gaze at the linebacker’s outfit—a tight black Henley that molds to his chest and designer jeans that show everything he has on the menu. He even has a new hairstyle. “I’m loving the mini dreads, man.”

Tyrell pats his hair. “Thanks, bruh. Ruby’s dope.”

“I think so, too,” my boyfriend says from behind me.

I turn around and my chin drops to the floor. Josh is standing outside his bedroom doorway, dressed in a thin white V-neck paired with faded boyfriend jeans. The denim has been cuffed into high-waters, with black lace-up Doc Martens completing the look. As my eyes travel over his slim body to that gorgeous face I adore, I blink in surprise. His black hair has been closely faded on the sides and kept longer on top, with the bangs swept forward over one gold-flecked eye. Gloss shines from his lips, and his long dark lashes look even thicker than usual. A soft glow shimmers from his cheekbones and eyelids, making him appear lit from within.

“Holy shit.” What more can I say?

Josh saunters toward me, a slight sway to his hips. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it, Moonbeam,” I whisper before brushing our lips together.

Someone clears their throat. We glance over to find JR, Fletcher, and Simon standing on the doorstep, peering at us through the open front door. They’re loaded down with trays of food and drink for the upcoming party.

“Happy Birthday!” Simon sing-songs. “I hope we interrupted.”

“Don’t you mean, you hope we didn’t interrupt?“ JR asks him.

“I’m a voyeur,” he purrs.

Fletcher snorts as he pushes his way inside, carrying a case of bottled craft beer. “Seeing as they’re both still fully clothed, I would say we made it just in time.”

“ ?Feliz cumpleanos, chico! “ Evie glides through the doorway, placing a kiss on Josh’s cheek, then one on mine. When she straightens up, she pats her hair and gives Tyrell a demure smile.

“Good evening, Ms. Delarosa. You look beautiful, as always.” The Gladiator holds a gift bag out to her.

My best friend puts a hand to her chest. “Another gift? Why, thank you, Mr. Jones. You spoil me.”

I swivel my head between the pair. What the heck is going on? Before I can ask, Blake walks through the open door with Josiah. The quarterback, dressed in jeans and a Buccaneers jersey, makes a bee-line for the beer. Josiah, wearing his usual pair of plain cotton pants and a simple button-down shirt, stares at Josh and Tyrell with his mouth hanging open.

“I hope you guys are hungry,” JR says as he passes out bottles of pale ale. “Sigh-Moan and Fletcher made enough pizza to feed an army.”

“As well as special birthday bonbons.“ Simon bobs his eyebrows up and down. He uncovers a tray of chocolate truffles. “I got the recipe from Karma’s sister.”

“Ooh, yummy!” Josh grabs one and pops it into his mouth.

“Wait!” I grab my boyfriend’s arm. “Those might be Em’s cannabis truffles.”

Josiah takes a bite of one of the candies, then asks Simon, “What’s cannabis, Mr. Crenshaw?”

Uh oh. I think the shy farmboy from Amish country is about to go on a ride—and I don’t mean in a horse and buggy.

Fletcher gives Simon an I told you so look. “Maybe you’d better put those away for now.”

“Hey, gimme one first.” Blake plucks a candy off the tray, and I grab one for myself. Tyrell swallows two of the treats, then holds one out for Evie. She opens her mouth, and he places it on her tongue.

I think my bestie’s been holding out on me. Just wait until our next Crime or Time .

“Daddy?” JR holds a truffle to his partner’s lips after eating two himself.

The professor stares at the ball of cannabis-infused chocolate. “Oh, what the hell.” He swallows it whole.

Well, then. I guess the party has officially started.

And, by the way… did JR just call Dr. Dom ‘Daddy’?

A couple of hours later…

“This is the best night ever!” Charlotte hangs from my boyfriend’s neck as they bounce up and down on the dance floor. She stumbles over to Josiah, who gives her a big intoxicated grin while they awkwardly jump to the beat.

“This is the best night,“ Gabriel shouts over the music. Josh’s DES friend is holding a petite blonde in his arms, slowly swaying to the fast-paced music.

“Yeah, thanks for inviting us,” Petra calls out, her eyes locked with Gabriel’s. “We owe you one, Josh.”

“I knew you would make a cute couple,” Josh tells them. He threads his fingers through mine, then leads me off the dance floor. With a sigh, he wraps his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder. “Isn’t love wonderful?”

I kiss his temple. “I think you’re wonderful, Moonbeam.”

JR and Fletcher wander over to stand next to us. “I’m having so much fun,” JR says with a stoned smile as he gazes out across the crowded dance floor. “Hey, check out that glitter twink on stage. Look at him werk!”

The professor snorts. “Do you know who he reminds me of? Remember our first night at The Bent Gent ?“ He gives his partner an inebriated grin.

I watch the barely-clothed dancer as he does a body roll. “Isn’t that Ruby?” I ask them.

Simon waltzes over, following our line of sight. “If it isn’t Ms. Reidel, shining like the shimmery gemstone she is. Hey, Ruby!” he calls out, waving to get his attention.

The twink jumps down from his platform and sashays toward us. He’s wearing glitter—and not much else.

JR and Fletcher turn to each other with wide eyes. “Ruby couldn’t be..?” JR asks his partner.

“No, that’s impossible,” Fletcher says with a shake of his head.

“Hey there, Birthday Boy!” The stylist gives Josh a spank on the bottom. “You look like a shot of Fireball whiskey… small, sweet, and fire in the sheets. Isn’t that right, Karma-licious?”

“You’re looking pretty hot yourself,” I tell him. “I think you might’ve broken Josiah.”

Ruby cocks a hip, placing a sparkling hand on his iridescent booty shorts. “What the heck is a Josiah? ”

We all point to the packed dance floor, and Ruby turns to see what we see. The handsome Golden Gladiator is standing still in the middle of the energized crowd, staring in our direction. He moves toward us slowly, as if in a trance, until he’s within touching distance of Ruby.

“Wow,” Josiah whispers, his gray eyes worshiping the glitter-covered man. “I’ve never seen anyone like you.”

“Honey, there is no one like me.“ Ruby grabs his right foot and pulls it over his head, balancing on one sequined shoe.

“Oh my lord.” The running back reaches out a hand, skimming his fingers over the stylist’s shimmering calf and onto his sparkling thigh. “You’re an angel.”

The twink’s jaw drops. He turns to us in disbelief before we all burst out laughing. “Come dance with me, Pretty Boy,” he tells Josiah while he lowers his leg, “and I’ll show you how angelic I am.”

As Ruby drags the football player out onto the dance floor, our eyes are drawn to another couple.

“Well, well.” Simon fans himself with a hand. “It looks like Evie and Tyrell have gotten acquainted.”

Holy shit. As long as I’ve known my bestie, I’ve never seen her dance like that . With her back glued to the linebacker’s front and her arms up around his neck, they move their bodies as one to the beat, their hips pulsing to the rhythm. Sweat glistens across their skin, but they hardly seem to notice—the steamy pair only have eyes for each other.

If I watch them any longer, I’m afraid I might get pregnant.

“Do you know what I’d like to do?” Josh whispers in my ear.

When I turn to look at him, he’s staring at Evie and Tyrell with half-lidded eyes. I’m pretty sure that I know what’s on his mind. “Are you ready to go to the hotel, Moonbeam?”

He pulls my head down for a scorching kiss, then tells me in a sexy growl, “There’s only one thing I want to do right now, and that… is… dance! ”

He grabs my hand, and we race onto the dance floor and into the midst of our circle of friends. Josh plasters his back against my front, his arms wrapped around my neck. He gazes up at me with half-lidded eyes while our hips pulse to the beat.

Holy shit. I think I’m pregnant.