Page 11 of Fusion (Gravity #2)

Beau/Dash

Beau

My palms itched with anticipation of getting my ass back into the volleyball game. Unfortunately, none of Dash’s friends possessed a single athletic bone in their bodies. What a seriously dumb choice to leave the game in order to let another player take my spot on the team, considering I was the team.

When I left the court, we were up by ten, and my side hadn’t scored another point since then. With me out, Dash, who played on the opposing side, had taken control of the game. His relentless competitive spirit never allowed him to back down. He and I faced off one-on-one several times, and despite his earlier instructions about only playing for fun, each time I bested him, I playfully mouthed I win . He reciprocated the sentiment the few times he managed to score against me.

“Beau.” My mom’s soft voice was the only interruption to penetrate the humming of my unyielding competitive nature. I missed playing sports. I had no desire to return to a university team, but I needed a better outlet to channel the drive inside me. Law students on a beach volleyball afternoon didn’t cut it. Neither did my work at FedEx. Regardless of how quickly I completed my tasks, and generally outperformed everyone else, no other driver cared, making the win not nearly as fun.

I cut a glance back over my shoulder, first at my mom, then beyond. The outdoor, city owned, recreational sports park had several choices to play other than beach volleyball, positioned right off the lake. There was a basketball court, a tennis court, and a jogging trail. Times were reserved online. We still had at least an hour blocked to play volleyball. Weaved throughout the entire park were places to throw out a blanket or chair, and enjoy the sun, or a game, but the rock climbing walls pulled my attention there. Although I’d never officially climbed a rock, I felt I could easily conquer those walls. The highest point couldn’t be more than four stories. With no fear of heights, my challenge would be against myself as I aimed to scale the wall faster and faster.

“You’re not paying attention to me,” she said, resting a hand on my forearm. My thoughts shifted to the unconditional bond we shared. We were also evolving into friendship, causing the lines between parent and child to blur. Since I’d commandeered a decent-size section of the blanket she’d brought to sit on to watch us play, I made a deliberate effort to listen this time—at least after I voiced what I wanted to say.

“You’re pretty, Mom. I like that you’re able to take better care of yourself.”

She squeezed my forearm where her hand still rested, beaming under my praise.

“It’s been easier to take care of myself since we’re no longer living under such an oppressive life.” Over the last six months, she had immersed herself in a bohemian style of life. It fit her new personality like a glove. My mom was tallish,sort of, and wore flowing, loose clothes that somehow still fit her frame while giving off a breezy, delicate vibe.

“You’re still young,” I murmured, not even understanding why I said it.

“Every year you get older, I get older.” Her laughter drew a smile from me. She lifted a finger, pointing toward a man on the other side of the volleyball court. He had arrived several minutes ago. He was older, but not that old, fit, and appeared to come from money based on how he wore his clothes. “Who’s that, son?”

“Dash mentioned Carter was stopping by today to meet everyone. It might be him,” I said, unsure. Just then, this game concluded, my team was defeated, and a sweaty, disheveled Dash hurried toward the man my mom had noticed. She and I watched their interaction as my guy turned and pointed toward us. I raised my hand, feeling uncertain what to do.

“You don’t see someone like him in Southern Alabama.” I agreed with that. His walking shorts were perfectly tailored to his body. The tasteful Hawaiian style shirt hung from his shoulders in a way that accentuated a broad chest. His sun-kissed tan and blond highlights in his chestnut hair appeared naturally acquired. I had discovered my new fashion mentor. I suddenly aspired to exude the same polished yet relaxed style.

“Everyone around here is a different breed than me. Their priorities are different,” I finally blurted out my biggest concerns about living here. “The way they see life is different. The food they eat, the beer they drink, the conversations at dinner are all different. Dash’s different, too, when he’s around them.”

“I wondered if you noticed that,” my mom said. The hand on my forearm swiped downward in a caress. “But he only has eyes for you. I worried that he was too controlling but seeing you two together has ended that concern. He really tries to care for you. You don’t make it easy on him.”

I laughed and tilted my chin to glance at her. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I want him to be my partner.” The wedding ring on my finger seemed to have a direct line to my emotional well-being. My belly did a little flip-flop as the tip of my finger skimmed the band. Maybe I rushed us into wearing these rings too soon. I just liked it, and what it stood for. “Since we moved here, he’s been a better equal to me. He doesn’t try to take care of all our expenses alone. We do it together now.”

“You know, he still hasn’t cashed the check for the truck,” my mom said.

“I know, but keep the money ready. I think we’re headed into some hard times,” I said, but that was only a fifty/fifty bet. Dash had somehow orchestrated life in a way that he wasn’t doing without. I was concerned about his strong ties to his family, and what it might mean losing his foundation so dramatically, but he hadn’t had a landslide yet.

“I appreciate the way you’ve started adding the g’s to the ends of your words.”

“It wasn’t intentional,” I said, dryly. For the entirety of my life, she’d been on me about the way I spoke. I’d never give in. Probably even dug my resistant heels in harder. Now, I had another thing to add to the list of cons about Chicago: involuntary accent change.

“He’s headed this way,” she said.

“Invite him to sit with us,” I suggested. “If it’s Carter, he’s been really good to us.”

“Of course I will, I’m a southern woman. Manners before God, country, and family.” She grinned at me, but she wasn’t wrong. I laughed, if only on the inside, staring into her round sunglasses. Her cheek leaned against my bicep as we watched Carter’s approach. He grinned broadly when my mom loved on me.

“I’m Wesley Carter,” he said, still a few feet away. I made myself rise, stretching out a hand, instantly intimidated by the man. Carter was lean and fit. As he came to me, he removed his sunglasses. I did too, only because he did.

“I’m Beau. This is my mom,” I said, hooking a casual thumb to the side. “Linda.”

All his attention landed on my mom.

“Dash told me this was your mother, but I doubted him. You must have been very young when you had him,” he said, causing my mom to beam under the compliment. On the other hand, I furrowed my brows. Since Carter didn’t linger, I let it go. “I understand congratulations are in order. You three had a big morning.”

My eyes dropped to my commitment ring. The tip of my finger ran again reverently over the band, a symbol of everything Dash and I shared. I had to put the doubt away.

“You two have the same rings,” he said, bending to peer closely at mine. I appreciated his genuine interest and attention to detail.

“Dash surprised me this morning. It’s his birthday today, and now the day holds even more significance,” I said. “I don’t know how much more the day can handle. Better for me though, I knock out all the sentiment in one twenty-four-hour period.”

He chuckled. I did too because I was damned funny, and it was true. I bent, starting to take my seat. “Join us. We’re waiting for Dash to take a break. He’s kicking these people’s butts. It has to be exciting for him.”

Carter didn’t immediately sit. Instead, all his attention focused on my mom again. “And you’re the mother figure I’ve heard so much about.”

“I am. Have a seat, Wesley.” She patted the blanket beside her.

“I don’t want to intrude, but it’d be nice to have some company,” he said. I was regularly baffled by how she effortlessly engaged in conversation with anyone around her. A talent I didn’t possess. “Most call me Carter, but you can call me Wesley, and you’re beautiful.”

My brows instantly snapped together. Apparently that particular muscular contraction was my newest superpower. I jerked my head toward my mom. A blush creeped up her cheeks. She seemed to melt right in front of my eyes.

“Not true but thank you.” He settled comfortably beside her, both of them ignoring my very direct stare. Oh no, I wasn’t sitting here on this gorgeous day with not a cloud in the sky to watch my mom be flattered.

“I’m gonna go rock climb,” I said with irritation in my voice and hooked a thumb behind me.

At least they both glanced behind them, rather than staring so intently at one another. “That’s awful high,” my mom said.

“Yep. That’s the cool part,” I said, letting her chew on that as I started toward the attendant manning the wall. “He isn’t afraid of heights, but I don’t know if he’s ever climbed something so tall,” she explained to Carter. I heard the concern in her voice, which was silly. I’d be harnessed in if anything went south.

Hours later, I was hot, sweaty, probably sunburned, and out of money. I also had scored mad respect from the attendant.

“I doubted you,” he said while helping release me from the harness. “Not too many guys your size have the strength-to-weight ratio needed to be a contender, but you held your own. With proper training to perfect your technique, you could compete.”

Even with the words tickling the competitive part of my being, I shook my head. “Nah, I don’t want to be on the competitive level of anything anymore, but I’d like to learn how to mountain climb properly.” I glanced up at the wall and smiled. “I really enjoyed this today. How’re you involved here? Is this your business?”

“No. This is owned by the city, but I’m here every weekend and holidays to earn extra cash.” As I stepped away from all the safety gear, he handed over a business card. “The money I make goes back into rock climbing. I’m addicted.” His good-natured grin showed how happy he was to be hooked on the sport. That said a lot. “I suggest you go with Spider-Dan’s local group, Clutch. Here’s the number on the back. They’ll teach you what you need to know and give you real time experience.”

With my forearm, I brushed away the sweat collecting on my forehead. I tossed my shirt to the side about an hour ago when the warm sun and high humidity caused it to cling to me. My adrenaline had surged as the attendant had taught me the process for climbing the wall then again when I’d tossed to the top. I’d broken records for the wall, then broke my own time when I went again.

For the first time since the beginning of the climb, I searched Dash out. I found him in the crescent-shaped clique of his friends. My mom, Carter, and everyone else were all now facing me. My guy stood from the beach-style lawn chair and whistled loudly, clapping his hands. The others followed suit.

The irritation I had harbored while being so completely ignored by Dash was now fully resolved. I swiped my hand through the air, downplaying my accomplishment, but my joy was impossible to hide. The attendant playfully knocked me in the back when I started toward Dash.

“I forgot to add, rock climbing brings the ladies out of the woodwork.”

Not the incentive it might have seemed. Dash jogged through the sand toward me. I grabbed my shirt and started in his direction while pulling my ring out of my pants pocket where I’d tucked it for safety and sliding it back in place. I swore the energy of the gold band liberated me. A material symbol of what we shared that gave me the same feelings as if Dash were right there with me, whispering all his reassuring words of love that scooped up my doubt and tossed it away.

“My guy’s such a badass,” Dash said and extended a cold Gatorade, condensation dripping down the outside. He slowed a couple of feet from me and walked the final steps, a giant grin on his face. “We ended the game, and I spotted what you were doing. We’ve all been watching you climb, shocked that it was your first time.”

Dash came straight in, chest to chest, and kissed my lips. He never backed away or worried how others might react, he just loved me through and through.

“We should go home and get cleaned up,” he said, staring me straight in the eyes, his face only inches from mine. My arms circled around him and squeezed tightly before I let him go, turning in the direction of my mom. “We have dinner reservations in two hours,” Dash called to my mom. “Carter, you’re welcome to join us.”

Dash’s hand intertwined with mine. Life was back to right as rain.

Dash

One iPod, one set of earbuds split between two ears, his and mine, while slow dancing, locked in Beau’s strong embrace… My belly was full from a delicious dinner. Life was so good. I had my face resting in the crook of Beau’s neck, breathing in the spicy, erotic scent of his cologne. Our bodies did a slow sway to the sounds of “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. Our shoes were kicked off, our bare feet sifting through the sand as we moved together, with a darkened Lake Michigan churning in the background. The full moon helped set the romantic scene. We were somewhere between the parked truck and a section of the beach we claimed as our own a couple of hours ago. Booming pops of fireworks sounded off in the distance from the shows in the suburbs.

“I dreamed of this day,” I said quietly, my eyes closed while breathing in another long inhale of his scent. “In my wildest imagination, I never thought we’d be this good.”

Beau chuckled, gently tousling me with the movement of his chest. “I did. It scared me. You’re so out of my league.”

Reluctantly, I angled my head to better see his face. He tilted his head in the other direction. His earbud slipped from his ear. “Where’s that coming from? I think we’re very compatible.”

“Huh,” he said. He cupped his palm against the back of my head, trying to lower my head back to his shoulder with a solid push. It was a playful gesture he frequently used when he wanted to avoid a conversation. He furrowed his brows at me when I resisted, prompting him to push a bit harder.

“Not happening until you answer.” I stopped moving as I continued to stare at him. The romance of moments ago took a backseat as I worked through all the possibilities of what I’d done to cause him to feel that way. “You’re going to have to tell me what I’ve done. It wasn’t on purpose.”

“Then lay your head down or let’s go and finish the conversation in bed.” His easy grin caused one of my own, even understanding this was another attempted diversion by Beau. It also assured me that whatever caused the words wasn’t going to ruin our night. I tugged the earbud from my ear, letting it hang from my hand.

Beau’s smoldering stare held my attention as he stepped into me, his fingertips caressing down the length of my arms until his hands took mine. “Let it go. I shouldn’t have said it. Especially today. It’s been a great day.”

“Tell me now,” I murmured, clasping his hands. With him standing so sexy before me, I knew this needed to be finished before we took it into our home.

Since I stared intently at him, I saw the moment his expression turned to resignation, which meant I’d won. I wasn’t going to declare my victory now, but he’d know before we went to bed. “I don’t get along with your friends here as well as I did back home. They’re different. Here, it’s all so intellectual. They come off as better than me.”

“And I spent so much time with them today. Did I make you feel ignored?” I asked, releasing him as he walked away, moving toward our shoes.

“Come on. I’m not upset, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m happy that you have friends. You haven’t had many in your life,” he said. The full moon cast Beau beautifully. I wished I had a camera to capture the moment. When he turned back toward me, he knocked the shoes together to remove the sand and tilted his head toward the truck. “Let’s go. I’ve always considered you out of my league. You’re just so personable. You don’t see class differences. And honestly, all those qualities gave me a chance to bag a guy like you.” With a playful glint in his eye, he lifted his left hand, wiggling his fingers. “I can feel it on my finger all the time. How long do you think it’ll last?”

“I considered you might be feeling left out today,” I said, walking toward my side of the truck. “Then I saw you rock climbing, well everybody saw you climbing like a spider monkey, and I left the game to watch you.”

“No explanation needed,” Beau said. “I want you to have friends to help get you through the next few years. I just don’t vibe with them.” All the while, he also went to his side of the truck— the driver’s side—tracking me as I went. He was nervous. The locks released with a click.

Since I’d studied his face all day and night, I knew his little signs of fibbing and saw none were present. “Well, I want to know your friends,” I said and climbed into the truck. “You haven’t introduced any to me.”

“Middle of the seat,” he said, climbing into his side.

I followed his instructions. It was growing late, as we drove along Lake Shore Drive. The streets were unusually quiet, a stark contrast to the noise we heard twenty-four seven. About five minutes from the parking garage, I grazed my hand down his thigh.

“You really were in your element while rock climbing,” I said. “How did it feel?”

“Good, natural. I’ve always enjoyed climbing, you know that.” He smiled at me while I pressed the gate button. It slid open smoothly as we pulled into the garage. “If it’s not too expensive, I’ll probably pursue it. My belly’s getting flabby.”

Oh lord, that was a far cry from reality. Beau rounded the floors like a pro until he parked next to Carter’s vehicle. A wave of melancholy washed over me. Our day was almost over. We went hand in hand up the elevator then down the hall to the front door. Beau, ever the gentleman, swung the door open for me, ushering me inside first. Something from the right side of the penthouse caught my attention. I was stunned speechless, which was a good thing. Carter and Linda were walking into the guest bedroom suite entrance, holding hands. Carter saw me when he turned back to the door. He looked me straight in the eyes before closing the door behind them.

What on earth was happening? Reacting instinctively, I flipped around, pressing both palms firmly on Beau’s chest, catching him off guard enough to shove him back several feet. My thoughts raced as I blurted, “Close your eyes.”

The sudden spark flickered in his amber gaze, causing a mischievous smile to tug at one corner of his lips. A look I typically found quite endearing, often leading to sexy time. “Seriously, I forgot something to give to you.”

“You gave me enough, Dash. We can’t spend all this extra money,” he lectured, but closed his eyes as I’d requested. I took his hand and walked carefully through the entry into our side of the penthouse. I quickly glanced around and didn’t see anything out of place and let go of a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

“Oh wait, I decided to give that to you for Christmas.”

Beau instantly stopped and popped his eyelids open, looking around. “Are you lying? Am I missing something?”

I left him standing there and started for the stairs. “Of course not. I just forgot. I was lost in all your sexy cologne.” I prattled on until we were up the stairs, in the bedroom, with the door shut behind us. Even then I still continued to talk. Beau would tune me out eventually, he always did.