Page 3 of Fusion (Gravity #2)

Beau

Monday

I released a jaw-cracking yawn and focused on the country music playing from my truck’s radio. The workday hadn’t been particularly rough, FedEx was in chill season, but the events of the past few days were piling up. A quiet night at home then a good night’s sleep should do the trick, making me feel right as rain tomorrow.

With one elbow resting on the edge of my rolled-down window and the other on the steering wheel, I maneuvered onto Dash’s street with what I considered an expert one-handed turn.

I saw the events unfolding instantly, but it seemed so wrong that it didn’t make sense. A beater tow truck was in the process of leaving the driveway with Dash’s sleek ride on top of the steel bed. I braked in the middle of the road until the tow truck was out of the driveway.

Dread coiled the muscles in my shoulders. Stop assuming. Maybe Dash had some sort of vehicle malfunction. I hadn’t heard from him since this morning. Now, that seemed suspicious. I saw Dash standing on the porch, one hand fisted on his hip, the other grasping his cell phone, the crease between his brows deepened. He saw me and didn’t smile. Whoever he spoke with held all his attention.

The garage door was wide open. I parked in the driveway and got out of the truck. The closer I got to Dash the more I felt waves of anxiety wafting off him. I was slow on the approach just in case he was on a private call. Before I made it halfway to the porch, Amelia’s car, Dash’s nanny now housekeeper, came to a screeching halt at the curb in front of the house.

Oh, that couldn’t be good. Something nefarious was a foot.

“Is Dash all right?” Amelia asked from her open window, concern in her voice and tears in her eyes.

“Can you help her?” Dash asked me. To him, Amelia was like a mother. She’d been by his side since the night his parents brought him home as a newborn. Their bond was unbreakable. Whatever happened to her was bound to be a catalyst that drove Dash to the brink.

“I just got home. What’s happenin’?” I asked her, crossing the yard to help her out of the car. I glanced over at Dash. Who now had a finger stuck in his free ear. He turned away, retreating into the house.

“I’ve been terminated without any explanation. I had a letter dropped off at the place where I’m staying. Is Dash all right? This wasn’t his decision, right?” she asked, her deep concern evident in her tone. Ah, power plays of the rich and famous. That was what was afoot this afternoon. This one was low, even for Dash’s family. Amelia was a dedicated employee to the Richmonds.

“Let’s go inside and wait for Dash. I don’t know what’s happenin’. We haven’t talked much today, but his car was just hauled off.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began walking her toward the front door.

“His phone isn’t working,” she clarified. “That’s why I’m here. I’ve worked for the Richmonds for twenty-five years,” she explained with tears running down her cheeks. The gravity of the situation became clearer.

“His cell phone was turned off?” I asked.

“Yes, he’s using that fancy phone you refuse to use. He bought the service himself. That’s why it’s operational,” she explained. “He told me what his parents did. I made him a good lunch to help him feel better.” She gave a hiccupped tsk and shook her head in distaste.

I pushed open the front door, finding that none of the lights were on.

Oh no.

Dash’s office door swung open, revealing the deep concern etched on his face. His efforts to conceal it from us failed mightily. His grin that usually helped him get his way, lacked its normal radiance. “I was hoping to have all this resolved before you got home,” he said, his voice tense, but he did come toward me, placing both palms on my chest, lifting for a quick peck. “What’s going on, Amelia?”

“Your father fired me. His secretary called and gave no explanation except they won’t fight unemployment. I don’t understand,” she said, tears amping up again. “He’s being too mean. You’re his son. You’ve been good to him.”

Any attempt to hide his worry fell from his face as he gave a heavy exhale. Amelia and Dash never hid the depth of what they meant to each other. Amelia being closer to him than anyone else in his family. His sorrow was palpable, taking her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “Give me time. I promise to figure this out. Until then, I’ll pay your salary. Leave your sister’s house and move in here. I’ve wanted you to for a long time.”

“I can’t be a burden to you. It’s my job to take care of you, not the other way around,” she said and opened her purse, pulling out a tissue that she’d technically needed several moments ago.

“If you stay here, your money goes farther. Stay upstairs, you’ll have a private entrance.”

In all the years I’d known both of them, I knew very little about Amelia or her life. Only that she was devoted to Dash, and Dash to her. Not that I was asked, but of course, she should live here.

“What’s goin’ on with the electricity?” I asked, interrupting the sadness between these two.

Dash sighed. “I’ve transferred all the utilities into my name. The bills come with me as the payor. The electric company said they’d turn it back on tonight. I’m not sure when,” Dash answered. He rubbed his temples with the thumb and forefinger of one hand.

“The utilities weren’t in your name?” I asked. That was different information than what I’d heard the numerous times before when I wanted to pay them.

“I believed them to be,” Dash answered, waving a hand dismissively. He refocused his attention on Amelia. “What will your family think if you decide to stay here for the foreseeable future? I can talk to them personally.”

“Dasham.” The use of his real name caught both our undivided attention. “I don’t want to be a burden to you. You’re like a son to me.” Her focus turned to me, distaste on her face. “I’ve never liked the way his mother and father treated him. Dash didn’t agree with me, but I knew they were no good.”

Her confession left Dash scrubbing his hands down his face in dismay, and perhaps agreement. “I need to catch Beau up. Give your notice that you’re moving out. Beau and I will help you move your things, whenever you’re ready.” His next words seemed designed to relieve the tension. At least they worked to alleviate the tears. “Beau has a truck and strong muscles, it’ll go fast. Are you safe to drive home tonight?”

She nodded, drawing him into a hug as he spoke to me.

“I need to secure some sort of transportation and get a new cell number.” Lines of worry creased the corners of his eyes and mouth. “We’ve also lost the landline and internet service. I haven’t had time to reconnect those. Utility companies take a long time to deal with on something pretty straight forward.”

“He took your car?” I asked.

The hug released. Amelia lowered her head, wiping away her tears. No way that single tissue could stand up against the waterfall coming from her eyes again. Without saying a word, she started for the small bathroom off the entry.

“Yes. The electricity was off when the tow truck driver arrived. He had to battle the garage door open,” Dash answered, and swiveled his neck, trying to release the strain there. He gave another deep centering breath and slow, steady exhale. The hits kept coming. My poor guy.

“You have the truck. Maybe drop me off at work in the mornin’, or is there a bus route I can take? I’ve ridden the bus before.” While Dash typically controlled his facial expressions, he couldn’t help but let them slip when he perceived I said something absurd, like right then.

“You’re not taking a bus,” Dash said sternly. “Of course, you’re not. Everything will be fine. Right now, things are complicated, but once it’s managed, we’ll be independent and done with them.”

“I’ll let you two be alone,” Amelia said. The tears had subsided, leaving behind a pair of puffy eyes as the only proof they were ever there. “I’ll be here first thing in the morning, like always.” She offered me one of her rare side hugs then embraced Dash with something more substantial. “You’re a better person than all of them combined. Your choices are the right ones. We’ll get through this together.” It was the kind of comfort only a mother could provide. She brought her face close to his. “If I need to take a second job to help pay the bills around here, I happily will.”

Oh man, that was dedication, and something Dash would never allow to happen. “I’m sorry this has affected you,” Dash said on a sigh.

I left them in the foyer to finish their private conversation and went to the bedroom, my brow furrowed in concern. My most immediate goals included a shower because it was like a furnace outside today. Then I needed time to process why I shouldn’t take off tonight. The only reason this was happening to Dash was because of me. His parents didn’t like me around. It felt irresponsible and selfish to stay, but I promised Dash I would. So how did this end?

The tension knots in my neck became rock hard. The mere workday exhaustion from minutes ago felt like boulders on my shoulders. I had four months’ salary saved. I’d be okay until I found another place to settle. Perhaps now Dash would see the merit in our separation.

“Your ball cap’s on backward. I haven’t seen it like that since we were in Sea Springs,” Dash said fondly from the bedroom doorway.

How could he focus on something so ordinary while his life was crumbling down around him? Perhaps Dash was genuinely struggling with mental illness, just as his parents and all the counselors they had sent him to suggested.

“You’re correct in whatever you’re thinking, but it was a fond memory I hung onto. You wore a cap like that when I first met you at the party in the field. It frames your face really well.”

“Since I chopped off my hair, the ball cap is the only way to keep it off my face…” Wait. I let Dash distract me. I waved my hands in the air to show my frustration. “Stop. What you’re dealin’ with is ridiculous. How much more can your father do to you before you open your eyes?”

Dash’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’ll acknowledge I wasn’t as prepared as I believed when I severed ties with my family, but I’m sorting it out. I apologize for the inconvenience this causes you. You work hard…”

“You’re worried about the inconvenience to me?” I asked incredulously. “When’s it gonna feel right to say goodbye to me? You don’t have a car .”

“Hush. We made the decision to stick together. Fuck the world for keeping us apart. Let me change, then come and help me open the back doors. They have a manual locking system that I’m certain you can reach easier than I can. We have plenty of cold cuts, cheeses, and chips. I think Amelia made a pasta salad this morning...”

The more Dash spoke, the better his mood became. He began the process of removing his snug shirt. Something I really enjoyed watching. A private strip tease only for me. Each shimmy and shake captured all my destructive thoughts and tossed them away.

“We’ll rough it until the electricity turns back on,” Dash continued. “Be cowboys from the wild west. Hang out by the pool, the lights out there are solar operated.” I followed him into the dark closet. A pair of swim trunks hit my chest before Dash wriggled out of his expensive khakis. The shadows added extra flair to his undressing.

I was such a pig, ogling Dash on such a difficult day. Even with no utilities, this house was still comfortable with lots of natural light. At least to me. And maybe to the guy now standing nude in front of me.

Several hours later

Dash was back. My quintessential doting guy. We shared a meal, swam, relaxed, and had an overall good time. He cracked his usual silly jokes and acted as if every word I said mattered, which it didn’t. I listened as he broke down his day.

As the evening turned to night, the electricity was still out. We laid contently in bed together. We left the glass wall panels that lined the back of the house open to allow the cooler night air to filter through the bedroom.

I held Dash with my eyes closed, and as if by magic, the electricity flipped on. Music played quietly in the background, as it always did, followed by a succession of beeps from every direction. The security monitor on the wall initiated its operating system, signaling its status as it went.

“I have money,” I murmured into Dash’s hair, not ready to let the closeness go. “We also have Mom’s check for the truck. They’d be a good downpayment on a nice ride for you.”

Dash trailed his fingertips across my chest, lulling me into a trance with every swipe. “Maybe it’s time to have a joint checking and savings account. We’ve defined ourselves as a committed couple to the world.”

“I’m fine with that. I want to be a partner, not a dependent,” I said. They were words I’d uttered many times since we’d gotten back together.

“Why didn’t I know about your application to own a FedEx route?”

I had kept it quiet, not allowing myself to dwell too much. No doubt the fear of failure held my tongue. My application had a very solid chance of being denied, and what if I couldn’t handle the load of being a small business owner? I was young, almost twenty-one. Money and loans were concerns I didn’t know about. My mom had agreed to back the loan and be a co-owner if my age and lack of business experience were a problem.

If I answered honestly, I risked Dash throwing a full-fledged tantrum over how I hadn’t asked him to be my money tree.

A sudden ding on the monitor indicated the garage door was being opened. We both tilted our heads in that direction as if we might see what was happening. In seconds, Dash was out of bed, dried swim trunks pulled back on and running his fingers through his hair.

“Hang on, I’ll go with you,” I said.

“Stay in bed. Besides you and Amelia, only Chandler knows the security code to come inside. Let me go see what’s happened.” Those words were said as he left the room.

Of course I didn’t listen, dressing quickly. For the first time, I was glad for Dash’s eccentric glass walls throughout the house. As I went to join them, I watched Joy, Dash’s niece come into the living room. With Dash the last and unexpected baby of ten children, it created lots of nieces, nephews, and cousins slightly older than him. Chandler, Dash’s longtime friend, followed behind her. Joy was dressed in a one-piece Jiffy Lube coverall, her hair neatly tucked underneath a matching ball cap.

The scene seemed weird. Dread coiled in my gut based on their grim expressions.

“What’s happening?” Dash asked. Joy removed the cap, her long, straight blonde hair unwinding in a cascade down her back. It had been years since I saw her last. She had matured. Her face now featured defined angles. Yet, she continued to radiate a striking beauty, a characteristic that ran in their family.

Her blue-eyed gaze landed on me, worry clearly etched on her face. A mirror to Dash’s expression. Yet, when she saw me, her face softened.

All else faded into the background when she came to me, wrapping her arms around me. “Despite all that’s happening, I was happy and relieved to hear you’ve returned to Dash,” she said.

“Thank you,” I said, my arm easily encircling her, savoring the sincerity of her words.

“No one understood what Dash was waiting on, but I did. I saw you two together. I got it.” With the attitude that was all Joy, she flipped around to Dash. “He comes back, and you don’t tell me?”

Dash’s lips quirked up. I appreciated his ability to remain level-headed despite everything being thrown at him. “I was keeping us in a bubble. I didn’t want to share him.”

“Maybe stayin’ hidden a little longer, or like forever, would have been wiser,” I added, my grin growing broad. I felt lighter in that moment, which was a wonderful feeling since I’d been carrying the blame for every shitty thing that went down with Dash and his family.

“I knew he was back,” Chandler said, pointing a finger at me. “But he doesn’t like me at all. Notice how quickly his smile faded.”

“It’s not that he doesn’t like you,” Dash said, responding to Chandler. However, even Dash couldn’t maintain the overused lie when he turned to my stern face. Joy laughed a musical sound at the change of my expression. “When Beau first arrived, there was confusion.”

“Yeah, that was the day I got my walking papers,” Chandler quipped. “Anytime we crossed paths, I was surprised I didn’t vaporize where I stood.” No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t hold in my grin. The way he spoke the truth made me feel like I’d won. I didn’t say it aloud, but my core knew the win counted.

“So what’s going on?” Dash asked.

Chandler dropped his hands in his fancy pants pocket. Joy moved to stand in front of Dash. The room’s vibe turned serious again. “If Granddad or my parents find out I was here, I’ll be excommunicated like you.” She air-quoted the word excommunicated. “Granddad actually used that word about you. He’s so arrogant. That’s the reason I came over. He’s crazier than normal. He’s unleashing all his power on you. You’re going to be evicted from your house…”

“This is my home,” Dash stated firmly. “It was a graduation gift that I personally went down and signed the paperwork for. The title is in my name.”

Joy shook her head. “I don’t understand it all, but something about shell companies that you’ve been removed from?”

I certainly had no knowledge about business, but Dash’s expression transformed into that of a fierce opponent. He planned to fight where maybe he hadn’t before.

“There’s more. I eavesdropped on Dad and Grandad’s lunch chat. He’s having you watched. That’s where we were told about your situation and under no circumstance are we to communicate or see you. If we do, we’re out of the family too,” she added. “He’s planning to bring you home on your knees, begging to be reinstated. He’s not going to let you back in, but he wants to see you grovel.”

“The rumor circulating through Dedman suggests that you have been removed from further classes,” Chandler said. The pain those words obviously caused him to say may have mollified my dislike of him by a tad.

“What?” Dash erupted. His anger was tangible, sending a surge through the room. “I’m a student with an impeccable record. How can they justify removing me?”

“Dr. Harris advocated for you. He’s someone good to have at your back. He didn’t let it go, but your father threatened to pull his funding for the entire school, saying you’ll be the last Richmond to enter SMU. Of course Dr. Harris didn’t stand a chance after that.”

Typically composed, Dash had reached his tipping point. A hot flush spread from his neck to his face. The cords and muscles in his shoulders visibly strained. “My utilities were disconnected, my car’s been taken, and they terminated Amelia’s position. She was the person who raised me.”

“Why did he terminate Amelia?” Joy asked, just as concerned. “Why didn’t he reassign her?”

“To hurt me,” Dash said in a steely tone. “What’re my options?” he asked Chandler.

“I don’t know but use Dr. Harris’s advice. He’s reaching out to you in the next couple of days,” Chandler said. “Be honest with him. If the gossip’s to be believed, and the source is his assistant, Dr. Harris said some pretty nasty things about your family.”

“We have to go,” Joy said, winding her hair back up and shoving it under the cap. “I’ll get a phone I can text you on. For whatever it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here,” she said to me with a faint, sweet grin, before she turned to Dash. “I know you were over the moon when he arrived. I’m sorry for what’s happened. Granddad’s completely in the wrong.”

Dash nodded. The anger remained in every line of his body. He needed space to vent to Joy and Chandler.

“I’ll give you some privacy to talk. He won’t do it in front of me,” I said.

I raised my hand in goodbye and held Chandler’s gaze. If I read his expression properly, he blamed me and wondered why I was still there after everything that went down. He wasn’t wrong.

My retreat to the bedroom was swift, closing the door behind me. I had to find a way to sleep. My morning started in seven hours. If not, when Dash returned, he’d take time to talk to me, let me know it was going to be all right, when it so clearly wasn’t.