Page 5 of Fusion (Gravity #2)

Beau

Dallas, Texas

I lounged against the sofa, one arm casually draped over the back. With Dash’s cell phone in hand, I gave up the pretense of listening to the conversation in front of me. Two important findings to note: Who knew cell phones had Tetris ? And legal jargon was mind numbing and impossible to follow. Dr. Harris’s visit created some issues for me. The most important one was how many stifled yawns I could hide in one night.

My thumbs danced deftly over the phone’s keypad, my gaze glued to the small screen. Tetris had never been my thing, but as well as I played, maybe I was some sort of prodigy. I pondered if gaming might be the career path for my future. Maybe I needed the new Xbox.

“Babe,” Dash said, his palm resting on my thigh. That touch was the only thing that could tear me away from the game. In a split second, I glanced at his hand, then up to his face, before shifting my concentration back to the phone.

Maybe as long as a minute passed when the silence in the room drew my stare back to Dash. If I read his expression correctly, he was astonished or maybe incredulous.

“What?” I said, defensively raising the hand resting along the back of the sofa, not nearly ready to part with the phone.

“You weren’t listening to Dr. Harris?” Dash snapped. My eyes narrowed a small degree as I judged the sincerity of the question.

Since Dr. Harris had arrived, a whole new side of Dash emerged. He was polished, poised, and an extreme gentleman. From his polite manners to serving coffee and dainty snacks, he had serious social game. Me, on the other hand? I was a clumsy, unsophisticated ox. I decided honesty was the best answer.

“You lost me after you told Dr. Harris to have a seat.”

Dr. Harris and Dash spoke a language I’d never heard before, so I sat there quietly. That should be considered a win in my favor.

Dash continued to stare at me as if I’d suddenly grown two heads. Heads… He’d love me having two heads… I was hilarious.

“What?” I said, defensively. “I didn’t fall asleep, that has to count.”

I took Dr. Harris’s low chuckle as a vote in my favor. “I’ve given Dash some hope.”

“More like a lifeline,” Dash replied, his tone clipped with his irritation at me. “He’s contacted Wesley Carter who’s apparently my father’s arch nemesis. Overall, Carter has a completely different take on life than my father. Dr. Harris wants me to contact him. Dr. Harris thinks he might help me find a law school that’ll accept me.”

“That’s a positive, right?” I interpreted Dash’s newest look to mean you’re a dumbass . So I glanced at Dr. Harris for a nod of approval. He gave it, and I beamed at my mister, unwinding my arm until I clamped my palm over the back of his hand, still on my thigh.

“I respect Carter. He and Dash share similar ideologies. We can make the call now.”

Great. My hand tightened around Dash’s. Good news had been hard to find over the last week.

“And the house, did you figure out a way for him to keep it?” I asked. Based on the sheer volume of paperwork scattered over the coffee table and everywhere else, they had to have gone over every possibility.

“Dr. Harris believes we have a path forward. I’ll, of course, handle the work which will save us significant money. It’ll drive my father insane which is an added benefit.” Dash’s lip quirked up on one side, which let me know he enjoyed that thought.

Dr. Harris dialed a number on his cell phone and set it to speaker mode before laying it on the center of the coffee table. Shrill ringing filled the room but was silenced almost immediately by someone answering on the other end.

“Carter.” The tone was similar to the one Dash had used moments ago to reprimand me for my inattention.

“Carter, this a good time?” Dr. Harris asked.

“Sure,” Wesley said, his tone changing in seconds. “I didn’t recognize this number. Is Dasham with you?”

Dr. Harris lifted a hand, gesturing for Dash to respond. “I’m here.”

“Great. I’ll be brief as I’m interrupting my date to take this call.” The commotion in the background grew quieter as he spoke. “Dasham, there’s an opportunity for you in Chicago. Summer classes begin soon. You’ll need to make a quick decision, but they’re pleased to have you considering them. You’ve built quite a reputation among your peers.”

My quick glance at Dash revealed instant relief easing the tension on his face, a small smile even appeared. I moved my hand to Dash’s back, caressing there. Proud that others knew how hard Dash had worked in his studies.

“I’m relieved for the chance, but Chicago’s a long commute from Dallas, and my resources are becoming more limited with each passing day.”

“I’ve heard about that as well. Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. I own a building in Hyde Park that can house you. It’s my personal suite that I haven’t used in years. Stay as long as you need—forever, if possible. A home needs someone looking out for it. It’s not an inconvenience at all.”

Dash’s smile broadened, his eyelids closing as he took a centering breath. Silence fell over the room.

“Based on what I’m seeing, Carter,” Dr. Harris said. “You’ve overwhelmed him.”

“Very good.”

“Mr. Carter, I have a partner now. Is there any issue with him joining me?” Dash asked. He reached for my hand. The phone I’d been using to pass the time while Dash and Dr. Harris discussed all the issues tumbled from my hand, allowing Dash and me to link our fingers together.

“Sure. No problem,” Carter replied. “Drop the mister. That’s a term your father requires, not me.”

“Yes, sir,” Dash said.

“Lose the sir,” Carter said with a chuckle. “I’m not near old enough to be called a sir. I need to end this call. Dr. Harris believes in you, and I trust him. I also don’t like your father. He’ll not appreciate my interfering in his appalling decision, so it works out for both of us.” I could’ve sworn I heard a touch of glee in Carter’s voice with that last statement.

Dash gave a single nod and tilted his chin in my direction. “I need to discuss this with my partner. He has a job here in Dallas that he loves.”

Carter chuckled this time. “I fully understand the importance of having your partner on board. If it helps, I’m certain I can work out a position for him in his chosen field. Dr. Harris has my contact information. Take your time but call me in the morning with your decision. We can get you to Chicago to begin the process.”

“Yes, sir,” Dash said, his gaze locked on mine.

“Aaa…” Carter’s admonishment made me laugh. Dash was trained so well that he only murmured a quiet contrite apology.

“I’m sorry. I’ll touch base first thing in the morning. We appreciate this offer. My situation was turning more dire than I anticipated. Thank you for the lifeline.”

“Truly, it’s a win/win for both of us,” Carter said, and the call ended abruptly.

My beautiful guy broke his composed demeanor, placing his hands over his face. I watched his chest give a slight shudder and reached for a napkin, tucking it inside the bottom of his palms.

“This has been a difficult time for him,” I offered to Dr. Harris, pushing over in the seat to wrap my arm around Dash.

“I assumed so. I’ve been in the circle of Richmond children attending SMU for most of my tenure. I had figured I’d have to pass him due to the financial help his father gives the college.” Dr. Harris tsked his disapproval of that action. With a nod toward the man wrapped securely in my arm, he added, “His siblings have nothing on Dash.”

Dash dropped his hands, but kept his face downturned, dabbing the napkin at his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to continue law school.” He released a shaky breath and stood. “Excuse me.” He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he headed toward the small bathroom off the foyer. His eyes were red, his composure struggling.

“I’m going to leave,” Dr. Harris said, rising and starting toward the front door. “Tell Dash I’ll email him Carter’s details tonight. Once his father makes his official move, we’ll work together to secure this property. Unfortunately, he’ll have to make these decisions quickly. Classes begin in Chicago a week before Dedman.”

At the front door, I extended my right hand to shake his. Dr. Harris obliged. He seemed like a very down to earth guy. In a lowered voice, he said, “I’m uncertain if he’ll go without you, and he’ll need a good support system in Chicago. It’s a different world there. Make your decisions quickly. If given the opportunity, Dash has a tremendous future, but he needs to be decisive either way.”

I appreciated how direct Dr. Harris gave his advice and nodded my understanding. Of course, I’d go if Dash needed to move. I’d never abandon him. Those decisions were made. Perhaps I could transfer with FedEx. If not, I’d find some place to work. I was employable even if only for a pack mule position.

“I understand, and I’m committed. Thank you for comin’.”

“Good night,” Dr. Harris, he left without looking back when I opened the door. When he made it to his car parked on the street, I shut the door and twisted the lock. Dash emerged from the bathroom within seconds. He had been crying, pretty significantly, based on the flushed cheeks and glassy eyes. My heart twisted. Dash had been so loyal to the ones he loved and was barely given that back in return. I lifted my thumb over my shoulder to the front door.

“He said he’ll send the information to you tonight through email.”

My guy came to me, arms spread. The simple embrace we gave one another all the time had more meaning now. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen Dash tearful before.

“Everything that happened tonight is good, right?” I asked, squeezing him tightly.

“I’m nervous. It seems too good to be true on such a shitty week,” he said, releasing me with one arm, the other guiding us toward the living room. “When I lost you, I was determined to see you again. With my parents, they’ve made choices that I can’t forgive, and they continue to ensure I never will. I didn’t share with you all the rejections and non-answers I was getting from my transfer requests.”

Dash let me go to clean the paperwork off the coffee table. I started with the coffee cups and saucers, adding them to the serving tray he’d brought out. “I’ll eat the snacks.”

His grin softened his expression. “Keeping you fed will cost us quite a bit of money.”

“Untrue. The beanie-weenies you missed last night only cost a couple bucks,” I countered, deciding those weren’t near as good as I remembered them being. Dash fed me too well these days.

“I regret missing such a delicious meal,” Dash said, stacking the pages together.

“I’ve never seen you sleep so deeply before.” I took the tray to the sink. “I knew it was rough for you.”

I filled the sink with soapy water. These dainty cups had to be china. Dash placed the three-tiered snack serving tray beside me.

“I decided last night that I’m not into secrets,” I said, turning enough to give him a wink. Dash needed no extra pressure right now, but he also had to learn to keep things real.

“I slept so hard because you’re a god in the bedroom,” Dash said and turned to lean against the counter, arms crossing over his chest, facing me.

I executed a dramatic eye roll and began washing the dishes.

“If it works out, how do you feel about moving to Chicago?”

“If that’s where you are, then I’ll figure it out,” I said. “I don’t want to be without you, but if you need me to stay in the house, I will.”

“I guess you’re right.” Dash reached for a hand towel, encouraging me to give him each rinsed dish. In the lull of conversation, I could almost hear the cogwheels turning in his head.

I gave him time and space. He went toward the china cabinet, and I grabbed the tiered snack tray and headed for the bedroom, my stomach growling. Among the leftovers were assorted tiny sandwiches, a fruity array, and mixed cheeses and assorted crackers. A plump, mild blueberry landed in my mouth, but it only accentuated my hunger.

After placing the tray on the mattress, I headed to the closet to change out of the nice clothes Dash had laid out for me earlier. He entered the closet, clearly still lost in thought. Usually, I’d accost Dash as he undressed, but I gave him a break tonight, no matter how sexy unfastening those cufflinks looked.

I felt strange about having cufflinks turning me on, and made a beeline for the tray. My stomach upped its game, rumbling like a snare drum in a homecoming parade. Each tier tray came off the base, so I carefully put everything on the duvet and took a seat with them.

Dash was so preoccupied that he even sported a pair of pajama pants, going against his own rule of being naked while inside this room. He went for his laptop and brought it to bed with him.

“Do you know anything about Wesley Carter?”

The bite of cheese lodged in my throat as I laughed then coughed my answer. “Of course, not.”

“What do you think his angle is?” Dash asked, sitting across from me with the computer in his lap as he typed on the keyboard.

“I feel like he was pretty straightforward about it,” I answered, rolling off the bed to get a glass of water from the mini bar.

“And what do you believe he said?”

Here we went, the many questions began. Of course, Dash had the answers in his head, but he wanted a different perspective. I always played along. “Okay, I believe what he said about stickin’ it to your father. You two have that in common. I do too.”

Dash nodded his acceptance of that premise. “That was my interpretation too.”

“I don’t understand money on that level,” I said. “But helpin’ you live and go to law school seems like pennies for guys like that. How do you feel about it all?”

Dash’s gaze turned speculative, thinking through the answer as he spoke. “Better than I anticipated. I’m not sure it’ll upset my father. He seems to be finished with me.”

“Your old man wants you destroyed, so if this gets under his skin, then you have a win.”

“What does it say about me that the prospect excites me?” Dash asked, a gleam in his eye. I loved that sparkle. It meant he was happy.

“If there was any way I could have gotten my father back, no question, I’d already have signed on the dotted line.” Those were facts.

I chose a couple of sandwiches to try. With the first bite, my taste buds questioned my choices. I sniffed the sandwich, unsure what to make of it. I glanced over at Dash. “What’s this?”

Dash’s gaze locked on the sandwich in my hand. “Leek, prosciutto, topped with a sour cream spread. It’s my favorite.”

Well then, I’d save the rest for him. I definitely didn’t have the refined taste buds to swallow another bite.

“Come over here, sit by me. I’ll share my food,” I said, patting the bed closer to my side..

But I’d lost him again. Dash’s eyes moved quickly, scanning the screen, reading in that quick way he always did. I dropped to my back, staring at the ceiling. It sure seemed like I was moving to Chicago. The country boy inside me rejected such a big city. Depending on where we lived, maybe we’d be close enough to get to the lake easily. If so, it’d be better than living in Dallas. Pushing all thoughts aside but the food in front of me, I decided to take it day by day.