Page 39 of Grand Master
I blinked, letting his awful attempt at humor move me for a moment. My tears slowed, and I forced a small smile. The room felt a fraction lighter, as if he’d cracked a window to let some air in.
Out of nowhere, the question tumbled from my lips, unplanned and almost childlike in its earnestness but I was eager to know more about him, outside of this place.
“Kenric, what do you do for fun?”
He raised his eyebrows, caught off guard, and for a moment I thought he might not answer. But then he rested his head against the pillow letting his posture relax just a little as he gave me a look of bewildered amusement.
“For fun?” He drew out the words, as if trying to remember what that even meant.
“Yes, for fun…besides kidnap violinist and make owls your emotional support pets?” I giggled lowly and looked up at the rafter and immediately frowned when I noticed only Josie was sitting by herself.
Where did the rest go?
“I don’t believe in fun, it’s a distraction on what’s important to focus on.”
He reached out again, I didn’t flinch, I leaned into the palm of his hand as he cupped then stroked the side of my face.
“You make me consider fun.” His raspy voice dropped.
I looked away from him and blushed, Kenric dragged his fingers down to my chin, guiding me to look him in the eyes. Everything felt so intense with this man.
“I watch chess games streamed from prisons in other countries. I like to read medical journals that I probably don’t need…
I just like to always be aware of what can possibly trigger my impulses and my bipolar disorder.
I train my owls to detect liars, and I taught them how to kill with their claws when I’m not in the mood to do it.
Josie was the first owl to pass all of my training with flying colors. ”
His eyes flickered with a shy pride; a small smile lifted the corner of his lips.
“I’m undefeated in every self-chess game that I’ve played against myself as well as others. Not that anyone’s keeping score.” He shrugged casually.
“Sounds like fun.” I smiled genuinely, happy that he cared enough to share that bit of information with me.
He looked more comfortable and relaxed with me lying next to him. It amazed me how comfortable I felt lying next to him as well.
He looked at me, a bit of mischief sparking in his dark gaze.
“What about you, little owl? What do you do in your free time?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but my words caught somewhere between my mind and my tongue.
My thoughts scattered, suddenly distant, and I froze, blinking up at the ceiling as if the answer might appear written there.
Free time. The phrase sounded foreign, echoing in my head as I scrolled back through years that felt empty of anything but survival.
My chest tightened unexpectedly; a small ache bloomed inside of me.
I swallowed, searching the soft darkness behind my eyelids for something—anything—of myself, something I hadn’t had to do just to survive and stay above drowning.
A memory flickered through the haze and panic of my mind then the smell of chlorine, and the sound of laughter bouncing off cracked blue tiles, the sun glittering on the water’s surface at the city park hit me.
I smiled at the memory of kids being happy with their families and me being there absorbing it all, silently wishing it was me that had a family to be happy with in the summertime.
“I…” My voice trembled, just a little. “I used to love swimming. Back when I was in foster care, there was this public pool at the park. I’d sneak in whenever I could, just to feel weightless for a while.
Underwater everything felt quiet, and safe, like I could just…
disappear for a bit, you know?” My lips quirked into a faint smile, but he only watched me, silent and intently.
“And I played my violin,” I added, my gaze dropping to the blanket between us.
“Nothing fancy. I would play at subway stations, at the beach sometimes, just for whoever would listen. I liked the way the notes would hang in the air, how the music felt like it belonged to everyone and no one at all. My violin reminds me of my momma; it was the last birthday gift I’ve ever received… ”
“How did you end up playing at a strip club?” He asked, voice flat.
“My good friend Yvette…she was able to pull some strings for me after I told her how badly I needed another job in order to keep up with my bills. She made the owner of the club create me a position…I was relieved, the extra tips helped feed me and—” I licked my dry lips not even wanting to utter Darius name.
For a beat, the only sound was the soft hush of our breathing, mingling in the stillness of the room.
I let myself remember it, the cool rush of water over my skin from swimming in the pool.
The way my fingers tingled with the vibration of each string beneath my bow.
The distant clatter of coins on concrete from total strangers tipping me in public places for playing my violin.
The scent of sea salt and hot pavement. It all helped at some point in my life, a good escape from my harsh reality.
Kenric reached down between us, his hand was warm against my wrist.
“Let’s go swimming in the morning.” He said, voice gentle but certain, as though it were the most natural suggestion in the world.
“Just you and me. I’ll even let you teach me how to float.”
I felt a laugh bubble up and I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. There was a bright, fizzy anticipation in my chest, like someone had uncorked a glass bottle inside me. For the first time in too long, I was actually looking forward to something.
“You don’t know how to swim?” I asked in a little disbelief.
“No, but I’ve had an indoor pool installed next to my gym to try one day. Tomorrow, you can teach me.” He smirked.
“Okay,” I said, damn near wanting to kiss him.
“I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”