Page 50 of Tone Deaf
It’s been fourteen years since I last saw that son of a bitch—on the day he canned me. And now he’s demanding that I come in because he has important information that I need to know? But then he drops a code word that nearly causes me to throw my phone at the wall.
Fuck that.
Instead of reaching out to Greg, I call Tobias. He’ll give me his opinion on how to proceed with this message. Despite my plan, I have a sinking feeling I’m going on a plane ride.
Chapter Nineteen
Pen
I wake up slowly, my vision blurry. Rubbing at my eyes until it clears, I see the clock radio. It displays seven fifteen in the morning.
Jesus, I overslept.
I slowly move from my side to my back and feel every glorious twinge in my sore ass. Dom fucked me good last night, but I’m not complaining. I love the domineering side of my boyfriend. Lately though, it seems like during sex is the only time I get to see the real Dom. Not the one who’s hiding his past.
Why can’t I let that go? If Dom doesn’t want to talk about his past, then I need to respect that—and stop asking him. Still, it bugs me that he has secrets he’s not willing to share with me when I basically opened a vein of my life for the man.
Shake it off damn it. You love him and that’s all that matters.
Focusing on the love we share, I yawn as I reach over to my right to find that side of the bed empty. And cold.
I should expect his absence. Dom’s always up before me. As much as I would like to lay in bed all morning, I have a routine to follow, and Callum to protect.
I get up, go take a piss and then look in on Callum. With him still sound asleep, I jump into the shower. Lathering myself up, I think back to last night. Getting Callum off with my mouth was epic. Then getting fucked by Dom. It was a very good night.
A surge of lust begins to pool heavy in my balls. I squirt some bodywash into my hands and start stroking my cock vigorously until I come with a silent moan. Then I rinse off and get out of the shower.
After getting dressed, I walk into the large, open concept living space expecting to see Dom waiting for me in the kitchen. Yet, the room is empty. My partner is nowhere in sight and he hasn’t started his usual morning routine—the coffee maker isn’t on, nor has he set out our food like he usually does.
“Where the heck are you?” I look through the glass slider, assuming Dom might be out on the deck, enjoying the water view. But he isn’t out there either.
As I take a step outside to make sure, my phone vibrates with a call. Not wanting to wake Callum, I continue onto the deck and glance at the screen. It’s Ron.
That’s strange.
I tap to accept. “Good morning. This is a bit early for you,” I greet Warrior Black’s former manager.
“Yes, it is,” he says, his voice slightly shaky. “But since you didn’t call me last week,Pennington, I figured I should call to ask if everything’s okay with you.” The saucy way Ron says my full name tells me he’s upset. He knows I despise hearing it. My mother used to call me that when I was in trouble.
I’ve been calling Ron almost daily since he announced his colon cancer diagnosis, just to make sure he’s doing okay. Whocould blame me when this man did so much for me when my parents practically disowned me when I came out.
But my mind has been so focused on Callum’s attack and everything else that has happened, I haven’t stopped to think of Ron.
Guilt churns in my gut. “I’m sorry. There has been?—”
“I know. Dean has been filling me in on what’s been happening. And I’m the one who’s sorry. I don’t mean to make you feel guilty for not calling me. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am… Wait a second.”Are those beeping sounds in the background?“Are you at your chemo treatment today?”
“Yes. The center couldn’t fit me in for a later time,” he explains evenly. “Don’t worry, though. I’m not dying… Yet.”
“Ron,” I growl, not liking how he jokes about his death.
“Pen,” he mock-huffs, trying to sound like me.
I chuckle. “Who’s with you?”
“Dean, as usual. He’s getting some coffee right now,” he says, then lets out a small cough.