by K. S. Adkins
“It’s still not home,” I whispered.
Squeezing my hand, he said, “It will be.”
“Why aren’t you talking me out of this?” Ask me to stay...
Offering up the very smile I fell in love with, he shocked me by saying, “Because I’m going with you.”
I didn’t need a mirror to know my face lit up. With every emotion on display, I asked, “How? Your life is here. Your job is here. What do you get out of Miami?”
Getting out of his seat, he rounded the table, came to stand between my legs, and pulled me close. “What do I get out of Miami? I’m holding her in my arms.”
Speechless, I stared at him for a moment before I threw myself further into him squealing like a teenager. Because Miami wouldn’t be a world away if my world was with me.
“Besides,” he said, stroking my skin. “My woman is about to be super fucking famous. She’s going to need ‘round the clock security.”
“So, what you’re saying is I’ll be your boss?”
He leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Thank you, baby.”
“For what?”
“For being here with me.”
“No place else I’d rather be.”
“Not even the roulette table?”
Shit. I was a sucker for games with horrible odds, and he knew it.
But who cared about roulette when you just won the lottery?
Marrying a competitive woman was never dull.
Hell, between the two of us, we even took bets on who could piss faster.
But what I enjoyed most was watching her fight to keep her cool during games. The woman was lightning in a bottle. And it wasn’t until the game ended and her job started that she reigned it back in.
And later on, those nights when she got home and needed to burn that energy off?
Yeah, I was a lucky motherfucker.
For two hours, Pharis cleaned house at the table, and I blew my wad happy to be next to her.
Honestly, I hadn’t cared about watching the numbers come in to follow patterns. I was content watching my superstar have a good time. From her victorious laugh, to cheering on the other players, and even how her hair swept over her shoulder, I saw nothing else.
Plainly put, I could stare at her forever, and each time I did she was more beautiful than the last.
And I wasn’t the only male in the vicinity that appreciated her beauty.
But she was mine, I was hers, so I tuned their asses out.
When she cashes her chips in I follow, tucking my meager winnings into my pocket to spend on booze. Steering her toward the bar, I remind her, “Game’s on, superstar. You want to grab a drink and watch it?”
Smiling broad, she easily says, “No, I’m good.”
“But...”
Getting on her toes to kiss me, she repeated, “I’m good, Eddie.”
Anytime we were out she forgot about sports. How she did it, I’ll never know. Because I have never met anyone who loved professional football like she does. Best I can come up with is that she finds me and my dick more entertaining.
And I’ll take it.
“Wait here, I’ll get our drinks.”
“I’ll come with.” She smiled and pinched my ass.
Minutes later, I was handing Pharis her cocktail when I heard my name. Turning around, I see a dispatcher from work smiling up at me. And let me just say, I did not return it. For several reasons. One, she looked like she needed to shit. Second, she wasn’t Pharis, and third, she wasn’t Pharis.
Glancing back at Pharis, I gave her the what’s-her-fucking-name-again-look when she mouthed, “Emily.”
Worst thing I ever did was address her formally because then she started talking. And I mean talking non-stop. It’s like she had been saving ten years of information and was trying to relay it in ten minutes.
Plus, she kept touching me and it was difficult not to slap her away. My eyes were fucking glazing over when Pharis came to my side to save me by saying, “Hi Emily, how are you?”
“Pharis,” she said with a frown that did her no favors. She wasn’t ugly, but she wasn’t fun to look at either. “What are you doing with Eddie? I thought you divorced him.”
On a smirk, Pharis replied, “That’s not any of your business. But I am curious, what are you hoping to accomplish by flirting with Eddie?”
My superstar was never outwardly mean unless it came to me. Puffing up a little, thanks to the ego boost she gave me, I pulled her close to my side and kept her there.
“We were just talking,” she blurted, and I noticed her face reddening, but honestly, didn’t much care.
“Uh huh,” Pharis said easily. “It’s weird because when I talk to people I generally don’t touch them. Well,” she amended, squeezing my middle. “Unless I’m fucking them, and then I touch him a lot.”
“That was unnecessary,” Emily retorted with a nasty frown.
“This entire conversation is unnecessary,” Pharis added giving it right back. “Who did you come with? You should probably track them down since Eddie’s coming with me.”
Was it me or was this woman turning a shade of red I had never seen before?
“I came alone,” Emily spit.
“And with that,” Pharis said turning away. “We’re done. Say goodnight to Emily, Eddie.”
Confused, I looked at my woman and asked, “Why would I do that?”
Leaning in she explained, “Because if you don’t, she’s going to see it as permission to keep flirting with you, and I’ll have to kick her ass.”
“Flirting with me?”
“Oh, my God,” she laughed. “You cannot be that blind.”
“I didn’t even remember her name, Pharis.”
“Maybe not, but how do you not realize a woman is hitting on you?”
Pulling her to me, I growled, “Because the only woman I see, will ever see, is my wife.”
When her face went soft, my cock shot hard, and I took her mouth. Minutes later, as we broke for air, Emily was gone.
One of the proudest moments of my life was the six of us at happy hour about six years ago.
The girls and I had gone to the bathroom and stopped for drinks when we saw a woman hitting on Eddie. Giving them the ‘let’s see what happens look’ we stood there watching my husband all but trip over himself to get away from the woman. “Christ!” Eddie yelled. “I’m happily married! Stop touching me!”
Rescuing him, I asked, “Shall I handle it, hubby?”
“I don’t want her skank on you too, baby.”
“I am not a skank!” the skank screamed.
“He’s mine,” I warned her. “You do not touch what’s mine.”
“Whatever,” she huffed when the girls took either side of mine.
“We got this,” Connie said right as Bridget broke out of her normally reserved shell to escort the skank away from our table. What was really impressive was she did it by wrapping her fist in the woman’s hair and never spilling her drink.
We all were three drinks deep when Connie nudged me. “I don’t remember Eddie getting hit on like this when you were married.”
“Because he didn’t,” I groaned. “Now, he can’t keep them away.”
“Uh, Pharis,” Bridget nodded to her left. “How should we handle it?”
“Jealously isn’t a team sport, Bridget. I got this.”
I was rounding the table when Connie calls out, “Who’s in for the over under!”
“What are the odds?” Aaron egged her on like always.
“Don’t matter,” Butch laughed. “Eddie’s still sleeping on the couch.”
Jesus, they were betting on me.
If I had the patience for it, I would have said my money was on Eddie walking with a limp for doing this to me on purpose. The man lives to rile me up.
Sliding up to the pair, I cocked my head at Eddie, who sucked at pretending he’s miserable while waiting for drinks. And then I take in the woman who was making me get territorial with zero eff
ort on her part.
Women hitting on Eddie tended to bring out the bitch in me. The man wore a wedding band for Christ sake!
Standing right next to her I pointed out, “Did you know if you hold someone under water long enough they stop being a flirtatious cunt?”
“Excuse me? Can I help you?” she sneered at me. “I’m a little busy here.”
“I asked you to go away, twice,” Eddie mumbled, but I noticed the grin on his face. He was enjoying this, shocker. Well, he was in for a show. Hell, the whole place was.
“Actually, no,” I sighed. “You can’t help how you’re born. However, if you want to continue to have full use of your money maker you will back the fuck up.”
“Money maker?” Eddie asked.
“Her whore mouth, Eddie.”
“Ah.”
“You know what?” she said, stepping back. “I’m done being a hasbian anyway.” After storming away in a truly angry fashion, Eddie asked, “Hasbian?”
Taking a tray of drinks, I explained, “A former lesbian who wants to date men.”
After both our trays are on the table and the scavengers grabbed drinks, Eddie was kicking it around when he blurted, “I turned that chick back to pussy?”
In unison, Connie and Bridget said knowingly, “Hasbian.”
Aaron choked on his drink and Butch looked around for the woman in question.
So, I smile and said, “You kinda did. Does that bum you out?”
Throwing his head back he laughed hard and in true Eddie fashion said, “Fuck no, that’s hot!”
“Technically, you’re a husbian,” Butch added.
Fisting bumping Butch, Aaron said, “A former married man who wants to date his wife again.”
Losing his smile Eddie corrected with utter conviction, “I’m going to marry my wife again.”
Sliding my hand into his, I felt the tension leave his body, but I held on.
Taking our seats, we continued to hold hands while answering the rapid-fire questions coming our way.
Of course, our best friends took it to the next level. “Eddie, you make it sound like you’re going with her.”
“Because I am,” he clarified, and I warmed all over.
“What about your job?” Connie asked.
“I’ll resign,” he said with a casual shrug. And while he made it sound like it was no big deal, the declaration meant everything to me.
“Just like that?” she pushed.
“Yeah, Connie. I go where she goes.”
“But—”
“Protected the public long enough,” he interrupted. “It’s time for me to protect and serve her.”
“As my employee,” I chimed in.
“Bodyguard, superstar. Phrasing matters.”
“Like I said, employee.”
Just loud enough for all to hear, he said, “And husband.”
Just loud enough for him to hear, I said, “I know we’re dating, but I feel I should tell you that I’m falling back in love with my husband.”
I knew he heard me by how tight he gripped my ass.
Pharis and I were having a drink, watching the crowd at her company’s annual gala, when one of the big wigs, Griffin York, scouted us in the crowd. She had been interviewing for two years now and the network loved her. More than anything, Griffin adored her.
But of course, she just shrugged off the praise, citing she’s only doing her job.
Dressed in a stunning cream gown, with her skin actually glowing, I couldn’t take my eyes off my wife. A little caught off guard seeing her done up, Griffin stopped short and for a moment, seemed frozen.
“Pharis.” He smiled and came forward. “You could have been a model.”
“Not with my bad knees and wide shoulders, Griff,” she said, kissing his cheek.
“Eddie,” he said, clasping hands with me. “How does it feel to be seen with most gorgeous and talented woman in the room?”
Bristling a bit, Pharis said, “I’m the lucky one. Not only is Eddie going to make lieutenant, he rocks a three-piece suit. He makes me look good.”
That was my wife, always putting me first.
No sooner did she say what I had been dying to hear that my fucking phone started blowing up. Of course, the distraction saved me from making a fool out of myself by staying silent, but I still felt like an asshole. Pulling it half way out of my pocket, I see Griff’s name and excuse myself with a lie that I needed to piss.
Griffin York wasn’t just Pharis’s mentor, she thought of him as family.
I did as well, even if he had every reason to hate me. Though he was there for Pharis when I couldn’t be. So, the fact that he was calling at all did not mean good things.
Outside, I dialed him back and when he answered with, “Fuck, Eddie,” I knew I was right.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m calling you because I don’t know how to tell her.”
“Is it about Miami?”
“No,” he said. “But I’m glad she told you.”
“Get to the point.”
“Someone broke into her office.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I asked, “How bad is it?”
“Real bad, Eddie. Everything precious to her was destroyed. All of the photos of her had the face cut out.”
“I need the security feeds yesterday, Griff.”
“That’s also why I called you, they were wiped. Eddie, they’re gone. It shouldn’t be possible. But whoever did this tranquilized the guards on duty.”
Christ, this was getting worse by the minute. Before I could say another word, Griff continued, “So level with me. Does this have any connection to why you two got divorced?”
“Griff...”
“Listen, Eddie, she is the daughter I never had. I know about the case, it’s my job to know. So, what I know is that was at least one, if not the main reason you two split. I’ve never seen a man love a woman like you love her. The only conclusion I can come to is that by being with you she was in danger.”
“Did you lean on someone for this information?”
“You’re joking, right? Lean on who, exactly? Jesus Christ, man. Those women that were buried looked just like her. How could I not figure it out?”
“I swear to you, I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Which is why we’re on the phone.”
“I’m going to need access.”
“Of course,” he agreed easily, promising to reactivate the key card I still own. “And, Eddie?”
“Yeah?”
“While you’re winning her back, feed the girl. She’s too skinny.”
And with that, he disconnected.
The next morning, while Pharis was still waking up, I had already set it up for Connie to be here to keep her company while I went into the station. She was pulling into the driveway when I met her on the back porch, wanting to speak with her before she came in.
“You look like shit,” she said in lieu of good morning.
“Didn’t sleep last night.”
“Clearly.” She was eyeing me. “Your face isn’t screaming I fucked my dick off, it’s screaming danger. What happened?”
“Keep her busy but keep her here until I get back. Can you do that?”
“You realize the second I tug Aaron’s balls he’s going to talk, right?”
“Connie,” I groaned. “Please. If you’re not going to do this for me, do it for her.”
When her eyes misted, I yanked her to me in a fierce hug. “Please, Connie.”
“I’ve got this, Eddie,” she whispered, and that’s as close to emotion as you’ll ever get with her.
Kissing the top of her head, I headed out the front to my truck and hauled ass to the station.
I wasn't ten steps through the doors, when Aaron and Butch descended on me.
“Where are we headed?” Butch asked, pushing up his sleeves.
“The stadium,” I said, blowing by them.
“Is Pharis at work?” Aaron ask
ed concerned.
“No,” I said, never breaking stride. “Connie’s with her. Give me five, then we’ll talk.”
Without knocking, I entered my chief’s office and handed in my resignation along with my badge and service piece. I had no intention of going into detail, and he saved me the trouble. “Griffin York called me this morning.”
Offering a nod, I was opening the door to exit when he added, “Don’t be reckless, Ellis. She’s going to need you.”
“Yes, sir,” was all I could say without losing my shit.
In the bullpen, I signaled the guys and explained the situation on the way to the stadium.
Although, once inside her office words failed me.
Because what I saw left me speechless, broke my heart, and made my blood run cold.
I just fell into my office chair after filing my divorce petition when Griff strolled in.
Taking the chair across from me, he said, “Don’t hate him, Pharis.”
Shocked and hurt, I growled, “Excuse me?”
“Take it from me, a man who has loved and lost three wives, when I tell you, don’t hate Eddie.”
“I don’t hate Eddie,” I choked out. “I love him, Griff. I hate that it’s come to this.”
“And if you’re not careful, one day that love will turn to hate. Don’t let that happen.”
“Why not? If it makes the pain go away then why the fuck not?”
“Because hating love changes people,” he said softly. “And if you think this hurts, let hate in and see what happens.”
“You love Brenda,” I pointed out. The man was crazy about his wife.
“And she loves me too,” he agreed. “But had I let hate win, I wouldn’t be sitting here sharing this with you. Letting hate get the best of you is the easy part. But loving despite the pain is the lesson, Pharis.”
Griff called me this morning and shared the good news that my paperwork was finalized, and that Eddie and I needed to choose a condo from the list he’s sending over. From there movers could be hired, utilities transferred, and so on.
He also said I had until Friday.
It was Tuesday. Talk about time crunch...
