MMF BISEXUAL ROMANCE: Phoenix Running

by Nicole Stewart

  “Haven’t you gotten everything you needed from me? I think I left my heart back there on your stage.”

  Five pressed a business card into his hand. “Ah, no! That interview was perfect, Phoenix. Can I call you Phoenix? I thought I was gonna have to put the screws to you, but you just opened up and let it all out. I have never seen anyone be so forthright and honest.”

  “What can I do for you, Five? I’m kind of in a hurry to leave, and I know you need to finish your show.”

  “Listen, aside from hosting this show, for the past five years I’ve traveled worldwide as a motivational speaker and spearheaded a platform called Before Your Last Resort targeted at young adults who may be suicidal as a result of their sexuality.”

  “That’s wonderful, Five. What does that have to do with me?”

  “Well, I studied up on you ahead of this interview, and I know how much you pour your heart into your causes. This is a worthy cause, Phoenix, and I want to give it my all. But you can imagine how hard it is for me to juggle two demanding careers. So I’m seeking someone, a guy like you who's successful and self-confident, to get people motivated to break the chains of secrecy and shame.”

  “Hey, Five, I hope you find your guy, but I’m not him. You think it’s tough being a talk show host? Try running for mayor. And I’m not really interested in being a motivational speaker. There’s something about selling false hope to the hopeless that just doesn’t jibe well with me.”

  “I know what you’re thinking. You think, like everyone else, that self-help gurus are the charlatans of this century, but you’re wrong. I don’t operate like that, and that’s part of the reason I want you. I got a feeling you’re genuine. This movement needs genuine people, Phoenix.”

  Phoenix eyed his watch. “What sets your deal apart from everybody else out there?”

  “We don’t charge for our conventions. Guests only pay for their hotel accommodations. The conferences are free, funded by donations and my own contributions. I know you like that, but dig this. Before Your Last Resort teaches real life tactics that work. We talk about self-care, cognitive retraining, how to get mental healthcare. Your job as speaker would be to relate your experiences as someone in a nontraditional relationship and encourage people to consider how much freer their life will be if they stopped living according to other people’s rules.”

  Phoenix chuckled dryly. “You have a lot of faith in me, considering that’s something I’m still learning myself.”

  “It could be good for you. All I’m asking is for you to keep it in mind. No firm answer needed today. Take my card and give me a call after the election, and we’ll go from there.”

  Phoenix tucked the card into his pocket and nodded noncommittally. “Thanks, Five.” He didn’t intend to call. He jogged over to his car and climbed into the driver’s seat. “Ready to go?”

  “What did he want?”

  “Something about his project, Before Your Last Resort.”

  “Before Your Last Resort? Oh, I’ve heard of them. A couple of my fans went to a convention last year and tagged me to some video footage from it, and I thought it was great. I didn’t know he ran that, though. I always thought of Five Parker as being just a step above a tabloid reporter,” said Ashley. “Guess he has a sensitive side beneath the plastic exterior.”

  “Yeah, whatever. All I want to do now is forget this interview ever happened. Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter 39

  Cee-Cee clenched her lower lip between her teeth, staring at him. His large hands gripped the steering wheel as he drove through downtown looking for a place to eat, and his wide shoulders filled out a stylish black suit. She glanced at Ashley and realized what had made the past two weeks the suckiest two weeks of her life. She had missed these guys.

  She leaned forward over the center console between them. “Phoenix, what you did tonight was very brave.”

  “Tegan forced his hand. She called me and told me she had given Five Parker details about us being together.”

  “What I don’t understand is, why would she do that?” Phoenix gripped the steering wheel tighter. His knuckles turned white. Ashley closed his fingers over Phoenix’s hand, and the grip loosened. Cee-Cee slipped behind the driver’s seat and massaged his shoulders. Her fingers kneaded the bunched muscles and she caressed his neck.

  Ashley answered, “She thought she was doing me a favor. She said my career needed a scandal to keep me relevant while in hiatus.” Phoenix snorted in disgust.

  “Image is everything,” he muttered.

  “And there’s something else…Phoenix, those pictures that your father had. Tegan was the one who had them taken. She hired someone to tail me. When I initially found out about the pictures, I tried to erase them. I couldn’t get to the originals, but I had hoped threatening to fire her would stay her hand. Unfortunately, it didn’t. She sold them to your dad.”

  Phoenix didn’t say anything. He stared ahead and kept driving, and Ashley and Cee-Cee shared a look. Cee-Cee nodded encouragingly. Ashley was doing the right thing. This was a night for unburdening and doing away with secrets. She had almost said no to coming out to dinner, but now she was glad she had come. The healing could start now.

  “I should’ve told you about it sooner,” Ashley replied softly, voice full of regret. “I want you to know that I’ve made sure those pictures never resurface again.”

  “What’d you do?” Phoenix asked suspiciously. “I got a call from Wallace saying someone had been in his house. I didn’t know what he was talking about. Was it you?”

  Ashley smiled sneakily. “Let’s just say I called in a favor from an old friend.”

  “Tam,” Cee-Cee guessed. “Your criminal mastermind best friend. I thought he was in Australia!”

  “I flew him out while we were on the cruise so it couldn’t be linked to any of us. He’s a professional thief.”

  “That sounds exciting,” Phoenix joked, laughing. “So, let me get this straight. You hired a professional thief to break into my father’s house and steal the pictures? And you did it while we were all out of town? I can’t believe Wallace didn’t figure out the pictures were missing sooner.”

  “Just goes to show you how good Tam is. He said the guy wouldn’t even know he had been there. Disconnected the alarm remotely and everything.”

  “For the record, if I ever have anything you want, you don’t have to send Tam to my place. I’m more than willing to give it to you without you sending a thief my way,” Phoenix chuckled.

  Cee-Cee sighed with relief. “Well, I’m glad that’s over with. I want to meet this Tam character. He sounds like a blast.”

  “I hope you get to meet him one day.” Phoenix peered at her in the rear view mirror. “What?” Cee-Cee asked, smiling.

  He shrugged. “Are we making amends? Is this us burying the hatchet and trying again?”

  She looked down. “I don’t know what this is…but it feels right.”

  He killed the car and unlocked the doors, and Cee-Cee stopped staring at the boys long enough to realize they were at one of her favorite restaurants. “They serve great home-style meals here. Laidback atmosphere and it’s never a crowd. Come on, guys. Let’s eat, drink and be merry.”

  She giggled and pulled Phoenix’s face down for a kiss. It was meant to be brief, but as soon as her lips touched his, he stopped in his tracks and pulled her into a fierce embrace. It didn’t matter that they were in the parking lot. Cee-Cee flushed with desire as his lips slanted and sucked, licked and nibbled at her mouth. She tingled.

  It felt like it had been ages. She missed him so much. The emotions she had been suppressing resurfaced with a vengeance.

  He let her go and pulled Ashley to him for the same treatment. “Mm,” Ashley moaned, kissing him back. “You know…” He clasped his face and kissed him harder. “We don’t need to eat. Let’s just get home and...mmm…talk.”

  Cee-Cee glanced around but no one paid them any attention. “I’d be all for that idea, bu
t woman cannot live off kisses alone! I’m starving. We spent all evening gearing up for that dang interview. Let’s eat first.” Ashley chuckled, easing Phoenix away. Their fingers locked together and Ashley grabbed Cee-Cee’s hand, too.

  They were given a table in a corner near the back where they had some privacy. Ashley juggled his cellphone from hand to hand. “So…now that everyone knows…can I finally show my fans the man of my dreams?” He grinned. Phoenix smiled sheepishly.

  “H-hang on a second. I just want to know one thing first. Seriously, Cee-Cee, are we still broken up? Cause I suck at this not being with you guys shit. I’ve been lousy to my staff. I’ve been depressed. I haven’t eaten or slept right in days. I miss you. Both of you.”

  Ashley interjected, “Well, technically if it was a ‘fake relationship’ like you called it, then it was a fake break-up, and we can totally try again.” Cee-Cee erupted with laughter. She didn’t know what to say. She felt the same. She had missed them. But did they really need to hook back up now of all times? “Squeeze in for a picture, loves!” Ashley ordered.

  Phoenix nervously came over to their side of the booth and scooted closer. They leaned together as the camera flashed and captured the picture.

  But suddenly from across the restaurant came the sound of tinkling glass as of someone tapping a glass with a fork. The normal buzz of the restaurant died down marginally, and Phoenix glanced over to see who was vying for attention. When he realized it was Buddy Steele standing at the head of a long table of people, his heart dropped.

  “I’d like to propose a toast to Mayor Phoenix Briton,” said Buddy to his fawning audience. “Tonight, our mayor did something quite extraordinary. He came out of the closet on live TV. I guess that cancels my ‘What’s he hiding?’ adverts.” Laughter accompanied the weak joke, and Buddy’s jowls shook as he chuckled. He lifted his glass and nodded in Phoenix’s direction.

  “Shit,” Phoenix muttered.

  “I didn’t even see him when we walked in,” Cee-Cee muttered. “We haven’t ordered yet. Let’s just go.”

  “Who is he?” asked Ashley.

  “That’s Buddy Steele. He’s an old friend of my dad’s and the reason Wallace Briton asked me to drop out of the running for mayor. Motherfucker! Of all the people I could’ve run into tonight…”

  Buddy’s booming voice rang out as he continued his speech. “And even though the Bible makes clear that a man with a woman is the natural order of things, we know that we are also granted free will to choose who we want to be with. Or, hell, even what we want to be these days!” More laughter. Phoenix stiffened angrily but kept his face placid.

  “Mayor Briton got on television and announced that this town is okay with the gays. Next thing you know there will be rainbow flags on every other house. Your kids will be telling you they’re not sure if they’re a girl or a boy anymore. Get ready for unisex bathrooms in elementary schools. It’s progressive. It’s hip. Get with the program, people! And it is programming. Don’t be fooled.

  “The mayor would have you believe it makes you a better person to be big-minded enough to ignore what you know in your spirit to be right. Well, I say love the sinner, hate the sin.”

  Phoenix rose and surveyed the now completely silent restaurant. All eyes were on him. Buddy’s beady eyes glinted with delight at the circumstances. In stark contrast to his reception at the studio, his townspeople weren’t championing him. Phoenix’s brown eyes drifted over each person, making eye contact with some he knew personally. He was pretty sure that the majority of them hadn’t even seen the interview. Buddy was trying to incite hatred where none should be.

  Phoenix cleared his throat. “Yes, Buddy Steele, I do believe it makes you a better person to be accepting of others, even if they don’t look like you, don’t worship like you, don’t love like you, because we are all human beings. And if anyone believes there’s something wrong with that assertion, let’s be clear. You didn’t get that feeling from any scripture. You learned it from someone filled with unnecessary fear and hatred.”

  Phoenix turned to Cee-Cee and Ashley. “Let’s go,” he murmured. They slid out of the booth and headed to the door.

  “So, to Mayor Briton! Looks like he’s heading out, but I just want to say I’m proud of you, son. I’ve always been close with your family, and I’m praying for you, alright? Have a good night and good luck with the election next month!”

  Phoenix pushed open the doors and stormed out of the restaurant. “He’s praying for me? More like burning my effigy on an altar, hoping this shit ruins me.”

  “I’ll drive. You’re worked up. It’s been a long night,” said Ashley.

  “Take me home. Jeez, I think I really fucked up this time. After what we just saw in there, I honestly don’t think my town is going to elect a gay mayor.”

  Cee-Cee soothed, “You’re not gay. You’re bisexual. And let this town surprise you. They elected you once. They just need to see that you’re still the same Phoenix Briton they hired to get the job done the first time.”

  Chapter 40

  Cee-Cee found herself snugly pressed between Phoenix and Ashley in Phoenix’s bed after another mind blowing sex session. She fought sleep. She wanted to savor this moment. Ashley quietly chatted with Phoenix about when he would begin his tour again. Phoenix stroked her hair while they talked. Ashley absently ran his fingers in circles around her navel.

  She smiled to herself. Phoenix had asked her multiple times whether this meant they were back together, and she hadn’t given him an answer. She tried to picture another span of weeks like the two she had just spent, talking to Ashley only occasionally and not interacting with Phoenix for anything other than work.

  The past two weeks had been stressful. She had lost five pounds for lack of appetite, and she had always thought lovesickness was a made-up thing. She thought about the long nights crying herself to sleep. She had never imagined she’d be that kind of girl, but heartache did things; it changed people.

  She realized having money in the bank didn’t make her any less lonely. She had missed them. She needed them in her life.

  She hadn’t felt this relaxed and at peace since prior to seeing that damn email from Gina. This was where she was supposed to be. Her main concern at this point was whether they could sustain this if Phoenix was elected and when Ashley went back on tour. Love was grand, yes, but it made you so damn vulnerable.

  “When I think about us, I think of you two as part of this special universe no one else can enter. The past two weeks while we were separated, I’ve been a planet without a sun or satellite,” Ashley said poetically.

  “You read my mind and translated my jumbled thoughts more eloquently than I could have,” Cee-Cee replied, laughing.

  Phoenix smiled. “Every day, I came this close to giving up everything for the two of you. Hell, maybe that’s exactly what I did tonight. I don’t know. I’m hoping the people react favorably come voting time. This should be a distant memory by next month.”

  “I was in the back, watching,” said Cee-Cee. “I didn’t know if I should scream with delight or horror.” Her eyes drifted shut, and she forced them to stay open. “Hey, what did you decide to do about your dad, Ashley?”

  “Well,” he sighed, “with time winding down, my half-brother, Reggie Jr., is on his way down to spend the last days with him. I wanted to stick around until the end, but Reginald won’t have it. He says I’ve done enough, and he doesn’t want me to keep my tour on hold for him. I spoke with Mum and she’s in agreement. I’m being overruled.”

  “How long before you leave?” Cee-Cee rose over him and kissed his lips softly. Ashley sighed with pleasure as he put his arms around her and shifted his hips forward to let his satisfied cock rest against her pelvis. She moaned and giggled.

  Ashley replied, “I’m in the process of hiring a new manager, but probably within another month.”

  “Around election time.”

  “Can I ask you guys something?” she whispered wistfully
. “What are we going to do when you’re reelected, Phoenix?”

  “What do you mean? We’ll do what we do now. I’ll keep my condo. We’ll have our personal space, and every minute of my free time will be for the two of you. We’ll go places together. This no longer has to be hidden. Isn’t that what you want?”

  “And you, Ashley? When you leave?” Her eyes felt heavier, and her limbs were deliciously tired after the vigorous sex.

  “Well, you know I won’t be gone forever. What are you getting at, Cee-Cee?”

  “I don’t want to be broken up anymore,” she said playfully. “I don’t want a phony relationship, either. I only want to try this again if you’re both willing to do what’s necessary for us to work.” She stretched, cat-like, and groaned.

  “Deal,” Phoenix murmured, gleefully pulling her over on top of him. She giggled again when he hugged her. “My soul is in this. I’ll do whatever it takes.” Ashley agreed with a nod of his head.

  “Then, I’ve got some good news,” Cee-Cee whispered, drifting off now that she had her answer. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she burrowed closer to Phoenix. “I bought the house. I want you two to move in with me.”

  Phoenix stilled. He looked at Ashley, and both their faces registered surprise. “Are you sure, Cee-Cee? That’s kind of a big deal,” Ashley opined. She nodded, soft snores following the affirmation. Phoenix wrapped his arms around her. Ashley wrapped his arms around him. They went to sleep together and woke up in each other’s arms.

  “Ready to start packing?” Cee-Cee asked at dawn.

  “Damn! She was serious,” Phoenix said in shock.

  “You’re damned right!”

  Chapter 41

  The invitation for Ashley and Phoenix to move into the big yellow house on Crown Street had been an impromptu, rash decision, but as the moving plans got underway, Cee-Cee became more certain that they were doing the right thing. Phoenix needed a place to lay low after the heat from the interview, and Ashley couldn’t stay in hotels forever while he was in town. It made sense for the three lovers to try cohabitating.