Dancing in the Gray

by Eydie Maggio

  “Yes, sort of. I was playing your words in my head over and over. I wanted to believe it, but I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know how to ask you or bring it up. I just wanted so badly for you to love me, like I loved you.” Trey pressed his forehead against Elise’s, cradling her face with both hands.

  “I do.” Elise lifted her chin and kissed Trey gently.

  “How did I get so lucky?” He couldn’t believe she actually loved him.

  “Luck had nothing to do with this.” Elise closed her eyes and shook her pretty little head.

  “I’d disagree. I was very lucky that your BlackBerry fell into my lap.” Trey smiled down at her.

  Elise’s cheeks turned pink as she ran her hand down Trey’s tie, “You didn’t feel that way at the time.”

  “I’ve changed the way I see a lot things because of you, Elise.”

  “I don’t want you to change for me.” Elise was shaking her head.

  “It’s for the better, trust me. I like dancing in the gray. I like me dancing in the gray.”

  Elise ran her hand through Trey’s hair above his ear, “I love dancing with you, literally and figuratively.”

  “And, I love you.” Trey kissed Elise softly.

  “Mmmmm,” Elise was smiling, “I love hearing those words. And just so you know, your song selection kinda gave you away.”

  “I haven’t ever said those words to anyone. I’ve never felt this way before. I don’t know what I am doing. I’m just winging it.”

  “Even though I love that I am that special to you, I can’t believe you never had a relationship where you loved someone. You are so easy to love.”

  “I don’t know how many people would agree with you.”

  “How can they not? You are so attentive and caring. You don’t judge or find fault in all the stupid stuff I say or do. You’re honest and trustworthy. I can just go on about how great of a man that you are. Previous girlfriends had to know this.”

  “There weren’t many girlfriends due to my career. The women I would see weren’t willing to be second to my work, and the one’s that would be willing had ulterior motives. So, no, I have only been the man that you know because you make me want to be that man.”

  “And you say you’re lucky.” Elise hugged Trey tightly. “Is it crazy that I don’t know where you live, and I only met you a week ago, but I’m totally infatuated?”

  Trey laughed then kissed Elise on the top of her head. “First of all, I’ll show you where I live in Virginia. It’s not that far from your place. And when I’m in New York, I normally stay at Will and Jessie’s. They live in Chelsea.” Trey pulled back and placed a sweet kiss on Elise’s lips, “Secondly, I can’t help the way I feel, so call me crazy, too. It’s kinda funny, because now I know what my sister went through.”

  “Your sister?” Elise looked up curiously.

  “Yeah, she told our mom that she was in love with her husband four days after meeting him. I didn’t understand how something like that could happen so fast. I thought she was being careless, but they’ve been married for over four years now and have two kids. They are so happy and still very in love. It’s a relationship that I look up to, like my mom and dad’s.”

  “I like hearing about your family.” Trey felt warmth in his chest from Elise’s comment. He wanted to get to know her better, too.

  “How about we change out of all this formal attire into something comfortable, and then we can enjoy your amazing view of this city, and talk a little more?” Trey held Elise at arm’s length and watched those beautiful eyes light up with his suggestion.

  “I would really like that.” Elise kissed him on his cheek as she ran into her room to change. Trey asked Ronald to bring up his overnight bag and changed into a pair of pajama pants and his Nirvana T-shirt.

  When Elise walked out of her bedroom, she had taken all of the pins out of her hair and pulled it up into a high ponytail. Her sleep attire consisted of a long sleeved white Henley with pink cotton shorts. She looked very cute.

  She grabbed the red wine that she had opened earlier and picked up both of their wine glasses, heading outside to her balcony. She had an L-Shaped sectional outdoor set with cream colored cushions and baby blue pillows. Trey stretched out on side of the sectional while Elise sat Indian style facing him. She poured more wine into their glasses, handing Trey his. She started off with the questions first.

  “So, why don’t you own a place in New York, or at least rent? Doesn’t it make more sense than staying with your brother?”

  “I did at one point, but when I was thinking about running for office, I sold it, so my primary and only residence was in Virginia. I didn’t want to give my opponent ammunition.”

  “That’s very smart, and it totally makes sense. Do you see yourself living in Virginia permanently?”

  “It’s my home and my parent’s home. I really love living there so I think I will always own my home there. I may have to travel away for business or politics, but I will always live there.”

  “I like the slower pace there. I really think I’ll be there more often after the buyout.”

  “Ok, my turn. So how do you feel about your buyout since it’s getting closer?”

  “I’m really nervous now. I’m used to conference calls, business trips, R&D meetings, etc. I just don’t know what I’m going to do when all that goes away. I’m still contracted for the company for a year in name and appearance only, so I will still have things I need to do but nowhere near the amount of work or responsibility. It’s going to take some getting used to.”

  “Is there anything that you want to do with your time?” He tried to give her some prospective of what her life will be like after the papers are signed.

  “Well, now that you’re in my life,” Elise was looking down and tracing the rim of her wine glass with her finger, “I’m happy that I will have some free time to be with you even though, I know your world will be picking up speed pretty soon.” Trey reached over and brushed loose hairs behind Elise’s ear then caressed her face. He was so in love with her and hearing that just confirmed that what he felt for her was so real. “Then there’s Martie. I thought about taking a cooking class with her. I think that would be fun. I’m so glad that I can be around for her more.”

  “So, do you already know how to cook or do you actually need the instruction?”

  “I know how to cook, and actually, I love to entertain. Before my life became so busy and out of control, I hosted dinner parties for my close friends on almost a weekly occasion. I guess I can get back to doing that, too.”

  Trey knew once she moved past the actual paperwork and legalities, Elise was going to enjoy the life all her hard earned success was now giving her.

  “So would you want to host a dinner party at my home in Virginia to meet my family?”

  Elise’s eyes were huge, “Uhm, like for the President and First Lady, who so happens to be one of my biggest fashion inspirations? That is way too much pressure. Don’t they have chefs with Michelin ratings?”

  “I have no clue about Michelin ratings, but they do have staff at the White House. However, they are really normal people, Elise. My dad would probably roll up his sleeves and help you chop or dice something.”

  “No way!” Elise smiled and tilted her head. “So did you get your culinary skills from your dad?”

  “We all had to help mom in the kitchen when we were growing up. It was not because mom couldn’t handle it, it was a family thing. So dad led by example and yes, he even cooked some nights.”

  “Your dad sounds so great. I can tell he is a big influence on you.”

  “He is a great man and a wonderful father. I am very close to him, and I respect the hell out of him. He inspired me to run for office, and I can only hope to be half the man he is.”

  “Wow. That’s … amazing.” Trey saw a slight bit of sadness in Elise’s eyes. The absence of her father wasn’t just an irrelevant fact of her past.

  “So, do you know the story behi
nd your dad? I mean, why wasn’t he there growing up?”

  Elise shrugged her shoulders and looked down at her wine glass again, “I have no clue. It’s too painful for my mom to talk about, so I never had the conversation with her.”

  “Did you ever think about finding him?” Trey lifted Elise’s chin. There was nothing to hide from or be ashamed of, and he wanted her to know he supported her.

  “No. I don’t want to possibly ruin a family over my curiosity. Plus, it may hurt my mom if I tried to find him. I don’t want her to feel like she wasn’t enough, or whatever.”

  “You are worried about everyone, but Elise. Sometimes you need to worry about her, too.” Trey ran his knuckles around her jawline.

  “Elise is a big girl. A big girl with daddy issues, obviously, but a big girl, nonetheless.” Elise smiled and gave Trey a wink. “So how do you stay so fit? You have an amazing body.” She was done talking about her father so Trey left it alone, for now.

  “I box.”

  “Like, a boxer? Like, get in the ring? Like, ding, ding…are you ready to rumble?” Elise’s face was serious. The look in her eyes was one of pure worry.

  Trey smiled, “No. I train with a boxer, but I don’t get in the ring.” A look of relief melted her worried look.

  “Ok, good. I would hate to see anyone hit you or try to hurt you.”

  “Their training is really intense and it encompasses mind and body.”

  “Well, you obviously are seeing the benefits from it. When I first touched you inadvertently in the plane, I immediately noticed that your arms were very muscular.”

  “Touched me inadvertently? So the crotch grab was intentional? That was the first time that you touched me!”

  “Trey Watts! I told you that was an accident. Well not an accident, but a poor lapse in judgment that wasn’t realized until after it already happened!”

  “I’m starting to think it was all part of some master plan. You grabbed my crotch and were feeling all over my arms within minutes of sitting down. I’m on to you, Elise.” Trey loved giving her a hard time.

  Elise had a huge smile on her face. “Well, … well …you were staring at my boobs when I was trying to apologize, mister. Don’t think that I missed that! At least I did all that stupid shit by accident, or poor judgment. Your ogling was very intentional!” Elise was poking him in the chest with her finger.

  Damn, she busted him. He was totally checking out her boobs. “I couldn’t help it. Your little dangly things at the end of your necklace were falling right between them. Plus, you were wearing that see-through silk shirt with the little cami underneath which was super sexy and drew attention to them. And most importantly, you have the most amazing breasts ever, so it would have been wrong if I didn’t look.”

  A very large smile crossed Elise’s face, “You really like my boobs?”

  “I love your boobs. It was love at first sight.” He really did love them.

  “I’m glad you love them so much. They told me the feeling is totally mutual.” Trey couldn’t help but laugh. He loved Playful Elise. “So can I ask you a more serious question?” She was biting her lower lip so Trey knew she was hesitant about asking whatever was on her mind.

  Trey picked up the wine and refilled his glass, “Sure! Shoot!”

  “So when did it first occur to you that you…uhm…you know... loved me?” Elise’s eyes immediately returned to her wine glass where she began tracing the rim with her finger again.

  Trey was happy to answer that one. “I think if I had to pinpoint an exact moment, it would have to be on the last day in Paris when we spent all day in your room. We were talking, sort of like we are doing now, and then we took a shower together and made love before I had to leave.” Elise’s beautiful eyes lifted from her wine glass and were gazing into his. The corners of her mouth were slightly curled up. That moment meant a lot to her, too. Trey slid his hand behind Elise’s head and leaned closer to her. “I think I had fallen in love with you then. I never made love to someone like that before, and there was an empty feeling after I left. I just ached so much that I thought about heading back to Paris to be with you the second that my plane touched down in New York. Looking back, I couldn’t have felt that way without loving you.”

  And, there it was. The look in Elise’s eyes was unforgettable. She didn’t need to say it, but she did, “I love you so much.” Elise placed her hand on Trey’s face. “I don’t know if it’s possible to love you before I even met you, but I can’t think of a moment that I didn’t love the way you looked at me, or the way to touched me. I loved the sound of your voice and the way you smelled. From the moment that I met you, you were the only thing that I could think of. I was smitten…am smitten.”

  Trey knew later on in life when he looked back at the moments in his life that changed him and the moments in his life that defined him, he would look back on this moment as both. This was the moment when he consciously embraced vulnerability by putting everything out there and learned that he was enough.

  Chapter 20

  Elise opened her eyes slowly and extended her arm out to touch Trey, but he wasn’t in bed with her. She lifted her head and noticed that he wasn’t in her bedroom. She got out of bed and put on her white silk robe that only hung down to her mid thighs. She looked in the bathroom, but he wasn’t there, so she called out for him.

  There was no answer. She walked into the living room and saw a note on the counter that read:

  Breakfast and Coffee… be back soon!

  Love You,

  Trey

  Elise hugged the note to her chest. It was down on paper, in black and white. He loved her. She had a feeling that the smile on her face would be there for quite a while.

  There was a knock at the door which was probably Trey. He must have forgotten the keys to get back into the apartment. Elise swung open the front door saying, “Forgot your keys?”

  Her mouth went dry and her chest instantly tightened. Rixby Storm was standing in her doorway with a smile on his face. “Are you asking me to move in so soon?”

  The smile on Elise’s face faded quickly, and now she was clutching her robe together and wishing she would have looked through the damn peep hole before opening the door. “What are you doing here?” Elise was not in the mood for pleasantries or small talk.

  “Good Morning to you too, Elise. Can I come in for a second?”

  “No.”

  “Elise…” He tilted his head to the side and took a step towards her reaching out his arms.

  Elise stopped him with a hand to his chest. She pushed him back into her hallway and stood in her doorway. He was not stepping foot into her apartment.

  “How the fuck did you know where I lived, and how did you make it past building security?” Elise was furious.

  “Money talks Elise.”

  “Glad to know, I’m putting this bitch on the market this afternoon.” She was serious. She paid good money for security, and this was a huge fuck up.

  “Elise, I just need a few minutes to talk to you. Are you seriously going to do this in the hallway?”

  “I don’t know what this is nor did I agree to talk to you. Last time you talked to me, you called me bitter, a groupie, and delusional. I don’t converse with people who treat me that way. Goodbye.” Elise turned to go back into her apartment when Rixby grabbed her arm.

  “Elise, please wait.”

  She pulled her arm out of his grip and pushed him in his chest, hard. “Don’t you dare fucking touch me! You have two seconds to get the fuck out of her before I call the cops.” The lump in her throat started traveling up, and she tried like hell to swallow it down but she couldn’t. Her eyes pooled with tears as she turned to go back into her apartment again.

  “So you won’t talk to me because of your new boyfriend?” The way he said “boyfriend” was patronizing, and she was about to punch him in his face.

  “No, dick! I told you already, I don’t speak to people who have so little respect for me that the
y treat me like a piece of trash.” Elise started yelling loudly. “I’m not stupid! I know the only reason that you are standing here six years later is because the man that I am with now probably has more paparazzi and press than you do. I have dated plenty of men since you and it just so happens that you show up once pictures of me and this one surfaces. I’m not territory for you to mark. Now get the fuck off my property before I have you arrested!” Tears were just falling down Elise’s face now. She couldn’t control it. She went back into her apartment and slammed the door behind her.

  She put her back to the door as her tears became sobs.

  Rixby began talking to her through her apartment door. “Elise, I was on drugs. I was blitzed out of my mind that night. I am so sorry for the way I treated you. You were the reason I went to rehab and got my shit straight. You were the reason that I pressed for my divorce. I wanted you, only you!”

  Elise couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She never saw him take drugs. Was he lying or was she that naive?

  “And yes, the only reason why I am coming to you now is because I didn’t know how to approach you after the way I treated you. I was always waiting for the right time or for the right amount of time to pass to let you cool down, but I didn’t know how much time you needed. Then when I saw the picture of you and him, it reminded me too much of us, and I knew that it was now or never. I had to try before this became too serious, and I would never be able to win you back. I love you, Elise. I have always loved you.”

  “You’re a liar! You don’t treat someone you love the way you treated me!” Elise was yelling through her door.

  “It was the drugs, Elise! I never treated you like that before that night! I was coked up trying to stay up to meet the demands of the tour. It was stupid, but it was what was available. I went on a bender after you left. If I could change one thing in my life, that would be the moment I changed. That was the moment that I lost the most important thing in the world to me. And you have been the inspiration for me to push through rehab and get my life in order. I wanted it all in order so if you came back to me, there would be nothing in the way.”