Edison’s tongue felt too heavy for him to say thank you. When Bishop’s back was to him he turned and started up the stairs to the building doors, feeling a high he hoped would last all day.
“Are you fucking that guy?!” Skylar barked from beside him on his way to the elevators.
Edison jumped, gripping his chest. “Jesus, Skylar.” Edison glanced around the wide lobby, glad they were mostly alone. “First of all, lower your voice. And second… that’s none of your danggone business. Not to mention inappropriate to discuss in the workplace.”
“You sure as hell didn’t look like you were worried about the rules a few seconds ago.”
Edison chuckled, “Technically, that was outside of the workplace.”
Skylar jabbed the up button and turned to face him, putting them only a few inches apart. Edison took a step backward, not liking Skylar’s body language, nor even understanding his behavior. He got on the elevator the moment the doors opened, and Skylar followed close behind in his all-black designer suit. This pompous prick really thought he was all that, and Edison was beginning to see that Skylar’s big act of boasting and brashness was just that… an act. And Edison was no longer giving him the audience he craved.
Skylar glanced over at him as they stood side by side to take the short ride to the fourth floor. He curled one side of his lip, “I didn’t think you were that desperate, Edison. Gosh. Messing around with someone like that… I thought you were supposed to be the epitome of class.”
Edison was so stunned that it took him a moment to gather his wits enough to respond. He had to clench his teeth to keep from calling Skylar a couple of the names that were popping into his head. Instead, he clenched his teeth and said, “I suggest you remember who you’re talking to. And the subject of my personal life is completely off limits… and private. Do you understand? If I catch even a hint that you’ve been spreading gossip about me or anyone in Stockley Lawn Services around the office, I’ll have you explaining your immature behavior to human resources. I have no time for that distraction in my department.”
Edison was so pissed he thought if the doors hadn’t opened when they did, he might’ve told Skylar just how much of a man Bishop really was and no matter what, Skylar would never be half the man he was. It was his turn to stop and level his own intimidating glare on Skylar and from the way his head jerked back, and his steps faltered, Edison would say he’d nailed it. “I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Bishop
Bishop finished packing a pair of worn denims and a plain blue T-shirt into his bag along with a few of his toiletries. If Edison wanted to feed him tonight, he wasn’t saying no. He wanted his heartfelt food, but most of all he wanted his company. Bishop was on a mission, and he had no time to waste. He’d seen the look in Skylar’s eyes when he’d touched Edison, when he’d boldly leaned in and inhaled his fresh aftershave. He’d needed to show that jerk that he was definitely making a play for Edison Scala, and he wasn’t afraid to make it known. Bishop would be so damn proud to have a man like Eddie on his arm, for his very own.
And without fail, the moment a man finds a treasure… here come the fucking pirates to steal it.
He’d overheard Skylar talking Edison’s ear off on their way up the walkway. Skylar bragging about a bunch of babes he’d had over the weekend. Yeah, right. Bishop saw right through that bullshit. That guy was as gay as the day was long, or at least bi. And now he knew why he gave Edison such a hard time—because he was living the life he wanted.
Bishop hated he hadn’t had the opportunity to see Edison before he had to leave for the day. He and Mike had knocked off early so he could help Bishop get signed up for his GED prep classes. He’d been on edge all afternoon, ever since Mike told him the center had emailed his evaluation scores.
“Come on B, if you want me to do this,” his dad yelled from the dining room where he sat with the laptop in front of him. “I’m taking Erin to the movies in an hour and she’ll kick my ass if I make her miss the previews.”
“All right, all right,” Bishop said, coming down the hall, tying the arms of his coveralls around his waist at the same time. He let his bag hit the floor beside him and dropped into the chair. He wanted to hurry and get through this next step, but he didn’t wanna hear the truth about the scores. Maybe he’d just have Mike skip over that part. He already knew the truth anyway. “What’s the word? You don’t have to read it to me. Just give it to me straight, no chaser. How stupid am I and how long will it be before I can even think of taking that high school equivalency test?”