“I didn’t want to have to do it this way, Edison. You should’ve listened to me when I tried to warn you about his history,” Skylar reasoned.
“I don’t care about Bishop’s past and I never will.”
“You don’t realize I did it for your own good. You deserve someone who’ll make you look good. Me and you together, we could be the best executive management team our field as ever seen. And after you leave Presley Alfred as well, me and you can brand ourselves and apply to one of those mega-firms in downtown.” Skylar unbuttoned the second button on his white Polo shirt. “Now that Bishop’s gone, you’ll see that me and you make a lot more sense.”
Edison could only stand there and gawk for a few seconds before he sputtered, “Have you lost your freaking mind? You’re delusional. Bishop isn’t gone. He’s not going anywhere!” Edison yelled. “Don’t you get it? Idiot. Finding this out only makes me love that man even more.”
Skylar came out of the kitchen looking just as shocked and appalled as him. “Edison, you don’t love him. You just don’t want to be alone. You’re an intellect. I’ve seen you read Ulysses at least five times. Do you really want a man on your arm who can’t even read Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham?”
Edison stiffened as he felt the temperature rising in his chest and neck. “Get the hell out of my house.”
Skylar crossed his living room and was in Edison’s face so fast that he didn’t have a chance to retreat. “Hey!” he warned inching as close against the couch as he could.
“I’m trying to be a decent guy here, Edison. Trying to do the right thing. That Bishop is bad news and he’s not for you. Think about your career. Think about me,” Skylar said softly, his eyes dropping to Edison’s jaw. “I know you didn’t know I’m bisexual.”
“I don’t care,” Edison gritted out, still trying to make some space between them.
“You’ve lost a lot of weight over the past couple of years.” Skylar said, his voice husky, completely ignoring Edison’s discomfort. “You don’t think I’ve noticed. But I have. I’m proud of you.”
“I’m gonna say this one last time. You’re. Freaking. Delusional. I don’t want you. Not then, not now. Now, get out of my house!” Edison barked in Skylar’s face.
“Edison.” Skylar sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m gonna get you to wake up, one way or the other. And then you’re gonna get Ms. Alfred to write me a glowing letter of recommendation for the amazing job I did in her firm.”
“What job?” Edison growled. “You don’t do any work. All you do is boink the attorney you’re supposed to assist because you have no clue how to do the work required for your position.”
Something resembling rage flashed in Skylar’s eyes, and Edison knew he needed to get away.
“Do you let him fuck you, Edison. Hmm?” Skylar said, inching closer. Edison felt Skylar’s thighs press against his.
“I said back off,” Edison warned again. He didn’t have anywhere to go, so he pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Don’t make me call the police.”
Skylar snatched Edison’s phone out of his hand and tossed it onto the couch, then grabbed him in a tight hold, pressing his arms at his sides when he tried to reach for it. “Why are you doing this?” Skylar grunted as Edison fought to get loose.
“Let me go, Skylar! Get off me!”
“Calm down, Edison. I’m not gonna hurt you,” Skylar said, trying to control him. “I just wanna talk, alone.”
Edison was panicking because even though Skylar’s words weren’t threatening, he still hadn’t let him go. He had his head reared back as Skylar leaned in so close, he was able to drag his long nose over his throat.
“Don’t freaking touch me!” Edison hollered. His heart was beating so hard and he was breathing too fast to think rationally. He was scared. He wasn’t a fighter. And before he knew it, adrenaline had flooded his body and jolted him into survival mode. “Let go!”
“Not until you agree to call Ms. Alfred,” Skylar grunted, squeezing Edison tighter.
He inched like a worm trying to get his arms free, and when he couldn’t he reared his head back and snapped it forward with all of his might, slamming his forehead into the bridge of Skylar’s nose, head butting the fuck out of him… just like Bishop had told him when he and Mike were wrestling. Skylar screamed, releasing Edison and clamping his hands over his busted nose.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Bishop
Bishop and Trent were quiet in the truck while his friend drove him around awhile until he’d calmed down.
“You all right, Bishop?” Trent asked.
“Yeah, man,” he said, his voice rough. He shook his head thinking of everything that’d happened in the last twenty-four hours. He’d taken Skylar’s threat seriously, but he’d put his and Edison’s lovemaking first. He should’ve told him last night, but he didn’t regret the love he’d received instead.