Blaze & Bind (Surrender to Them 10)

“Wow, I didn’t hear a thing.” She leaned forward to stretch in the opposite direction and seeing her ass in the tight spandex pants made my cock start to get excited.

Yeah, I think you were a little preoccupied at that point.

“He didn’t make too much noise.” I turned away and walked towards the kitchen as my thoughts returned to the noises, she was making the previous night.

“Is this just going to be our thing now?” She walked to the doorway of the kitchen as I started a pot of coffee.

“We have a beer or two, kiss, and then pretend it didn’t happen the next day?” She leaned against the door frame and folded her arms across her chest.

“I guess we can blame it on the alcohol if that makes it easier.” I turned to her and shrugged. “I wasn’t the one that pulled away last night.”

“I know, that’s why I figured you would be the one that brought it up.” She sighed and nodded. “I really need to talk to Gerard. Do you think you can get him up and showered before I get back from my run?”

“I can try.” I nodded quickly. “We have to go to work today—hopefully, he won’t be too hungover.”

Rachel walked towards the door, and I shamelessly stared at her ass until she was out of sight. Maybe our destiny was just to tease each other—kiss, and let the morning leave us with uncertainty. I had no idea what direction we were headed in, and she didn’t either. I went into the living room once the coffee was made with a fresh cup and a bottle of Advil. I managed to get Gerrard to open his eyes and wash down a few pills with coffee. That caused him to sit up and try to make sense of his surroundings. I could tell he didn’t remember a damn thing from the night before, so I quickly filled him in on what happened. That was enough for him to guzzle the coffee and head to the shower. If he was hungover, he was hiding it well. About fifteen minutes later, he walked into the living room dressed for work, but his eyes were totally bloodshot.

“Fuck man, you look rough.” I raised my eyebrows as he approached.

“I feel rough.” He slumped down into a chair, and I took a cup of coffee to him. “I don’t even remember coming home. I sure as fuck hope I didn’t drive.”

“No.” I chuckled under my breath. “You said the bartender wouldn’t let you—but you tried.”

“Damn.” He shook his head back and forth, then grimaced when it undoubtedly made his world spin. “I’m never drinking like that again. It was a stupid idea, to begin with.”

“It must have helped—you no longer seem intent on punching me in the face.” I raised my eyebrows and sat down.

“I’m sorry.” He exhaled sharply. “I know what I had with Rachel was a once in a lifetime thing, and I made the decision to ruin it before it could really begin. If the two of you have a shot at something, then go for it—I’m not going to lose my shit over it again.”

“Thanks, man.” I reached over and patted him on the shoulder. “That means a lot.”

“But…” He lifted his head and looked at me. “I expect the same courtesy from you if by some miracle I get another shot.”

“If that happens, I’ll back off. You have my word.” I nodded quickly.

But after that kiss last night—I’m not so sure she’s going to be running back to your arms, buddy.

“Okay, now that we’ve dealt with that shit, what the fuck are we going to do about Robert Townsend?” Gerard put his hand to his head and grimaced.

“Oh, was I supposed to figure that out on my own?” I shook my head in bewilderment.

“No, but—we have to figure something out.” He lifted his coffee to his lips.

“Right now, I gotta figure out if you used up all the hot water, and Rachel wants to talk to you alone before work.” I pushed up from the table.

“She does?” He blinked in surprise. “Did I do something to her last night when I was drunk?”

“No, but I did tell her about Robert Townsend.” I sighed and shrugged. “She had a right to know.”

“Good. I was planning to tell her myself since we really don’t have a solution to the problem yet.” Gerard sipped his coffee.

I went to take my shower and left Gerard alone in the kitchen to nurse his hangover. I kind of regretted going for a shower so early, because I missed the chance to see Rachel in a sports bra and sweat-soaked spandex possibly, but I didn’t know how long she would be gone. If she didn’t return soon, we could end up being late for work. I assumed I would have to drive Gerard to the Fire Station since his truck was at whatever bar he closed down the night before. We usually carpooled anyway, but we sometimes took separate vehicles if one of us was running late. I wasn’t going to have the luxury of leaving without him. I finished up my shower, changed into my clothes for the day, and when I got back to the living room, I saw Rachel sitting at the table with Gerard. I paused—partially because I was afraid of interrupting them, and partly because I didn’t want to hear something that they were attempting to discuss in private. Unfortunately, I was too close not to listen to what they were saying, so I decided an interruption was the best option. They barely even looked at me when I stepped into the kitchen, but they kept talking.

“I’ve carried this around for a long time.” Rachel sighed and swallowed hard. “I never had any sort of closure with you. I kept waiting for the phone to ring—and while I gave up hope of that happening a long time ago, it damaged my ability to trust other people.”

Oh god, this is an intense conversation. I really wish I had a bedroom I could hide in right now.

“I’m a fucking idiot.” Gerard’s lip twisted into a look of remorse and he shrugged. “Do you know why I didn’t call?”