chapter seven

part one

him

Brendan and I rolled through the North Miami neighborhood, grateful for the late afternoon light. "You know we did a piece on the gang activity up here."

"Edward. Chill. It's fine." He kept an eye on his SUV's navigation.

"We look like the Feds rolling through here. I mean there's a few blocks being rehabbed by some very industrious and brave as hell young couples. But the majority of this is a hotbed haven for trouble and bad shit."

"You sound like a rich dick. Who are you?" He shot a look of fake disgust and cranked country radio.

"But no, please tell me why am I here, again? I was working at my desk thirty minutes ago and now I'm suddenly in the cast of Training Day." I shouted, glancing at my watch. The launch party was four hours ahead.

"You're here for back up. You're the smartest guy I know." Brendan tried. He always tried. A simple kind souled teddy bear of a man, forever looking for fun.

"So, you saw this car on the internet? And you're positive it's not stolen?"

"My lady needs a new car. She has to take the city bus to work."

"No shame in that."

"You ride the bus to make a statement. Meghan rides it outta necessity. Okay?"

"Brendan, if we make it out alive, I'll let you read the article about this hood." We drove deeper in, block for block, busted pavement and broken homes.

"I don't need to. It might rip my heart and guts out. Meghan grew up near here."

"Really? The plot thickens." I was completely intrigued. He was so hyper-focused on finding our destination, I figured the details should wait. We passed a fierce looking group gathered near the curb. They stared as we slowed. "Will you be Genevieve's guardian if I don't make it out of here today?"

"Hell no. Out of the question. That's one freaky ass feline. Give her to my sister."

"Toby would take good care of her."

"Okay. Here it is." We parked. I unbuckled and took in the fractured stucco, overgrown shrubs, still blooming South Florida pink. "See it's not too bad. There's even a potted plant on the porch."

"What year is this car?"

"'84."

"Brendan."

"I'm paying cash. Just stay quiet. These kinda guys don't do small talk like you do." Two fellas approached from torn screen door. One tall, one not. Their glare threatened life as we knew it.

"You want the car?" The tall guy asked, lips wrapped tight around a toothpick.

"So…" Brendan stuttered, shifting in his sneakers.

"So, what brand of oil did you use in the car?" I blurted, arms crossed tough guy like. Brendan spun, wide eyed.

"Who's this guy?" They wondered, I nodded.

"Did you sense his hesitation? You should ask to see the oil change records."

"You want the car, Man?"

"Who'd you buy the car from? We'll need to see a clean title." Getting answers from the two was a lofty goal.

"Shut the fuck up, Edward." Brendan forced under his breath.

"It was a gift."

"Time to go, Brendan. This is fucking shady." The shorter one, flexed, flashing brass across his knuckles. I slapped Brendan's shoulder and took wide strides towards safety.

"Okay. Yeah… it's not exactly the color my girlfriend was looking for. But thanks for your time."

"Fucking run," I shouted, as we bolted, slammed and screamed laughing headed home.

Brendan ducked out to tell Meghan of our mess in person as soon as we got back to the Swan's. I spotted Toby doing homework by the pool. Bella made disciplined progress down a narrow lane through the water. Rote and mechanical moving end to end, checking her watch at every turn. I gave Toby a spelling practice quiz, helped him label the moon phases and walked him in to the main house in time for dinner. "Are you and my mom going on a date?" He grinned shy. Mrs. Swan, handed me a stack of plates, gesturing towards the dining room.

"Not exactly. It's a work party."

"But you're going together?"

"Yeah. You okay with that?" I realized it was maybe new territory. He carefully studied the silverware, switching the order twice with fingers peeking from his cast.

"Edward, you two take your time. Toby's staying with us tonight." Mrs. Swan said quiet, rearranging the silverware with Toby's hand to teach.

"My dad's coming to visit for Valentine's Day."

"Toby, go get the water glasses." She turned, smiling wide. "This is new. Everything's new. He's still settling in. I hope you two have a fun evening." She kissed my cheek, squeezed my shoulders. My cell ring startled us.

"Where are you?"

"Toby's here with your parents."

"Come up here with me."

"Be right there."

The door was cracked, I knocked, letting myself in. A small Bluetooth speaker on the kitchen counter shuffled through a range of rock, then rap. "Hi, you." Bella peeked around the corner.

"Hi, yourself." I smirked. She was headed into the shower, towel wrapped and gorgeous.

"I'll be quick, I promise. Grab a beer or whatever you want."

"I will. Thanks." We paused. "It's good to see you." She stalked towards me, hand gripping her towel tight, playing unfair, always.

"I missed you this week." She whispered, I leaned, lips brushing. Her skin flushed from heated pool water and chilled winter air.

"You didn't have to be a stranger." Words spoke barely against her warm mouth.

"I didn't know what to be…" She caught my lip in her teeth, smiling silly. "Let me shower."

I fell on the sofa rock hard and ready, adjusting and sipping a beer to soothe the ache. Bella's laptop sat wide open, glowing. "Ty One On…" The tagline tease that menaced my mind for a week. His story, her words. Style full of quip and sass, no gush, no fuss. A reflection of the hometown boy gone big time, his lightning speed journey through ball parks small and large to a penthouse in South Beach and a seven figure paycheck. Her words weren't precious, no emotionally charged confessions, just a young prick in his prime. The end. It would sell madly. Florida is crazed and hungry for their sports.

"Edward… What should I wear?" She shouted over a hair dryer. "Is it casual? Dressy? Dressy casual?"

"It's Miami. Anything goes." And you look amazing in everything. I closed the laptop. We'd see plenty of Ty soon enough.

"Hey. I'm asking a legit question here." She angled in the doorway. Short, simple blue robe covering what I wanted to covet. "Go look on my bed. There's options. I want you to pick one."

Long and short, black and light, I picked the shortest and lightest. "I like this one." I shouted, she leaned to see. "We should get a move on though. This thing is in your honor." The space fell silent. She rushed around the corner.

"No. That's stupid. I'm just a staff writer. Or… just a freelancer... I should say." She narrowed her stare. I pulled her in. I couldn't resist. I was all about it. I was knee deep and far gone in the newness and need.

"How about your own Cove sports column…"

"Shut up."

"I'm serious." I held tighter.

"See how it sells. See how Ty sells."

"I'm not talking about Ty. I'm talking about you." I grazed gently down her arms, bringing her hand to my mouth. "I want you on board. Permanently." The idea floated. We grinned, smirk and flirt while the thought settled.

"What. Am. I. Wearing?" She mouthed. I traced the edge of her robe, opening ever more slightly the further down I moved. I loosened the low tie, dusting lips along her jaw, down her damp neck, an attempt to distract. "You said… we should hurry." I dragged slow, teasing fingers down around her bare breasts, peaking her nipples. "Edward…" My mouth was quick, hungry on hers.

"Tell me to stop. We can stop." The fever was immediate, exactly where we left off. My dick throbbed, she shivered.

"We should... probably... maybe... stop." Fuck.

"You sure?" I whispered against her ear.

"Let me get dressed… Give me ten…" She playfully punched my stomach. "Open a beer for me?" I groaned against her forehead.

Ten turned into twenty. And when she stepped out she wasn't wearing my pick but of course way better. "Stunning." I offered a fresh beer, she frantically fixed a wild braid and pile of hair. "You look beautiful." I skimmed her bare shoulders. It wouldn't take much to set me at go again. She hopped on the kitchen counter, flirty sipping and fidgety. "Are you nervous?"

"I am. Why am I?" She cringed, sucking in tight and tall.

"It's a big deal." I teased up bare legs, her long black dress gathering at her knees. "Cover stories are a big fucking deal."

"How many times did you read it?"

"At least twelve." Hundred. I edged from her shoulder to jaw, breathing her in. I tugged her quick, hands strong on her ass, settling between her knees. She squealed anxious, offering me a sip, freeing her hands to unbutton the top few buttons of my dress shirt. I slid the bottle behind us. "Come home with me later…" The weight of the words hung between our smug, knowing grins.

"Mom. Mom… I forgot my reading log." Toby's running steps left us frozen.

"Hey, little man. We're just about to leave." I stepped away, situating.

"I know." His expression fell.

"What's up? You okay?" We watched him close.

"Can you sign this for me?"

"Here Tobes." Bella slid off the counter, chest freckled blush.

"I think I want Edward's."

"You got it." I initialed his log, he stood close. "Hey. What's going on?"

"I want go with you guys. I'll be good."

"Tonight is just a bunch of adult stuff. Not that fun for cool kids like you." Bella let me lead.

"Is it illegal adult stuff?"

"Nope. Just stuff. How about we hit up a movie or something this weekend? You can pick." I offered, Bella nodded, agreeing excitedly.

"Okay, come on you dorks." She shooed us towards the door. Bella smothered Toby in bear hugged bliss as we followed him back out and down the stairs. I watched her race Toby to the house, chasing him in the highest heels, laughing, stumbling, and recovering. She threw her arms high, she wins.

a/n.

thanks for reading the flirty nonsense. part two will post friday. your notes are the best.

for tara. all the wine and all the kings for you. xo