Duke(87)

“Because you like him,” Bethany answered, “and he’s finally given you good sex, and I’m still not sure he’s good for you, but if you’re going to try to make it work then he has to know what’s going through your head. Letting him take your ass when you’ve convinced yourself it’s only so he won’t cheat on you is probably one of those signs the relationship is already doomed. You have to talk to him.”

The doorbell rang and they heard, “This is Officer Pierson, ma’am. Can you open the door, please?”

Gen made it to the door, impressed she didn’t weave too bad, and opened it. Isaac was standing behind the officer, and he took one look at her and stepped into the house, stood at her side, and put his arm around her for support. She leaned into him and spoke to the officer. “What are my options? I don’t have a restraining order, which I’m thinking I should get, but without one there’s probably no charges I can press against him, right?”

“He was attempting to enter your residence when I pulled up, and he resisted me when I tried to stop him. We’ll take him in, but he’ll likely be out again by tomorrow afternoon.”

Gen nodded. “He leaves me alone when my boyfriend’s here, but we had girl’s night in, tonight. It’s kind of spooky Mike knew Duke wasn’t here, though.” She glanced at Isaac, back to the officer. “I’ll get an attorney started on papers for a restraining order tomorrow morning. Can I get your card, so she can get whatever official stuff she needs from you?”

When the officer left, Isaac closed the door behind him and said, “Glad I had the locks rekeyed for you this morning.”

Gen nodded in agreement. “The safe’s still open, and my gun’s under the towel by the sofa. Can you put it away for me, please? I know handling a gun while drunk goes against everything you taught me, but I didn’t have a choice.”

Isaac did as she asked, and when the picture swung back over the front of the safe, he turned and said, “You’re right, he didn’t give you a choice, and I’m glad you had it handy in case he got in. He’s lost his career and he blames you. He’s dangerous.”

“Thanks for coming, Isaac. Do you want some wine? Or do you need to get back to work?”

Isaac looked at his watch and said, “Cam’s at the billiard club with some of his dance friends, I brought him in so he could drink with them and not have to worry about driving. If you aren’t comfortable being alone, I can go get him, bring him back here, and we’ll crash in your guest room. If not, I’ll get him and take him home. I’m good either way.”

Bethany said, “I know she’ll be Miss Bad-Ass and say we’re fine, but I’d rather have you here, if it’s all the same.”

Gen rolled her eyes and looked to Isaac. “If Cam doesn’t want to drink wine with us, bring more of whatever he’s been drinking.”

Isaac pulled out of the driveway and Bethany said, “Please tell me you still have that Twister game! I so want to play Twister with Cam right now.”

“Umm, you know he’s in a very committed relationship, right? With Isaac, and my brother, and Cassie? I can’t play Twister with my brother’s boyfriend!”

Bethany smiled. “Doesn’t mean I can’t. Besides, I’m not gonna fuck him, just see how flexible he is.”

“I’ve seen him dance,” Gen said. “He’s so flexible it boggles the mind.”



* * * *



Gen awakened the next morning to the smell of bacon. She had a little bit of a headache but wasn’t terribly hung over. Bethany was still sleeping soundly, so Gen went to the bathroom and then made her way downstairs without waking her friend.

Much to her surprise, Frisco was at her stove, Cassie at the island with a cup of coffee, and Isaac was stretched out in the breakfast nook with his tablet.

“To what do I owe this invasion?” she asked her brother, accepting a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Not that I’m complaining, since it appears you brought food and you’re cooking it.”

“Had to make sure you were okay, hear the story from you and not just Isaac.”

More of the night started coming back to her, and she looked at Isaac. “I need to apologize on behalf of Bethany. I can’t believe she —”

Isaac interrupted her. “No apologies necessary. I told Cam the parameters he could play within and he managed to keep her within his rules. This means she was following his lead for how far she could go, so it’s all good.”

Gen started to argue, but Cassie said, “Cam lives to make people happy, Gen. Isaac told us all about it, and I’m thinking we need to get a game of Twister and see what we can get up to at home. Frisco and I are both pretty flexible from martial arts, it could be fun.”