“When you left, I was hurt, and she consoled me.”
“She said you were depressed.”
“Dial exaggerates. I was upset and I was a bit of a downer to be around for a few months.”
“Does she know I asked you to come to LA before I left and after?”
“Yes, and to be fair that’s probably one of the reasons she dislikes you. You were trying to steal away her little brother.”
“She doesn’t dislike me. People dislike pop music, the beach, black and white westerns. Your sister hates me.”
“I disagree.”
“She threatened to kick my ass.”
“And I will talk to her about that.” Edison’s hand found my waist. “You know Dial, she’s always putting twenty on ten.”
I shook my head. “So, I tell you your sister threatened to beat me up and your response is cool story bro?”
“My response is it’s Dial. And one thing she’s going to do is hold a grudge.”
“I should have never listened to her when she told me to stay away from you. I thought she was speaking on your behalf but?—”
“What are you talking about?”
I was worked up and the words had just tumbled out. I fidgeted with my fingernails, hoping the sentiment flew over his head. “Nothing, never mind.”
“When did we start lying to one another?”
I swallowed hard. I’d already said too much. The last thing I was looking to do was drive a wedge between Edison and his sister. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about this. I think you should take it up with your sister.”
Edison moved in close. “Did she say something to encourage you to stay away?”
My eyes pleaded for him to drop the subject. “Please don’t …”
I’ve probably seen Edison truly pissed a handful of times. And the glint in his eyes hinted he was ready to go to war. Through gritted teeth, he asked, “Will you be good alone for about an hour or so? I need to talk to my sister.”
Wrapping my arms around him I said, “Stay with me. Your conversation with Dial can wait a day.”
“It really can’t.”
I’d made the mistake before of coming into a conversation hot. And when I did, I said shit I didn’t necessarily mean because emotionally I was fired up and ready to inflict damage. I neededEdison to take a beat. Him getting into a screaming match with Dial over me wouldn’t do any of us any favors.
“It can and it will. Gives you a chance to choose your words. Plus, I already cooked dinner. Stay awhile, kick off your shoes, eat, and fuck me on the staircase.”
His shoulders retreated from his ears. “You could have just led with fuck me on the staircase,” he teased. And after eating my expertly prepared chicken, he did just that. Fucking me on the entryway stairs until every single thought that didn’t involve me and him vacated our heads.
I’d been silently fumingall night, after Fancy hinted at Dial butting her nose where it didn’t belong. When I returned from feeding the animals, Fancy tried to entice me with sex. Normally that would work, but I was too wound up to slow down and enjoy morning sex with her. I had to be soft in the head to turn her down, but I needed to clear things up with my sister.
The thing about me and Dial was, we’ve always been close. And she was super protective. This woman threatened my second-grade bully. Not because I couldn’t protect myself, but because I was the one to turn the other cheek until my face was sore. She’d always taken on the protector role with both Cyrus and me. And we indulged her because it was coming from a genuinely good place.
I climbed the metal stairs to her office with views of the sales floor. Dial usually started her day going over the sales from the night before. She had a natural affinity for numbers even though she’d only completed a few classes at Hume Community College. Her brain was like a calculator constantly computing our bottom line.
“Morning,” she said, her eyes focused on the computer screen.
“We need to talk.” I closed the door and took a seat in one of the two chairs in front of the desk.
“Can it wait until I’m through?” She glanced at the paper ledger and then back to her screen.
