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Edison worked not to rock back into Bishop’s hardness. They appeared to be just leaning against the tree, enjoying the shade. No one was the wiser of the thoughts in his head or the thickness rising in his shorts. “Remember. I have light-colored shorts on. Just FYI.”
“You two should be whipped… shamed,” Trent said loudly, coming up and pushing Bishop hard in his shoulder, dislodging Edison from his arms. “This is a family event.”
“Shut up, asshole,” Bishop growled.
“There’s kids and families around here for shit’s sake.” Trent shook his head at Edison as if he was the headmaster of a prep school, “And you, Edison. I expected more. Shame on you.”
Edison’s face flushed but he started laughing at Trent’s feigned outrage and couldn’t stop. He was just sobering up when he heard Skylar’s voice through the large speakers positioned around the lawn.
“Welcome everyone to the seventh annual Alfred, Dolan, Maroko & Bickel Community Fun Day!”
Cheers went up as people started to make their way closer to the raised platform where Skylar was standing holding a wireless microphone. Edison took Bishop’s hand and walked with him and Trent until they were on the side of the makeshift stage.
“We still have another couple hours to enjoy the festivities and we want you all to take complete advantage of us because this is all for you.” Skylar gestured to the smorgasbord of fun all around them. He smirked, tucking one hand into his shorts pocket. “But now is the time that you’ve all been waiting for.”
The adults were making more noise than the kids as they scrambled to pull out their raffle stubs.
Skylar waved his arm for the crowd to settle down. Edison wondered how the man was able to get people to eat out of the palm of his hand, no matter what bullshit he was feeding them.
“We have season passes to amusement parks! Gift baskets from some vendors right here in Town Center. And we have tons of donated gift cards from local grocery stores, department stores… hell, liquor stores… you name it!” Skylar yelled. And the mention of alcohol gift cards had the crowd going crazy.
Bishop put his arm around Edison’s shoulder while he and Trent spoke in a hushed tone behind him. Edison kept his eyes on Skylar, hoping he continued to do a decent job because as of right now, he was making the firm look really good. The moment those green eyes locked on his, Edison’s blood ran cold. He didn’t like the fury he saw the moment Skylar zeroed in on Bishop’s forearm holding him possessively around his throat.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Bishop
“Did that motherfucker tell Edison about the transcript?” Trent asked.
“No,” Bishop mumbled. “I don’t think so.”
“How’d it go when you told him?”
“I didn’t get a chance to. I fell asleep. But, Edison didn’t act any different last night,” Bishop said close to Trent’s ear while the crowd was cheering at whatever crap Skylar was saying. Bishop didn’t care. He was just waiting for Edison to say they could leave.
“But wait. Before we get to the prizes, I wanna give a hand to the amazing planning committee who spent countless hours putting all of this together for us. Trust me. This project isn’t easy.”
More cheers and clapping.
Skylar continued to walk the stage and all eyes followed his lean frame when he moved. “I wish I could say that I helped arrange all of this, but I didn’t. I wish I could say that I’m responsible for this beautiful new lawn we have now but I’m not… isn’t this landscaping amazing? Yes!” Skylar tucked the microphone under his arms and clapped, the crowd joining in enthusiastically. “It’s beautiful. No more renting parks. Hopefully our eighth annual community day will be right here on our own grounds. We could party out here all night if we want, what do you say?!”
Edison wanted to roll his eyes. He’d said no freaking improv.
“But, if you want to thank the men responsible, we have them right here, side stage.” Skylar pointed directly at him and Edison. “The chair of the planning committee and the landscape architect responsible for this entire design are right here, everyone, and we have a special thank you just for them. Let’s see if we can get them up here.”
The crowd went crazy, clapping and shouting.
Bishop’s pulse raced and his body started to warm as he narrowed his eyes at Skylar. What the fuck are you doing? Edison glanced back at Bishop with uncertainty, looking as if that platform was the last place he wanted to be, but all eyes were on them.
“Our handsome boss is a bit shy you guys, let’s give him some encouragement. Come on, Edison.” Skylar boosted the crowd and they fed right into it, calling Edison’s name.
Bishop took Edison’s hand and led him up on the stage. Whatever this bastard was trying to do, it wouldn’t work. Edison’s face was already turning red when he came to stand next to Skylar with a plastered-on smile. When the microphone was shoved into his face, Edison’s hand shook where it was gripping it.
