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“How many other gifts did you get?” Bishop gritted, his big fists clenching at his sides as he inched close enough that Edison could smell his sweat.
Edison didn’t wanna answer that question. He’d gotten one collective gift from the staff like always. No one did anything over-the-top… except Skylar. And he’d done it for one reason only.
“I thought so. Only him, right?”
“Bishop no—”
“And you liked it so much you had to put it on right away.”
Edison could feel his spirit sank to the hot concrete. Bishop’s devastated expression was killing him. Edison was shaking his head so much it was staring to hurt. “No. I mean… I put it on because everyone was saying—”
“I hope you liked his appreciation, Edison. Goodnight.”
He didn’t call me, Eddie? Bishop turned his back and left Edison standing there in a two hundred dollar tie, with zero understanding of what the hell just happened. Had he just lost his boyfriend? Edison couldn’t chase after Bishop, especially when he was still wearing the offending material around his neck. Instead, he speed-walked to his car and threw his messenger bag inside and dropped into his seat. He pounded his fist against the steering wheel, then turned that aggression towards the silk around his neck. He damn near choked himself as he yanked it from around his throat. He tossed it to the floor and gripped his steering wheel, trying to calm himself enough to drive home. He needed to get there so he could call Bishop and straighten this whole mess out.
Chapter Forty-One
Bishop
“MOTHERFUCKING, SON OF A BITCH!” Bishop yelled, pounding his fist into the dashboard as Trent raced down I-264 towards Norfolk, Virginia.
“B, calm down man.”
“Calm down! Calm down! How the fuck am I supposed to calm down when…” Bishop held the side of his head, the pounding there felt like someone was beating a bass drum against his temple. “Fuck me.”
“You’re gonna give yourself a migraine.” Trent scowled, gripping Bishop’s shoulder.
Bishop shrugged his friend off and continued to beat up the raggedy interior of their work truck.
“Okay, fine then. Break your damn hand, see if that makes you feel any better.”
Bishop knew it wouldn’t, but never in his life had he wanted to destroy something as badly as he wanted to damage Skylar’s smug face. Each time he squeezed his eyes shut at the pain in his head he saw Edison standing there in that nice tie—which probably cost more than he’ll ever be able to afford—while another man touched him. And Edison hadn’t done anything but stand there.
Bishop shook his head. He was so beyond disgusted he couldn’t think. “I knew that bastard was gonna take a shot at me eventually but… but… shit,” Bishop growled. “I didn’t think he’d fucking come like this.”
“So he got a cheap shot in.” Trent pfft’d. “So what.”
“‘So what’? He played me for a goddamn fool, man, don’t you see that? And I fell for it… like a goddamn idiot!”
“Hey!” Trent yelled.
Bishop put his hand up, stopping Trent’s usual speech. His stomach rolled and he felt bile rise in his throat, making him want to gag. His best friend and Mike were the only two people he could be real with and if he didn’t let this out, he knew it’d drive him insane all night. “I fell for it… because he’s smarter than me, Trent.”
“Ugh,” Trent growled. “He is not. The only reason he one-upped you this time is because you weren’t paying attention. Edison has your fucking nose wide open, man. That’s all. Now you know what’s up. And we’ll be ready for his sneaky ass next time.”
Bishop shook his head. “I always knew what was up. I caught that asshole’s scent a month ago and I did nothing about it, Trent. I saw how he treated Edison, and the way he looked at him. But I thought what I had to give Eddie was enough.” Bishop had damn near broke his back working two jobs, his day job and then putting in hours each night on Edison’s backyard. He was almost done, but he guessed he hadn’t been quick enough. Or maybe his grand design wasn’t as spectacular as he thought because Skylar appeared to have done a fantastic job with his appreciative gesture. The tie suited his boyfriend perfectly. Bishop clenched his aching fists against his thighs, his voice sounding dry and brittle to his own ears. “I felt so damn stupid standing there, T.”
“Look Bishop. I’ll admit… that was some foul-ass-underhanded-dick-headed-trickery that that Skylar-bitch pulled on you, but it looked like he also did it to Edison.”
Bishop turned his head away from the window, staring at the side of Trent’s face. “What do you mean?”
“I mean. Edison looked clueless. I don’t know why he took the tie and put it on but… I ain’t never seen a guy look that damn sad, man. I don’t even think Edison knows Skylar’s making a play for him. Or maybe Skylar doesn’t want your boyfriend, and just can’t stand you because some men are just fucking haters.”
