29. Sal
Twenty Nine
Sal
The question in his eyes is hard to ignore, but I do and head back into my desk to focus on work not related to this stupid party. Regret drills into my brain unceasingly. Taking this job was a huge mistake.
Our company isn’t hurting, but it will help in so many ways. The headache isn’t worth it though.
Closing the door, I sit at my desk and wish the day away. The eagerness that nestles in my chest every day is both a high and torture. The ache is like a pulsing toothache. All my brain wants is to strip Cole and discover every piece of him.
It’s not just the sex. It’s the late nights listening to him chat about different recipes he wants to have a go at. And the places he wants to visit to try special dishes. Never would I have imagined the extent of his desires when it comes to cooking and travel. Both worlds are unknown to me as we always had a personal chef and we traveled but only once a year. And while I know I had fun with my parents, nothing was purposeful and memorable because they were never driven by desire. They were obligatory because what rich dad doesn’t take their kids on fancy trips at least once in a while?
Everything’s changed now. Oh the places I want to take him. Paris. Mexico. Italy.
Anywhere, I’d go anywhere with him.
The darkening of my screen pulls me back to my task. Typing up my letter to HR to explain that Cole and I are an item.
The guilt of us being together was mitigated when I looked over the employee handbook.
Reawakening the screen, I read over the letter that explains that Cole and I had a quick encounter, then time apart and are once again exclusive, I hit send.
The comfort I’d originally felt quickly falters and shatters leading to complete and utter dread. What if the HR person tells the owner and he loses complete respect for me?
I’m not out to him. Or anyone at work, besides Cole of course.
Is it too late to unsend it?
The tapping on the door causes me to click my email closed and lock my screen.
“Come in.”
The door opens slightly and Cole pokes his head through.
“Hi.”
“I said come in.”
His eyes widen due to my words not sounding friendly.
Cole never comes to my office without being summoned.
Closing the door behind me, he takes a seat on the chair next to me.
The blinds are slightly open but I sense he’s not looking out at anyone in particular.
“So, you heard?”
I nod.
“You’re not a fan of Ace and Oliver?”
Ace Maverick. His name sounds ridiculous. The rumor growing up was that their father changed his last name because he loved Top Gun so much.
What person does that?
“Not particularly.”
Cole grimaces but doesn’t come across worried as he leans back in the chair and bounces one of his legs. Comfortable, that’s how he looks and I’d love to go to him and get on my knees, to be the reason his head is thrown back.
“I can cancel.”
“No.”
Lifting his brows and cocking his head to the side, he waits for me to say more.
How does he look so casual and comfortable? A question dances around in my head, but I let it drift away like smoke dissipating into the air. I don’t need to ask why he’s never seemed afraid of me.
He’s answered that before. He’s good at his job. Maybe I’ve intimidated him, but it doesn’t change the quality of his work.
“Where are we going?”
The brilliant light that shines in his eyes makes him sit properly, for once.
“My house.”
Now he’s got me enticed.
“I know it’s not anything fancy, and maybe I should’ve offered your place, at least it’s fancier…”
I shake my head. Bayfront, especially Ace, could use some humbling.
“I was planning on cooking for us all…”
“Yes.”
Why is he chuckling?
“Did I say something funny?”
The eye roll doesn’t give me an sort of answer.
“You’re ridiculous.”
He doesn’t answer me, instead he stands and starts for the door.
“Oh… Um, he kinda knows my boyfriend is coming.”
The news hits me like a bag of bricks.
“I thought you said Tony and I are going?”
“I did… kind of a triple date. Tony’s girlfriend will be there too.”
“Why?” The anger hanging to the question isn’t masked.
Cole’s jaw sets to the side. It’s crooked and kinda cute. It does nothing to quell the anger growing in my chest.
“Why are you so bothered by it? You just want to be a secret forever?”
Folding my arms, I shake my head. “No, it’s been three weeks, Cole.”
Gripping the door handle hard, he leaves without another word.
Why is he not understanding how delicate this is? No one knows I’m gay.
A notification on my desktop catches my eye.
The HR person has responded. The gist is a congratulations with a rainbow gif. Ugh.
Strike that, there’s at least two people in the company who know I’m gay now. I don’t bother responding.
My phone buzzes on the desk and I pick it up. I half expect it to be from my boss, the owner.
Cole: Maybe you shouldn’t come over tonight