Chapter 15
Miles
“ S he left your ass, didn’t she?” Zo chuckles into his tumbler and takes another sip. Had I known he’d be this annoying, I would’ve been on the first flight back to Jersey City.
I blow smoke into the night air and gaze up at the stars. “Remind me how much time I’d do for fucking up an elected official.”
A grin stretches Zo’s face as he leans into the patio lounger and closes his eyes. He kicks his feet up, folds his hands over his stomach, and tips his chin. “You’d never make it out the hospital.”
Our laughter floats over the crackling fire pit. It’s cold as shit outside, but between my blunt and our scotch glasses we never let get below two fingers, the Denver night isn’t anything we can’t handle. Zo does look wild bundled up in a coat and gloves with socks and slides. We both have on sweats, but I’ll be damned if I let my feet out like that.
Monday came in a flash. One minute I was gripping Emma’s ass for dear life while she rode my face like an Olympic equestrian. The next, we were back on the jet with Carter, who extended his stay at The Ravine. I haven’t spoken to Em since her father’s fundraiser and had to hear through the grapevine she went back to Cali this morning.
No “let’s catch up” or “thank you for that tongue action.” Nothing.
If I wasn’t used to curving women, I’d take offense. Emma could’ve at least sent a text for being her plus-one to that bland-ass party. But that would require us to have exchanged numbers. I packed my shit and flew back here to cut up with Zo before I head to the East Coast.
“You’re quiet.”
Damn, can’t a man be in his feelings?
The point is not to have feelings about anyone, especially her.
“Stop fucking up my peace.” I puff on my weed scenting the wilderness.
A congressperson hooked Zo up with this house before he returns to a life of kissing babies and cutting ribbons. At this distance, he shouldn’t get a contact high—like he doesn’t light up on the low. There’s no proof, but Zo’s eagerness to legalize cannabis consumption for federal employees speaks for itself.
He scratches his chin and opens his eyes to meet mine over the flames. “It is peaceful out here. Not used to this much quiet, but it’s nice.”
I nod.
“Did all of your people leave?”
“T extended his and his wife’s stay. He’s gonna take her to another resort in Vail before they go home. They got months’ worth of making up to do.”
“It’s good they worked it out.”
I snort. “Who you telling? If I had to listen to any more of T’s ass moping around, I’d make Justice a widow.” Terrence tried to downplay the reality of Justice’s leaving, but he wasn’t fooling anybody—least of all me.
Just another reason to dodge attachments. If love had him ready to beg like that, I’ll steer clear of that shit with my life. I love pussy, but I refuse to lose my mind over it. Though after I feasted on Emma’s, I had to stop myself from following her back to Malibu to see what’s up.
“And Emma?”
I take a pull and count the steps to ashing this blunt on Zo’s forehead if he doesn’t shut the fuck up.
He smirks like he’s not out here reading minds. “Did she go home?”
“When do you go home?”
A laugh rattles his throat. “Touchy.” He reaches for his glass. “In the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you kiss a woman in public.”
“Em—”
“You got nicknames now?”
“Fuck you.” I roll my eyes. “Anyway, Em told her people we’re dating. I played along so she could save face.”
The stare Zo casts damn near burns my face. “That’s what you’re going with?”
He stands and shakes out his legs. “Alright, pues .” Here he goes . “The fact you had your suit crisp and didn’t blow up her spot tells me you care a little more than you’re letting on. Nothing wrong with it. You should just be honest with yourself instead of acting industry, as the kids say.”
I scrub a hand over my face and sink into my chair with a sigh. “Speak your piece, Professor.”
Zo chuckles at his old nickname. He’s aged since his Bodie days but wears it well. His salt-and-pepper game has women in his path stressed. They eat it up, along with the grin he’s cracking now.
“I ain’t got all night.”
Zo’s stride is casual when he walks up and pats my shoulder. “A man doesn’t change his behavior for no reason. Might as well see where it goes. Bring your ass to California in a few weeks. Stay a month, and then go back to being a ghost.”
I turn to face the house with brows higher than I am. “A few weeks?”
Zo looks over his shoulder with a crooked smile. “I’ve been with enough models in my day to know that the woman who’s got you puffing up to Jesus will be hopping around fashion week for her job you told me about. Figure out whatever it is between you two before you have to be around each other. The answer is simple if you take your head out your ass.” He turns back to the house and laughs. “It’s a miracle your simple ass didn’t fail my classes.”
“Go to sleep, old man!”
“At least no one will be running marathons through my mind!”
I sit with the fire and Zo’s words. I want more of Emma, but not if it makes it impossible to walk away. She’s already a distraction, switching those hips across my thoughts like she owns the shit.
I can’t afford for anyone or anything to throw me off my game.