Chapter 12 #2
“Thank you, thank you,” he half-bowed, still orchestrating his response. “I told her she had me at the broad shoulders. I feel safe with her having my back, nothing is getting past those.”
“Then I said, hmm, he has a sense of humor. Maybe he’s not your typical politician,” I added, “As long as you know nothing is getting past me.”
“So I’m assuming it went well after that?”
“We exchanged numbers, but I wasn’t thinking anything of it until he called. We had good conversations, but I was fresh out of something, so I turned him down so many times.”
But of course, Treason couldn’t let me have all the fun.
“ Blue finally agreed to let me take her out, so I had to bring out my best stuff.”
He grabbed my face and pulled me in for a kiss that almost made me forget we were on live television until Tamera cleared her throat.
“Oh, really? Tell me more about your best stuff, but remember, this is daytime television,” she adjusted her mic and leaned in, eager for the story.
“As soon as we pulled up, she was sizing the spot up, thinking this man really took me to a damn strip mall for a date?”
“Is that what you were thinking, Navie?”
“I was thinking this might be the last time I see this man if he doesn’t land this plane.”
“I knew it too, but I didn’t say anything, just kept walking her inside, through the back door.
She gave me that side-eye and asked, ' Where are you taking me?
' We got downstairs, and old-school hip-hop blasting, air hockey tables, and retro consoles hooked up, like it was somebody’s basement in the ‘90s. It was chill but a good night.”
“That sounds so romantic,” Tamera gushed over the details of our first date. It sounded like a hell of a time. It definitely would’ve worked on me.
“And where did the nickname Blue come from?” Tamera asked.
“You can’t remind me we’re on daytime television and ask a question like that.
” The crowd clapped, thoroughly entertained, at the show Treason put on.
“It really started as a joke. A play on her name, Navie, really, but if I’m being real, Blue is my calm in the chaos.
The city sees me slaying the bad guys and doing what’s expected of me.
She sees the man under the mask, who doesn’t always take care of himself because I’m taking care of everything else. ”
“While everybody here at Radiance is rooting for you, there have been accusations about your relationship. So, for everybody out there doubting Navie, what does she bring to the table, Treason?”
“The job is stressful, but she keeps me grounded, even when everything else is spinning out of control. When the moment came for me to show up for her like she’s shown up for me, I did what any man should do.
When she’s smiling and enjoying life, it makes me want to keep her that way.
Forever . No matter what it takes, and that’s a new feeling for me, but I’m enjoying it. ”
The lights on set felt hotter. Way hotter to the point I almost tugged at the collar of my shirt. Treason felt it, his hand brushing the back of mine resting on my leg.
“Do you really believe in forever? Not many people do these days, especially in your line of work.”
Treason’s gaze found mine again, steady and quietly teasing.
“Forever is about commitment… about seeing things through, no matter how hard it gets. Not many understand it, but those who do know it’s worth everything.”
The intensity of his entrancement had my stomach fluttering.
“She also brings structure. A lot of structure,” he laughed, pulling me into his embrace so he could see Tamera.
I wasn’t sure if it was the politician in him or simply being a gentleman, but conversations with Treason always included eye contact.
“She doesn’t let me stay up all night working and survive the next day on caffeine. ”
“That’s so cute,” Tamera gushed.
“There’s food in the refrigerator now, too,” I added.
“Now that leads me to my next question. What’s one thing about your relationship with Treason that people don’t get to see? The real, behind-closed-doors moments?”
“He’s extremely playful. Sometimes childish and drives me crazy, but he needs that. A place to take off the cape and be Tre . He’s so busy right now, but he has a romantic surprise planned this weekend, and I can’t wait to see what he’s planned,” I smiled, placing my hand on his thigh.
“Well, there you have it, folks. Treason and Navie, thank you for sharing a glimpse into your lives today. Just don’t forget our invitation to the wedding.”
“Of course not, you’ll be hosting the reception,” Treason replied.
The camera pulled back, and then production yelled, "Cut!" Tamera gushed so hard about the interview that Fallon had to pull us away, citing that we had another obligation.
The stillness on the ride back to the penthouse had me pre-planning my explanation in my head. I could tell Treason was upset because his hand hadn’t ventured close. He hadn’t even looked up from his iPad. So, I typed out a message. Then deleted it and typed it again.
Me: Hey, are you busy?
Rylo: Chillin’ with my sister. Wassup boo?
Me: Wanna get drinks? It’s been a DAY.
Rylo: I’m down. Bar 20?
Me: Sure.
Pulling up to the building felt less daunting, knowing I had plans with Rylo. Stepping off the elevator, I climbed out of my heels and tossed them against the wall.
“That’s not where they go,” Treason barked.
“They do now.”
“And when did you steal my shit?”
“Took you long enough to notice. I guess I’m not as predictable as you claim.”
Fallon walked between us and yelled, “That wasn’t what we rehearsed! What the hell happened?”
“You need a refund on that fancy degree if you thought your story would sell,” I complained from the kitchen. “There’s nothing more relatable than getting nervous around the woman you like.”
“Don’t blind side me again,” Treason warned.
“That story was stupid and boring. I saved all of our asses out there, and I haven’t heard a thank you yet .”
“ Thank you ?” He barked, our foreheads nearly touching, “We’re supposed to be in this together, but you got out there and said fuck me!”
“By telling a better story! Are you mad that I did your job better than you?”
“I’m not mad about shit, but you will be if you keep playing.
Don’t ever get it twisted because I choose to be easy with you.
” Treason grabbed my wrist, similar to the way Lorenzo used to when I tried to ignore his tantrums, looking at me with the same hate in his eyes, “I can easily be twice as cold.”
The second his hand closed around my wrist, my whole body betrayed me. Heat rushed to my face, but the rest of me went cold. My chest tightened, lungs forgetting how to work. Treason’s mouth was moving, but my pulse pounded so loud in my ears it drowned out his voice.
His eyes cut through the haze, confused, like he was trying to read a language he didn’t understand. I felt his grip loosen, hesitation creeping in where his anger had been. That was my opening. I yanked back, putting space between us. I rushed down the hallway.
I heard Fallon telling him to let me go in the distance while I closed myself in the bedroom. Wringing my hands, I paced the floor trying to calm my nervous system while they discussed me going rogue.
I wasn’t Navie anymore—the sharp-tongued, fiery woman who gave him hell every chance I got. I was small again. Powerless, my wrist throbbed from memory while I prayed it passed.
Then Treason’s knuckles tapped the door. He pushed it open, reminding me of what I already knew.
“I’m going to the office. I’ll be home late.”
“With Thandie ? Are you fuckin’ her?” I snapped, my voice sharp enough to hide the tremor I still felt inside.
“I’m not fuckin’ anybody .” Treason was always intentional with his words. He meant he wasn’t fucking Thandie just like he wasn’t fuckin’ me. “That interview has you hot, but you need to calm your ass down.”
“No blindsiding. That’s what you said, Jordan . You haven’t uttered her name to me, but she’s been blowing you up. It was her you were arguing with the other day!”
Treason stepped further inside the room. “Don’t play that shit with me when I can’t get a straight answer out of you about Lorenzo.”
“I agreed to play your little game, but that doesn’t entitle you to every detail of my past! It won’t hurt the campaign, and that’s all that matters.”
“You better fuckin’ hope not,” Treason gritted.
“I’ll be home late, too. I’m going out with Rylo.”
Treason shrugged, “Fuck you telling me for? I’m not entitled to every detail of your life, but word to the wise. Don’t get a nigga hurt because you wanna play games tonight,” then walked out, closing the door a lot lighter than he did the first time.
I buried my face in the pillow and screamed, trying to figure out why I brought up Thandie. She didn’t matter, but the comment still forced its way out. Some people stress-eat or nap, but I was a stress showerer, so I climbed inside and tried to wash away the stress from my skin.
Dressed in a towel, I put together a cute outfit and dressed for a night out. Ready to ignore my problems, I grabbed my purse and walked out to find Ward sitting on the couch.
“Are you serious?”
“Take it up with your man.”
“I’d rather not.”
“I’m not staying. Just making sure you get there and back without getting a DUI. That would be bad business,” Ward explained.
“Right,” I scoffed, “Did Dad leave me spending money too?”
Ward laughed because he knew I was being facetious, but in typical Tre fashion, he had that covered, too. Ward nodded to the perfect stack of bills on the table.
“Asshole,” I mumbled, my nostrils flaring at Treason being funny, but there was something comforting about him making sure I was taken care of, even in his anger.
“Let’s ride. You look like you need a drink.”
“A drink? I need about five dealing with your friend,” I complained, snatching the money and following him to the elevator.
“From what I hear, you’re not that easy yourself.”