Me: Are you okay? You didn’t answer my messages. I can be right over. Just need to get dressed.
I wait to see if he answers. But there are no dots dancing. Nothing to tell me he’s seen it. What if he’s passed out in a pool of vomit? Mind made up, I head straight to my bedroom to shower and change so I can head over there before going to work.
Jefferson
I wait until the elevator doors shut and pull my phone from my pocket. I hated leaving Bradley last night, especially when he seemed off. Something changed from the time he fell asleep until he handed me my phone.
I know it’s because he saw Malcolm calling me. Bradley would’ve seen the picture. We’re not dating, so he shouldn’t have been upset, yet he appeared to be. It’s the only valid reason for his behavior.
My plan was to come see Malcolm last night, then go back to Bradley so we could talk, even if it was only on the phone. Last night though, I don’t regret it. Malcolm is out and we can finally be a couple. I’m still in awe that we’re going out to dinner tonight. Not as friends, but as a couple.
Opening it the first thing that catches my attention is an email from Foxy’s.
Dear Mr. Silverfox,
I hope this email finds you well. You recently booked services through our site and we were informed by the employee that the appointment needed to be canceled due to sickness. We aresorry to hear of this and hope it posed no inconvenience to you. We have issued a full refund and a discount off any upcoming need you have for us. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Foxy
What the fuck!?
I told Bradley I didn’t want him to refund the money and the only way they would know is if he told them, because I sure as hell didn’t.
Immediately, I call him. This is not something to be handled by a text. Straight to voicemail. Hanging up, I call him again only to find that the automated message comes up.
Your call has been forwarded…
“Bradley, it’s Jefferson. Are you okay? Did you forget to charge your phone?” I pause, as if in my head he’ll answer me. “Can I come by later? I need to run into the office and handle a few issues, but I really want to talk to you.” I take a deep breath. “Please call me.”
Not happy with just leaving a voicemail. I text him.
Me: Hey Bradley. I got an email and I told you last night I didn’t want the money back. It’s for you.Me: For your time.
No, I back that out and start over. Telling him it’s for his time makes it sound dirty. Like it was purely sexual and it wasn’t.
So, I start again.
Me: I don’t care about the money. I care about you. Please just message me.
The elevator doors open and I step into the lobby of the apartment building. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out theenvelope I took from Bradley’s last night. One thing Bradley won’t be able to return is the debt I’m about to clear up for him. While I’m not a millionaire by any status, the amount he owes isn’t even a blip on my account.
And I’m not letting him run away from me either. I need to clear up the confusion between us, and talk with him about Malcolm. Then have the same conversation with Malcolm about Bradley.
Me: I’m going to be there in 2 hours.
That gives me time to go to the bank, pay what he owes on the mortgage, then head home and shower before running by the office to sign the contracts I need to.
The response is immediate.
Bradley: I’m fine. Busy. Won’t be home. The money wasn’t mine to keep.
“What the actual fuck?” I bark as I exit the building, making my way to my car.
My finger is hitting the call button as I unlock my doors and slip into the driver's seat. Voicemail. He forwarded me again.
Bradley: Can’t talk. Busy.
