Page 79 of Blossoms of the Heart
I sighed and looked away, ahead to the cave entrance. I couldn’t argue with him and honestly the mishaps of the past were on me too.
The clicking of his lighter brought my attention back to him as he lit a cigarette.
He took a deep draw, closed his eyes and seemed to savor the nicotine first before blowing out the smoke away from me.
“Can I tell you that I hate that you smoke?”
“Because of the smell?”
“No, because it could kill you.”
He took another draw, held on to it, exhaled, and then put the cigarette out. “Happy now?”
“You’re stressed,” I noted recalling what he said to me the other night.
He laughed, then the seriousness returned to his face. “I started smoking in the Marines. A friend of mine got me into it. I smoked for years because it helped take my mind of stuff. It eased the stress. Serious stress. I stopped when my dad found out and cursed my ass and I was smoke-free for four years. Started up again three weeks ago when Candace turned up on my door step asking me to take her back.”
I didn’t realize what he was trying to tell me until he said it.
“Did you take her back?” After last night I didn’t know.
“No. That’s why it’s complicated.”
“Because you have feelings for her?” Had to be that.
He chuckled. “I wish it were that simple, but no. I actually don’t. I feel nothing. But I used to. I once did. That’s why I need to…” His voice trailed off but I understood what he was trying to say.
“That’s why you need to think about things properly.”
He stood up, took out another cigarette from his back pocket, and lit up.
“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll check back on you in a little while.” That was his answer.
I pulled the blanket closer around me as I watched him go.
* * *
Tai
* * *
“You got to give the guy credit. He took that style and owned it, even if he does sing cover songs.” Scott beamed looking Phoebe over with complete appreciation.
I didn’t like the way he looked at her.
Hated it. Fucking asshole. Who did he think he was?
And look what he was wearing too. A polo shirt and black slacks, like he was going out. Also looked like he’d done his hair too. It looked extra whipped up today. More like a bouffant that a faux hawk.
“I completely agree. Michael Bublé is absolutely a favorite of mine. I love anything by Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack,” Phoebe gushed. The sound of her voice filled the office, as did her laughter.
I seethed in my chair, looking at them, wishing like fuck that they’d shut the hell up.
Since when did she like that kind of music?
I always thought it was…
I couldn’t remember the name. I just knew it wasn’t that crap she was going on about. Heard my dad mention something about Sinatra before. But I didn’t know anything about a rat pack. I guessed they were a band but who the hell called themselves that.
