Silver & Black (22 page)

“You’ve only been gone a day.”

“You consume me.” He yawns. “I could fall asleep with you on the phone. It’s nice to feel this relaxed with someone.”

“Is it weird that we feel this way when we’ve only just met?”

“Who makes the rules? There are no set rules to how people are supposed to do this. I don’t believe in instant love.” Thank God he said that I was beginning to worry a little. “But I do believe in instant attraction and lust. In fact, I crave it.”

“Me too.” I yawn into the phone.

“I should let you go back to sleep. I did want to tell you, I’m going to be fairly busy tomorrow, but I’ll try to message you. And it’s looking more like I won’t get out of LA until Saturday afternoon. If you’re ok with it, I’ll just pick you up from your place Saturday and then we can go to my sister’s party.”

“That’s perfectly fine. I’ll be ready.”

“You better be. Goodnight, Greyson.”

“Goodnight, Silver.”

I just had phone sex for the first time in my life. Silver is causing all sorts of first for me, fulfilling so many of my fantasies. He’s exceeding all my wildest expectations. My mind wonders into the possibilities of what could be next with him. Nothing is off limits with Brian Silver.
Nothing
.

~Chapter Twenty-Five~

Saturday afternoon, after I’ve showered, I get ready for my date with Silver. He had texted earlier saying that he was leaving LA and would be in later than he first thought. He stayed pretty busy while he was there. Besides a quick hi and bye thing, we hardly talked since that night on the phone. His last text before getting on the plane was simply incredible.
You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight and spending the entire evening showing you off.
It made me smile. I’ve never got to met anyone’s parents or family before, not in this way. I’ve never gotten that far in relationships. Which is weird to think about, since it’s so early for Silver and me.

Opting for my own style, I have picked out a fabulous suit for this evening. The suit fits like a glove, like it was made just for me. The tailored black suit pants hang perfectly off my hips. The white fitted dress shirt clings just right on my chest, accented handsomely by the black tie, but my favorite is the suit coat. It’s unique and completely my style. The coat is a dark-cobalt blue and the collar is black to match the pants and tie. I’ve even accented it with black silk triangle in the pocket. After dressing, I stand in front of the mirror.
What a different a few days make?
The broken man that I once viewed is slowly piece by piece becoming whole again. I thought it was Silver changing me, but it’s me. I’m changing myself. I want to be a better man. I want to be a man for Silver. I turn and view all sides of myself. I hate to sound cocky, but in the words of Levi.
I make this shit look good.

I hear a knock at the front door. “I got it. You just finish making yourself pretty,” Levi calls. I snap the watch Silver got me on my wrist. He must be early. I open my bedroom door, my heart fluttering in anticipation to see him. I hear Levi. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

“I’m Greyson’s father,” he announces just as I open my door. I stand there and stare at the man that has been nothing but a stranger to me. He looks straight at me. “Greyson.”

“What are you doing here?” I don’t move.

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. The number I have is disconnected.”

“Yeah, I changed that a long time ago. You didn’t answer my question.” I move to stand behind the sofa.

My father looks at me then to Levi and smiles. “Are you two?” I don’t answer. Was it wrong that I don’t feel he needs my explanation?

“I’m Levi. I’m Greyson’s roommate and no, we are not a couple.” Levi breaks the awkward silence. Levi looks to me. “Uh, please come in so we can shut the door, at least.”

“Levi?” I want to scold him for being his normal polite self, but my father is in before I could say anymore. Levi shuts the door. “Look, if you came here for money, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I lost my job.”

“You lost your job. That’s terrible.” His concern is not amusing to me, or appreciated. I’ve seen this before. He plays nice and the ‘dad’ card just to get what he wants. “You look really nice. Do you have a date? I’m sorry if I’m keeping you from her.” And there it is.

“Him, dad. My date, and every date I’ll ever have, will always be with a he. And my date should be here any minute now, so whatever you want, make it fast.”

He nods and then holds out a white envelope. “I wanted to give you this.” I stare at the envelope. “Here take it.”

“What is it?” I ask, but he doesn’t have a chance to answer before another knock sounded at the door. Levi goes to open it. My father is standing right next to the door. He hasn’t moved very far into my apartment.

“Good evening, Levi,” Silver greets and then walks into the awkward silence. He looks incredible in a dark black suit and tie. He senses the tension in the air and glares at my father then back to me. “Did I come at a bad time?”

I move over to him. “Not at all. You came at the perfect time.” I kiss his cheek. “I guess you get to meet my family tonight as well. Brian Silver this is my father, Robert Black.”

Silver cordially shakes his hand. “It’s a pleasure, sir.”

“Oh don’t go too far with the ‘sir’ thing, Silver.” I mock a laugh.

“Wait, Brian Silver as in the CEO of Silver Inc.?” My father’s eyes widen.

“Yes, sir.” Silver grins. What can I say, Silver’s very respectful even to people that don’t deserve it. Well, in my eyes my father doesn’t deserve it.

My father turns to me. He strolls over to me. “This is incredible, Greyson. You deserve a boyfriend like Mr. Silver.”
Like he knows what I deserve!

“Whoa, he’s not my boyfriend.” I look to Silver. He scrunches his eyebrows and squints his eyes then suddenly I nervously stumble on my words. “Well… We―we’re exploring.”

“Exploring?” Silver taunts me.

“Now’s not the time.” I swear my palms are sweating. “You know what I think is funny, Dad? You have no problem with Silver only because he’s rich. You never change, do you?”

“I know you’re not going to believe me, but I have changed. Greyson, I’m clean. I promise you. I just want a chance to be your friend. I know I lost the chance to be your father. Why can’t we just try being friends?”

“I don’t need any other friends. What I needed was a father. What I needed was a role model. I needed someone to talk, to help me.” I run my hand through my hair. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through? What you’ve done? What you did to mom?” My frustration is turning quickly to anger. “It’s time for you to leave.”

My father hangs his head in defeat. I almost feel guilty. Almost. He turns and nods and then closes his eyes. “You have no idea how much I regret those mistakes. I wish I could take every last bad memory away, but I can’t. I can offer to try now. I’m clean,” he repeats. “I met a wonderful woman. We’re actually getting married and I’d love for you to meet her. She’s pregnant, Greyson. I don’t want to make the same mistakes as I did with you. I want to be a good dad. She’s pregnant with a boy. You’ll have a little brother. I know you don’t owe me a damn thing, but I want you to know you can be a part of this family.” I want to believe him. His words actually sound sincere for once in his life, but I can’t erase the scars that he’s caused. My father hands me the white envelope again. “Take this. It’s only a portion of what I owe you and your mother.” I don’t take it. He lowers the envelope to the side of him and then hands it to Silver. “Talk some sense into him. If you can’t, do what you wish with this.” Silver takes it. “My address, phone number, and the date of the dinner is in the envelope if you change your mind. It was pleasure meeting you, Mr. Silver, and you too, Levi.” Levi nods as my father exits the apartment. I’m surprised that Levi was able to stay quiet the entire time, but he knew that this was my fight.

“Will you both excuse me? I just need to freshen up.” I excuse myself to the bathroom. I need to breathe. The room feels like it is closing in on me. This was not what I wanted to happen tonight. I straighten my hair in the mirror, and that damn reflection that I so admired earlier was pale. “Oh, no you don’t,” I scold my reflection. “I’m not going to let him ruin anything. Not anymore.” I slam my palms on the bathroom sink. “Not anymore.” I turn my back to the man in the mirror, and take a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I count and exhale the last of my frustration. I flip around and straighten myself out and then go back into the living room to join Levi and Silver.

I’m barely out of the door when I hear Levi. “Holy shit.”

“What?” I ask. Silver is holding the now open envelope. “Did you guys open that? I told you I don’t want it.” Levi takes the envelope from Silver and rushes to my side.

“Just look. Greyson, there must be at least three thousand dollars in here.” My mouth drops open as Levi holds open the envelope with the layers of cash. “Holy shit,” he repeats.

I shrug my shoulders and shake my head. “Put it away. I don’t know what he’s trying to pull, but I told you, I don’t want it.”

“Not even the money that could help you?” Silver asks. Levi’s face is dumbfounded. “You’d be stupid not to take it.”

“Then I’m stupid. You have no idea, Silver. My father doesn’t do nice things like this. He wants something and I’ll be damned if I’m going to get caught back in his web of hate.” Silver tilts his head in a sympathetic gesture. Levi rolls his eyes while he closes the envelope.

“What do you want me to do with the money?” Levi asks.

“I don’t know. I don’t care. Just give it to Silver and he can donate it to one of his charities. The money would be nice to have, but I want no ties to my father. If I take the money, he’ll have something over me.”

“You’re still keeping it and donating it. Your father will think you kept it,” Levi wisely states.  I rub my eyes and exhale. Fuck, he is right. I have an idea.

“Give me my father’s phone number. He said he left it in the envelope.” Levi pulls out the paper with my father’s information on it. I text him.

Me: I don’t know why or what you are thinking giving me all this money. Did you want me to thank you? You’ve done nothing but insult me. I’ll be donating the money. I want nothing from you.

My father instantly texts back.

Dad: I’m sorry you feel that way. I told you there are no strings attached to that money. You can spend it and do what you wish with it. It’s only a portion of what I owe you and I do plan to pay everything back. Year of child support I cheated your mother out of, even money I took from you. This isn’t my money, son. It’s yours and your mothers. You can do what you wish, but it’s the first of many payments I will return, this being the largest. I would hope that you will stop being foolish and use it. After all you lost your job at the coffeehouse.

Me: How’d you know I worked at the coffeehouse? Have you been following me?

My mind runs with idea. It makes sense. The man following me is about the same height as my father and he had said he was trying to get a hold of me. Maybe he witnessed Jeff and I in the coffeehouse and it drove his bigoted ways to a boil.

Dad: Why would I follow you, son? That’s just absurd.

Me: I would hope now that you’ve gotten “ahold” of me the sneaking can stop.

Dad: I have no idea what you’re talking about, Greyson. I have to go, but please think about my offer. My wife and I would love to have you come and meet the new family. Bring Mr. Silver. He seems lovely for you.

I chuckle, aggravated.

Me: I’m happy the way things are. I have no interest in meeting a new family.

Dad: I’m sorry, son. I wish I could turn back time. My only wish is that someday you can forgive me.

Me: Good-bye, Dad. I don’t have time for this anymore tonight. My date is waiting for me.

Dad: Think about it, Greyson. Please.

Me: I’ve had years to think about it. A parentless life will make a boy grow up real fast. You have taught me something. You gave me no choice but to be strong.

Dad: That kills me. Please, let me try to prove that I’ve changed.

I stare at the words. I wish I could believe them, but the same words have hurt me so badly in the past. How many times can you believe the same phrase? I chose not to respond to the last text. I calmly put my phone in my coat pocket. Silver smiles at me and then slips the envelope into his coat pocket. I nod.

“Well, boys, this is about as much drama as this little queen can take,” Levi says. “You two have a good time. Don’t let this ruin your night.” He kisses me on the cheek. “You hear me?”

“Not a chance.”

“Good.” Levi pats my shoulder and then walks into his bedroom.

Silver looks at me and then comes over and takes my hands. “Are you sure?”

I cut him off. “Yes. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I just want to enjoy tonight with you. I hope you don’t think I’m heartless.”

“I don’t at all, and I’m sorry for the stupid comment. It was the wrong phrasing. I can’t act like I understand what you’ve gone through with your father, but I can see what a strong self-sufficient man that you’ve turned into. You should be proud.” I close my eyes and hug him. He holds me. I really needed to feel his warm embrace. He holds me and looks into my eyes. “May I kiss my date now? I’ve missed those lips of yours.” He smirks.

I reach up and pull the back of his head, leading his lips to mine. His soft lips massage mine, passionately. Slowly we enjoy the simple pleasure for minutes. The need isn’t sexual; it’s intimately personal and rewarding. It is quite possibly the best kiss I’ve ever received. He tugs gently on my bottom lip as he releases my mouth. He looks me up and down. A sexy grin takes over his face. I’ve forgotten with all the commotion that he hasn’t seen my suit.

“Shit. I hope this is ok. I have the Ralph Lauren if it’s not. I just thought this was more me.”

“You look incredible. It’s completely you, and I love it.”

“Are you sure because I can change? It will only take me a second.” I release one of his hands, but he holds tight to the other pulling me back.

“Greyson, you look so good I don’t want to leave the apartment.” He smirks. “But we have to. Don’t change. And I mean that literally. I’m happy that you decided to be yourself. You’re perfect the way you are. Ralph Lauren has nothing on Greyson Black’s style.”

“Now I know you’re crazy.” I laugh. “Are you sure?”