MMF BISEXUAL ROMANCE: Phoenix Running (29 page)

S
tanding
before the tall mirror in the hallway corridor at his mother’s house, Phoenix tugged on his tie to straighten it and surveyed his reflection decked out in a sleek black suit with a white shirt. Silver cuff links glistened at his wrists, as well as the bracelet he wore that matched the ones he had given to Cee-Cee and Ashley. His dark hair was neatly combed aside and his beard was trimmed. “How do I look, mother?”

“Amazing, as usual,” Lucy murmured. “What about me?”

“Like a jewel,” he fired back with a grin.

Lucy Briton’s magnificent house had been transformed into a wonderland by a florist and decorator. Late season blossoms perfumed the house and added bursts of color above the doorjambs and at each windowsill. Caterers bustled in and out a side door carting food to the kitchen and dining area. The string quartet she had hired for the occasion added squeaks and squawks of their instruments as they set up.

Phoenix aimlessly traversed the hall, back and forth, rehearsing his speech quietly to himself. The speech was nothing fancy, and this dinner party his mother had arranged was nothing formal. Lucy felt he should await the election results with friends and family rather than over at the mayor’s office, cold and aloof. Votes were being counted, and he would soon find out his standing within the community.

“Phoenix, why don’t you sit? They’ll be here when they get here.”

Phoenix strode to the front door and peeked out for the millionth time. Cee-Cee and Ashley were on their way and would arrive ahead of other guests. He was anxious about what his mother would think of them. The rest of the guest list was short and included Cee-Cee’s parents and Josey and Brett. None of his political personnel was invited. This was a family affair.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this, Mom? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable in your own home.”

Phoenix had also invited his sister, Sally, and Sally’s mother, Tonya. More than worrying about the election or how his mother would receive Cee-Cee and Ashley, he was concerned about how Lucy would take having his father’s former mistress and illegitimate child in her home.

“Paolo and I will be fine. I’m over the past, darling. Your father can’t hurt me anymore.”

Phoenix inhaled deeply and expanded his chest, shaking off his nervousness. Wallace Briton had disappeared from town after the interview with Five Parker, and Phoenix was sure it had something to do with Buddy Steele blackmailing him over the embezzlement scandal Wallace had never done the time for. But he couldn’t worry about the trouble Wallace had brought upon himself.

As usual, he was left taking care of his father’s unfinished business, which included making sure Sally had what she needed in life. He had finally met his little sister, and she was a darling. She wasn’t at all like he had been at twelve—much more outgoing and giggly—but she still reminded him of the wonder and confusion of that age. He wanted her in his life. Knowing that Lucy was finally over the heartbreak of her embarrassing relationship, Phoenix wanted his mother to get to know her, too.

A horn blew outside. He ran to the door and looked out again. “They’re here.”

“Ashley and Cee-Cee?” Lucy said excitedly. She strolled to the dining room, calling for Paolo. “Our company is arriving!”

Phoenix chuckled as Paolo hurried down the stairs to join her. The construction worker looked uncomfortable in his three-piece, but it was a handsome look for him. “Coming, coming,” he shouted.

“Oh! Paolo, your buttons are mismatched.”

“I hate suits,” Paolo grumbled, jogging back upstairs to re-button.

“You look fantastic, Paolo. They’re going to love you.” The doorbell rang and Phoenix opened the door for Ashley and Cee-Cee. “My loves,” Phoenix greeted them. Cee-Cee rolled her eyes but smiled in pleasure at the sight of him.

“Is she here? Do we get to meet her yet?” Ashley asked as he pushed inside.

“She’s on her way. Come in, get comfortable. My mother’s waiting for you.”

“I can’t believe this damn campaign is finally over, and we get to see who was elected. I’m so nervous. And meeting your mother, too? I feel like a kid on prom night,” Ashley said with a smile. Phoenix laughed loudly.

“Well, the good news is, Wallace isn’t here with a shotgun.”

“My parents are on the way,” Cee-Cee replied. “They’re amped. Everyone is so excited for you, Phoenix. We know you’re going to win.”

After the fateful interview, Phoenix’s popularity had taken a swift dip, but it had gradually stabilized and started to increase again. Buddy Steele was lagging now. Leslie Zanders was Phoenix’s main contender. He had managed to keep the press off the property by promising a press conference after the dinner party so that things could remain intimate and personal, and he was grateful his mother had allowed them to use her house for the dinner.

Cee-Cee and Phoenix were still working on the yellow house on Crown Street, getting it move-in ready since Ashley had gone back to performing shows. Ashley had flown in from California to be present for this get-together. He’d be leaving as soon as the electoral count was announced, but Phoenix was just happy to have him present. Everything was falling into place, exactly as it should be.

He led them to the dining room where Lucy was waiting. She turned around with a bright smile and hands outstretched. Cee-Cee shyly stepped forward and clasped hands with her. “How do you do, Lucy?”

“Phoenix, she’s striking. You’ve really hit the jackpot! I’m fine, darling. Thanks for asking. Cee-Cee, isn’t it? And you must be Ashley.” She turned to the rock star, and Ashley tossed his hair out of his face as he stepped forward to shake her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, Lucy. We’ve heard so much about you. All good things.”

“It better be all good,” Lucy laughed. “Sit, sit! We’re waiting for Sally and her mother to arrive, and dinner will be served. Let’s chat and get to know one another.”

Phoenix leaned back in his chair and observed as his socialite mother easily drew them into conversation. She coaxed Cee-Cee into talking about her job as a programmer, which sounded like fascinating stuff. Phoenix knew she was his tech girl genius, but he didn’t realize she was so technical.

“And, Ashley, I hear that you’re an amazing singer,” said Lucy. “I’d love to hear. Why don’t you sing a little something for me?”

“Do what?” Ashley blushed shyly. “I don’t usually…I mean, I don’t have my guitar. I, uh…”

“Oh, just give me a few notes,” Lucy urged, grinning. Her gaze connected with Phoenix, and he smiled in amusement.

“Careful, Ashley. You’re part of the family now. If she hears how great you sound, she’ll have you leading all the Christmas carols and singing for dinner guests at every get-together,” he teased.

“You hush,” Lucy laughed. “Phoenix tells me you have a few more months on tour. What will you do after that?”

“Well, I’m planning on taking these two back to Australia with me for a brief visit. You can’t know an Aussie if you’ve never dived the Great Barrier Reef. And, of course I want them to meet my mum and dad and my friends. After that, possibly American citizenship? Who knows?” Ashley smiled enigmatically. “But, let’s see. Which song would you like to hear?”

“Do ‘Fall into Bliss,’ Ashley,” Cee-Cee suggested.

The doorbell rang, and Phoenix left Ashley singing the opening bars to his favorite song. He had a smile on his face when he threw open the door, expecting Sally and her mother. It wasn’t them. It was his secretary. “What are you doing here? I gave you the night off,” Phoenix replied.

The young man bobbed his head. “Yes, sir. I know, but I needed to tell you this personally. I didn’t think you wanted to see it on the news. The votes are in. They faxed over the count to the office, and I wanted to make sure you’re the first to see.”

Phoenix accepted the plain white envelope and slowly snapped it open, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. He wanted to know, but he wasn’t ready to know. “Are you sure nobody else at the office had a peek first?”

“Positive. I took it off the machine personally, and as soon as I saw the header, I put it away.”

Taking a deep breath, he unfolded the paper and steeled himself for the results, but he didn’t look. He thanked his secretary and sent him on his way, and he took the paper into the dining room to show his friends and family.

“Looks like we’ll know sooner than we thought. I’ve got the results, you guys. Ready to find out?”

Cee-Cee rose and ambled over to him, putting a hand to his back. “Are you ready?” she asked, smiling.

He was as ready as he’d ever be and confident that he already knew the results. Phoenix flipped open the paper and peered at the numbers. Ashley joined him and Cee-Cee. They all looked down at the paper together.

Phoenix swallowed and folded the paper shut. Lucy’s expectant smile froze and wavered. Paolo glanced at her. Cee-Cee looked at Ashley. “Let’s sit down,” Ashley murmured. Phoenix moved on leaden feet and dropped into his chair.

“Well…” he muttered.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Cee-Cee whispered. “You gave it your best shot.”

Phoenix nodded blankly. He thought about how differently things might have gone if he had never had to do that damn interview, and if people had never found out about his relationship with Ashley and Cee-Cee. There was no bitterness attached to the thought, however. Had he not done the interview, would the three of them be here today?

Everything had changed with the single admission that he was in love with them.

“Who won, Phoenix?” Lucy asked.

Ce-Cee answered, “Leslie Zanders. By just a few votes.”

“The newcomer,” said Phoenix. I admit, she kept me on my toes this election. She presented a solid plan for taking over leadership, and with her experience and track record, I think she really can do it. She’s probably exactly what this place needs.”

Phoenix had dedicated his life to this town, and as he had told Five Parker, his townspeople weren’t small-minded, but he hadn’t gotten enough votes to continue leading them. For the first time, he had to consider an alternative route moving forward. He had been so sure that he would be able to keep doing what he was doing.

Lucy complained, “You’re so noble, but what this town needed was to reelect you. My consolation is, this will give you the time you need to focus on the people who are important to you. I’m sorry you didn’t win, Phoenix, but I’m so, so proud of you.”

“Well,” he said again, taking a deep breath. “That’s that. The phone’s about to be ringing off the hook.”

“Let me call Uncle Bryan and have the reporters forwarded to him. He’ll give them your official statement.”

Phoenix nodded as Cee-Cee stepped out to make the arrangements. He searched himself to identify the emotion he was feeling. Disappointment, surely. He had wanted to win the election. Yet he wasn’t as down and depressed as he thought he would be. He felt oddly buoyed by the presence of the people he loved. The doorbell rang again and Paolo slipped away to answer it.

When he heard Sally’s voice out in the hallway, Phoenix perked up. He turned in his chair as Sally and Tonya entered the dining room. “I hope we’re not too late,” said Tonya.

“Not at all! Where’s my favorite girl?” Sally ran to him and hugged him, giggling. He kissed the butterfly shaped birthmark on her forehead and Ashley leaned forward with a playful grin.

“Are you sure she’s related to you, Phoenix? She’s way too pretty to be your kin.”

Sally grinned. Cee-Cee called out from the foyer. “Hey, Phoenix? Looks like my parents and Brett and Josey just pulled up. I’ll let them in.”

The house bustled with activity as Lucy called them to order and got ready to have the caterers serve dinner. Phoenix felt the momentary dreary mood wash away as excited chatter and laughter took its place. Sally regaled him with what she’d been doing at school. Lucy came to sit next to the two of them to join the conversation.

Phoenix locked eyes with Ashley, and his lover touched his hand in solidarity. They would get through this together. It wasn’t the end of the world, just time to put to rest a dream that had taken a lot out of them. He smiled in response.

Winny and Marty entered the dining room, and Phoenix introduced them to his mother and Paolo. Winny held up a cake dish. “I know this isn’t a potluck, but I baked this delicious apple cream cake.” She kissed Phoenix’s cheek and Marty shook his hand.

“Sit, sit,” Phoenix urged. “I’ll take the cake into the kitchen for you.”

Ashley and Cee-Cee slipped away to meet him there. Ashley pulled Phoenix into a hug and kissed him sweetly. He didn’t want to move out of his embrace. Phoenix drew his tongue along the outline of Ashley’s lips with a quiet sigh. “You okay?” Cee-cee asked. She pushed the hair out of his face and looked at him.

“I am. I’m just not sure what to do next.” Phoenix lifted his wide shoulders and let them drop with a sigh. He was feeling great, though. Sally had won his mother’s heart instantly. He had his lovers, and his family accepted them. He had a home with Cee-Cee and Ashley. Career plans were the least of his worries now. In a sense, the loss had taken a weight off of his shoulders.

Ashley tilted his head to the side, thinking. “Well, what about that motivational speaking gig for Before Your Last Resort? It seems like a good fit for you. At least until you decide how to move forward. I mean, you could always go the boring route and just open up a law office.”

Phoenix chuckled at the way he downgraded being a lawyer. “I don’t know. I don’t want to be that busy for a while. Maybe I will check with Five Parker about that job. In the meantime…you two are stuck with me.”

“Give me a few more weeks, and I’ll be saying the same,” said Ashley. “This tour is going so smoothly. I’ve already started working on my next album over in L.A., too.”

“With my new app in the final stages, I’m pretty mobile. You know, our jobs keep us pretty busy, but I like the fact we get to have a little flexibility in our schedules.”

“And one central location for us all to come back to. I can’t believe we live together….Do you guys think this is really going to work? Long term, I mean,” Ashley murmured uncertainly. “This is nothing like what I imagined for myself. I think we’ve all modified our dreams a little to get to this place.”