Free My Calling by Lyssa Layne

minutes later, Beck and I are enjoying two virgin strawberry daiquiris in the awful lighting of the bar across from the station. I have to admit it’s hilarious and endearing to see the fruity cocktail sitting in front of Beck although he has yet to take a drink of it. After easy, casual conversation, I decide to up the ante.
    “So, why no girlfriend?”
    Beck’s finger stops moving around the rim of the glass he still hasn’t drank. “Who says I don’t have a girlfriend?”
    I roll my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, tell me about her.”
    His lips purse together, carefully contemplating his next words. “No girlfriend, no need or desire to deal with that shit.”
    My mouth drops open. “No desire to be with a woman? You are not gay… are you?”
    It’s silent for a long time as my dreams of being with Beck are crushed that he plays for the same team. That my wishes of being completely consumed by him are vanished. My jaw is still gaping open because I’m completely unable to function thanks to the bomb he just dropped on me. A deep, throaty laugh interrupts my devastation and it takes me a moment to realize it’s Beck laughing. Much like his smile, this too is so odd and unfamiliar to me.
    “Definitely not gay, sweetheart. Of course I have that kind of desire, which I get when I need it, but nothing long term. No offense but women are way too much drama than they’re worth most of the time.”
    Picking my jaw up, I scoff and shake my head. “You are such a chauvinistic pig, Beck… what’s your full name?”
    He shakes his head. “Your turn first. Tell me about your love life.”
    I gulp because I’m not ready to admit the truth to Beck or anyone else for that matter.
     
    Beck
     
    Saylor’s face turns three shades of red and I have to admit, I kind of love making her feel that way. In fact, now that she has my mind in the bedroom, visions of turning her face that color again while we’re between the sheets dance in my head. She finishes off the drink in her hand and I slide her mine.
    “Tell me about your most serious relationship.” I’m not going to waste my breath asking if she currently has a boyfriend because I know for a fact that she hasn’t since she started paramedic school.
    Saylor spins my glass in her hand. “Um… I don’t date much.”
    I lean forward, lifting her chin to look at me and reveling in the fact that I get to touch her. My fingers tingle against her skin and the excitement drives straight between my legs.
    “A beautiful woman like yourself? I find that hard to believe. Tell me about the last guy you dated.” I don’t pull my hand back because I’ve missed her touch and I’m not ready to lose it again.
    “He wasn’t very nice.” Saylor drops her eyes, obviously avoiding my gaze.
    My mind races, not knowing exactly which boyfriend she’s referring to. I’ve seen them all and ran them all off. The ones that weren’t sent by her criminal father were just as bad as the ones that were.
    “How so, Saylor?” Her eyes stay lowered and I run my hand down her arm, lacing our fingers together. “You can trust me, Saylor.”
    She glances up and that look I remember from the day Eddie died flashes across her face. Her thumb rubs the back of my hand as she tries to ease her nerves, doing the same to me. She shrugs and shakes her head.
    “It’s really not a big deal. I was dating a guy in high school, I thought maybe he was the one but then he just disappeared one day and I never saw him again.”
    Richard Winer. He was one that her father sent. The cocksucker known as her father was put behind bars when Saylor was only ten, which is why Eddie was raising her. Her father knew that Eddie left her money and as the only living relative, he stood to inherit it should anything happen to Saylor. He sent convict after convict to date and terrorize his daughter in hopes he would get that money but that’s where I came in. Richard was different than the others that