Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 40

"That's right, Michael. We're having lunch with Keesha today," Jason said as he carried Michael down the hall to Keesha's office.

They were a few minutes early, but Jason wasn't concerned by it. In fact, he was happy that they were there a little earlier than planned. That way, he and Keesha would be able to spend even more time together. He was convinced that the more time they shared, the harder it would be for her to deny her feelings for him. He knew she wanted him. Deep inside, she knew it, too. In time, she would admit it to herself and then later, she would admit it to him.

Jason looked forward to the 'later' more than he had ever looked forward to anything else before in his life. Both lives. He wanted Keesha back, and he wanted her back in his bed. Day after day and night after night, he lived with images of her. Her eyes wild with passion and her lips full from his kisses. He needed her like he needed air to breathe. As he raised his hand to lightly tap on her door, he decided that he would have her. Soon.

"Jason?"

Jason turned at the sound of his name. He was a little surprised to see who was there, but he wasn't unhappy about it. "Hi, Tommy."

"I hate to bother you, but since you're here I wanted to ask you-"

"Say no more. Benny told me you stopped by last weekend. I called your place and-"

"You called my place? When? Who did you talk to?" Tommy asked, his voice and eyes filled with concern and anxiety.

"Yeah. I called earlier today. Don't worry about it," Jason said with a small smile. He knew why Tommy was upset and oddly enough, he wasn't offended. In fact, he perfectly understood. Even Jason felt a small twinge of apprehension whenever he thought of his position, not to mention, the way people reacted to him. Some thought they could flatter him with smiles and brown-nosing. Others shied away from him. Neither group realized that he was not the man they thought he was and never would be again. "Really, relax. I spoke with your cousin. I didn't say much. I'm sure she won't say anything to your grandmother."

Tommy released a sigh of relief. After Gina's mini-lecture, the last thing he wanted was to receive another one from either his cousin or his grandmother. And God forbid, they should slip up and tell his mother that the mob boss of Port Charles was leaving messages for him. She'd never let him out her sight again. "Thanks, man."

"No, problem. Want to tell me what you wanted? Keesha, Michael, and I are having lunch, and I don't want to be late," Jason said.

"I wanted to ask you for a job," Tommy said, his eyes giving away how desperate he was for Jason to say yes.

"A job?" Jason asked, his eyes narrowing as he took a good look at Tommy. He doesn't know what he is asking, Jason thought.

"Yeah. I need something that would pay...kinda well..." Tommy let his sentence hang as he suddenly became embarrassed. He hated to ask anyone for anything, and he especially hated the thought of being turned down after he humbled himself to ask.

"Tommy, I don't think working for me would be a good thing," Jason said, as he moved Michael to the crook of his other arm.

"I wouldn't have to do much. Really. Anything would be fine with me. I wouldn't ask, but I really need the cash. My mom woke up and well, there are bills to pay."

"Look, I can give you the cash-"

"No!" Tommy blurted out. He immediately wished he hadn't jumped the gun when he saw the baby's eyes widened. He turned apologetic eyes to Jason and said, "I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare him."

"It's okay, but really, Tommy, I'm kinda in a hurry here. Come by tomorrow and we can talk about this, okay?" Jason asked, his voice sincere.

"Sure," Tommy said, trying not to let the disappointment come through in his voice. Maybe Jason would help him out, Tommy thought. He'd force himself to be patient and wait until tomorrow.