I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. She was right, that I had to keep trying, keep reaching out until I found a way to make things right between us. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do yet. Maybe he needs some time.”
“You haven’t lost him, Ken,” Stella said with steadfast conviction, her eyes holding mine. “He’s hurting, just like you. But you can make it through this. You have to keep fighting for him, no matter how tough it gets.” She took a deep breath. “But what happened to him—this might bring heat on you too if you’re standing by his side. Be ready.”
I nodded, knowing I was lucky to have a friend like her in my life. “Thanks for everything, Stel,” I said, then I opened the car door and stepped out into the fading light.
As I made my way up the stairs to my apartment, I couldn’t shake the loneliness that had settled over me like a shroud. The thought of facing the night alone, after having spent the last night with Marc, and how quickly things had changed between us—it was too painful to imagine.
But Stella was right. This was more than my feelings; it was about protecting Marc and Mia, and the future I dreamed of for us.
Marc was about to face a storm, but I wouldn’t let him weather it alone.
Chapter Fourteen
Marc
As I pushed my cart through the produce section of the local grocery store, a prickling sensation crawled up my spine. I glanced over my shoulder, catching a woman’s scrutinizing gaze. I quickly grabbed a bunch of bananas, my heart racing as I quickly moved to the next aisle, the weight of her glare smothering me.
The checkout line stretched endlessly before me. I bounced on the balls of my feet, willing it to move faster. The couple behind me whispered. I caught a glimpse of them in my peripheral vision, heads tilted together. Pointing. Staring. Fuck.
Heat flushed my cheeks while I placed items on the conveyor belt. The cashier, a woman about my age with “Brenda” on her name tag, scanned each item at a snail’s pace. Her eyes darted up to mine, then back down. Repeat. And again.
She knew. Of course she did. Everyone did, thanks to that post. Magic Marco, the secret stripper dad. Exposed for all to see and judge.
“Your total is $85.69,” Brenda said, her voice neutral. Too neutral.
I fumbled with my wallet, nearly dropping it. Swiped my card. Waited for the machine to process. Glared at the couple still staring and whispering.
“Have a nice day,” Brenda said, handing me the receipt with a hint of a smile on her face. Her eyes lingered on mine a beat too long.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, grabbing the bags.
I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I all but sprinted to my truck, flinging the groceries into the back. The door slammed with a satisfying thud, and I gripped the steering wheel.
Breathe, Marc. Just breathe.
But the tightness in my chest wouldn’t ease. The stares, the whispers… it was everywhere. Following me like a shadow I couldn’t shake.
I pulled out of the parking lot, tires squealing.
The grocery trip cemented my decision—Mia and I had to get out of Blanco Springs. I needed to find a place for us to live in Dallas, fast.
The past week had been a living nightmare. Ever since that damn Facebook post exposed my PrivatelyYours page, shame had choked me, paranoia lurking at every corner. It hadn’t stayed up long, just a few hours—but that was enough.
I deleted my account that day.
Mia. My sweet girl. The thought of her enduring stares and whispers at school twisted a knife in my gut so I kept her home from with some bullshit excuse about her health, leaving her confused and asking for her friends and Mr. Parker. The bewilderment in her eyes hurt worse than I expected.
And Ken—the man I trusted, the one I had started to…
No. That betrayal was too raw, too sharp to dwell on now.
My phone buzzed in the cupholder. The screen flashed. The credit union. Shit. Dread coiled in my gut as I answered, already knowing what they would say.
“Mr. Mendez, this is Jenna Alexander from Blanco Springs Credit Union. I’m calling about your loan application.”
“Is there a problem?” Of course there was. When wasn’t there these days?
“We’ve hit a bit of a snag. We’re going to need some more time to consider your application. There are a few…concerns that have come to light.”
