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Teddy moved in across from me, folding his hands on his lap.
A part of me wanted to speak first, to babble about taking his name off, about how I never meant any harm with my site.
But my tongue felt fat and lifeless in my mouth.
Nothing could come out even if I wanted it to.
“I’m not going to expose you to the guys, if that is what has that terrified look on your face,” he told me, voice surprisingly gentle. Like maybe it bothered him that I was so scared of what he may say or do.
“In my mind, that website is harmless. And, between the two of us, the guys are flattered by it. Except Levee and Cato, who seem to want to be gushed about like some of the other guys have been described.
“The only reason I needed my name off of it was for business and law purposes. The only way my friendship works with this club is if my name isn’t connected to their dealings.”
“That makes sense,” I said, finally getting my tongue to work. “Your lawyers were really nice,” I told him.
“They better have been. I’m not in the business of scaring innocent women who just have a gossip habit.”
That actually kind of stung a little bit. I hadn’t thought of it quite that way, but I guess… that kind of was what it looked like.
“I actually have a question.”
“Okay,” I agreed, since I clearly had no way to deny him anything if he was going to be keeping my secret.
“How did you get that information? Clearly, you are not a club girl. And as much as your sister does seem to fit in, I’ve never seen her around here either.”
“Her friends,” I admitted. “She has several girlfriends who have been, you know, like… club girls,” I said, unable to say the word clubwhores around this man for some reason. “They used to get drunk at parties Triss threw, and tell us all these stories. Really, it became like a story, a fantasy, not real life. Except, of course, it is. I just… I don’t think it felt real until I met these guys.”
“Well, you are a writer,” he said, and it was done so matter of factly that I actually felt a surge of confidence at his words. “I can see how you could easily blur the lines of fantasy and reality.”
“Thank you for understanding. And, you know, not just… blurting it out in front of everyone.”
“Clearly, you and your sister need the club’s protection right now,” Teddy said. “I don’t wish to make accepting that awkward for you. I will say this, though,” he said, and my stomach twisted hard.
“Okay,” I gulped when he didn’t go on.
“I can see that something may be developing with you and Donovan…”
“I… no… it’s just…”
“Sweetheart,” he cut me off, shooting me a bemused smile. “Save it,” he suggested. “I have heard the ‘No, it’s just…’ argument several times at this point from the guys and the girls they end up marrying. “Something is going on, whether you have labeled it yet or not. And I care about Donovan, and all these men.”
“I really don’t plan on hurting anyone,” I insisted.
“I’m sure you don’t. But keeping things from people only ends up hurting them. And secrets will eat someone like you up inside. Don’t let that happen. Find a time to come clean about all of this. It will be better for everyone in the long run.”
With that, he slid off of his chair, turned, and made his way out the back door, leaving me sitting there feeling a little shaky.
“What was that about?” Triss asked a moment later, coming in with a towel wrapped around her, but still dripping water all over the floor. “He was in here for what felt like too long. What happened?”
“He knows,” I told her.
“Shit.”
“But he isn’t going to out me. Us,” I clarified. “He did say he thinks it would be best if I come clean eventually, though.”
“Well, duh. If you’re going to keep banging Donovan…”
“I’m not banging Donovan!” I insisted, voice choked.
“I mean, obviously. He’s like eighty-percent gauze right now,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But I bet things have gotten spicy. There’s no way they haven’t. You were all flushed when you came out of that room.
It was useless to deny it. My sister knew me too well.
“It’s stupid, I know.”
“Stupid? I think it’s amazing. He’s like the yang to your yin. Or the other way around. I don’t know. But you get it, he is your opposite in a lot of ways. I think it works.”
“He’s an arms-dealing biker, Triss.”
“I know. It’s one of the hottest parts,” she said, smiling. “Why can’t I connect with one of those guys in that way?”
“You can connect with almost any man in that way,” I told her, shaking my head.
