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Everyone was busy setting up, all following Katie’s orders. Usually, half of the club was filled with various devices and contraptions for guests to use in their play, but everything had to be taken out to allow for more seating. All the bartenders had been called in, and all staff not participating in the auction would be working as waiters.
Over the last few years, the auction had grown to be so popular we had to limit how many members were allowed in. A first-come-first-served ticket system had been implemented, and it would be a full house. There was a rush of excitement in the air, so strong I could taste it.
Rather than jump in and step on everyone’s toes while trying to help, I drifted over to the bar and took a seat on a stool to wait for Katie. She was the captain in the midst of a hurricane, the difference between sinking and making it to dawn. It was best not to interrupt her.
Besides, it was nice just watching everyone work together. These were the people I had come to care for, a family of my choosing, in a way. They had seen me fail and make a fool of myself, and had seen me thrive. We may have just been coworkers but Requited made it feel different. These people and this club had changed my life. I hoped they knew that.
By the time Katie noticed and came to join me her body was slumped with exhaustion. She waved at the nearest bartender to give her a shot of vodka and downed it before turning to me. “I don’t get paid enough for this shit.”
I burst out laughing, half at her words and half at the pure irritation that had taken over her face. “Is there anything I can do?”
She just rolled her eyes. “You can fix whatever you did to Reese. He’s been useless the last few days.”
My lips pressed together in a firm line. So, he hadn’t told her, then. I fought down the impulse to go to him and apologize for upsetting him. It wouldn’t do either of us any good.
“He’ll recover soon enough,” I said, avoiding an explanation. I would have to tell Katie I was leaving, though the idea of hurting her sent a knife through my heart. She could be hard to deal with at times, but she had become special to me. I would tell her later, after the dust from the auction had settled. I owed her that much.
Katie sighed, looking down at the empty shot glass like she was contemplating getting another. “If he doesn’t get over his funk by tonight I’m not letting him in here. I’ve spent too much time setting this up, I won’t let his mood ruin it.” She didn’t push me to explain what had happened though she clearly knew something was up, and I was more thankful for that than I could explain.
She massaged her temples. “And Nathan just called in sick even though he was scheduled to do a show tomorrow, so now I have to call everyone and cancel it which is just wonderful.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Isn’t there someone else who can do it?”
“I wish.” She shook her head. “Everyone who does the shows is working the auction, and I already told them they could have the day off tomorrow.”
“I could do it.” The offer felt hollow, though it was sincere. I had never done a show with anyone other than Reese, and I wasn’t exactly in the mood for it, but if it would help Katie I could put all that aside.
She barked out a laugh, looking at me like I was insane. “You think I have a death wish? I only partner you with Reese.”
My lips curled down into a frown. I had just assumed that I was always partnered with Reese because we worked well together, not that there was anything else to it. “Then have him do it. He isn’t in the auction.” The words burned like acid, my mind retreating from the image of him sleeping with anyone else - though I didn’t have a right.
That time Katie didn’t laugh, but her brow knitted together. “Before you came along Reese never did the shows himself. You’re the only one he’s ever done them with, and I can tell you with absolute certainty he won’t do them if it’s not with you.”
No, that wasn’t right. That didn’t make any sense. “Why would he do that?”
Katie shut her eyes for a moment, then reached out to squeeze my hand. “Babe, you need to go talk to him. There’s a reason he doesn’t want to have sex with anyone but you and I think we both know what it is.”
Chapter Thirteen
He was in his office, sitting at his desk like it was any other day. I had gotten used to seeing him there, focused on the computer screen, his eyes squinting through the blue light glasses I had given him. Sometimes he would get so focused that I’d have to call out his name, over and over, just to get his attention. There wasn’t time for that today.
“Reese.”
He jolted at the sound of his name, immediately rising from his chair as he stared at me. “Logan,” he breathed. “You came back.”
I ignored the redness that rimmed his eyes, and the stubble that coated his cheeks. This time I wouldn’t be swayed.
“Why am I the only one you do the shows with?”
Reese recoiled as though I had thrown water on him. “What are you…I don’t know what you’re asking.”
“You didn’t do the shows before I came, and you won’t do them with anyone else. Why am I the only one?”
It was a simple question, but when his mouth fell open no words came out.
I moved forward until I had him backed against the desk. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, for either of us. It was well past time this ended.
“I don’t know how to answer that,” he whispered.
