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He scrubbed his hand over his face, rubbing his eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with what she’s doing. Her clients are adults and her Patreon isn’t explicit or anything, and even if it was, it would still be fine. It’s behind a paywall anyway.”
“I agree. One hundred percent.”
There was a pause, and King resisted the temptation to jump in and defend her. He knew Eve. He trusted her. If she said she agreed with him, then she did, but he could also tell she had more to say, and he desperately wanted the chance for her to explain before he tore her a new one.
“I don’t know if I’m being paranoid—I don’t exactly know what it’s like to work at the school—but would they make assumptions that you’re dating a sex worker—”
“Whose side are you on?” he demanded, his voice a sharp bark.
“King,” she cautioned, “cut the crap. You know I’m on your side. I’m trying to protect you. I just said that I agreed with you. Even if she was doing explicit videos, it doesn’t change my view that it’s her choice. It doesn’t make someone a pariah if they’re a sex worker. There’s nothing bad about it, and even if you or I didn’t agree with her career, ultimately, it’s her body and her choice.”
Damn right it was, but it was an argument that he didn’t need to have, especially not with his friend who seemed to be agreeing with him. It didn’t make his frustration and the dogged need to defend Adelaide dissipate though.
“I’m not saying break up with Adelaide; I’d never say that, especially not if she makes you as happy as you seem to be. What I am saying is that maybe this is one of those times work doesn’t need to find out about your private life.”
“You’re saying keep our relationship a secret?” Even he could hear the hurt and despair in his voice. He wanted to put her beautiful face on a billboard. To have one of those planes towing a banner behind it or a sky writer paint news of their relationship from horizon to horizon.
“Not secret per se, but maybe just on the down low. I’ve seen it far too many times where people lose opportunities because of what they put on social media. I’m worried what the school will do if they get a complaint, no matter how ridiculous it is.”
He groaned. She was right. The school wouldn’t care that Adelaide was a good person, or that she was trying to help people. They would likely conclude she was promoting immoral activities, especially with placing content behind a paywall. He would be guilty by association. The school had strict social media policies. His profile was locked down to private, but he was active in the school’s groups, and he was friends with a number of the teachers and other staff members. He hated that there was even the remotest possibility that Adelaide could pose a risk to his career. But there was no doubt in his mind that the school would be in the wrong, not her. Hiding her like a dirty secret was out.
No, just no. There was no way he would do it. He’d change jobs before he hurt her like that.
“Talk to her about it. Be honest. Show her your contract if you have to. Just be upfront.”
He nodded, then realized she wouldn’t see him and mumbled his agreement. “I’ll just have to change jobs.”
“Woah, that’s a big step. I’m… happy for you, I really am.” Eve’s voice brightened. “She’s obviously special. You wouldn’t even consider leaving if she wasn’t important.”
“I wouldn’t. But I think she’s worth it.” There was no thinking though. He knew it down to his bones. Adelaide was special, and even in the short time they’d been together he knew he wanted her for the long haul. Changing jobs wouldn’t even be a blip on his radar so far as sacrifices go if it meant being able to be with her.
“She sounds wonderful, King. I can’t wait to meet her.”
He could hear the smile in her voice, and the knowledge lifted him. But the reality of the conversation he had to have dawned on him, and his spirits dropped like an anvil.
He rubbed his forehead, massaging his temples with one hand while holding the phone to his ear with the other. “I can’t believe I have to even have this conversation. It’s screwed up.”
“It is. I’m sorry, King.”
“Don’t be. It’s okay.” He groaned. “But I should go. I need to talk to Adds.”
Seven
Liam
H
e lifted the bottle of Bundy Rum and took a long swig, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth after he’d swallowed. He cringed, shuddering as the strong-as-fuck liquor burned a path down his throat. He didn’t even like it, but it was the only liquor his dad drank, and during the season, Liam didn’t indulge, so he didn’t have any of his own on hand. The rum was the only bottle in the cupboard, forgotten from his parents’ last trip.
Addy hadn’t gone to see him. He’d waited for her. Sat in his room like a stalker to see if he could get a glimpse of her through Lij’s open blinds. That had been a bust, so he’d parked his butt in the guest bedroom by the front door to watch out for her in case she came up his drive.
But nothing. She’d just gone inside and gotten on with her day. Lij had done the same. There were no recriminations for his rude departure and no complaints because of the less than stellar reception he’d given King. No nothing. Except for silence. It was as if he simply ceased to exist to them once he’d crossed that threshold into his house.
He’d been rocked to his core. His feet were barely holding him up. He wasn’t normally a dick, but he’d officially crossed the line that morning. Addy not going there to entertain his pathetic self shouldn’t surprise him. She wouldn’t have had any idea of the apparent identity crisis he was having. Not that she had any responsibility toward him either.
Logically he knew all that, but he was still hurt that he was alone when they were enjoying their family together. It stung that he was so clearly an outsider. It shouldn’t bother him anymore. After all, it was what he experienced every day with his own family. But his mind ran in circles, tripping him with all the worst-case scenarios it could think up while he was drunk.
Was Addy getting a boyfriend the beginning of the end for his friendship with the McMahons? Had he brought it on himself when he’d let jealousy well up and explode in the form of a bad attitude? He’d acted like a caveman, staring down the new suitor as if challenging him to a battle for the fair maiden’s honour. Except, that didn’t ring true either. He’d admired Kingston just as much as Addy. Individually as much as together. He’d experienced something, but jealousy didn’t seem like the right word. He’d watched them. He’d wanted… something. He couldn’t put his finger on precisely what though. Couldn’t identify what the desire was other than that he’d had his eyes opened. It was as if King was shining a spotlight on Addy, and he was seeing her in a new light. It wasn’t as if it was reciprocated—she was dating King not him.
