Page 18 of Keep My Secrets
“Yes, I did, the night we met,” he says so matter-of-factly.
“Why?” What about me made him run home and background check on me?
“It started as curiosity, you were Alana's daughter, and I wanted to know more about the girl with the most vibrant green eyes, who let me watch the mascara run from her eyes while she was on her knees for me.”
“So you wanted to look into your ex and know who you fucked.” Not really the response I wanted.
“I also wanted to know more about the girl I couldn't get out of my mind. I thought you were off limits. I thought once you found out who I was, you would want nothing to do with me.”
“But you still came to the bar that night.”
“I did. There is just something about you, something I don't want to lose.”
“So when I told you about Dodd, did you already know?”
“No, I only did a criminal background check and had your social media looked over.”
“My social media? I don't post much.”
“You don't, but you did post your graduation, holding your diploma.” I did. That must be how he found out about my degree and my class rank.
“And a background check and look at my pictures was enough for you to feel like you could trust me?” If he really is asprotective and secretive as everyone has told me he is, why did he trust me?
“That and the fact that when I asked you questions, you told me the truth. You didn't hide things or brush things off. You trusted me, too.”
I did, and I still do. He has been in my life for days, and I already trust him more than the woman who raised me.
“So if you knew about my degree, why didn't you tell Mr. Castin?”
“If I had set up an interview for the internship position and you had gotten it, would you believe you deserved it?” I sit quietly for a minute before answering. I want to say yes, I would have, but is that true? I knew I was getting an interview as a favor to Theo; if I was told I was getting an interview for the internship as a favor to Theo, I would have thought that the job was also a favor.
“No,” I finally respond.
“I gave you the opportunity to bring it up and brag about yourself. You earned that position, and that's why you have it. Not because of my friendship with Kai.”
“But doesn't that look weird that you didn't tell your friend relevant information about your girlfriend?” The word slips out before I can stop it.
“Girlfriend? Is that what you said you were to me?” he taunts.
“No. I just—I just assumed that is how it looks. Is that ok? I mean, I can make it known that I'm not.” Fuck. Theo doesn't let people in easily, and now I’m making assumptions and portraying us as something we are not. Theo's laugh pulls me back to the conversation.
“Baby, I didn't give him details about who you are to me. Honestly, it's none of his business. As you've figured out, I don't share much about myself with anybody.”
“What about Eddie?” He is always receiving messages from him. Either they work really closely together, or they are friends.
“Unfortunately, yes. I do share things with Eddie, but he weaseled his way into my life. I'm choosing you, and choosing to share things with you.” I let out a small sigh. Hearing his reassurance of wanting me here with him brings a sense of calm over my body. “Even though I am fairly private, I won't stop you from telling people about it and what we are. Whatever you're comfortable telling people.”
“What are we?” I mean, I know we have entered a dynamic, but going around saying he's my dom is kind of weird. And just because we’re fucking doesn’t mean we’re dating, but I do live with him.
“I am not sure. I haven't really done the relationship thing in a while. I don't want to rush anything, but also know we're more than friends.”
“Roommates?”
“Baby, we're more than just roommates.” We both laugh. I love how we’re in a kind of important conversation, but still are comfortable enough to mess around a little bit.
“I mean, roommates are good.”
“I don't have phone sex with my roommates.”
