Page 324 of One More Kiss

Trinity

“I’m going out tonight,”I told Diana as she made a snack in the kitchen.

The two of us shared a shitty little apartment not far from the Skull Collectors’ clubhouse. Neither of us could afford to live on our own and this was the perfect solution. We both worked less than elegant part-time jobs. She was also my best friend and understood what happened at the club on a daily basis. She also understood better than anybody why I couldn’t just walk away.

She might have wanted to be there after I told her about it, but I’d never wanted this life. She had her own issues that made this life appealing to her. Diana was also treated differently than me at the club. She hooked up, which was something she’d be doing whether it was with the club or not, and the fact that no one judged her there was the best part of it. Well, not no one, but not everyone. Some of the old ladies treated us like trash because their husbands cheated on them, but we didn’t have the choice to say no. It was the unspoken agreement.

I was wrong to say that we didn’t have the choice to refuse. Of course, we could. The guys weren’t going around raping the club whores, but it was understood that if you were going to reap the benefits of being around the club, you had to do your job and our job was fucking the members.

“Seeing Miles tonight?” she asked without looking over her shoulder.

Diana knew everything about me, and I saw no reason to change that. She would die before telling a soul my secrets.

“Yes. No one at the club will notice that I’m not there tonight because I normally wouldn’t be.”

“You know…” She finally turned to look at me. “If you came around more often, they wouldn’t be so eager when you do show up.”

Eager. That was how we always referred to it when they were really horny bastards.

“I know, but I don’t want to.”

A laugh burst from her mouth. “You sound like a whiny kid.”

“I know.” I pushed out my bottom lip to prove the point, then the both of us fell into a fit of laughter.

Being able to be myself with Diana was the best part of our relationship and she could be that way with me too.

“What are you doing with him, Trin?” She slid onto one of the stools at the counter. There was a little overhang, which made for a great little snack area. Then she popped a piece of cheese into her mouth.

“With who?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. With Miles. You know this is a dangerous game.”

I shrugged. “Not a game. I’m just having a little fun.”

“Why is that not fun you can have with someone in the club? You could become an old lady if you put your mind to it.”

With the shake of my head, I told her, “That might be what you want, Diana, but I don’t want to be an old lady. That’s not my dream and I can’t let my guard down with anyone in the club. You know this.” I took a deep breath then blew it out slowly. “Miles is… nice to me, Diana. I know we’re just hanging out, but he doesn’t treat me the way the guys do. I’m not just there for his use.”

She furrowed her brows and slowly finished chewing the piece of cheese. “Wait. I thought he’d get a hold of you. You’d meet him at that motel. Then you’d fuck and come home.”

“Right.”

“How’s that different than the club?” she asked. My stomach clenched at her questions. “Unless you’re catching feelings for this Miles. And why don’t I know him? I’ve never met him, have I?”

“No, you haven’t met him,” I told her quietly.

“Well.” She dropped off the stool before walking over to put her plate in the sink. “I’m going to assume you won’t answer the other questions, but Trinity…” Diana put her hands on my shoulders after coming to a stop in front of me. “Be careful. If you’re catching feelings for a Splintered Soul, it’s not going to end well. For either of you.”

I nodded quickly before she headed off to her room. She had to get ready for tonight, though honestly, neither of us needed to doll ourselves up for a night at the club. Someone would claim us for the night either way.

Worst of all, I thought as I flung myself down on my bed, she hit the nail too close to the head.

Miles wasn’t in love with me. That would be ridiculous. We’d been seeing each other for a couple of months. This was totally casual. Something fun for each of us to do. A way to let off steam.

But damn it all to hell, Diana wasn’t wrong about me.

I was the one catching feelings when I knew better. I’d promised myself when I’d been seventeen that I’d never fall in love with anyone. Then here I was falling for the first person to show me some kindness since then.

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