Page 33 of Indiscretion: Reckless Sin
I want to shout from the rooftops that I love those men. All of them. They should be the ones to hear it from me first though, and then we’ll need to work out how to address our unconventional relationship with the public. I bet the guys have a manager and PR team in place that we’ll need to discuss things with as well.
“So, that’s it?”
“Ranger, I’m really uncomfortable talking about things when I still don’t fully understand what’s going on.”
His eyes narrow and he looks like he’s about to say something but Papa’s voice rings out through the restaurant and I offer him a weak look of apology before scampering off to grab his food.
When I drop it off at his table, I hope he’ll let things go for now so I can get out of here and talk things through with the guys. “Here’s your food. I hope you love it. My shift is done for the day so Alex will be taking over. It was good to see you, Ranger. I’m sorry that things aren’t what you wanted between us, but I hope we can still be friends.”
“Wait, I’ll box this up and we can go finish talking somewhere.”
“I can’t. I have plans and my mom is expecting my call here in the next few minutes. She knows my schedule and will worry if I’m late,” I lie, and the taste is bitter on my tongue.
“You’re an adult. And work runs over for waitresses all the time. I doubt she’d be that worried over a short delay,” he says, suspicion lacing his every word. There’s something really weird about his whole demeanor. I can’t put my finger on it exactly but it’s evident that there’s been a switch flipped between the kind apology and the anger emanating from him now.
“You don’t know my mom,” I laugh, trying to make light of the situation. “And I really do have plans anyway. I hope you love your meal, and I’ll see you around campus, okay?”
I smile then turn to walk in the back, feeling his eyes on me the whole time.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ainsley James Dylan
“Heybaby,”Dextergreetsme, smiling wide when he opens the door to the hotel suite. When he pulls me into his arms, I don’t bother pulling away. This is where I want to be. I’m sure of that now.
Not being sure of how things would go after the way I bailed on all of them the night before, I’m thankful for the out he’s giving me. Lord knows I don’t deserve it. If anything, he should be making me feel extra uncomfortable for constantly running out on him and the others. That’s never really been Dexter’s style though. He’s straightforward and honest about everything no matter what. He used to say it comes from having such an expressive face, which makes sense. He’s a terrible liar. Or he used to be at least. I’m excited to relearn everything about him. What made the boy a man?
“Nice digs,” I say with a quirked eyebrow, popping up onto my tiptoes to try and look around him to see the foyer. Because of course they’re staying at a five star hotel in the presidential suite with a freaking foyer. Even being on my tippiest toes, it’s useless. Dexter is a giant compared to me, tall and lean. Definitely not something to complain about.
“From what I hear, your place isn’t exactly a dump,” he jokes knowingly.
“You got me there,” I say sheepishly. “My parents insisted on that place and I’ve done my best to make it my own but it still feels a little too much at times. There are so many people that are living on the streets and there I am living in a top dollar apartment without having to pay a dime of it myself. It’s not like I’ve done anything to earn it.” I scrunch my nose in distaste.
The self-depreciation is getting real. Snap out of it!
“Would it help to change the narrative? If you alter your perspective a bit it could help lessen the guilt you really shouldn’t be feeling in the first place. Instead of assuming your parents only care about the pretentious wealth they’re bestowing on you, think of it as having loving parents who want to see you safe in a city of too many people. Ones that care about your wellbeing and don’t feel like you have to be so sacrificial in order to do some good for this world.”
“Wow, and here I was worried I’m coming across as a sanctimonious imposter. Maybe I worry too much about the wrong things and am only just now lucky enough to have your thoughts to counter my own when I’m feeling too negative. Though, I’m not sure it’ll ever feel like I give back enough.” I grimace at the thought. “Thank you for dropping off my goodie bags, by the way. You brought a little bit of happiness to someone’s day,” I say, genuinely so appreciative that the guys took on my routine for me so I could get here sooner.
“Your love language is service to others. That’s important and we’d never want you to feel like you had to choose between us and helping people,” he says seriously, tipping my face upward to meet his gaze. “It was actually a lot of fun. We met this one guy named Jess. Ex-military who’d been injured and fell down on his luck. Disability wasn’t quite enough to keep him afloat and he ended up on the streets. I gave him our manager's card and told him to use the shelter’s phone and give him a call. I think a physical and a quick psych evaluation will give us the go ahead to hire him on as security for the tour.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes and my heart swells at what he’s telling me. Dexter has always been the one who rides the same brainwave as me. We’re strangely connected in a way that I’ve never really been able to explain.
Squeezing him closer to me, I bury my face in his chest so he can’t see the cheesy smile that’s completely taken over. “You’re too good to be true these days,” I murmur into his muscled chest that’s currently providing me more warmth and comfort than I know what to do with.
“C’mon lovey, let’s go find the guys and order too much take out.”
Flutters erupt in my belly and peace settles in my soul. Coming back to them was the right move after all.
***
“How can you eat that?” Rebel’s looking at me like I’ve lost the plot, his beautiful features scrunching in disgust as he takes in all of my food.
I haven’t lost it though and he’s crazy if he thinks my food choice is gross. This psycho ordered pineapple pizza! As in pizza with only pineapple as the topping, not even Hawaiian like a normal person who disgustingly prefers the sweet fruit ruining the deliciousness that is ooey gooey, saucy, cheesy goodness.
“You’re one to talk, Rebs. Who eats pizza like that? It’s a travesty.”
“Says the girl who’s ordered from three different restaurants in order to build some concoction only satanists would welcome into their stomachs.” Ezra chimes in, unhelpfully I might add.
