me, before they widen and he swallows hard. “Trix.” He nods.
“Blake.” I nod back, but, as much as I wish I could cover up all the fear gurgling inside me, it’s too late.
Tension settles in the air, and by the look on Layla’s face, it didn’t take her long to figure it out.
“Zeus’s . . . do you and Blake know each other?” Her voice is barely a whisper, but the jagged edge of hurt is apparent.
“Mouse—”
“Shit.” Jonah moves toward Raven, as if he’s planning to hold her back once she figures it out.
Mason’s smile fades. “What’s going on?” He flicks his hand between Blake and me. “You two know each other?”
“Blake?” Layla stands and locks her hands around her stomach. “Do you know Trix? Personally?”
Everyone’s eyes dart between Blake and me, and I feel Gia push in close, a silent but obvious show of support.
“Fuckin’ A, Baywatch.” Blake glares at Mason, who’s staring intently at me.
“Blake? Tell me.” Layla’s a lot stronger than I am. Whereas she’s inches from an angry tirade, I’m bordering on tears.
“Mouse, let’s go talk out—”
“No, here.”
“Fuck.” He runs a hand over his cropped hair. “Valentine’s Day, when I left, I went to Zeus’s.”
“I know that, Blake.” She throws an arm out and points at me. “Tell me why you’re looking at Trix like she’s about to ruin your life.”
“Nothing happened, baby. She danced for me. I had a private dance, but nothing happened.”
“Don’t you fucking lie to me, Blake Daniels. What did you do?”
He scrubs his face. “I thought you were leaving me for that asshole! You kicked me out!”
“So . . . did you guys . . . ?”
“No, Mouse. I love you.” He moves closer to her, but doesn’t touch her. “I love you.”
“Would you just tell me what the hell—”
“I kissed him.”
All eyes in the room swing to me, wide with shock.
“It’s true. He hired me, and once we were in a private room, I kissed him.”
Layla drops her chin to her chest and breathes deep. Blake moves in, pulling her to his chest and kissing the top of her head.
My gaze swings to Raven, who gives me a half smile, almost as if to say she’s grateful I told the truth but even the kindness in her eyes isn’t enough to erase the awkward tension in the air.
Gia and Rex are at my back, and although they’re supporting me enough, they’re arms are wrapped around each other. I suddenly feel like the odd man out, searching for an anchor, something to remind me that I’m not as horrible as I feel.
On instinct, my gaze swings to Mason. He’s glaring at Blake, and I recoil at the disgust I see reflected in his eyes. I drop my gaze and slide away from the table. There should be something to say, some parting words that will give them some peace, but I can’t think of what that would be.
The fact is I don’t belong here.
This world of dating and romance and happily ever after isn’t mine to have.
I’m a stripper. I’m the woman from a married man’s past—the other woman, the temptation—and I’m staring boldly at my reality. Just my presence alone has managed to break up this entire event.
Yeah, this was a mistake. One I need to remind myself to never let happen again.
Mason
I’m staring at Trix as if the power of my will alone could keep her here. I saw the second it happened, when the spark in her eye turned to fear and the urge to run. She forced her chin up, despite the awkward moment that would make a lesser woman hide behind her hair.
“Um . . . I should go.” She scoots between chairs, extracting herself from the cluster of people and bar tables.
“Trix!” She doesn’t turn around, but her shoulders hitch up at my call. “Wait up.”
I move around to catch her before she gets too far, pulling her into my arms and holding her there. “Please, don’t go.”
“Mason, how can you say that? You know as well as I do I don’t belong here.”
“You belong with me, and if you don’t belong here”—I survey my friends, all of them clutching their women, their expressions either that of pity or disappointment—“I don’t belong here either.”
Fuckin’ hell! First Lane, now kissing Blake. This information should make me angry. Hell, at the very least, I should be jealous, but since I’ve gotten to know Trix, I see this shit doesn’t mean anything to her. She said it herself