“Whatever it is. I am there for you.”
“No.”
“No?” I repeated, not sure I heard him right.
“I’m saying until I figure it out. I’m there for you,” he said. “I just want you to know I’m wherever you are. This place is not my home. Never really has been. You are.”
“Chris.” Emotion clotted on my lips.
“And just one word and I’m fuckin’ hard as a rock again,” he breathed. “Thanks a lot.”
I sniggered, loving how easily we could flip between serious and teasing. “I love you.” It flowed out like water.
“Love you too,” he rumbled. “Now I’m gonna get off the phone and go jack off in the shower. If I’m really lucky, Carl will join me for a sponge bath.”
“As long as he doesn’t feed you after midnight.”
“Say that again when I see you. Bet you will be quite okay with me eating after midnight.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from moaning aloud. “Damn you.”
“Night, Gyps.” He laughed.
“Night.” I clicked off, already missing him. Crap. Next week seemed so far away, not that I didn’t have a ton of work to do until then.
I strolled up to my friends as they chatted with each other, my ears finally picking up on the tail end of it.
“Yeah, I heard all of them. But mostly Jordy.”
The name pierced my gut like a knife.
“What?” I glanced around the group.
“Didn’t you hear?” Maxine’s eyes met mine, digging deep. Like she wanted to express something more than words. “After an attack on Jordy and the band that reunion night, which basically turned Jordy into a eunuch, someone tipped off a reporter and the cops, opening up an investigation against the band. The more they started to question the crew who worked for them, the more started claiming what they had seen. A few girls from school have now come forward claiming they were sexually assaulted by Jordy and the band.”
My chest flared up. “Really?” My head tilted, my lids narrowed with suspicion. “That’s strange timing, in light of recent events.”
“Yeah. Strange.” Maxine’s gaze wouldn’t meet mine, her feet shifting underneath her. I knew without a doubt it wasn’t strange at all.
“I would almost say auspicious.” I stared at her, waiting for her gaze to meet mine. “I mean, why now?”
Maxine shrugged one shoulder, sipping her drink before her lids slowly lifted to mine. I could hear each word spoken in her dark eyes. I did it for you.
I sucked in air, blinking back the tears behind my eyes as I stared at my friend. The emotions I felt for her in that moment, what she would do for me, were true friendship. I had been so walled up, I hadn’t taken the time to really see how amazing these people were. They had my back.
And I would forever have theirs.
Part of me was ashamed I hadn’t the strength to do what Maxine had done for me. But I guess that was what friends were for. They held you up when you couldn’t.
“And now, I guess, some ex-groupies of theirs are coming out of the woodwork, saying the same.” Tristen shook his head, unaware of my connection to this situation. “I always hated those guys, but shit, I didn’t realize how fucking vile they were. It’s all over the local news. I hope they will be locked up for a really long time. Sounds like Jordy got what he deserved.”
I peered down at my shoes.
Echoes of the pain, humiliation, and violation were still there, but it no longer owned me as it used to. I hated that I didn’t speak up earlier, maybe stopped these guys from harming others. But in reality, my life would have been destroyed, while they probably would have gotten a slap on the wrist. I was still afraid nothing much would happen to them now. Society still favored men, blaming the woman because people thought she had been asking for it. It was her fault they couldn’t control themselves. It was disgusting.
Some people might judge me for not coming forward, but each person handled things differently. Unless they needed my story to convict them, it would only bring up pain. To be shamed publicly, to possibly have my job taken from me, those I loved attacked…
Healing and strength came from myself. Allowing myself to acknowledge the truth. Accept it. Not as a weakness, but as a strength. Not just of what they did, but what I tried to do to myself after. I finally felt free of their hold and the demons that had haunted me for so long.
Chris was part of that, but it was really Whiskey who had opened me up. My friend poked enough holes in my armor with her persistent love that Chris could break through the darkest corners, letting the light shine on my horrors. He pushed me to rise above, to stand on the mound of shit life had dumped on me and claim it as mine.
The only thing I felt the need to do was let the others in, let them see all of me. Because Jayme, Hunter, Chris, Tristen, Andy, and Maxine were my people. My family. And the only way they could be really family is if they knew me. All of me.
I took a trembling breath, pulling my chin up. I looked over at Maxine, taking her hand in mine before I turned to Tristen and Andy.
“Guys, I have to tell you something.” I swallowed. “And it’s not going to be pretty…”
Truth rarely was though. A lot like me. Scarred, dirty, and fucking twisted as hell.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“That’s a wrap,” the lead cameraman, Colin, yelled out, following a chorus of claps from the small film crew. “Thanks, guys. This season has been amazing. And I just got word from the network they want to contract it for another three years.”
Whoops and cheers echoed through the garage, people high-fiving and hugging.
“And it’s all because of the team here and the team behind me. I am super proud of how we turned this little show into the number one watched reality show. Thank you, everyone.” Colin motioned to the people around him.
“No, thank you, Colin,” Hunter shouted back. The room burst into applause and cheers.
Colin tapped his hand to his chest in appreciation. He was tall and lean, in his forties but looked a lot younger. He was relentless in getting a shot, but a really nice guy. “Wrap party at Alibi Tavern!”
“Hell yeah!” people yelled, ready to let loose. The season would wrap for a couple months for the film crew before they came back and started again.
I stood across the garage, leaning against the wall, watching the TV team shake hands with Hunter, Chris, the brothers who first owned it, Jack and Jon, along with the rest of the gang at Rebel Custom Shop.
Chris’s face broke through the crowd roaming around him, a huge smile on his mouth that made my stomach flutter with butterflies that never seemed to go away. He was so happy, as if he finally found his place. His home. Everything we went through led us here.
He joined me in New York living together in my tiny apartment. At first it was fun to show him around, go out on the town with my friends, or stay in bed all weekend. The constant sex was amazing, but I knew he didn’t like it there. In the beginning he found it exciting, but after four months, he had become restless and felt like a caged animal within the walls and constant movement of the city. And strangely, I no longer felt I belonged there either. It was a great place for someone who wanted to hide from themselves, disappear in the sea of people and noise. Being with Chris had centered me, and it made the city feel like a chapter of my life I wanted to close. I no longer wanted to hide. I wanted to live my life with the man I loved and find our story.
The origins of today’s success started on a visit to DC seven months ago when Hunter asked Chris if he wanted to be part of the Rebel Custom Shop, to build and detail the bikes and cars. Hunter was part owner along with Jack and Jon, and all of them wanted Chris to join their crew. Jon took one look at the Dukes of Hazzard car Chris had restored and wanted him at the shop.
It was instant. The light in Chris’s eyes, the excitement he tried to hold back. I all but started packing my bags at the idea of living close to Whiskey. We bec
ame official DC residents six months ago. It went from muggy as shit to freezing as fuck, but we loved it here. We got an apartment close to Hunter and Jayme and were constantly visiting each other.
The TV show was just beginning its second season when Chris came on board. The production company flipped at the idea of having another famous supercross rider on the show. It didn’t hurt they were both hot as hell. The ratings went through the roof, and they were getting custom jobs from some of the biggest companies in the world. They actually just finished a suped-up motorbike for Monster Energy Drink to put in their lobby at the headquarters.
Hunter’s art designs were highly sought after, and the boys were pulling in really good money. Jon and Jack were loving every minute of it, sitting back patting themselves on the backs for bringing these two onto their team. There were others who worked at the shop, but the four of them were the main focus of the show. They had exceptional chemistry together, but also could be incredibly pigheaded and hot tempered, which made the show addicting to watch. Chris had fit right in. I couldn’t have been prouder of him.
“Chris!”
I looked up at the sound of someone calling his name.
“I’ll be back.” He waved the guy off, a naughty smirk on his face as his eyes caught mine. “My girl is here.”
I watched him jog over, his insanely ripped body straining his T-shirt. Being on TV had turned Hunter and Chris into workout machines. It was almost competition between them. I watched him do pushups and sit-ups from the comfort of the sofa with a glass of wine in my hand.
His hair had grown some, but he liked it shorter now. Easier to work on machines without his hair flopping in his face. He also kept it short because a spot that would never grow back, where his scar from the surgery was, snaked up his skull. The fan mail told me I wasn’t the only one who thought it made him extra sexy.
Jack and Jon joked that the huge spike in women viewers, fans, and customers were all because of Chris and Hunter. I couldn’t deny that. I was a fan right with them, and I got to go home with one of them at the end of the day.
“Hey.” He clasped my face, turning it up to his. His brown eyes flashed with desire as he moved in closer. “Get all your work done?”
“Yes. Finally. Without you distracting me with your nakedness. Sent them off for approval to Aiden an hour ago.”
“Good. Now we can play.” He leaned in, bringing his mouth to mine in a hungry kiss. He could ignite me with just a touch so the world disappeared, and I had to be careful not to rip my clothes off in public. We frequented one of the storage rooms a lot on his breaks. Thank god they had more than one here, because with the amount of times we caught Hunter and Jaymerson walking out, buttoning up clothes, we’d never be able to get in.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you, Gyps,” he muttered against my mouth.
“Same.” I kissed him again, still shocked this boy was mine. How two huge commitment phobes like us found our way to each other was anybody’s guess.
“We should leave before Jack and Jon notice you’re here.” He kept his hands on my face, leaning back enough to see me. “They want to talk to you about doing more designs for the company.”
My gaze reflexively snapped to the back wall, where a logo filled up the entire space, greeting all those who walked in.
My design.
In the middle was a huge skull, wrenches crossing behind it. Out of its mouth a motorcycle leaped out on a path of flames, the faces of the guys inked on the tank in skeleton form. The name curving over the top of the design. It was a super fuckin’ cool logo. The TV show used it for opening and closing credits, and the shop was starting to sell T-shirts, keychains, and bags imprinted with it. This logo had gotten me the most notice, even more than The Devil Inside’s album. My phone rang off the hook now.
Since I worked purely freelance and from my computer, leaving New York didn’t affect business for me at all. The Devil Inside wanted me for their next upcoming release, and Aiden had used my work for other band covers. He wanted me exclusively, but I said no. I loved the freedom to work on anything I wanted. I was lucky to be able to pick and choose right now.
I still had a lot of business in New York, but the train from DC was easy and it always gave me an excuse to see Tristen, Andy, and Maxine. They visited as often they could, but we were all so busy it was hard. It didn’t matter if we were separated by states or months, we were family. We picked up right where we left off.
My cell buzzed in my pocket, and I reluctantly pulled back from Chris. Glancing down, I saw a text from Jaymerson.
“Running late! Had a few things to wrap up before we leave. Will be there soon!”
“Whiskey’s on her way. I don’t think the museum is ready for her to go.”
“I’m ready.” Chris sidled up to me, gripping my hips, an eyebrow quirking up. “Finally get to take my wife on a honeymoon.”
Heat bloomed in my cheeks, his hand grabbed mine, our rings knocking together as he laced them together. I couldn’t help but look down at the band on my finger, still in utter disbelief I had a husband. Being married to Chris didn’t freak me out, but the title husband and wife still did. It just felt strange for me to say.
Three months ago we were watching Gremlins, of all things, when he turned to me.
“You know. I was thinking.”
“Don’t get hurt.” I watched Gizmo’s skin bubble, furball babies popping off his body and growing. “This is really wrong. I watched this when I was like three…no wonder I’m so fucked up.” I motioned at the TV with my wineglass.
Chris stayed quiet for a few beats before he spoke again. “Marry me.”
“What?” My head jerked to him, my mouth parted.
“You heard me.” He grinned.
“No.” I shook my head, setting down my glass of wine. “I don’t think I did. Because there is no way you said what I think you did. Are you being serious right now?”
“Very.” He looked at the TV screen, his expression turning serious. “The last time we watched this was the night before I went into the hospital.”
“I know.”
“I died.”
“I fucking remember that part as well.”
“It just reminds me of all we’ve been through together. How short life can be.” He dropped his arm on the back of the couch behind me. “There is always a chance the tumor comes back or—”
“Chris…” I tensed, fully facing him.
“It’s not. I’m fine. All clear from the doctor last week,” he reassured me. “I was just thinking…why not? I don’t want fear to ever hold us back. You are the only one I want. You always have been.” He swallowed nervously. “Being with you makes me feel at peace. In my fucked-up life, I’ve never felt as if I had a family, a place I really belonged. Especially after my mom died. Gyps, you are my family. You belong with me. And…” He shrugged, looking down. Vulnerable. Unsure. “I don’t hate the idea of being married to you. At all.”
I waited for the shoe to drop and have a full-blown panic attack, knowing this time he was serious. Nothing happened, except the realization I felt the same. We belonged together. He was my family too. My center.
A smile curved up my mouth. I reached over, taking his hand in mine.
“Okay. Sure. Why not?” My smile grew, my voice teasing. “I don’t hate the idea of being married to you either. At all.”
To some the proposal might be jaded and unromantic, but it fit Chris and me. I wasn’t a romantic, mushy person, and this couldn’t have been more a perfect proposal for me.
We got married in a simple small ceremony the next weekend and held our reception at a speakeasy bar we loved. Tristen had gone online to get ordained, so he could be the one to marry us, which made it even better.
My dress was not a fancy wedding dress or at all traditional but neither were Chris and me. Jayme helped me choose a floor-length evening dress. The top of the dress was black, turning lighter and lighter as it went down, the bottom a snowy white,
the ombre effect, with my black chucks underneath. It fit me perfectly. I left my hair down, wavy and all blonde. I sometimes liked to color the ends for fun, but no longer had the desire to constantly change it like I used to.
Chris wore a fitted dark navy suit with a black tie. And damn did he look gorgeous. I had walked in and almost tripped over my tongue. He stood there, Hunter next to him, but all I saw was the man I almost lost.
Instead of being scared to marry him, the thought I had almost never had this chance with him rushed me to him faster, shoving my store-bought bouquet at Whiskey, my gaze locked on him, staring up in awe. I couldn’t imagine loving anyone more than I loved him. I couldn’t stop touching him, wanting to be with him, showing him how much he meant to me. I was being the very person I used to roll my eyes at. I didn’t care. I now understood the need Hunter and Jayme had. What they knew they almost lost.
I barely heard anything Tristen said, my focus entirely on the guy who I had first noticed standing at a bonfire, his unbelievable perky ass catching my attention. That was all I cared about then. He was nothing more, having no idea what he would later become to me, and all we would go through to get here. I would have laughed then at the idea Tarzan would become my husband.
Fuck, that was weird to say.
We weren’t the type to do public vows, but the look in his eyes, the smile on his lips was all I needed.
“Do you take Stevie Pain-in-the-Ass Colvin,” Tristen tried to keep a straight face but lost miserably when I shot him a look, “as your wife?”
“I especially take her ass. Pain and all.” Chris’s grin widened.
“And do you, Stevie, take Christopher Hot-as-Hell-with-the-Best-Ass-I’ve-Ever-Seen Singer as your husband?”
“That’s the only reason I’m marrying him.” My smile matched his.
“We’re starting off on solid foundation then.” Chris winked.
“No joke, I would have married you solely because of that ass,” Tristen stage-whispered to Chris, chuckles coming from the seats filled with our family and friends. “Well, now I can pronounce you husband and wife, which I never, ever imagined saying in the same sentence as Stevie Colvin. You are truly each other’s equal. No one else would have captured this incredible girl who we adore and love so much.” Tristen’s eyes watered, his hand on his chest, staring at me. He shook the moment off, singing out, “Now kiss each other!”
Twisted Love (Blinded Love Series Book 3) Page 26