The Secrets We Carry

by Jessica Sorensen

  He trades another glance with his friend. His friend grins then strolls away, past the bathrooms and through a doorway in the back .

  Travis stands in front of me, tucking his hands into his pockets. “How’d you get in, if you don’t mind me asking ?”

  “I have connections.” I smile, mostly to fuck with him .

  He nods, seeming a bit annoyed. “What’s your name ?”

  “Everette Averysen .”

  He muses over something. “You been upstairs yet ?”

  Upstairs? I wasn’t aware this place had an upstairs. Makes me wonder what’s up there .

  “Nah, haven’t got around to it yet.” I nod at the door to the woman’s restroom. “Just waiting for my girl to come out. We’ve been here for a whole five minutes and she’s already throwing up.” I shake my head. “She seriously can’t handle her alcohol .”

  “Girl, huh?” He rubs his jawline. “What’s her name ?”

  I can’t figure out if he’s trying to figure me out or if he has an ulterior motive. “Victoria Evemersten .”

  He rubs his lips together. “Huh. Never heard of her .”

  “Shame. She’s pretty hot.” God, I really hope Wynter doesn’t walk out right now .

  He chuckles. “That is a shame, then. Maybe you can introduce me to her later .”

  “Maybe.” I lower my foot to the floor. “But I’m not sure how long we’re going to be sticking around .”

  He cracks his knuckles against the sides of his legs as he glances at the damn doorway again .

  Seriously, what the hell is up there? And why do I get the feeling Travis wants something from me ?

  “You should stick around for a while. This place gets better the later it gets.” He gives me a chin nod then walks away, calling over his shoulder, “Maybe I’ll see you around, Everette .”

  By his tone, it sounds as if he has every intention of crossing paths with me again .

  Not sure if that’s a good sign or not .

  I tap my fingers against the sides of my legs, trying to figure out why Travis just initiated contact with me. It’s not his typical MO. He’s usually careful and calculating with every move he makes, and only surrounds himself with people he’s sure he can trust. So, why strike up a conversation with me in the middle of a public place ?

  Hmmm …

  Right before he and his friend noticed me, they mentioned finding a dumb fucker to take the fall for something. Does he think I’m a good candidate for that ?

  I smile to myself. Hopefully. Then I may have just found my way into their little circle .

  “So, you’re a Travis Marilellie groupie?” Wynter sneers as she strides out of the bathroom .

  Her eyes are wild and her hair is a tangled mess of waves around her face as she storms toward me, the sadness in her almost constant bloodshot eyes replaced with fury .

  Pissed off or not, she’s beyond gorgeous. Long, lean legs that go on for miles, big eyes, full lips. Being attracted to her is dangerous territory. I know this .

  Stop thinking about her like that, you dumbass .

  “No. Not even close.” I straighten my stance and step toward her. “Are you okay ?”

  She shakes her head, strands of her hair falling into her eyes. “Why does everyone keep asking me that ?”

  I give her a pressing look. “Maybe because you just ran off looking like you were about to vomit .”

  “Well, I didn’t, and I’m fine.” She turns to leave, muttering, “Thanks for helping me get in here. Have fun following Travis around like a little lovesick puppy .”

  I capture her arm before she can bolt away again. “I’m not following Travis around.” At least, not in the way she thinks. “I’m curious why you think that .”

  She fires a death glare at me from over her shoulder. “Because I overheard you talking to him. Or, should I say, swooning over him .”

  I blink. “Swooning? You thought I was swooning ?” I don’t know whether to laugh or get pissed off .

  Goddamn, this girl really knows how to get under my skin .

  She wrestles her arm away from my grip and clasps her hands together, going all dreamy eyes. “Oh, Travis, you should see the girl I’m with. She’s so hot. Maybe later I can introduce you to her, and you can fuck her senseless because she’s just a piece of property to me and I’ll give you anything you want just as long as you’ll be besties with me .”

  “Whoa.” I raise my hands in front of me, kind of pissed off now. “That’s not what I fucking said at all .”

  “It was close.” She crosses her arms and glowers at me. “And if you think I’m going to hang out and flirt with Travis just so you can become his BFF, you are so wrong. I’d rather cut off my left nipple than spend a second near that sexist, rich, douchebag of a prick .”

  “I wasn’t planning on you doing anything.” I step toward her. “He was the one who said I should introduce him to my girl. I never agreed. And if you were paying close enough attention, you’d know that .”

  “Yeah, well … I’m not even your girl,” she snaps, getting in my face, her lips so close the warmth of her breath hits my cheek. “And you still like him. That’s enough for me not to like you .”

  Holy fuck. I’m not even sure anymore if I’m pissed off or turned on .

  Stop, Everette. You can’t be attracted to her. She’s Walter Porterrsen’s daughter .

  But as she turns to leave again, my fingers circle her arm .

  “I don’t even know Travis.” I choose my words carefully, not wanting her to be upset with me. On the other hand, she can’t know I hate Travis—no one can. “He just stopped and talked to me for, like, two seconds. And to be polite, I talked to him .”

  “You could’ve blown him off .”

  “Why would I do that? I don’t even know him .”

  “So, you always talk to every person you cross paths with ?”

  “Yeah, sort of.” I shrug. “I’m a chatty guy. What can I say ?”

  She huffs in frustration, jerking her arm, but I keep my grip firm. “Well, chatty guy, it’s been a great pleasure chatting with you, but it’s time for you to let me go .”

  “I will after you calm down.” I pull her closer to me as a couple of loudmouthed guys wander in our direction .

  She presses her lips together as they pass us, eyeballing them from out of the corner of her eye. Her muscles tense like a taut rope when the taller guy in the group casts a glance at her. Grinning, he throws her a wink. The tension in her body nearly explodes .

  What has her so wound up? And why does she seem to loathe Travis? From what I understand, their fathers occasionally do work together. Plus, my supervisor has a suspicion Wynter might be involved in this. I don’t think so. If he saw her now, he might not think so, either .

  “I need to get out of here,” she mutters after the guys stumble into the bathroom. “But I can’t leave yet .”

  I’m not sure if she’s talking to me or herself .

  My brows pull together. “ Why not ?”

  She shakes her head and shrugs. “Because .”

  “That sounds really vague .”

  “Yeah, so? Why would I tell you? I barely know you.” Her intense gaze collides with mine. “And unlike you, I don’t just talk with random strangers to be polite .”

  “Well, I don’t really think we’re random strangers anymore,” I try to joke and lighten up the mood. “I mean, I usually consider a punch in the face as getting pretty acquainted with someone .”

  She stares at me, unimpressed. “So, what? You just go around punching people in the face to get to know them ?”

  I bite back a smile. “Yep. All the time. I didn’t do it to Travis, though, so that means we’re not acquaintances yet; therefore, you can’t be upset with me .”

  She dramatically rolls her eyes. “You’re so overdramatic .”

  I cock a brow. “And you’re not ?”

  She glares at me, but the corners of her lips twitch. “I’m the most u
n-dramatic person I know .”

  “Yeah, tell that to my poor cheek,” I tease with a smirk .

  Her gaze darts to my cheek, then she lowers her head with a deafening exhale. “That wasn’t about being overdramatic. I just get jumpy sometimes, especially in dark parking lots, which isn’t that weird .”

  Yeah, it isn’t. Yet, it is strange that she runs off more than anyone I know .

  “Were you sick?” I ask. “Is that why you took off to the bathroom .”

  She bobs her head up and down. “I think I ate some bad chicken earlier .”

  I’m pretty sure she’s lying. She looked too upset when she took off. Bad chicken doesn’t cause that .

  “You’re okay now, though, right?” I wish she’d give me something, anything that would help me figure out what’s going on with her .

  She lifts her shoulders. “As okay as I ever am.” Her gaze lifts to mine. The sadness pouring from her eyes nearly knocks the breath out of me. “Can I ask you for a favor ?”

  I find myself nodding without even pausing, a stupid move. I mean, her father is the most notorious con man in the state. I shouldn’t even be here with her, let alone doing her favors. For all I know, that sadness in her eyes could be fake .

  But it doesn’t look fake. Nothing about her does—from the sadness in her eyes to the fear that occasionally flickers in her expression .

  She sucks in a shaky breath. “There’s this girl here named Maci. She came here with Travis. I need to find a way to get her out of this club and away from him. I think she might be upstairs since that’s where Travis is, but I can’t go up there. I’m hoping you can.” She stares at me with desperate hope .

  Not what I was expecting her to ask at all .

  “Why does this Maci need to leave ?”

  She wets her lips with her tongue, her breath faltering. “Because Travis isn’t a good guy, no matter what this town thinks. And Maci shouldn’t be with him tonight .”

  I swallow hard. What exactly does Wynter know about Travis ?

  “Is he going to hurt her ?”

  She takes an unsteady breath, staring down at the end of the hallway. “I don’t know. Maybe .”

  “Do you have any proof that he’s going to hurt her ?”

  She frowns, her gaze skating to me. “No. But that doesn’t mean he won’t .”

  Confliction bounces through me. I want to help her, but if I do something, especially without probable cause, I could ruin the entire case, and then these fuckers will get away again .

  “Why do you think he’s going to hurt her ?”

  Her expression hardens. “You know what? Just forget I asked.” She spins around to leave, but I snag ahold of the sleeve of her leather jacket, careful not to grab her arm since she really seems to hate that .

  “Will you stop running off?” I tow her back toward me. “And let me think for a minute .”

  She doesn’t try to get away, but her gaze remains glued to the end of the hallway with her arms crossed and tears pooling at the corners of her eyes .

  Holy shit. She’s about to cry. Over what? This thing with Maci? Is she that worried ?

  Fuck, maybe I should be that worried , too .

  “Go out to your car and drive home,” I tell her quietly, wishing I could hug her, but knowing I’d be crossing a line. “I’ll see what I can do .”

  She twists around, shock masking her expression. “You believe me ?”

  Her astonishment makes me question how many times people haven’t believed her .

  “Yeah, I do.” I release her sleeve. “I’ll make sure Maci gets home safely, but you need to leave .”

  “Why?” She assesses me warily. “What’re you going to do ?”

  I offer her a small, tense smile, then point to the end of the hallway. “That’s for me to worry about. All you need to do is give me a description of Maci, her last name, and any other important details. Then go out to the car and drive home.” So she won’t hear what I’m going to do. So she won’t ask any more questions. So she’ll be safe .

  She stares at me for a heartbeat longer before nodding. “Maci looks a lot like me, only with longer blonde hair. She is wearing a pink dress and these ridiculously high silver heels .”

  “And her last name ?”

  She hesitates. “I don’t know it .”

  I stare at her, trying to figure out if she’s playing me for a sucker, but all I can see is the pain in her eyes .

  “All right, go. I’ll figure it out .”

  “Are you sure? I could stick around and help you — ”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” There is no way in hell I can let her witness what I’m about to do .

  She nods, her gaze briefly flicking to my lips. Is she thinking about kissing me? Whether or not she is, I suddenly find myself thinking about kissing her .

  God, I bet her lips would be fucking soft .

  Maybe I should find out .

  Then she’s turning away and leaving, and I’m jerked back to reality .

  Kissing Wynter would be a big fucking mistake, no matter how much I want to .

  Still, as I watch her walk away, the urge to chase her down and taste her lips pulsates through my body. But I keep my feet glued to the floor .

  When she reaches the end of the hallway, she pauses to glance back at me. “Thanks, Everette.” She almost smiles .

  It makes me realize how much she doesn’t smile. Not at all, in fact .

  What has she been through that stole her smile away ?

  I think about what I went through, how smiling was impossible for years, how sadness owned me back then. How depressed I was. Is Wynter depressed ?

  I wish I had the answers to those questions, but depression is a tricky son of a bitch. Most of the time, you can’t tell a person is suffering. Not unless they open up to you. And that usually takes a hell of a lot of trust. If I hadn’t trusted Reece, I might not be standing here right now .

  I was so broken after my father died, blaming myself for his death. Sometimes I still do. Sometimes, I lie awake in bed at night, trying to convince myself otherwise. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t .

  Take it day by day, a therapist once told me .

  So that’s what I do. That and focus on my job, my brothers, my mom. Focus on life .

  After Wynter walks away, I slip into the men’s restroom, retrieve my phone, and send Doug a text .

  Me: I need you to call an emergency fire safety violation on The Silver Glass Box .

  Doug: What the hell for ?

  Me: I have reason to believe a girl at the club may be in some danger, and the only way I can think of to get her out of here without compromising my cover is to have the building evacuated. I’d pull the fire alarm myself, but I don’t want to start a panic or risk getting caught .

  Doug: Do you have proof this girl is in danger ?

  I sigh. I knew that was coming .

  Me: Sort of .

  Doug: You know I need proof. I can’t just call in an emergency fire safety violation without justifiable cause .

  I rake my fingers through my hair. What am I supposed to say? That Wynter told me, and very vaguely, I might add .

  Me: A girl could get hurt. That seems pretty justifiable to me .

  Doug: And how exactly did you attain this information ?

  Me: Someone at the club just warned me that a girl could get hurt, by Travis Marilellie, I might add, but I don’t have much info about the girl, nor can I get to Travis’s current location without making a scene and comprising my cover. I could find more about the girl who might be at risk, but my informant insisted it was urgent, so I worry I might not have enough time right now. The only other thing I can think of is for you to call in a fire safety violation so the club owner has to evacuate the building. When the evacuation happens, I should be able to find out who the girl is with Travis and make sure she gets home safely. Then I can look more into the issue tomorrow .

  I drum my fingers against the side of my l
eg as I wait for his response. “Come on, Doug; don’t overthink this for once in your goddamn life and do the right thing .”

  Doug: Is your informant trustworthy ?

  I pause, my fingers hovering over the buttons. Can I trust Wynter ?

  I sure as hell hope so .

  Me : Yes .

  Please don’t let me be wrong .

  Doug: Fine, I’ll call in the violation. But you will look more into this tomorrow and figure out if and why this girl is really in danger. And call me later. We need to talk .

  Great. That means a lecture is heading my way. Still, I feel like I did the right thing. Plus, this way, I can find out who this Maci is that Wynter was concerned about .

  Putting my phone away, I leave, climb into my car, and park on the street corner diagonal from the club where I have a view of both the front and side entrance doors. Then I take out my camera and wait .

  Five minutes later, a mob of people begin stumbling out of the club and onto the sidewalks. I scan the crowd, searching for Travis, and spot him exiting from the side entrance. A few of his friends are with him, along with a blonde woman around Wynter’s age, wearing a pink dress and crazy high silver shoes. Maci, I’m guessing .

  Lifting my camera, I snap a few photos of her, then wait for Maci and Travis to hop into a car. Instead, they linger on the sidewalk with his friends, smoking and joking around until a limo rolls up. Travis walks Maci to the door and kisses her goodbye. Then she gets in and the limo drives away while Travis hikes around to the front of the club and hops into his vehicle .

  I’m conflicted. On one hand, I want to tail him, but I also want to make sure Maci gets home safe like I promised Wynter .

  In the end, my emotions win over and I follow Maci back to a two-story, decently sized condo on the ritzier side of town. The limo parks out front and Maci stumbles out, digging her keys out of her purse. After she lets herself in, I take a few photos then put my camera away, figuring that’s the end of tonight’s unexpected turn of events .

  As I crane the wheel to turn around and drive away, though, a set of headlights flip on from down the street and a dark blue BMW pulls onto the street, driving in my direction .

  I hunker down in my seat as the car passes, lifting my head once the headlights pass to catch the license plate number. Then I pull out my phone and run it through the system .