For now, it’s safe.
Hidden in plain sight.
Heidi
Not for the first time, it occurs to me that taking X-rays and working as a photographer’s assistant aren’t that much different. I spend most of my time positioning people and lights just right. Although, with X-rays, I’m trying to get the clearest true image, and with photography, I’m helping Trinity capture the most attractive image.
Around eight, we finish, and I help her clean up the studio for tomorrow.
“Are you okay, Heidi?” Trinity asks once we’re finished. “You seem distracted.”
Shit, I thought I’d left the Bryce incident far behind once we started working.
I don’t dare tell Trinity about my Bryce problem. She’ll tell Wrath, and Wrath will tell Blake. The last thing I need is Blake confronting another one of my classmates.
“I’m fine. Just worried about finishing everything before graduation.” There, at least that’s not a lie. “Do you need me to stay?”
“Nope. I’m going to flip through this session and flag a few of the good ones then head out.”
She gives me a quick hug, and I bounce next door to see Blake.
Furious is pretty quiet. I recognize a group of guys around my age who work out here regularly. A group of girls my age that I don’t recognize have all the ellipticals occupied.
Blake’s walking the main floor, watching over clients and answering questions. He notices me and nods. Since he’s busy, I point to the locker room and hold up my bag. Between studying and driving, I’ve spent a lot of time on my butt this week and might as well make use of my time here.
He gives me another nod, and I hurry to change into my leggings and tank top.
Since he’s still busy when I emerge from the locker room, I grab one of the free treadmills and start my warm-up. Ten minutes in, something brushes over my ass, and I whip my head around.
Blake gives me a sly smile. “I thought I told you not to wear these here?”
“What?” I glance down at my shiny purple leggings. My favorite pair. “You said they make my ass look great.”
He leans in. “I said they make your ass look fuckable, and I don’t want anyone else noticing.”
His low, raspy voice sends a shiver of desire through me, but I don’t want him to know that. “Well, this is all I had in my car, so too bad.”
His eyes dance with amusement. “I’m messing with you.”
While that’s true, I also sense an undercurrent of truth to his words.
He glances at my time and steps onto the treadmill next to me. “It’s slow.” He swivels his head and checks out the rest of the room. “You see anyone who looks like they need help, let me know?”
“You got it.”
He’s just getting started when a woman in painted-on workout pants sashays over and starts thrusting her ass in our faces.
Okay, she’s really standing in front of the mirror that happens to be directly in our line of sight, and I think she’s doing squats, but there’s literally twenty feet of open space she could’ve chosen for her workout.
I’d say it’s unintentional except for the way her thirsty eyes seem to be watching Blake in the mirror.
I shift my gaze to Blake who seems oblivious to the show in front of us. “How was work?” he asks when he notices me watching him.
“Fine.”
“Just fine?”
“Long. Nothing exciting. One of the women said there might be an opening soon.”
“I thought you didn’t want to work there when you’re done?”
“It’s not my first pick.”
“I don’t want you to settle.”
My heart beats a little faster and not because of the workout. I could tell Blake I want to quit and enroll in clown school, and he’d probably help me go shopping for the shiny red nose.
“What’s that look?” he asks.
“I love you,” I mouth to him since squat-thrust girl is still in front of us.
She’s not the first girl to try to grab his attention. Far from it. Most of the regulars know me, but that still doesn’t seem to stop them. This is the first time one’s been so blatant in front of me, though.
I tilt my head in her direction, and Blake’s gaze follows. He shrugs and rolls his eyes.
“I think I’m done.” My body jerks to a halt when I hit the stop button.
Blake catches up to me at the free weights. “You mad at me, beautiful?” he asks against my ear.
“I already got an A in Anatomy. No need to retake the course—camel toe edition. You should make underwear a requirement here.”
He chokes on a laugh. “I didn’t notice.”
I flick my gaze in the girl’s direction, but she’s—surprise, surprise—moved on to another area. “Her ass is pretty fabulous, maybe I should do some of those.”
“You can do all the squats you want. At home. On my dick.”
“Aha! So, you did notice.”
Instead of justifying my comment with a response, he hands me a fifteen weight. “Try moving up this week.”
I stare at the dumbbell for a few seconds. “I don’t want to be all big and bulky like you.”
He flexes his arm in front of my face. “Those little fifteens won’t get you here. Trust me.”
“Show off.”
After only a few sets, I let out a big yawn, and Blake takes the weights from me.
“You’ve been going all day.” He kisses my forehead. “Why don’t you head home before it gets much later? I won’t be far behind. I’m not staying until closing tonight.”
“You’re probably right.”
I don’t even bother changing.
Hand in hand, we stroll over to my car. I kick a few rocks, sending them skittering ahead of us. A perfectly shiny white Charger tucked all the way in the corner of the lot catches my attention. “Hot ride.”
“Mmm,” Blake mumbles.
“Temporary plates.” I squint, checking it out. “Does it belong to one of your clients?”
“Probably.” He nudges me toward my car.
My feet start moving over the pavement.
“Where are you going?” Blake asks, catching up to me.
“Ooo, look, it’s a Hellcat edition.” I point to the emblem on the side. “I want to look at it.”
“Why?”
“It’s a nice car. Why are you being weird about it?” I glance back at the gym. “Is it squat-thrust girl’s car? It is, isn’t it?”
He shakes his head and squeezes his eyes shut for a moment. “You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?”
Blake’s more interested in motorcycles than cars, I get that. I still don’t understand why he’s acting so strange. It’s not like I’m going to hotwire the damn thing and go for a joy ride.
Grumbling, he reaches in his back pocket and pulls out a set of keys. “I should’ve known better.”
“About what?”
“It’s yours. Happy graduation. Although, now, I’m thinking I should return it.”
I stare at the car, convinced I’m having audible hallucinations. “This is mine?”
Blake squeezes my shoulders. “Yeah, it’s yours.”
“Why? How? What?” I’m babbling now.
“I’m so proud of you.” He ducks down to meet my eyes. “How hard you’ve worked. I want you to have something fun.”
“It’s mine?” I grab his hand and drag him closer to stare at the car.
Cars, vehicles in general, usually only interest me as a means of traveling from point A to point B. Growing up around motorcycle-crazed men will either nurture a love of all things with wheels or kill it. My brother’s obsession with jacked-up trucks only fueled my disinterest. The one type of vehicle that’s ever piqued my curiosity for more than a nanosecond is old-school muscle cars. But even they don’t hold my attention for too long. I happen to like all the comforts of modern technology way too much.
This car. This is perfect.
A
fter running my hands over the smooth, cool metal, I tip my head to the side and ask, “How’d you know?”
Blake’s lips curl up, and he swings his arms back and forth, obviously satisfied with himself. “I took a guess. Sorry about the white. I wanted to get it painted before I gave it to you.” He waggles his eyebrows. “I got a good deal on the white.”
Laughter bubbles out of me, and I throw my arms around him. “I love it. It’s beautiful.”
Keeping his hands on my waist, he pulls back. “I was thinking a sparkly dark green and black racing stripes.” He jerks his head in the direction of his bike. “To match my ride.”
“Really?” My voice climbs about five octaves. “I love that!”
“Thought you might. Rock can’t do it, but he’s got someone lined up for me to take it to next week.” He shrugs. “I wanted to give it to you all tricked out with a big ol’ bow once it was finished.”
“I’m sorry I ruined your surprise.”
“You didn’t ruin anything. I don’t think I’m capable of keeping a secret from you that long anyway.” He hands me the keys. “Go on, check it out.”
I race to the driver’s side and let out an excited squeal. “It has four doors. Best mom-sports car ever!”
He roars with laughter. “Your brother had a very different opinion.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever. How’s he ever going to convince Charlotte to have kids with him with that attitude?”
“It’s a sleeper. I think he was more worried you’ve never driven anything with that much power.”
“Really?”
“It’s got the V-8 Hemi engine. Puts out over seven hundred horses.”
I may not know a ton about cars, but I know that’s pretty extreme. “Oh.” I stare at the car and bite my lip, dropping my hand away from the handle. “Now that you mention it, I do get freaked out driving your truck.”
“I know you do,” he says in a given-this-a-lot-of-thought tone. “Here’s my plan, I know a guy with access to a racetrack. We can go out there together and practice until you’re comfortable driving this beast.” He nods to my current ride. “We’re not getting rid of that, either. Probably be better for you in the winter anyway.”
Excited and bursting with love for Blake, who somehow manages to think of every single detail, I jump up and pepper his face with kisses, which he happily returns.
I slide down his chest still staring up at him. “Thank you. This is the best…you’re…I love you so much.”
He brushes the hair from my cheek. “I want you to be happy.”
“I’m always happy with you.” I sneak a glance at the car. “You’re a brilliant man.”
“You’re probably the only person who thinks so.”
“I doubt that.” I bounce up on my toes again and kiss his cheek one more time.
“Go on, check it out,” he encourages.
The door is heavy as I pull it open and stare at the buttery smooth leather seats.
“Blake?” I turn, hating the question rising up in my throat. “Can we afford this? With the house and—?”
He silences me with a finger over my lips. “Let me worry about finances. Club earnings are good right now. That’s all you need to know.”
Satisfied with his answer—more than most women might be, I suppose—I slide behind the wheel.
“Wow, I can tell you must have driven it last.” I laugh as I search for the seat adjustment.
He squats down next to me, explaining where everything is and helping me adjust the seat.
“I knew he wouldn’t be able to wait,” Jake shouts.
Blake and I turn as Jake approaches. I beam up at him. “Isn’t it amazing?”
He slaps Blake on the back. “Yup. He’s been planning it forever.”
“Jake drove me over to pick it up,” Blake explains.
“I even kept my mouth shut.” Jake grins at him. “Thought you were waiting until after graduation?”
Blake shrugs. “I wanted her input on the paint job.”
“Tell her about Eraser’s place?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe you can make a little money out there.” Jake slaps the roof. “Even stock with no modifications, this will blow away most of their tuned up shitboxes.”
Blake shakes his head. “I don’t need her racing with those punks.”
“People still do that?” I ask. “Around here?”
“Not street racing,” Jake explains. “Well, maybe that, too. Zips is a track. Although the races aren’t sanctioned by anyone.”
My gaze slides to Blake, and he shakes his head again. “Not my scene.”
I go back to checking out the car while they talk in low tones.
“Remy needs another body for the big one. You in?”
Son of a bitch.
My body freezes, waiting for Blake’s answer.
There’s a smack of flesh hitting flesh. “Not now,” Blake growls.
They move to the back of the car, and I can’t hear any more of their talk.
Remy needing a body can only mean one thing.
Tears prick my eyes, and I suck in a deep breath, willing them away.
Blake promised me he was done fighting. I run my hand over the beautiful dash of the car. Is that how he paid for this? By getting knocked around Remy’s underground fighting ring? If so, I don’t want it.
Pissed, but knowing I’ll never confront him in front of Jake, I slam the door shut. I jab my fingers against the ignition switch, revving the engine a few times.
Three short knocks against the passenger side window draw my attention. Blake’s face peers in the inside, and he holds up his hands, silently questioning what the fuck I’m doing.
I’m livid, sure, but this isn’t really the time or place to argue. And I’m not stupid enough to tear out of the parking lot in a snit in a car I don’t know how to drive.
I shut down the engine and slide out of the driver’s seat.
Jake’s gone, and Blake rounds the car, approaching me slowly. “Like it?” he asks carefully.
“Throaty engine.” I drop the keys in his open palm. “Thank you. Sorry I ruined the surprise.”
“You didn’t ruin anything.” He wraps his arms around me.
No matter how furious I am with Blake for lying to me, I love him.
After a second or two, I return the embrace.
Fifteen
Murphy
It’s been a long day.
And it’s far from over.
Heidi isn’t stupid.
I could fucking murder Jake for mentioning the fights around her. Everything in her body, her words, her actions, before she left, told me she knew.
The irony is that I haven’t even been in the ring in weeks, maybe months. The combination of limited time and knowing how much it would piss Heidi off kept me from saying yes to any fights. Not to mention with the club’s earnings, I really don’t need the cash.
The rub of it? I need to spend time at the fights if I want to help set up the support club we need. Which falls under club business I don’t want to drag Heidi into.
I pull into the garage at the clubhouse and walk through the woods. Will I get pissed-off, hellcat Heidi, the silent treatment, or something else. Girl definitely keeps me on my toes.
Hope and Rock are snuggled on the living room couch with Grace nearby. After toeing off my boots, I lift my chin at Rock. “Heidi asleep?” I ask.
Hope sits up. “She’s over at the house. Charlotte brought some stuff for her, and she wanted to store it there.” Hope glances at the clock. “She’s been there for a while.”
Waiting for me no doubt. “I’ll let her know I’m home.”
I stop in Alexa’s room to make sure she’s okay before lacing up my boots again and heading back outside.
Our house is ablaze with lights. A huff of laughter escapes me. Heidi has never liked the dark. It’s a testament to how pissed she must be that she’s been waiting out here for me by herself.
; “Where you at, beautiful?” I call out as I slip inside the front door.
“Up here.”
I jog up the stairs and find her in the master bathroom. “What are you doing?”
She shakes a bag stuffed with colorful fabric at me. “Charlotte bought these cute towel sets for Alexa. I figured I’d store them here. Less stuff to move later.”
“Hope says you’ve been here for a while.”
She shrugs.
“Everything okay?” I ask carefully.
“Is it?”
I sigh and take her hand, leading her out of the bathroom. “I know you overheard what Jake said earlier.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
She wants to force me to say it. That’s fine. “I’m not fighting.”
“Are you sure? Because I’ve heard that before.”
“I’m done with the fighting. I’m out.”
Heidi narrows her eyes.
“You think I’m lying?”
She bites her lip. “God damnit, Blake.”
“Why are you still pissed? I said, I’m out.”
She cocks her head and stares at me. “Because there’s something else you’re still not telling me.”
I blow out a breath and turn away from her for a second, walking over to check out the windows.
“I’ll probably need to help with security at the fights from time to time.”
“When?”
“Over the next few weeks. Maybe longer.”
“We’re getting really close to the wedding.”
“I’m not fighting. Just supervising. That’s all.”
“Then take me with you.”
Is she nuts? I turn and face her. “Hell fucking no.”
She glares at me.
“It’s not someplace you need to be.”
“Aubrey’s worked as a ring girl there. Remy lets Molly go. She’s still in high school. What’s the big deal?”
Ah, Aubrey. That explains how Heidi figured it out that one time. Not much I can say since she’s not a brother’s ol’ lady.
“Remy doesn’t let Molly go. Molly’s a brat who doesn’t listen. You’re an ol’ lady who knows better.”
Just because I know which buttons to push to set Heidi off, doesn’t mean I should casually poke at them on the rare occasion that we argue.
White Lies Page 10
