Page 84 of Power
“You bought this for me.” She looks around. “It’s the least I can do.”
I reach across the table and place my hand over hers. “Do you forget the night you saw me checking on Emily because we were living in our piece of shit car? And you asked me to dinner, and told me your tiny little one-bedroom flat was now my and Emily’s home?”
Tash looks down at her empty glass. She shakes her head as tears well in her eyes. “It’s what anyone would’ve done.”
“No, it’s not. It’s because of you I’ve been able to achieve everything that I have. I’ll never ask you to leave here, unless you want to buy a new house, then I’ll buy that for you too.”
Tash looks over toward the hallway and sighs. “This is a mess, and I don’t know how to help you.”
“Do me a favor, if the press start sniffing around, tell them you had no idea that I’m an escort.”
“What?” Her brows furrow. “Why would I say that?”
“You need to be protected too, Tash.”
“Fuck that! I’m proud of you, Reece. You should hold your head up with pride. Don’t you dare let them make you feel ashamed, because I’m not. But don’t worry; my official statement will be, ‘no comment.’”
“I’m not asking you to do this.”
It’s her turn to reach out and place her hand over my arm, giving me a gentle squeeze. “You don’t ever have to ask me to do anything. I’ll always straighten your crown and protect your back. Because that’s what queens do.”
I stifle a sniffle and choke up with how beautiful Tash is. “Thank you.” Standing, I bend and give Tash a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to try and get some sleep because the morning will bring difficult conversations, and some hard decisions.”
“Love you, Reece.”
I look over my shoulder as I head toward the guest room where Emily is. “Love you, too.” I offer Tash a smile before disappearing into the room.
I toe off my shoes and climb into bed beside Emily.
My mind won’t stop, but my eyes are stinging from exhaustion. Maybe after a few hours’ sleep I’ll be able to think straight.
Who am I kidding? This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
I curl up behind Emily, close my eyes and try to find a moment of peace.
