Page 9 of Lies You Told
I take another deep breath as I try to stop my heart from pounding. I don’t know why I still let him get to me. Okay, so I know why. It’s not my fault the guy is hot, even if I hate him. That’s what pisses me off more. His digs are not even original. I mean, it’s almost the same lies he used in college. Just switch out the Professor for Partner.
Argh!
I fill out the request to attend button and close the app. I’ll get a notification soon enough to let me know. They need to get their ass in gear if they’re serious about expanding the place.
I close my eyes. ‘Chloe, don’t let anyone knock you down.’ I get my lipstick out of my purse. I always feel better with a fresh coat on my lips, ready to tackle anything.
I left the restroom way more confident than I did when I entered. I watch as Jaxson and the person he is with eye me as I go to take my seat.
“Better?” she says, eyeing my lips. She knows I see my lipstick as my armor against the world.
“Much!”
I see our plates have been cleared away. I’m glad I ordered dessert earlier. The Tiramisu is to die for here. Franchesca and I have been coming here once a month since she moved back to the city last year. Every single time I order this for dessert.
HS: Request accepted.
HS: Please log in to your account for tonight's access code.
“What, or who just put that smile on your face?” She asks, happier than I’ve seen her all night.
“Nobody,” I say, putting my phone face down on the table.
“How come Jaxson and you never banged it out? Might have been good for both of you.”
I look at my friend, shocked. She cannot be serious right now. “After the lies he spread about me? Do you blame me for hating the guy?”
“Chloe…”
I look at my best friend for the first time and see it in her eyes. She believed it. She still believes it. I can’t believe this. My best friend. My heart starts to pound in my chest. I take a deep breath. I really need to calm the fuck down. Otherwise, I'm going to have a breakdown; and I can’t do that. Not here. Not with Franchesca sitting in front of me and Jaxson only a couple of tables away. I feel every time his eyes look over to our table. If I didn’t already have an appointment at Hidden Secrets, I definitely would have set one up right now.
“You believe him, don’t you?” I’m shocked I even have to ask.
A smirk passes over her face for the smallest of seconds. I’d have missed it had I not been watching her so closely. “Well…”
The waitress brings over the bill, and I hand her my card. I can’t even look at my friend right now. It's taking all of my energy not to blow up in her face. I stand, casting one last glance over at my friend. She’s looking back at me like I’m the one in the wrong here. She looks to where Jaxson is sitting, but I refuse to look at him and his friend.
I stride through the restaurant and don’t look back.
The cool air hits me as I leave the restaurant. I hail a yellow cab as I walk a couple of steps down the block. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, where I put it after rushing out of the restaurant, I give the driver the address. There are two entrances to Hidden Secrets. The front entrance, which I usually use, and the secret, private entrance.
I pay the driver as I get out and pull up the app to find the passcode for today. I enter the code in the door at the private entrance. It beeps as it opens, and I’m finally able to breathe. I close my eyes as I lean against the wall. I hear a door open. Jacob, the manager, watches me with concern as I try to center myself.
Istand by the bar, and I’m happy to see some of my friends here tonight in the open playroom. I changed when I arrived, but Jacob kept looking over at me. As soon as I saw him watching me outside his office, I rushed off. I didn’t want him to ask if I was okay. I wasn’t sure I could handle it. I nod and smile at the people talking around me, but my attention keeps going toward Jacob.
Kieran walks over to him, and the two huddle together, and then Kieran looks my way.
I distract myself by engaging in conversation with the people around me, so much so that I don’t feel Kieran come up behind me.
My breasts and pussy do, though.
He smiles at the group I’m with before he guides me away from them.
“Jacob said you might need a session?” He says, giving me his full attention like I’m the only person in the room.
I bite my bottom lip. I do need a session.
“I need to feel,” I murmured, lowering my eyes.
