Page 21 of Trust in Me
I sank into the chair without a word. I felt like I was being called into the principal’s office. Guilt and anxiety consumed me.
“Now, let’s discuss this. Where did you tell me you were going?”
“Um, to the bathroom,” I managed.
“To the bathroom,Sir.“ Drew corrected.
“Um, yes. To the bathroom, Sir. I did go to the bathroom, so…” I trailed off at Drew’s hard stare.
“And where else did you tell me you were going?”
I searched my memory. “Um—I don’t think I—“
“Correct. You did not tell me that you were going anywhere other than the bathroom. And where did you go?”
“I mean, I just went to the front. I was going to—“
Drew didn’t give me a chance to finish, cutting me off again. “And was the front, and then home, where you told me you were going?”
Damn, he was good. Was he a lawyer in real life? He’d skewer the opposing witness with his interrogation skills.
“No, Sir. I just…needed to leave.” I whispered the words, the truth leaving me raw.
“I see. Now, if you were mine, that would warrant a spanking. However, we will wait here for Brax and let him determine a suitable punishment.” Drew dropped into a chair next to me.
“I’m—I’m not his...anything.” We weren’t official. We’d barely seen one another outside of Blackstone.
Drew smirked. “Then how come you two have a couple’s membership?”
I stared at him. “Couple’s membership?”
17
Brax
IwalkedupasAvery’s eyes bugged out of her head at the mention of the couple’s membership. “That’s right,” I said. “Thanks, Drew. Avery, it appears we need to talk.”
Avery spun around in her seat, her stare accusing. “You put me on a couple’s membership with you?”
“I did.” I slid into Drew’s vacated seat.
“But...why?”
“Because I can. Because I want to. Because I’d like to scene with you. Maybe see where this goes. Take your pick, Avery.”
Avery stared at me. I wanted to take the time to get into the nuances of spending time with her, share my hang-ups, the whole thing. I needed to take the time to think about it myself. But there was something more important, something we needed to talk about now, before she left.
“Regardless, we need to talk about something else right now. Your apartment.”
“What about it?”
“Avery, there was a fire at your apartment complex. That’s where I was tonight, working. It was on your side of the building.”
“Oh my god. My things. I have to—“ Avery jumped up. I placed my hand on her forearm to stop her.
“Avery, you can’t go there, darlin’. The fire investigators won’t let anyone in until it’s safe. They also need to finish their investigation to see how it started.” I softened my voice. “Anything that was there is gone now, sweetheart.”
Avery’s eyes narrowed, even as a tear slipped down her cheek. “So what…how will I…where will…”
