Gia and Rex are at my back, and although they’re supporting me enough, they’re arms are wrapped around each other. I suddenly feel like the odd man out, searching for an anchor, something to remind me that I’m not as horrible as I feel.
On instinct, my gaze swings to Mason. He’s glaring at Blake, and I recoil at the disgust I see reflected in his eyes. I drop my gaze and slide away from the table. There should be something to say, some parting words that will give them some peace, but I can’t think of what that would be.
The fact is I don’t belong here.
This world of dating and romance and happily ever after isn’t mine to have.
I’m a stripper. I’m the woman from a married man’s past—the other woman, the temptation—and I’m staring boldly at my reality. Just my presence alone has managed to break up this entire event.
Yeah, this was a mistake. One I need to remind myself to never let happen again.
Mason
I’m staring at Trix as if the power of my will alone could keep her here. I saw the second it happened, when the spark in her eye turned to fear and the urge to run. She forced her chin up, despite the awkward moment that would make a lesser woman hide behind her hair.
“Um . . . I should go.” She scoots between chairs, extracting herself from the cluster of people and bar tables.
“Trix!” She doesn’t turn around, but her shoulders hitch up at my call. “Wait up.”
I move around to catch her before she gets too far, pulling her into my arms and holding her there. “Please, don’t go.”
“Mason, how can you say that? You know as well as I do I don’t belong here.”
“You belong with me, and if you don’t belong here”—I survey my friends, all of them clutching their women, their expressions either that of pity or disappointment—“I don’t belong here either.”
Fuckin’ hell! First Lane, now kissing Blake. This information should make me angry. Hell, at the very least, I should be jealous, but since I’ve gotten to know Trix, I see this shit doesn’t mean anything to her. She said it herself that her body is nothing more than skin, bones, and nerves. She feels no attachment to the men she’s hooked up with in the past, but it’s me whose arms she’s curled in now. Her tiny fingers are gripping my shirt for dear life, and fuck if it doesn’t make me want to sweep her away and protect her from ever feeling the embarrassment she’s suffering now.
After all, it’s me who has the honor of taking her out on a date. She didn’t throw on that sexy-as-sin dress, those mile-high shoes, and leave her hair and makeup simple the way she knows I like it, for them. She did it for me.
So fuck them. They reject her because Blake is a stupid piece of shit for walking out on his girl over a fucking year ago. That’s on them. Trix doesn’t deserve their judgment, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit here and subject her to it.
“I’m getting Trix out of here.” I glare at my team and shake my head, hoping they see the disappointment.
“Mason, you should stay,” Trix whispers.
“No, don’t go.” Layla pushes back from Blake, a friendly smile on her face. “Could you give us a minute?”
I squeeze Trix to me. “No fuckin’ way.”
“It’s okay, Mason.” Trix peeks up at me with violet eyes. “I deserve it.”
“The fuck you do.” I turn my anger to Blake. “You treat her like she’s the one who broke a damn vow, man. You walked out on your woman and showed up at a strip club.”
Blake cringes. “You’re right. It’s not Trix’s fault.”
Jonah steps forward. “Told you this shit would come back and haunt you, Blake.”
“We tried to tell him.” Raven shrugs.
“Alright, I get it, assholes. Shit.” Blake sets his eyes on Trix. “I’m sorry. This is my fault.”
She looks up at me, shock registering on her gorgeous face. “Is he serious?”
I run a hand through her thick silky hair. “He fuckin’ better be.”
Layla approaches cautiously. “Hey, I’m sorry. I could’ve handled that better. If you had any idea how many times I’ve had to come face-to-face with someone my husband has seen naked . . .” She shakes her head, laughing, then sets apologetic eyes on Trix. “I blame the breastfeeding hormones.”
The tension in the room dissipates and a couple of people even chuckle.
Raven steps up to us, grinning. “I saw you dance that night, when Jonah and I came to find Blake. You’re really good.”
Trix shrugs and I feel her skin heat against my arm. “Thanks.”
“Can I just ask you one thing?” Raven says.
“Of course.”
“Did you know a girl named Candy who used to work at Zeus’s?”
Trix nods. “Yeah, I did. She was a real bitch. We used to put Tabasco sauce in her pasties.”
Everyone bursts into laughter, and Raven pulls Trix in for a side hug. “Yeah, I knew I liked you.”
Layla joins in, and Gia follows until Trix is tangled in the arms of three women.
“What the hell did we miss?” Cameron’s voice commands our attention.
“Just me getting my ass chewed. Nothing new.” Blake throws back a healthy gulp from his beer.