Chapter 23 #2
I take a deep breath, my free hand twisting into the hem of my T-shirt nervously. This is it. I just need to rip off the Band-Aid and tell her everything…starting with how we met.
“Before I say anything else, I just want you to know that I never meant for this to happen. Had I met Steele in a professional setting, I’m sure I could’ve kept things that way.
But the truth is that he was already starting to break down my walls by the time I got to Dad’s office that day.
” Her expression is blank, but I can tell she’s getting more confused with every word I say, so I continue, hoping to provide clarity.
“I’m a member at The Velvet Curve. It’s a—” I swallow, trying not to outwardly cringe because I’m about to essentially tell my sister what I like in the bedroom.
“It’s a kink club. I go there because it’s an easy way to find partners who have the same interests as I do without any strings attached.
It’s safe, everyone there is consenting, and I’ve never had a bad experience. ”
She blinks rapidly, her jaw slack for several seconds as I let her process. “But what does this have to do with Steele?”
Feeling good that she isn’t spending too much time on the fact that I frequent a sex club, I slump in my seat before answering her question.
“The night before our meeting, I decided to go have some fun. I got there, and they told me that my partner would be arriving momentarily. He was new to Velvet, but they assured me that he had passed all the background checks, had a clean bill of health, and was a perfect match. So, when Steele walked in—who I stupidly never bothered to look up, which is why I didn’t know who he was—I just went with it.
We ended up having sex, and after, he told me all about the new company he’d been transferred to.
I have a rule about not exchanging personal information, so he kept it vague, but I got the gist.
“At first, I felt bad for the guy. He was so sweet and caring, and it seemed like he really got fucked over by having to work with people who he said were washed up and had no idea what it took to succeed. It wasn’t until the next day when he walked through Dad’s office door that I realized he was talking about the Renegades. ”
She gathers air in her cheeks, her brows shooting up as she exhales slowly. “Wow. What an asshole. Do you think he still feels that way? Did I fuck up by rallying to bring him to Cleveland?”
I smile softly, shaking my head. “You didn’t fuck up.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Steele, it’s that even though he’s a hothead, he’s loyal to the people he cares about.
He was hurt because the Rage tossed him aside, even though nothing was proven, and he gave them his word that he’d never throw a game.
He left there knowing that he was about to be the most hated guy in a new city, with only himself to blame for the actions that left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.
It was a lot, and he felt like he could vent to me about it because he didn’t know I had ties to the team.
But I don’t believe for one second that his words were anything more than a man with a broken heart needing to get everything off his chest. And even if it is how he really felt, I know it isn’t now. He’s a Renegade. You did good, Liv.”
She nods, a relieved smile playing at her lips. “Okay. Good.”
“Anyway,” I continue, wanting to get the story over with so she’s caught up to speed, “I was pissed when I put it all together. On one hand, I wanted to ruin him for speaking about our family that way. But on the other, this was the first time I really felt like I was a part of the team, and I didn’t want to let anyone down.
So, I decided that—whether Steele liked it or not—I was going to do what I was asked to. Not for him, but for you and Dad.
“At first, he pushed back. He showed up when I told him to be somewhere, but he certainly wasn’t enthusiastic about it. The first day, he stormed out of the hospital after meeting Mitch, swearing up and down that he had a thing for me.”
She scoffs, mumbling under her breath. “Duh. You’re the only idiot who didn’t see that one coming.”
“Yeah,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “That’s a story for another day.
” I’m sure I’ll tell her all about the charity ball eventually, but right now, I just want her to understand how I got from having a one-night stand to falling for Steele, without her even knowing about it.
If it ends with me begging for her forgiveness for being the worst sister ever, so be it. But she needs the facts.
“After a while, he really started trying. Not just with me, but I think he was meshing better with the guys, too. From where I was standing, it looked like they were bonding in ways that he refused to even entertain at the beginning, and I began to think that maybe he was just kind of misunderstood. It wasn’t until he opened up to me about his parents, brother, and time with the Rage that I really got it.
He just wants a family that he can depend on and trust—that’s what he’s gotten here in Cleveland.
He may not be completely convinced that he belongs, but he sure as hell wants to. ”
I look up at my sister, emotion pricking at the backs of my eyes and nose.
“I think I love him, Liv. It scares the shit out of me, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone.
Instead of telling me to tone it down, he embraces and encourages my wild ideas and impulsivity.
With Steele, I don’t have to compromise who I am or wonder if he actually sees me, because I already know he does.
” I blink, freeing a single tear and immediately batting it away as it rolls down my cheek.
“For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m the center of someone’s world. ”
She smiles softly, her fingers squeezing mine. My biggest fear was that she would be upset with me for not telling her about Steele from the beginning. Then again, it took her a bit to come clean to me when she started developing feelings for Maddox, so I’m sure she understands to some degree.
“Ever since we were kids, I’ve envied you.
” My eyes go wide with surprise, making her chuckle as she continues.
“I’m such a people-pleaser—to my own detriment a lot of the time—and I’ve always wished for even an ounce of your confidence.
You march to the beat of your own drum, not giving a single fuck what anyone thinks about you.
You’re beautiful, loyal, caring, and scary in the best way.
I’m so glad you found someone who sees all of that and appreciates it.
You deserve all the happiness in the world, Syd. ”
“I love you, Liv,” I tell her, pulling her in and wrapping my arms around her tightly.
It feels like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders now that I’m not hiding anything from the most important person in my life.
I still want to keep what’s going on with Steele quiet when it comes to my dad and the public, but now that all the girls know, I can finally breathe for the first time in what feels like forever.
“Okay, enough of this gooey shit,” my sister says, sitting back in her chair as a slow smirk creeps across her face. “Can we talk about how weird it is that we’ve never run into each other at Velvet, since Maddox and I are members, too?”
“Wait, what?”