Unmasking Secrets

Chapter One

TABITHA

“You’re not selling naked pictures, are you?” Mom rounds the corner and passes me a bottle of water. Her eyes are wide as she waits for my reply.

I shake my head. “First, we don’t shame others for how they choose to live their lives. Second, no.”

She shakes her head and purses her lips. “I just don’t understand how you make money from this. Explain it to me again.”

“It’s a marketing technique. I create content for brands and companies. Most of the time I’m dressing up in costumes and I take pictures and videos. I get paid to help advertise.”

“So when people ask what my daughter does for a living?” She pauses.

“I’m an influencer.”

“But you wear costumes.”

“I’m a cosplayer.”

“I still don’t get it.” She shakes her head.

“Okay.” I wait for her to focus on me. “Say a superhero movie is coming out, I put on a costume for that movie. I might wear a certain brand’s costume or wig. Or I could use a certain brand of makeup. Then those companies get the content for social media to advertise.”

“Is that why you asked if we kept your comics?” She smiles. “It’s all still in your room. We didn’t want to get rid of any of it. We were just waiting for you to ask for it.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I give her a hug but hesitate to let go. “I’m excited to finally have a place of my own. It was nice sharing with friends recently, but some peace and quiet will be nice.”

“Are you sure that’s safe? You can always move back home.”

My mom has been on edge ever since she found out about the reasoning behind the divorce—well—part of it. I could never tell my parents about what really happened between me and Ryan.

“Yes, I have a security system, and security officers guard the gated community I’ve moved into around the clock. Not to mention, it’s miles from him.”

“It’s not just that, honey. You’ve got a big following online, and some celebrities end up with stalkers. There are some crazy people out there, Tab. We just want you to be safe.”

“I’m not a celebrity, Mom.”

I will not admit to her it’s the same thing my agent said. The agency wants me to get a bodyguard. Not happening. I’m not some A-list celebrity; I don’t need that kind of help.

A knock sounds on the door and halts our conversation. The front door opens.

“Hello.”

That’s a friendly voice I haven’t heard in years. I turn to see Gracie, my mom’s best friend. She walks in with her husband, Lee. I hold my breath for a moment. I half expect Archie to walk in, probably with his wife.

“Oh, sweetie!” Gracie pulls me in for a hug.

“Hi.” I hug her back. She still smells like lavender and eucalyptus, and it instantly calms me. Gracie always felt like a bonus mom growing up, and gives the best hugs. I needed this.

“Well, don’t hog the girl!” Lee laughs behind us as he waits for his turn.

When it’s his turn, I glance at his vest before hugging him. He looks rough on the outside, like many of the men in the motorcycle club. Lee is a giant teddy bear of a man, though. I haven’t been around the club in years.

I instantly feel more at ease than I have in a while. There’s something about being back in your childhood home with the people who you know will always have your back.

“We’re going to take care of that bastard,” Lee mutters under his breath.

“You’ve already done so much. I can never thank y’all enough—seriously. The papers were signed last week, and now I can finally move forward.”

Making that call was something I never expected to do.

Ryan had been dragging his feet, and I was stuck with nowhere to turn.

That asshole tried to take me for everything I have, which isn’t much.

Not to mention he wanted to sue me because I didn’t produce an heir.

The last thing that bastard needs to do is reproduce.

Lee nods. “And I kept my promise. I didn’t tell him. It’s not like he sticks around much to find anything out.”

I take a step back. “Thank you.” The last thing I want is for Archie to find out. He’d get some sort of hero complex and try to take matters into his own hands. He’s always been like that, or used to be. It’s been years since I’ve seen him.

“You should know he’s here. He came home for the celebration.” Lee smiles.

“As he should.” I force a smile to hide my nerves. “Happy Anniversary you two.” I glance between Gracie and Lee. “Excuse me for a moment.”

I hold my breath as I head down the hall to the bathroom.

It’s not until the door is closed and I can lean my back against it I focus on breathing.

I’m moments away from facing several people out back.

People I haven’t seen in too long. I know I’ve been wrapped up in my drama.

These are some of the very same individuals who watched me grow up, who came to the wedding, who were always around.

This would be good.

I’m sure they all know about the divorce by now, just not the details of how messy it had been. Only my parents and the MC know. I prefer to keep it this way. Let everyone assume it just didn’t work out—it’s easier this way.

Once I felt calmer and more collected, I make my way into the backyard to join the party. I’ve missed parties like this. Everyone came just as they were. Nobody was dressing to impress anyone. Nobody was judging. They were simply enjoying each other’s company and celebrating together.

I’m instantly greeted with warm hugs. Nobody brings up the divorce—and I’m grateful. It’s not something I even want to think about. Instead, they ask me about my new career.

This is something I love to talk about. I never thought the interests I had as a kid, that I would’ve been teased about if I hadn’t hidden, would be the very thing giving me freedom today.

I wasn’t bullied growing up, but kids love to tease anyone who’s different.

Different for me was preferring to stay in reading my new book or going to a midnight release at the movie theater in full costume.

A familiar laugh sounds behind me. I’d recognize it anywhere without turning around.

It’s a little deeper, but it still has the warmth.

The best friend I lost touch with over the years, since the marriage honestly.

I slowly turn around to see him—well, his backside.

His shoulders are broad, and he has more muscles than I remember; they stretch out his light blue tee.

My mom’s eyes meet my own, and she smiles.

Archie turns around slowly, like something out of a movie. Time slows and blurs as if the entire world is falling away. We step towards one another, pulled by an invisible string. It’s always been like that. We could always find each other in a crowded room without trying.

My heart rate picks up as we get closer, and I can’t help the smile that grows.

He looks good. It shouldn’t surprise me; he’s always looked good.

Growing up, I had a little bit of a crush on him, not that I could ever tell him.

I shouldn’t be thinking about it. That past is in the past, and the last I heard, he’s married.

I would never forget that day. It was the first time Ryan paid me off after raising his voice.

I’d spent a week back home and saw it in the paper.

The wedding announcement nobody told me about.

There was enough going on at the time. But that picture of the two of them stared back at me in black in white.

I didn’t even hear it from Archie. Not even after the wedding.

I don’t want to think about it now. Hell, it’s been years. I don’t have a right to let it still bother me. We’ve drifted apart. All that matters now is the chance to catch up with an old friend.

As Archie steps closer, the nerves kick up right along with my smile.

He looks the same, yet completely different.

The same smirk that can melt any girl’s heart.

The same green eyes I could never admit I got lost in.

His hair is a little shorter than he kept as a kid. And his muscles—my god! His muscles!

“Hey, stranger.” His warm voice is like a shot of whiskey, sending shivers down my spine and warming up my insides.

How is it possible after all this time his voice can still do that? It’s deeper and richer, but it only fuels the fire in me faster. I shouldn’t be thinking the things I’m thinking. He’s fucking married!

“Hi.” I stutter out. We stand in silence for a moment before I continue. “Why does this feel so awkward?” I force out a laugh.

Archie shakes his head, then pulls me in for a hug. “You never need to feel that way around me.”

I close my eyes and melt into his arms.

He inhales.

“God, I missed you!” And his hugs. It’s a weird comfort that seems to run in his family. I’m overcome with emotion and fight the urge to cry. What is wrong with me?

“Same.” He speaks low as we continue to hug.

As if neither of us wants to be the first to let go.

I don’t even know what’s a socially acceptable length of time for a hug is.

How long can you hug your childhood best friend, whom you haven’t seen in nearly a decade but used to have a crush on as a teenager?

It’s not my fault he feels like coming home.

I know I don’t have the right to feel that way. We were always just friends.

“It’s been too long.” I finally pull back.

“Ten years is too long.” Archie laughs. “How are you? Still happy?”

I nod. “I’m great.” It’s all I can say. Life has been a rollercoaster, but I’m finding my way back to my happiness. I’m getting there, but I don’t want to bother him with any of it. He doesn’t need to know.