CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
brOOKLYN
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“Woah,” Scott says as the show ends. “Look at the viewer numbers. Holy hell.”
I’m not interested.
I feel sick.
I’m still not sure that was the right thing to do. For me, for the business, for Travis...
Plus, it’s the third time I’ve listened to the audio he sent me on top of hearing about his horrendous childhood abuse in person.
Each time it gets harder to hear.
“Monitor the comments. Turn them off if things get bad.” I tell Milly.
“So far, so good.” She nods, her eyes darting between me and the screen.
“Good.” I blow out a breath, push back my chair, and head to the bathroom.
It’s been a rollercoaster since Travis left on Sunday night.
I love you.
I’ve played that sentence over and over in my head. I’ve told myself it's not true, that he only said it so I wouldn’t expose him. I’ve woken up in tears during the night, seeing his beautiful gray eyes filled with emotion.
Emotion that is far deeper than someone just using you.
But it’s hard to trust when someone has lied to you.
This isn’t a little white lie. He took me on three dates, and we flew to Switzerland together. He told me he was someone he wasn’t...or at least is but wasn’t always.
God it’s confusing.
He also lied telling me he knew Terrance, and, sure, his wording was clever, so the statements were borderline truth.
Cunning.
I can understand why.
But it still feels horrible being on the end of it. To then expect me to run into his arms after claiming he loved me is a tall ask.
One I really want to do.
After days of pacing, I went over to Jasmine and Tony’s house and sat on one of their kitchen stools, where I’d sat a million times, and asked their advice.
It was difficult because I couldn’t tell them anything.
“So, Travis lied to me.”
Jasmine gasped. “He’s married?”
I shook my head.
Her gasp was louder the second time. “He’s not a billionaire?!”
“Really Jaz? That’s the next worst thing?” Tony lifted his brows unimpressed.
“I mean...” She glanced back at me seeking the answer. “It would be pretty bad.”
“Unbelievable.” Tony rolled his eyes, and I actually laughed.
“No, he is,” I told them.
“Thank god.”
“I’m out.” Tony got up and walked into the living room, turning on the TV.
“So what happened? What did he lie about?” Jasmine moved closer. “Was it a dick thing?”
“Wow, you really have a wild imagination, don’t you?” I shook my head. “No, his penis is fine.”
“Fine as in how fine?”
“Are you not having sex or something?” I frowned.
“Tons. But it's married sex. Making baby sex. You’ll understand one day. I need all the spice.”
I wasn’t going to comment on that.
“I can’t tell you much, and I really shouldn’t be saying anything at all, but he said he loved me.”
More gasping and clasping her chest.
“I knew it! Oh, my god. You are marrying a billionaire,” she cried. “Fuck the lies. Men lie. People lie. Where are you getting married? Venice? New Zealand?”
I blinked.
“What? No, I’m not getting married. He lied to me. I don’t even know if he really meant it when he said he loves me. That’s what I need help with!”
“Does he like the Yankees or Red Sox?” Tony called out.
“Not everything is about baseball Tony!” I yelled back.
“Answer the question.”
I couldn’t.
Because I didn’t know. We’d had a lot of sex, but not conversation.
“I don’t even know his favorite color.”
“That’s a chick thing,” Tony said. “Guys don’t say I love you unless a) they mean it or b) they’re Jeffrey Dahmer and it’s probably when he’s sprinkling salt on your thigh steak.”
Jasmine and I stared at one another.
“You are having children with this man; you realize that, right?”
Jasmine nodded.
So they were no help, but I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what Tony said. Not the Dahmer thing, although that too.
Men are simple creatures.
No matter how I looked at it, Travis had a very good reason for not telling me who he was. That he was planning to use me is a horrible feeling. I can’t think about that and be okay.
I can’t.
I don’t think I ever will.
But the truth is I have potent feelings for him. If I knew who he was, I might say that I’m falling in love with him. But how can I?
He hasn’t even told me about the club.
Which is why, now that I’ve done the show, I’ve decided I’m going to head over there tonight.
Will they let me in?
Will he be there?
I don’t know, but I’m a journalist, and I’ve done crazier things.
“I’m heading out.” I tell Scott and Milly. “Great work today, you guys. Thanks for trusting me with this.”
Milly swivels in her chair. “Leo Taylor deserves to be locked up. I wish this guy would report him to the authorities, but I totally understand why.”
“He’s a sick fuck,” Scott says, and we all nod.
This guy.
While it was an option, and I could have done it, I care about Travis too much to reveal his identity. It might bite me in the ass and spoil my reputation. I’ll get judged, but I don’t care.
He might not have gone about it the right way, but if this leads to the authorities taking the other reports about the actor seriously, it could put him behind bars.
I grab my bag and walk toward the exit.
Dad calls me, but I send it to voicemail. Brian or one of his friends had probably alerted him to the show. It’s had almost a million views already, so it’s going to change my life.
I’ll worry about that tomorrow.
I have a sex club to get to.
Words I never thought I’d say.
“Have a great weekend, Brook,” Milly calls out.
“Lock up behind you.” I wave, and the elevator door closes.
When I step into the lobby, I see Decker hovering near the security desk, chatting to the building guys. I smile and dip my face.
I was very rude to him on Sunday.
Every day, morning and night, he’s held up his hands and said, not here.
Two more steps and he sees me.
“I get it, you are not here.” I smile, and he says goodbye to Jermaine and holds the door open for me as I step out onto the sidewalk.
“Despite not being here, are we heading back to your place or do you need a c—”
Pop, pop, pop.
Pain blasts through me, and I hear screams as I fall to the ground.