Chapter 22
Bex
“ W hat do you think of this color?” Britney asks, draping a bordeaux silk sheath dress over her body.
Both of us are off work today, so we’re browsing the shops at the Aria, looking for something that might be a fit for the Adult Film Awards in two weeks. And, as much as I love her, shopping with Britney always turns into shopping for Britney. I have yet to find anything even in my size, in these shops, but Brit has fallen in love with at least one item in every store.
I hum in approval. “Stunning. Especially with your hair.”
Britney does a shake of her head, her wavy auburn hair bouncing over her shoulders. “But is it, you know, too much red?”
Rolling my eyes, I placate her with, “That dress, no matter what color, would look stunning as fuck on you, Brit.” And it’s true. My best friend is tall and willowy, with the most delicate porcelain skin and a stunning array of freckles across her cheeks. She certainly never has any issues finding something in her size at these shops.
She frowns at the dress, then places it back on the rack. “Honestly, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m not feeling anything here.”
“Oh, thank god,” I sigh with relief. We’ve been shopping for almost two hours and I am nowhere closer to finding an outfit for the awards than when we started.
“Coffee?”
“Yes, please!”
We walk down the Strip a few blocks to the Bravado. Not that I desire to visit my place of employment on my day off, but the Starbucks in the lobby will give me an employee discount. And seeing as how I’m about to shell out a couple hundred to look good on Corey’s arm at an award show, every dollar I can save is totally worth it.
“So, what’s going on with Corey?” Britney asks after we place our order.
I shrug and absently pick at my fingernails. “Honestly… I have no idea. He says work is stressing him out, but whenever I ask for details…”
“So, he’s holding back? Do you think he’s hiding something from you?”
My eyes flash to hers. “Do you think he would do that?”
Britney shrugs and reaches for her black cold brew coffee, which the barista just placed on the counter. I shiver—I don’t know how she can drink those things black, and so late in the day? If I had a drink that strong in the afternoon, I’d be bouncing off the walls until 2 a.m. I guess since she doesn’t have a traditional job, Brit can sort of afford to do that .
“Listen, I don’t know him well enough to make that call,” she says, taking a sip of her drink. “It’s just… have you guys made it official yet?”
“Why does that sound so high school?” I say, laughing as I reach for the peach iced tea the barista holds out to me.
“It’s a legit question, though. What if he has another girlfriend? What if he’s married?”
My stomach drops at the thought. We never had a conversation about being exclusive, but I just assumed, given the serious elevation of our relationship the last few months, that it was implied. Should I really have asked if he was married?
“Don’t stress over this, Bex. I mean, it could just be that work sucks, and he doesn’t want to get into the details. Although, if you got to fuck for work everyday, I can’t imagine what’s so stressful about it,” she laughs as we walk out to the patio area and grab seats at a table in the shade.
“Hey, he doesn’t act anymore. And besides, it’s still work. I’m sure fucking for work and fucking for fun are completely different vibes,” I reason.
“I really hope you’re talking about Corey and not a new job for you, Brit,” Ally’s voice calls out from behind us.
Britney and I turn to greet her, giving her quick hugs.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, before nodding to the coffee shop. “Do you want anything? My discount, my treat.”
“No, thanks,” Ally says, adjusting the strap of her Kate Spade crossbody purse as she slides into the seat beside me. “If I have any caffeine, I’ll never get to sleep tonight.”
“You guys are weak,” Britney laughs. “But what are you doing out here? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“I am working. It’s so bizarre, but I just came from the arena.”
“Are the Vegas Vipers a client of yours?” I didn’t mean Ally’s client specifically, but for the agency she works for. I’ve never heard her mention them before; her clients tend to be more individual celebrities who need some image support.
She shakes her head. “Not until today, I guess. And guess who requested me specifically to lead the account?”
Britney and I look at each other before shrugging. “Who?”
“Christian Frost.”
My eyes widen. “Like Corey’s friend Christian? The hockey player?”
“Technically, he’s retired. And the account isn’t for the Vipers. It’s for his son, Travis.”
“Ah, isn’t he the notorious enforcer for the Vipers?” Britney asks, sipping her coffee. When Ally and I stare at her blankly, she rolls her eyes. “Honestly, do either of you watch any professional sports?”
“If catching glimpses of the games playing at the casino bars counts as watching, then yes. I am an avid sports fan,” I laugh.
“Whatever, it’s your loss. Athletes are hot, but no athletes are hotter than hockey players.”
“How do you figure?” Ally asks, leaning forward.
“Most of them are tall and fit. Hell, the stamina it takes to be on the ice for that long makes me wonder how long they can last in bed.” Britney takes another sip of coffee before giving us a smirk. “Have you ever seen those stretches they do on the ice before the game starts?”
“I didn’t take you ladies to be such hockey fans,” a low, deep voice says from behind me. Turning in my seat, I find myself staring up at Aaron Blackwood. He’s dressed casually in jeans and a dark short-sleeved shirt, wearing a ball cap that says “Not Today.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so casual and laid back, at least not in the vicinity of his casino.
Aaron smiles at my friends as he says, “Britney, Ally. Pleasure to see you ladies again.”
“The pleasure is all ours, Aaron,” Britney purrs. Literally, her voice sounds like smooth velvet, and it’s clear from Aaron’s visible reaction that it’s had an effect on him.
“Hey, Aaron. Are you working today?” I gesture to his casual outfit with a smirk.
My question jolts his gaze away from Britney and over to me. “Ah, sort of, but not really. Clearly,” he says, gesturing to his hat and laughing. “I’m meeting up with Christian.”
“Ah, Ally just came from meeting with Christian,” I say, groaning under my breath as Ally kicks me under the table.
“So, he finally reached out about Travis?”
Ally tilts her head, rolling her eyes at me. “Not that it’s anyone’s business, but… yes. Mr. Frost has some concerns about image management for his son, so he reached out to me for some advice.”
“Oh,” Aaron muses. “I thought he was looking for more than advice.”
“Again, not something I should be discussing,” Ally says as she folds her arms over her chest, indicating she’s done with this part of the conversation. I admire her at this moment, because if someone as sexy and influential as Aaron Blackwood was chatting me up, I would probably have spilled all of my secrets.
“From someone who makes a living being discreet, I can appreciate that, Ally. I apologize. I didn’t mean to pry.”
From Britney’s purring and Ally’s awkwardness, this conversation is escalating quickly to discomfort. Switching the subject, I ask, “Where are you guys headed for lunch?”
Aaron nods back toward the Bravado. “He’s helping me sample some of the appetizers for the Adult Film Awards next week. ”
“Speaking of… did you guys have any luck shopping today?” Ally asks me and Britney.
“Well, one of us found lots of things they were interested in,” I say, giving Britney a look. “And the other one found jack shit.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Aaron says. “I mentioned it to Corey, but maybe he forgot to tell you? My sister, Jessica, dabbles in fashion design. I’m sure she’d love to connect and set you up with something for next weekend.”
My face burns at the mention of Corey. No, he definitely didn’t mention Aaron’s sister. I push the intrusive thoughts away and smile. “Corey didn’t mention it, no. But I wouldn’t want to impose.”
Aaron waves off the suggestion. “Not at all. I’ll send an email connecting you both.”
“That would be awesome. Thanks, Aaron.”
“No problem. And go easy on Corey. I can’t imagine the week he’s been having.” Aaron shakes his head. “I’m sure it’s easy to forget details when you’ve been contracted to film with your ex on such a huge investment for your own damn company.” He glances at his watch. “Shit, I need to head over there. Nice seeing you all again!”
His gaze lingers on Britney before he turns and walks away.
“What. The fuck. Did he. Just say?” Britney grits out, eyeing me with concern.
Ally is already on her phone, tapping furiously, searching for answers.
I just shake my head, faintly, wondering if I heard Aaron correctly. Ally slams her phone down on the table and gives me a guilty look.
“Is it true?” I ask quietly. “Is he filming a movie right now?”
She gives me a helpless look and Britney reaches for my hand. “Well, I guess we know why he’s been so fucking weird this week.”
Because he lied to me. Whatever I thought Corey and I had together… Clearly, we definitely do not.