“Where’s the fun in that?” Garrett adds with a laugh. Being the voyeur he is, of course he hates that idea.
“And it’s safe?” Maggie asks.
“Very. The rooms all had cameras, bouncers with special goggles to see in the dark, and condoms were mandatory. I felt very safe there. It was really liberating actually.”
“You used it?” someone asks, and I don’t even catch who it was. I was too caught in the memory, and I probably shouldn’t have let that last part slip.
“Um…yeah. I went in there. Drake and I both did.” Jesus, why am I still talking?
The table nods collectively, and I wish I knew what they’re thinking. Could they possibly suspect what really happened during our trip? Surely not all of it. Not me asking Drake and Isabel to sleep together because just the thought of it turned me on. Or Drake going down on me in a dark club. Or the three of us fucking like animals in Vegas. Or falling in love with my best friend. They definitely didn’t see that one coming.
“Sounds fun,” Emerson says after a long, awkward silence. “The dark rooms might be a little harder to create with our limited available space. Not unless Drake wants to build another level on the club. Where is he anyway?”
Garrett answers before I get the chance. “Hunter must have been a real cockblock all week because Drake’s out there laying the moves on Geo, probably getting his dick wet as we speak.”
My jaw clenches. I don’t blame Garrett because these are the jokes we make all the time. This is what we do, but now it grates on my nerves like never before.
“You’ll meet with him at some point and get a quote for some of these renovations?” Emerson asks, his face set in a serious expression.
“Of course,” I reply.
“If he has any ideas for the dark rooms, I’d love to hear them.”
“I’ll let him know,” I say.
Then Emerson just nods and I can’t help but feel as if he’s staring at me for a reason. Like he can read everything behind my eyes, and it makes me uncomfortable as hell. So I avert my gaze and write myself a couple notes on my notepad.
The rest of the meeting goes by without incident. After everything is done, I make a quick exit to avoid any unnecessary small talk or prodding questions. I’m too anxious to find Drake. What if he’s not at the bar? What if he got a room with someone?
I squeeze my fists together at the thought as I march out toward the main hall. For Isabel’s sake, that would be fucked up.
When I tear open the door from the staff hallway to the main room, I don’t see him at first. Then, my gaze passes the bar and I see him, sitting in the same spot but now he’s leaning over the surface, laughing with Geo, who is now leaning right back over in his space.
I’m storming toward the bar as I quickly remind myself to keep my cool. But honestly, what the fuck is he doing?
“Let’s go,” I say, my words coming out more like a growl than something a normal, civilized person would say. Geo stands upright and slowly backs away from Drake. Good call, kid.
Drake looks at me with alarm. “Everything okay?”
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I ask, feeling the anger boil.
“Sure,” he replies, getting up and following me to a discreet corner. “What’s wrong with you?” he asks.
“Me?” My eyes widen. “What’s wrong with you? Geo thinks you’re trying to take him home and fuck him, and honestly, so do I.”
His shoulders shrug as he forces his eyes away. “So what if I am? All of a sudden you have a problem with me being with guys?”
“It has nothing to do with him being a guy,” I snap before quickly reeling it back in. “What about Isabel?”
I watch as Drake composes himself before answering. “I thought everything that happened on our trip was just fun. We’re back home now. Right?”
When his eyes meet mine again, I freeze. Is he asking me that? That was the deal, but if I really say that wasn’t all it was, then would he really change his mind and come home with me? Is that what I want?
Drake is never going to settle down, not for long at least. If I draw this out, then Isabel is just going to get hurt in the long run, and I can’t let that happen—to her. If this is how he’s going to act, then it’s best to just cut things off now.
“Right,” I reply coolly.
“Hunter, I can’t be the third wheel in your marriage forever. This trip was fun, but the sooner we get back to the way things were, the better.”