“Actually, it’s Tristan who wanted me to talk to you. Tris can be a little, well, alert for danger. He knows that, which is why he asked me to, you know…”
“Is this about the bacon puff?”
Seth gave an embarrassed huff of laughter. “I mean, yeah, that’s part of it. Look, man, I don’t give a fuck what you eat, and under normal circumstances, I don’t think Tris would either. But Brandon’s been in his ear too, about—”
“The Punishr profile?”
“Yee-eah.” Seth was acting all buddy-buddy, but he was watching my face closely. “See, it’s not that you had a profile. No one cares about that. It’s that Tyler is under the impression you’re in a monogamous relationship.”
“And Tyler is right,” I said quickly, even though I got an uncomfortable twinge somewhere in my chest. But it was partly true, at least. I was in a monogamous relationship with Tyler, even if it was a one-way thing.
I didn’t want anyone else, not anymore.
Couldn’t imagine wanting anyone else.
“I’m not interested in anyone but him,” I tell Seth, and it was the truest thing I’d ever said.
Even Seth looked convinced. “Cool,” he said. Then: “When I first got involved with Tris, it was under some false pretenses. That’s another reason he thought maybe I should be the guy to talk to you.”
“Tyler mentioned something about that.”
Seth gave a glance around the circle. “I had a lot to make up for with these guys. And I deserved it. Xander Romano in particular—you know, the actor?—he gave me a lot of shit, but I’m glad he did. He’ll be here tomorrow. You’ll meet him.” That sounded kind of like a threat. “I just want you to remember…” He gave me one last, close look. “We protect our own. You get me?”
It was definitely a threat.
“I get you,” I told him. “And I promise—nothing to worry about.” If only that was the truth. I was more worried now than I had been since I arrived.
What Tyler and I were doing might have started out as a bit of harmless fun, but it had turned into something very different.
Chapter 9
Tyler
Any other time, I would have been really enjoying myself. All my kinky friends, who I hadn’t seen in ages, gathered together and having fun? Sign me up.
But that night, around a fire where half the people were glancing at each other meaningfully and then at me, I just felt wary. The woods beyond the fire pit seemed extra-dark tonight, and even the smooth, warm flames didn’t make me feel any cheerier. My head ached, the s’mores were way too involved, and I was too hot, thanks to all the rugs and warmers provided.
I stood and stretched, not missing the way all eyes landed on me, and said, “I’mma take a quick walk.”
Tristan jumped up. “I’ll come with you. Need to stretch my legs.”
We walked silently into the forest and then, inevitably, Tristan said, “So, did you know Shane has an active Punishr profile?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I should’ve put money down on this, I thought. “Yeah, Tris. I know.”
“Huh.” He took that in as we crunched on over the snow. It wasn’t deep, just a light cover over the ground, giving off an almost blue sheen where the moonlight reflected off it. “And you’re cool with it? I thought you guys were exclusive.”
I stopped, shoving my hands deep into my pocket. Tristan had to backtrack a few paces. “Why is everyone so determined to make my relationship their business?”
To his credit, Tristan didn’t deny it. Our breaths were giant clouds, mingling in the air between us as he considered my words. “We just don’t want to see you getting hurt.”
“I’m not going to get hurt. I’m not some kid who doesn’t know what he’s doing. Da—Shane and I are solid. We’re honest with each other, and that’s all that matters.”
Tristan stamped his feet on the cold ground. “No arguments here. I just remember how I felt when I found out Seth was only with me for a bet.”
“But that’s not why he was with you. And if you really thought that, you wouldn’t be with him now, would you?”
He nodded slowly. “Maybe. But it took a long time for him to build back up that trust between us. And I don’t have to tell you how important trust is when you’re in a relationship that includes BDSM.”
