Eddie took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else in the world. “Tessa, what’d you see?”
Tessa straightened behind the bar. “Tyler’s right, sir. Dan was out of line.Again.”
Eddie turned to glare at Dan. “What am I going to see if I pull the tapes?”
“Eddie–”
“None of that bullshit, Dan. I know we go way back. Fuck, I let you get away with a lot more than I should around here. The way I see it, if you want to press charges against this guy, you go for it. You’ll never set foot in my club again, but you can try to get your payout. If you want to stick around here? You drop this, recognize a lost cause when it smacks you in the face, and go home.”
Handsy Dan’s jaw worked, looking around the room. “You’re a real fucking asshole, Eddie,” he spat, before turning and storming out of the club.
Sighing, Eddie waved at Jordy and Damien, who immediately let go of Jamie. Eddie turned to Tyler, his expression more annoyed than anything else. “Is this going to be a problem?” He asked, gesturing to Jamie.
Tyler looked over at his boyfriend, who still stood frozen in place, a blank, stoney expression on his face. “No.”
“Get out of here, then. You’re done for the night.”
Tyler found Jamie already in his bed, stripped down to his boxer briefs and sprawled out on his back, holding his phone above his face.
“Go to bed,” Tyler whispered, setting down the monitor he’d grabbed from beside a sleeping Dotty downstairs on the couch. He’d apologize to her tomorrow for the late night.
Jamie’s eyes were fixed on his phone, a deep furrow between his brows.
“What is it?” Tyler asked, flopping down on the pillow next to him.
Jamie just held out his phone in response.
The first thing Tyler noticed was how big Jamie looked in thephotograph. He loomed over the rest of them, and with his arms outstretched and a snarl twisting his mouth, he looked–
“Fuck.”
Beside him, Jamie grunted in agreement.
“People have to know–”
“It’s the internet, Tyler. People don’t care about what’s real. A story about an aggressive hockey player assaulting somebody in a strip club is convenient, so that’s what they go with.” His voice was heavy with defeat and resignation.
Tyler tossed the phone aside and leaned over to catch Jamie’s gaze. “Hey.”
Jamie’s eyes were downcast, and he worried his lower lip with his teeth. His hand had disappeared behind his head, fingers twirling and tugging at his hair.
“Jamie,” Tyler tried again, spreading his hands over Jamie’s furry chest.
Finally, Jamie looked up. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?”
“They’re saying fucking terrible, awful things about you. About your work and your character and–” He sucked in a sharp breath. “None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for me, and I...I fuckinghateto think that I’ve made your life worse.”
“What are you–Jamie,” Tyler placed his hands on Jamie’s cheeks, pressing his fingertips into the blonde stubble. “What the hell are you talking about? Tonight was–”
“I shouldn’t have–”
“Jamie! Can you shut up for one second?”
Jamie blinked up at him.
“Everything about my life has gotten better with you in it.” Leaning down, Tyler brushed a kiss to Jamie’s eyebrow. “I don’t care if the world knows I’m a stripper. I’m not ashamed.” He kissed the tip of Jamie’s nose. “So, don’t worry about me, Captain.” Jamie’s cheeks tinged pink, and Tyler brushed his thumbs across his flushed skin. “I can’t imagine they’re saying good things about you, either.”
