“Uh, no…but considering she talks to Jay and knows your name, I figured it’s something we should address, not to mention she’s my friend.”
Rafe gives me a grunt. I don’t know how he manages to make it convey so much. With that simple sound, I know exactly what he thinks about Gwen and our friendship. “Can she be trusted to keep her mouth shut? I don’t want her putting you in jeopardy.”
“She’s kept my secret for a long time.” Rafe tilts his head to the side and gives me a look that says he thinks I’m crazy. It reminds me she did just tell at least two people about the fact I was a stripper. “I’ll talk to her,” I amend.
I snatch my phone and add, ‘Do you have time to talk?’ to the end of my text before hitting send.
My phone rings thirty seconds later. I sigh deeply but accept the call. “Hey.”
“Lucy, oh God, you left me on read all day.” She’s a little whiny, but I can hear her excitement as well.
“Sorry, I had lessons today, and we had some workers at the house. It’s been a long day.”
Ignoring my comment, she asks, “What the heck, Lucy? Why didn’t you tell me he was Rex?”
I look over at Rafe, and he mouths, “Speaker.” I scoot closer to his chair and hit the speaker icon while turning the volume down at the same time.
“I didn’t know, Gwen. He’s just Rafe to me.” Rafe tips my chin up with his finger, so I’m looking into his eyes. He’s telling me something, but I don’t know what.
“Really? He was lying to you!” She sounds intrigued and scandalized at the same time.
Rafe shakes his head in denial. “More like I just didn’t know everything yet.”
“But you do now?” she whispers.
Rafe tilts his head a tiny bit. “I know enough. And what I learned changes nothing.” He blinks slowly and continues to watch me.
“That’s so cool. He’s like a super big deal. Owns half the nice shit in the city—clubs, restaurants… That’s what Jay said anyway.”
“Did you tell Jay about Rafe—Rex and me? I mean, does he know?”
Gwen clicks her tongue. “He hasn’t returned my call today either.Everybodyhas left me hanging.”
“Gwen, can you not tell him about Rafe and me?” I wince. It feels weird to ask her to keep him a secret. Is this how it will always be?
“I already told him about Rafe.” If I could see her, I bet she would have the same confused look on her face I do.
“I thought you didn’t talk to him today?”
“I didn’t, but I told him about your uber rich boyfriend before. He even asked if you met him at the club. I guess lots of guys are okay with dating a stripper.” The way she says it makes me think she didn’t believe many guys would, like I would be beneath them.
“But he doesn’t know that Rafe and Rex are one in the same?” I’m trying really hard to salvage this phone call.
“Oh no, I just told him you were seeing someone and that it seemed kind of intense. I actually said he was kind of a jerk.” She snickers, and I roll my lips in when I look over at Rafe, but he seems completely unbothered.
“Oh good, well please don’t mention it then. Rafe likes to keep a pretty low profile. He wants to keep things private.” I shrug, hoping the explanation will be enough to curb her gossip.
“Are you his side piece?” She sounds more curious than concerned.
“No,” I scoff, then look at Rafe to confirm. He gives me a droll expression, then starts eating again. Why I find the thought of being his side piece way more upsetting than discovering he’s a criminal makes me think I should really reconsider my life choices.
“Okay…”She drags out the word, making it clear she doesn’t believe me.
“Just please don’t tell Jay. You know this is all new to me anyway,” I plead, trying to make my excuse seem reasonable.
“Tell me what he’s like,” Gwen prompts eagerly.
“You know what he’s like, you called him a jerk.” I chuckle.
