She frowned. Her tone cooled as confusion set in. “Really? I thought that was what a beard was. Someone you used to conceal your sexual orientation.”
“Well.” Rex scrunched his nose and tilted his head from side to side. “In a sense, sure. But a gay man doesn’t have … you know…”
“What?” Bailey squared her shoulders and gave him her full attention. “Have what, Rex? Tell it to me straight. I can handle it. A gay man doesn’t havewhat?”
She might’ve pitched that last word a little too high.
It was obviously uncomfortable for him, but Bailey wanted to know. No, sheneededto know. Had all of this been pretend? Had Holt used her to conceal the fact he was gay and he was with Rafe? Why her? Why would he lead her on like that? Was that why Rafe hadn’t responded when she called him out for being a peeping Tom?
Oh, Jesus.She clutched her chest. She had accused him of watching her with Holt, but maybe it was the other way around. Perhaps he’d been watching Holt the whole time! Why hadn’t she thought of that?
“How is this happening?” she groaned. “How can I be so stupid?”
“What’s goin’ on here?”
Bailey shifted in her chair and looked over to see Jack walking toward them.
Before Rex could speak, Bailey said, “Rex is explaining why I’m Holt’s beard.”
“No.” Rex shook his head dramatically. “No, no. That isnotwhat I’m explaining.”
Jack frowned. “A beard? As in…?”
Bailey filled in for him. “You know, someone you pretend to be in a relationship with to conceal your sexual orientation.”
Jack looked at Rex.
Rex shook his head. “She’s not a beard.”
“Who’s the gay man in question?” Jack asked.
“Holt and Rafe,” Bailey blurted. “Whoops. I think that’s supposed to be a secret.” She pointed at herself with both thumbs. “Beard. Coverer of secrets.” She frowned. “Is that a word? Covererer … er?”
Ignoring her verbal vomit, Jack’s eyebrows rose. “Holt? Like the author guy? And Rafe?” He looked at Rex. “Your…”
“Brother, yes.” Rex sighed and looked at Bailey. “You need to talk to them.”
“I’m a beard,” she murmured, dropping her head into her hands. She wasn’t sure whether she was about to burst into tears or laugh until she cried. How in the world could this happen to her?
“She’s not a beard,” she heard Rex tell Jack.
“I agree.”
“Why?” She looked up. “Why’s it so hard to believe? I’m good enough to be a beard. I mean, look, you didn’t even know Rafe was gay, did you? It worked. I’m obviously good at it.”
Oh, geez. And now she was promoting the idea? What waswrongwith her?
“You’re. Not. A. Beard,” Rex said sternly, enunciating each word clearly.
Bailey threw her arms in the air, letting them fall in her lap. “We’ll have to agree to disagree. I think I am.”
“You’re not,” Jack chimed in.
She glanced between them. “Why not?”
“Well, for starters, gay men don’t have sex with women.”
“Pfft.” Bailey felt her cheeks warm. “No one said anything about sex. What makes you thinkthathappened?”
