Tease (Tease 1)

“What . . . wait, are you mixed up in something illegal?” Jake asked. Nic stared at me, alarmed, her eyes wide with fear and anxiety.

“No. Nothing illegal.” God, just tell them already. “Since college I’ve been working as an escort . . . I sleep with women for money.”

“An escort?” Nic sputtered, her eyebrows shooting up.

“Yes. An escort. I started after Kara left me. A professor kind of took me under her wing, and now I have several very high-profile clients. Very high profile,” I repeated slowly, hoping I wouldn’t need to spell it out.

Nic’s mouth dropped open as she began to understand what I was trying to say. She clicked the TV back on.

“God no. You didn’t . . .” Her voice trailed off as I nodded. She looked from the TV to me, and back to the TV. “That was you?” she said incredulously. “What . . . are you in trouble? What happened?”

“We had an appointment, just like usual. We met every week, almost. For the past four years,” I added.

“You’ve been fucking Melinda Diveno for four years?” Nic squeaked. “Holy shit, Liam.” She jumped up suddenly, and disappeared into the kitchen.

I glanced at Jake, who shrugged.

Nic reentered the room, carrying a bottle of vodka. “I need a drink,” she muttered, unscrewing the top and throwing back a mouthful. She made a face and then sat back down. “Okay. Continue.”

“What, from the start?” I asked, confused.

Nic rolled her eyes. “From anywhere, Liam. Just start fucking talking.”

“Right, so today was no different from any other time. We met in the hotel room, we started . . . well, you know what we were doing, and the next thing she was dead.”

“And you called the police?” she demanded.

“I called 911. The police and the ambulance came. There was nothing they could do. They think it was a heart attack.”

Nic shook her head, struggling to comprehend what I was telling her. “Why? I mean, why do . . . that? Why pimp yourself out? Where is your self-respect? Don’t you think you’re worth more than a quick fuck for thirty dollars?”

I laughed incredulously. “Nic, how the fuck do you think I could afford Mom’s care? Without my job there’d be no trial, no treatment. Don’t you sit there and judge me when all I’ve done is care for our family.” My voice was hard.

I’d never spoken to Nic like that. Ever.

“I’m not judging you,” she said quietly. “I’m just trying to understand.”

“If it wasn’t for Mom, I probably would’ve quit years ago. I’m not going to lie and say I don’t enjoy my job, but you think I don’t want a life? You don’t think I’d give it all up for a chance at happiness?”

Nic slumped back against Jake. “I don’t know what to say.” She shook her head. “Mind-blown.” She threw up her arms. “Have you told Mia?”

I glared at her. “Why the fuck would I do that?”

Nic blushed and glanced away, looking like she’d just said something she shouldn’t have.

“Nic. What are you hiding from me? Did she say something to you?” I demanded.

Nic averted her eyes, embarrassed.

“Nicole,” I said, using her full name. She knew that meant I was pissed.

“Okay!” she said, exasperated. “She told me you guys slept together.”

She what? Fuck. I clasped my hands behind my head.

“And she told me she likes you. A lot. Like a lot, Liam.”

I sighed. Any other time hearing those words would be good news, but right then, all they did was add to the complexity of the situation.