Billionaire Behind the Mask (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches 5)

“That’s what everyone called me for the rest of the school year.”

“Wow,” Sutton said after taking a moment to absorb the whole, horrible story. A lot of the things he’d noticed about Lauren started to make sense now. “I hate that you went through all that. Kids are incredibly cruel sometimes. I wish I had been around to kick Jesse’s ass for you.”

“You wouldn’t have given me a second glance back then, much less come to my defense. But that’s okay. Things change.”

She was right. Things did change. And he couldn’t let her carry this embarrassment with her forever. She was grown and successful now and none of that adolescent crap mattered anymore.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t want to go back to the site of my most humiliating moment. But at the same time, I think you need to do it. Face your demons head-on, Lauren. It won’t be the horrible place and people you’ve imagined all these years. It was the teenagers, not the club, that were the problem. They would’ve done something different and equally embarrassing to you in the gym if it hadn’t flooded.”

“Yeah, but the ringleaders were all club members.”

“True. But that doesn’t mean they’re the awful people you remember. Like I said, teenagers are terrible. They’re basically brain-damaged at that age. It’s a scientific fact.”

“Shush,” Lauren warned, playfully swatting at his chest. “You’re just making stuff up to make me feel better.”

“No, it’s true. Google it. Human brains aren’t fully developed or matured until they’re about twenty-five. So anything stupid you’ve done prior to that age can be blamed on underdeveloped gray matter.”

“Like crushing on a guy who was a total jerk? Falling for their prank like a naïve fool and ruining my new dress? Having the whole school laugh, post embarrassing photos of me on the internet and call me Dunk Tank for the rest of my senior year?”

Sutton winced at her words. “Teenagers make bad choices all around. We all did. And now that you’re older, you probably have made better choices. Including in the romance department.” He smiled widely and she shook her head.

“I would say that’s definitely true.”

“Well, after hearing all of this, I’m sorry for the way some of the stupid people in this town have treated you. Despite not being involved, I apologize on behalf of the club and its members. I have enjoyed that indoor pool during many a cold winter here in Texas and I hate that it was the scene of one of your worst moments. Hopefully you can go back to the club and create some positive memories. Or more positive memories than the ones we’ve already made,” he said with a grin. “Although I have to say, hearing this story, I’m glad you didn’t punch me in the face when I led you down that dark hallway into the billiard room.”

“Thankfully you said billiard, not just the pool room, or I may not have gone inside with you. And it was a different hallway, anyhow. I recognized that much. Being back in the club again, I was on high alert and I wasn’t falling for that prank twice. My dress was a lot more expensive this time, so I wasn’t about to ruin it.”

Sutton nodded and pulled her tight against him. “So what do you say? Just one drink this afternoon to celebrate and face down your demons?”

Lauren sighed, but he felt her nod against his bare chest. “Okay. One drink.”

Eleven

“You can do this. You did it the night we met and you can do it again.”

Lauren took a deep breath and looked into Sutton’s encouraging eyes. “I was in a mask,” she muttered, but followed him inside anyway.

“It’s just a drink. One drink. And if you’re uncomfortable after we’re done, then we’ll go. But I think you’ll find that what you’re worried about is just a shadow of the past. The club itself is nothing more than a rustic hangout for rich cowboys.”

She hoped he was right. Even so, she could feel her stomach churning as they went inside. When it wasn’t done up for a party, the club had a very different feel to it. The music playing in the background was low with a country twang and the late afternoon light poured in the large windows. It gave a warm glow to the oakwood paneling on the walls and floor and highlighted the stacked stonework around the fireplace. As her first daytime visit, she now noticed the details that the dim party lighting of the night hid away, like the deer trophies and old photos of past club members that dotted the walls.

There weren’t scores of people around today, but there were a few. Most of them were sitting around the bar, enjoying an early beer and a good view of the football game on the television. Others were seated at one of the tables in the dining room, eating. Off in a corner seating area, maybe even the one she’d been hiding in when she met Sutton, a couple men in Stetsons were gathered around chatting about something. They turned to give Lauren and Sutton a cursory glance as they came in, and then they returned to what they were doing.

It was very different from what she remembered. And yet her eyes went instantly to the dark hallway that lead to the club exercise facility, locker rooms and, of course, the indoor pool room. She turned instead to the other hallway that lead to the billiard room and much happier memories.

“Do you want to sit at the bar or at a private table?” Sutton asked.

“I don’t care.”

He didn’t seem to believe her. “I’ll ge

t us a table. Less pressure to talk to strangers.”

A hostess took them to a table for two by a window. Outside, she could see the tennis courts and the large Olympic-size pool that spread out beyond it. There were a few people playing tennis doubles, but no one was in the pool with the cooler weather.

She turned away from the water and focused on Sutton across the table from her. He was the only thing that mattered right now. He was here to support her. To celebrate her. To help her face the demons of her past. For his efforts, she would gladly follow him anywhere, even to the club. Especially when he sat across the table from her looking like the tastiest dish she’d ever had in her mouth.

The waiter approached, bringing them both glasses of water. “Welcome back to the club, Mr. Wingate. What can I get you and your guest today?”