The Arrangement 12(7)
CHAPTER 6
I don’t plan on telling Trystan my occupation, but nothing goes as planned tonight. We sit around the table and talk about everything and anything. It’s strange, I barely know these people, but it doesn’t feel that way. I slump back into my chair and stare at the stage with another drink in my hand. “Why would Sean’s little brother buy this place?”
Trystan is leaning back on his chair, with his feet on the table again, staring at the bottom of an empty glass. The corner of his mouth tugs up on one side, reminding me of a kid with a kaleidoscope. “Why does any guy do something stupid?”
“For a woman.” Sidney dips her finger into her drink and lets the drop fall on her tongue before making a face.
Trystan nods at her. “Damn right, but I worry about him. This is the girl that tore Jon to shreds and he’s risking everything for her. She seems sincere enough, but he thought she was the real deal last time too. It’s difficult to tell who’s a friend these days.” His voice sounds hollow, like he’s completely alone.
I can’t help it, I stare at him. The lost look in his eyes evaporates and he flashes a smile my way. “Oh, come on, Avery. You aren’t that naïve. You have to know that people have ulterior motives. Not everyone is good and kind. If you thought that about Sean, you’d be in a ditch somewhere.”
“Hey, he’s not like that,” I bite back before giving my words any thought. “Besides, being jaded is just as bad as being naïve. They’re opposite sides of the same coin. They both mess with your perception of reality and you lose something, some part of yourself that’s necessary.” Well, damn. Listen to me being all philosophical when I’m half drunk. Who knew? I didn’t even slur any words.
An odd expression crosses his face and he puts the glass down. Trystan’s chair remains tipped back and he tilts his head to the side like he has underestimated me. His lips part like he’s going to say something, but he doesn’t. Instead, those dark lashes lower and he looks to the side.
I know that expression. I’ve conjured a ghost, I’m reminding him of someone, of something that somebody who’s no longer here has told him. Trystan lets his chair slam down onto all four legs and leans in. He’s close enough to me that Sean will rip his head off if he walks in now, especially because of the hostility between these two men. “It’s not necessary, and the coin can’t stay on its side forever. At some point it falls, and I’d rather be cynical than naïve any day of the week.”
I laugh in his face. “You think I’m naïve? Are you mental? I’m a goddamn call girl, my parents are dead, and I’m engaged to Sean Ferro. There are no butterflies and unicorns in my hair, no ever-present smile on my face, so what makes you think you have the faintest idea of who I am and what I’m capable of?”
Our eyes are locked, and I refuse to break the stare first. He doesn’t know me, and that arrogance—the way he assumes I’m some spoiled brat that doesn’t know shit—is just wrong. “I’m not some rich brat from Long Island. You might think you know me, but you don’t. You don’t have the slightest clue what I’ve lived through, but I know what you’ve been through. I know that look on your face, I know we’ve been in the same depths of Hell. The difference between us is that I refuse to give up and you already have.” For some unknown reason I purse my lips and blow a puff of air in his face.
Trystan flinches and backs up. His mouth is pressed into a firm line and I know he wants to tell me off, but something holds him back. The guy says nothing. Instead, he gets up and moves to another chair and throws himself into it so one leg is hanging off the side without giving me a second glance.
Damn, maybe I shouldn’t have said that, but any guy whose constructed walls that thick has something going on. Behind all those suave smiles is a broken man. It’s impossible to miss because we’re the same, him and me. No wonder he doesn’t get along with Sean. It must be like looking in the mirror.
Sidney watches the exchange in uncomfortable silence. When Trystan walks away, and his back is to me, I go to stand—to say something else—apologize maybe—but Sidney touches my arm and stops me.
When I glance over at her, she shakes her head, and then changes the topic of conversation. “So, have you ever stripped?”
CHAPTER 7
I glance at her out of the corner of my eye and smirk. “Yeah, it kind of goes with the occupation. Have you?” I feel Trystan look up at me, but he doesn’t say anything. Sidney blushes furiously and tries to hide her face. I laugh and bump her shoulder lightly. “I have an idea, come on.” I stand and grab her wrist.