Page 52 of Camera Shy

“What the fuck did your ex-girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend want with you?” Lennox turns in her seat, facing me directly, her brows pulling in concern. “And how did he get your number?”

“They’re back together. They’ve been back at it for a couple months apparently—”

“Of course…typical Nora. Always needs a stand-in—”

“He must’ve grabbed it from Nora’s phone. He called because he wanted to ask me man to man if I was sleeping with her behind his back. He suspects she’s cheating on him again, and since I was the culprit all those years ago, naturally, he figured I was at it again.” I knock my thumbs against the steering wheel. “His words, not mine.”

Lennox grumbles to herself. “It’s been three years, Finn. It still bothers you?”

I bury my hands in my face, letting the memories I push away daily bubble to the surface.

Nora was a stripper. I met her at Ruby’s, a gentlemen’s club my grandpa owns. One of his many random properties amongst the Las Vegas Strip. It’s probably the only one he isn’t keen to brag about, but it happens to be his biggest cash cow.

I hosted a bachelor party for one of my buddies at Ruby’s. I watched Nora dance on stage all night and after the final call, when she was dressed and had wiped off most of the body glitter, I asked if I could take her to breakfast.

Our first date was at an IHOP right outside the Las Vegas Strip at three in the morning. The next day, I woke up to a slew of congratulations texts from my buddies for taking home the hottest stripper in the club, but I didn’t actually take her home.

She ordered a double stack of plain pancakes and soaked them with boysenberry syrup. I got chocolate chip pancakes. We switched halfway through. It was that tame. We talked about how she used to be a blackjack dealer, but stripping paid much better. Ruby’s treated her well. She felt safe and in control. My grandpa’s club has very strict rules in place to protect their dancers and they don’t tolerate illegal activity. You’d have to find your happy ending elsewhere. Ruby’s was one hundred percent law-abiding. And plus, Nora stayed out of the private rooms…unless her car needed repairs.

I’ve never fallen in love that fast. Within three months of us dating, she stopped stripping at Ruby’s. I bought my house for her. I asked my dad to cosign the damn loan…all for her.

It was a few weeks after she moved in with me that I learned Nora wasn’t single.

And I was the other man.

When I found out about Morgan, she had every excuse in the book. She didn’t know how to break it off, he was abusive and controlling, she was reliant on him, he owed her money. She didn’t love him. She just didn’t want to see me end up in a fight over her.

That’s the part of the story where I’m no longer the victim because I listened to all the bullshit and I still chose to stay. I loved her that much. I kept her. I believed her. When she ended it with Morgan, I forgave her.

And then somehow I became the asshole who snaked his girl right from under him.

“The narrative bothers me, that’s all. I didn’t know about Morgan until it was too late. I’m not that guy.”

“Everyone who matters knows that.” Lennox reaches over the center console and gently pats my shoulder. “But it’s okay if you’re upset that she’s back with him again. You don’t have to love her to be hurt over her.”

“I know…” There are two sides to Nora. I won’t deny there is good in her. But in the end, the bad far outweighed the good.

“But I’m glad to see you’re moving on.” Lennox pats my shoulder. “We should all hang out. Double date? You, me, Avery, and Alan. Look at that—we’re both dating A names.”

I chuckle. Alan who likes sundresses, huh? “Avery and I aren’t dating. We’re just friends who apparently are going to hang out for the summer.”

“What’s a four-letter word for hang out that starts with f?” She flashes me a wicked smile. “I think it’s spelled f…u…c—”

“Lennox—”

“It’s not a big deal, Finny,” she says as she opens her passenger side door. “Whatever keeps the lights on in the studio. Bring her around. I’d love to get to know her. Plus, you’re no longer authorized to enter into a relationship without my prior approval. I have a knack for sniffing out the rats. I told you Nora was bad news from day one.”

“Yeah, yeah… Get out of here. Go see your new boy toy. Wait, do you want a ride to your car?”

“Nope,” she says, pointing across the small playground. “I’m parked just on the other side.” She hops out of the car but holds the door open. “For the record, you were really smiley today. Way more than usual.”

I raise my brow at her. “Really?”

“Definitely.” Lennox points at my chest. “Must be the change in company.” Proving her point, I smile to myself as she shuts the truck door and heads to the overflow parking lot.

Hm, must be.

14

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