Page 15 of Dreamers Often Lie

“I was, wasn’t I? But I will keep that to myself, thank you.” He turned and spun around with his arms open as if his joy needed to escape.

I burst into cackles. “Oh, I think everyone saw you, boo. That cat is out of the bag. Who was it?”

He turned towards me and got very serious. “Just someone in a mask that I found very attractive. It was a Halloween masquerade, boo. Who knows?”

“Are you sure he’s not Frankenstein underneath the mask?” I wiggled my eyebrows lasciviously.

“Yes, I am sure.” He walked over and sat down beside me.

“So… we are keeping this from Cappie, I assume.” I sat back, and Jules gently raised his legs and put his bare feet in my lap.

“Under penalty of death! Cappie is not to know,” he whispered. “He would not be very pleased, I don’t think.”

“All right.” I shrugged. “I can keep a secret.” I reached down and grabbed his perfectly manicured feet in my hands and started rubbing the soles. He groaned happily.

“That is exactly what the doctor ordered. Thank you,” Jules purred.

“You have a lot of tension. You wince every time I touch this spot right here.” I pressed my thumb into the ball of his left foot.

“Yes, ouch! My card reader said that the pentacle was a sign of a major change for me, and it stressed me out. My whole body is tight. I need a real spa day, but who has time?” He bit his bottom lip as I continued to massage his feet.

“Oh, is that it?” I winked. Jules was a hard person to ever get to the truth of. He liked his secrets, and I knew he trusted me more than anyone else in his life, but there were things he kept even from me.

“Oh, I just need to tell someone. I’m not happy about it at all. Cappie… He… uh… He invited someone for me to meet at the party,” he whispered as if saying the words aloud would cause him some pain. “He didn’t arrive until much later. He was really boring, and instead of wearing a costume, he wore a suit. Can you believe it? How pedantic of him.”

“Who was he?” I asked carefully. I knew my Uncle, and he was into some pretty shady things. I did not want Jules mixed up in any of it.

“Paris Fitzsimmons. He’s the CEO of Los Angeles International Bank of California and a major stakeholder in Cappie’s business. He really wants me to…” he paused and smiled sadly as if he were working out what he actually felt right now in front of me. “I don’t really want to do what Cappie wants.It feels like I’m being bought at a veryunfairprice. I like my life and what I do. I really do, Ty. Much more than you do. I don’t want to be someone’s kept person until I’m too old and he finds a new model to rent out like we’re cattle. This only ends one way, and I’m not ok with that. I may be a whore, but I am not someone’s sex slave for the right price.”

“If this is what Cappie wants…” I gently stroked his leg.

“I know. I have a lot to think about. He’s not unhandsome. In fact, he’s a very good-looking man in his mid-forties. He’s richer than rich, and I wouldn’t have to do anything except live with him and take him to bed whenever he wanted – however he wanted. I know I’m being a little fool about the whole thing, but… That isn’t the life I want.” He took his feet out of my lap and adjusted his position, laying his head in my lap.

I stroked his blonde hair. “You know my uncle doesn’t like being told no, Jules. I’ve seen him kick people out for less.”

“Would that be so bad, though? I’ve been here for three years, and in those three years, I’ve become a celebrity of sorts. I like it. But I’m also starting to dislike being told what to do all the time. I’ve barely made a decision for myself in all of that time. I’m grateful for what Cappie gave me, you know? But maybe it’s time I start to stand on my own?” He sighed. “If I even remember how. I know that when I leave here if that’s what I decide, I’ll be burning all the bridges I have ever made. Shit, this is the only home that I’ve had in a long time. But I don’t want to be a prize. Not anymore. A couple of years ago, after being thrown out by my family and living on the street, I would have said yes in a second. But now, I think I want more.”

“He won’t let you go easily.” I twirled one of his strands between my fingers.

“But would you?” He batted his eyes at me.

“I believe that everyone should have their own choices. So, of course, I would, Jules. I’d miss you badly.” I stroked his forehead and tried to calm his anxiety.

“I think that when Cappie does retire and leave this shitshow to you. They will all be very lucky models. You know what it is that we do, what we have to do to survive. You’ve had to do it too.”

“I may be his nephew, boo – but I’ll believe I’m his heir when I see the will.” I huffed.

“I think he loves you more than you know, Ty. It was you that he chose to be there with him, wasn’t it? Cappie and all his dirty money men. That fucking police chief and mayor… I still cry when Cappie tells me that they are insisting on me. I do it, though. If I didn’t, what might have happened to all of us? I’m tired of having to… You know what I mean?” He sighed and curled up into a ball as he snuggled closer.

“I do.”

“I really like him, you know. My mystery boy.” He said the words slowly as if he were savoring them.

“He better treat you right, or I’ll fucking kill him – whoever he is.” I pretended. Let Jules have his secret, for now. But the things he told me had embedded themselves deep within. The thought of Jules being practically sold to one of my uncle’s investors was something new. How deep was he in with these people – the bad people that he seemed to surround himself with these days?

“I think he will… maybe? Perhaps I’m just infatuated with him, and he has already forgotten all about me? But I don’t think he has. When he sees you…” He turned back over and looked up at me with wide eyes. “I think he really sees me, Ty.”

“And you’re not gonna tell me who he is, are you? You have always been full of secrets, and you love having them even if you’re shit at keeping them. They’ll be on Insta in a week as youconfess to all your fans.” I chuckled. I had a lot to think about, but now wasn’t the time.

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