Page 102 of Filthy Little Secret

Tim beams. “Yeah. I started officially as manager of The Independent two weeks ago.”

“Congratulations,” Dad says.

“You knew that already,” Mom says. “I signed the card for you two weeks ago.”

Dad’s eyes widen. “Oops. Sorry. Then just pretend I didn’t say that.” He winks at Tim.

The new job has been good for Tim. It’s a lot more money. Not enough to get them out of debt, but it’s enough that it’ll make things a little easier for him and Kitty. At the very least, he can sleep peacefully knowing he can keep making payments on everything.

“And let me know if those collectors start bothering you again,” Mom says. “I can take care of that.”

“Yes,” Dad adds. “Let us know if you need anything from us. We’re happy to help.”

“Now don’t get your hopes up,” Mom says, “but I added Kitty’s name to a list of possible grantees who can receive money to pay off their medical debt. It’s through one of the organizations I work with. I found out about the grant money the other day.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Tim says.

“It was my pleasure. And as Dan said, if you need anything from us, don’t hesitate to reach out, especially if it involves knocking someone off.” She winks playfully at Tim. “Although I imagine you have a few contacts of your own in that department, Tim.”

“Yes, I do.”

It was clearly a joke, but I can tell by the way everyone quiets it made Mom and Dad uneasy as they considered if, as a former drug dealer, he really has those kind of connections. And now I’m kinda wondering it, too.

I burst into laughter, enjoying their discomfort. Then I turn to Tim, sitting beside me, a broad grin across his face. I think he’s enjoying it as much as I am.

There he is.

My Timmy.

The man who I was so sure I was above falling in love with—the man I underestimated so much when we first met. I thought he was a demon, but he’s an angel. My angel.

He reaches over and takes my hand.

It tingles at his touch, sending a warm sensation crawling across my body.

I feel at ease. So comfortable.

“Have you been looking at options for PA school?” Mom asks me.

I finally told her about my plans to become a physician assistant, and she’s been more than supportive.

“God, Mom,” I reply. “Just let me have a little bit of time away from school right now. Chem lab is kicking my ass this year.”

“You need to get used to it for a while. You have a lot of years of studying ahead of you.”

“Oh, I know.”

We chat and laugh together, and I reflect on what a long way we’ve come from last year when I was still keeping my parents at a distance. Pushing them away because of how I felt they’d betrayed me.

Now I realize I’m exactly where I want to be, sitting at a table with my family and my incredible, hot-as-fuck man.

TIM

“You ready?” I ask.

“Hell, yeah.” Mark lies across his bed, stark naked, as I finish setting up the digital camcorder on the tripod beside the foot of the bed. I turn the flip-screen to face us so that we can watch the vile thing we’re about to do.

We don’t fuck around with phones anymore. And we never hit record. Just do it like this so that we can watch.

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