Page 22 of Rex

You can’t help but laugh at her and her crazy ideas. If I didn’t know it was a fact, I’d doubt she was even related to Lucy. Calm, quiet, shy Lucy has a sister who’s the complete opposite. Put them together, though, and Lisa rubs off way more on Lucy than the other way around. I once watched Lucy drop Lisa to the floor then laugh maniacally in her face. I gained a sudden respect for the classes the Angels teach at their gym after that.

“Are you here to cancel for Friday?” I ask.

“Hell to the no. I’m here because we have been asked to have a sit down with Rex and Reeves. I know you’re going to say no, but I think we should do it. Reeves called me about an hour ago and said there’s a reason why things were so weird when we went out. Let’s hear them out, and if you still want to avoid Rex, you can. In the meantime, want to explain to me why you avoid Rex? You never did tell me,” Lisa finishes her explanation with a soft voice. “Did something happen? Did he hurt you? Because I can’t see Rex being that guy, but nothing was normal that night, and—”

“No, no, no. Of course, he didn’t hurt me. That’s not Rex. I just, well, didn’t want to talk about it because I was embarrassed,” I admit.

“About what, Aria? You have no reason to be embarrassed about anything. Yeah, we drank too much, but nobody got hurt. We were responsible enough to call an Uber. Did you not want to spend time with Rex?” Lisa questions in a subdued tone.

“Can I tell you a secret, and you promise to keep it between us?” I ask while rising to walk to my door and close it.

“Absolutely. I won’t say a word. I promise.”

“I remember most of the night. There are some parts that are like alcohol-induced amnesia, but not much. Rex and I had a great evening, or so I thought. I very much enjoyed spending time with him. It got heated. The next day, he texted me once I got home and said he doesn’t remember anything after we got to the clubhouse. I don’t know if he doesn’t remember or simply doesn’t want to admit to spending time with me like that. It’s seriously shaken my confidence and makes me embarrassed that I enjoyed it so much, and he doesn’t even want it to have happened.”

I go on and explain most everything to Lisa and watch as her face softens in sympathy. By the time I’m done talking, she’s softly shaking her head.

“I’ve known Rex for a while now, and that doesn’t sound like him at all. He’s a good guy, through and through. Maybe he really doesn’t remember, and if so, then it’s not really his fault. Let’s listen to them tonight, and we’ll decide how to deal with this after that. Okay? If you still feel like he’s being a dick, then I’ll be on your side 100%. We’ll make him regret how he’s handled this so much. But if he’s not lying and doesn’t remember, then maybe you two just need a do-over.”

Slowly, I nod my head in agreement. Lisa gives me a quick hug and promises to pick me up at my place at seven. It will be after the guys have Church over something important enough for them to meet earlier this week than normal.

“Reeves is going to text when they get out of Church, and we’ll meet them at Rodney’s for pizza and a beer. Sound good?” Lisa asks as she takes a seat at my kitchen’s bar counter.

“Sounds good. I haven’t eaten yet, and pizza is exactly what I need tonight,” I reply while pouring us each a glass of wine.

“We’ll make them pay, so the pizza will taste twice as good,” Lisa states with a laugh.

“Can I ask you a question?” I ask and then proceed when she nods. “How would Drew, Chubs, react if he knew we both spent the night with a club brother?”

“Not well, I’m sure. It’s probably best none of the club knows unless it becomes serious for one of us. Like if you and Rex decided to become a couple. Even then, he’d have to talk to Chubs to make sure he’s fine with it. I know that sounds odd and old-fashioned, but that’s how the club rolls with some things.”

“What if it was you and Reeves? Same thing?” I ask.

“Umm, maybe. It would be a little different because I’m not Chubs’ sister, but it would still be advised that Reeves chat with him first. I don’t think the penalty would be the same for Reeves, though, as it would be for Rex.”

I nod having already suspected that answer but still not okay with it. Maybe I’m too independent to understand how the club feels that they have any say in what I do and who I do it with. I get that it’s a respect thing, but I’m my own person too. I only know that I don’t want to judge my brother’s club without understanding why they believe the way they do.

“I see the wheels turning over there. Let me just say this, though. This isn’t about you. You can do whatever you choose to and only have to worry about Chubs as your brother like you would with Les. This is about Rex and the club. They have their own rules, and he knows them. What they would hold him accountable for is if you and him continued a relationship and kept them in the dark. You don’t want them finding something out on their own, ever. It makes it look wrong if it looks like it was kept hidden. Does that make sense?” Lisa questions.

I nod and find I’m relieved by Lisa’s explanation. When Lisa’s phone beeps with an incoming text, I lift my wine glass and drain it. At Lisa’s raised eyebrows, I shrug. I need the bravery the alcohol will give me before this meeting starts.

“Hey, ladies,” Reeves greets as he and Rex both stand and reach for the backs of our chairs.

Lisa and I both answer with a quick hi before sitting. I set my purse near my feet and then fold my hands nervously in my lap. I’ve only taken one quick peek at Rex, and it was to find his eyes on me. When I lift my head, I aim my eyes toward Reeves.

“What’s up, guys?” Lisa asks and slowly slides a hand between mine under the table.

“We have reason to believe that someone in Club Ace has been slipping drugs into people’s drinks. I should say that we’re pretty sure the four of us got roofied that night,” Rex states in a quiet voice.

My mind blanks for a few seconds before it starts flipping through images of that night. When nothing suspicious comes to me, I turn my eyes to Rex’s face. He’s watching me closely, and I can see the concern in his eyes.

“Wait. You’re saying we got slipped something, and that’s why we can’t remember anything?” Lisa asks in a shocked voice.

“Exactly. We had Church tonight, and Chubs kind of confirmed what we were starting to believe. He has friends on the street that included Club Ace in a list of clubs they gave him that’s been targeted lately,” Reeves states.

“Why would he take us there then?” I ask in a shocked voice. “My brother would never risk that with any female, but especially with Lucy there too.”

“The clubs originally named didn’t include Club Ace. That’s why he insisted we go there and not to Charlie’s like I suggested,” Reeves answers.

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