Page 43 of Ordinary Secrets

I’ve been doing everything I can to cut ties with him. Telling him off has only made things worse. Never leaving my apartment isn’t feasible, and never coming home is the same. I’ve tried looking for a new place to live. Unfortunately, all the other apartments I’ve toured are smaller for twice the rent. He’d find me anyway. Filing a restraining order did nothing more than get his deputy chief father involved. After that, it’s like the entire police force was on his side.

Am I ever going to get my life back?I hate that I can’t spend one night out with a guy without my past huffing down my neck. Tonight was the first time in a while that I’ve felt some peace. I feltsafe. Being in Long Beach made me feel like Nathan couldn’t find me. Being with Trey made me forget about him altogether. I can’t allow my ex to keep doing this to me.

Eventually, things need to change. I just wish I knew how to make it happen.

13

TREY

It’s beentwo days since I had dinner with Arella. We’ve been texting back and forth so much that my phone is almost always in my hands, but I have yet to see her again. She has yet to mention it, either. Two days is long enough to wait before giving it another shot.

Hey beautiful! My band and crew are coming over tonight for a little get together at my place. You wanna come? Javina and her girlfriend are welcome too.

Hey pretty boy! It’s Javina. Ari and I will be there. What time?

I grin at the text. I purposely waited until I knew Arella was at work with Javina before texting her. I figured that if Javina knew she was invited, she’d convince Arella to come.

How about seven?

I text her my address.

Thanks, hot stuff. We’ll see ya then!

Sorry, you’ll have to excuse Javina and do the same tonight too. She has no boundaries. I’ll see you tonight.

Can’t wait!

Fuck yeah.Now all I’ve gotta do is convince people to come over.

When I arrive at the Soul House for rehearsal in the afternoon, the backstage area is empty. After my bandmates show up, I mention the idea of having a little get-together. Marcus and Emmy are the first to jump in.

“I’ll bring some snacks!” Emmy says.

“I’ll get the drinks,” Marcus adds.

“I’ll provide the pizza,” I say, glancing at Kevin, who looks hesitant. “And we can set up a poker table.”

He flashes me ayou know me so wellgrin. “Pizza? Poker? I’m down!”

By the time we’re done working and everyone’s in my backyard, my “little get-together” has turned into a huge party. I figured that since it was last minute, only a few people would show up.

And I thought wrong.

Not only is most of the crew here, Kevin’s two older brothers are too. Like Kevin, they heardpokerand couldn’t resist.

Upbeat music blasts over my speakers. Cardboard boxes of pepperoni pizzas decorate a long fold-up table. A few crew members have brought their dogs and are chatting by the fire pit. Everyone else is scattered around playing card games, mixing drinks, or telling stories on my patio.

Arella and Javina are the last to show up. Javina struts through the wooden gate first. Behind her comes Arella in a flowy white sundress that shows just enough cleavage to get my dick to harden. My gaze skates down her slender legs. My hands twitch from wanting to run my palms up and down her skin. I know I’m supposed to only get information from her, and I shouldn’t be as attracted to her as I am, but damn, she’s fucking gorgeous.

I wave from the pizza table, hoping my boner isn’t noticeable. “Hey, ladies! Thanks for comin’.” In my head, I thank Javina profusely for being here. I doubt Arella would have come on her own.

“Thanks for the invite!” Javina says.

“Wow. There’s a lot of people here.” Arella has all her hair tied into a braid falling over one shoulder. Wisps of wavy curls frame her face as she eyes the crowd.

“Apparently our team didn’t have much else going on tonight,” I say.

“T!” Liz calls from a distance. “Come! Monique wants us to take a quick band pic for the socials.”

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