Page 7 of Tusk's Fury

I’m doing everything I can think of to turn my life around. I don’t stay at the clubhouse anymore. Tusk and I talked about living together. But his kids visit every other week since he has joint custody. They’re young, so we decided to ease them into knowing me before we even consider me moving in.

I stay at his place a lot when they’re with their mom. For now, I have a one-bedroom apartment in the same complex as him. We’re both satisfied with the arrangement so far.

The club used to be my whole life, but now I only go there if I’m with Tusk or meeting an occasional friend. Otherwise, I have no reason to be there. If I’m totally honest, it’s a relief. My time there was filled with stress, conflict, aggravation, and the constant desperation of trying to find a good relationship. Nothing ever worked out for me at the clubhouse—until Tusk came along. It didn’t matter to me that he was just a prospect. I fell for him almost immediately.

I have a job as a receptionist at a doctor’s office. Rider’s old lady, Frannie, got me the job, I’m not remotely qualified for it, but they promised to train me. The pay is enough to cover my expenses, and the work is growing on me. I’m even thinking about taking classes to become a nurse.

Today, I arranged to meet Tex’s wife, Clara, at the clubhouse for breakfast. She wants to plan a birthday party for Tex, and I offered to help her.

We’re unlikely friends, to be honest. Clara’s husband was the one who cheated with Tusk’s wife. It blew up both their lives. Their situation is even more complicated because Tusk’s wife is Clara’s sister. I don’t know if I could handle my sister cheating with my husband without beating her ass, but Clara takes it in stride. She’s clearly a better woman than me.

Anyway, Clara and Tusk remain friends. Why not? They both know the sting of betrayal from the same situation.

She’s been my one true friend. She accepted that the most fucked-up club girl in the clubhouse could turn her life around and find enough redemption to be worthy of a brother. I tend to get a lukewarm reception from most of the other old ladies. They aren’t exactly rude, but they don’t invite me to their gatherings. Maybe it’s because Tusk hasn’t given me his property cut yet—so although I’m no longer a club girl, I’m not quite an old lady in their eyes yet.

In a lot of ways, club life is way more complicated than it seems at first glance.

As for the brothers, they look right through me. I get the feeling it’s either because they see me as Tusk’s woman and don’t want to piss him off by being overly friendly, or they’re annoyed that I left the club girl life—making one less girl to go around. Either way, my warm reception at the clubhouse has dried right up.

My phone alarm buzzes, reminding me it’s time to leave for my breakfast meeting with Clara. I’m still feeling a little sick to my stomach, I’ve been feeling off for a couple of days, but I guess working in a doctor’s office I’m more likely to pick up bugs. I decide it might be best to skip breakfast and just have tea and crackers. I quickly cram some saltines in my purse and head for the clubhouse.

This is Tusk’s week with his kids, so he won’t be available all weekend. Me time is good, and absence makes the heart grow fonder, I tell myself.

When I get to the clubhouse, the prospects wave me through the gate without much fanfare. I park my car and walk inside—only to find Tusk there with his entire family. Even his ex-wife is sitting at the table.

One of the boys is wearing a sparkling blue birthday hat. I glance away. Gina, his ex-wife, hates me. I’ve already gotten some nasty text messages from her. I don’t know what her problem is seeing as she’s the one who cheated. Tusk swears he didn’t give her my number. Then again, he also told me he didn’t take his ex-wife out or spend time with her.

I convince myself this is just because of a special occasion. It has to be that—because if not, the man I love is lying to me. And I won’t accept that.

Clara waves at me from a table straight back from the door, so I don’t have to pass Tusk and his family. I eagerly rush over and drop into a seat opposite her. The urge to run away claws at me—to get out of here before I have to see Tusk surrounded by his family.

I don’t, though, because I promised Clara. Planning the perfect party for Tex is important to her, and I can’t let her down.

She looks up at me and smiles. “Thanks for coming out to meet me today, Brittany.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it. I have the weekend to myself and could use an interesting distraction.”

She beams. “I know you like hot tea instead of coffee in the morning, so I brought you one to start your day off right. I figured we could fill our plates once you got here.”

“That was thoughtful. I can’t thank you enough.” I slide the paper cup of tea closer and add a couple of packets of sugar. Then I pull out my crackers and open them.

“What were you thinking in terms of a party?” I ask. “Something large or small?”

Clara glances at Tusk and his family. Lowering her voice, she asks, “Girl, are you going to pretend that isn’t happening? Gina is sitting there acting like she owns the place.”

I rub my forehead and whisper back, “What choice do I have?” Taking a soothing sip of tea, I do my best to explain. “I know that Tusk and I have been exclusive for months, but he hasn’t given me his property cut. The reality is, I have no real claim on him. You know what I mean?”

She nods. “I get it. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Shooting another quick glance at them, she says, “Gina and I haven’t been on speaking terms for a long time. If you’re sure, we’ll stay. If not, we can always do this later.”

Just then, Tusk gets up and walks out of the clubhouse with his family. I’m pretty sure he didn’t even see me come in, much less recognize me sitting in the back with my back turned. I also notice that he’s not wearing the knife I gave him, even though he normally never takes it off.

I don’t know how to interpret that. My emotions are all over the place.

I’m too choked up to speak when Silver slithers over to our table. By the look on her face she’s ready to twist the knife.

“Long time, no see. I hate that you had to witness Tusk making up with his ex-wife like that. It must have been devastating.”

Clara hisses, “Go away, Silver. This is hard enough without you gloating.”

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