Page 73 of Thick as Thieves
I close my eyes. I’m so frustrated, and I really want to tune them out, not have to listen to a word they say. I’ve worked so hard these past few months, and certainly weeks, trying to tone down the negative. Push anything that will hurt me out of my mind. I thought it would only be from outside sources, and I could deal with that. People that didn’t know me, didn’t know us, sitting in judgement. But no, I’m disappointed again. It’s up close and personal from within my home walls. What’s the saying about eavesdroppers never hearing anything nice? But this isn’t deliberate. I just needed a minute, and now I’m having to listen to them dissect me. I roll my eyes.
“Gabe says Xander is buzzing about the club next door. And now, well, after whatever he just did, he’s as high as a kite. Gabe reckons he’ll tie her up, and—” Candy, I think, states excitedly, playing her part up as information guru until she gets interrupted.
“Xan ties everyone up. He tied me up last summer,” Texas, gloats, trying to sound bored, but failing. I can hear the excitement in her tone.
My stomach drops, my jaw clenching together. I’ve tried not to think about what went on at Farm Cottage last summer. I’ve tried not to contemplate Xander with anyone. It was hard enough putting Kell’s past behind me, but I have it in tandem. They were both prolific with women. And, unfortunately, I’ve had to face those demons. But I know it’s more basic than that. I’m jealous. I try not to be, but I know I am. I’ve tried to be the bigger person, it’s in the past blah, blah. But I know I’m failing. And the closer Texas tried to get to us as a family, the more jealous I feel I’ve become. The more territorial. It’s not a good look, and I don’t like that I feel like that. But I know I do.
“Made Becky do lots of things to me,” she continues. “And when I say made…”
They all laugh. I, and they, know there was no making or forcing going on.
“Did he whip you, Tex? I’ve heard stories about him with the whip, ropes, and floggers. We never got that far in LA at Christmas, but what he did do to us both, well, goddamn amazing. I’ve never looked at a hairbrush in the same way since. Best night of our lives.” Clara is panting as if the memory is too much for her.
“Oh God yes, it was out of this world,” Tanya pipes up. “Best sex I’ve ever had. And believe me, I’ve had a lot. Levi is fantastic, but when Xander got involved. Next level.”
I didn’t know he’d been with them both at Christmas, before me. No one ever said. It was bad enough to know that both Kell and Xan had been with Texas at points in the past, but these two? They’ve been in my home, and I was oblivious. God, they’re so incestuous. I feel like a fool. They must have thought me so weak. Smiling and chatting with them when we were at gigs. They never once gave any inkling they knew Xander that way.
It crosses my mind if he’s warned them not to say. He knows I wouldn’t want them up close and personal. I close my eyes, hoping they all shut up, but I’m not that lucky.
“I know he’ll do it to Evie. He devours her at every opportunity at home. I come nearly every hour. I can’t wait to watch that. They’re careful even at home that no one sees them together. But if he does what he did to me, I’ll be first in the queue to touch her,” Texas states again, excitement oozing from her voice.
“I think you’re a bit invested in her, Texas. You need to get a grip.” Clara again.
I now feel utterly sick. My bees have returned with a full on army, and are swarming like mad. Nausea rolls in the pit my stomach, visions of Texas tied up, Xan with a fucking whip. Ew, and Becky. Sweet oblivion, please take me away from all this shit. And now I’ve got pictures of the other two imprinting themselves in my brain. And what the hell does a hairbrush have to do with it?
No one should have to put up with this. How could he not say? How could he act so indifferent towards the girls? I would never have guessed they’d met before with how he treats them. To be so intimate, and only six months ago. Clearly he’s as good as Kell at compartmentalising sex.
“Where did she go? She’s not in here. That toilet’s out of order and that one is free.” Tanya points out.
“She’s always disappearing, noticeably every time we turn up. She’s giving me a complex.” Candy laughs. “If she’s not going into the city, she’s with her nanny and her family. She never sits still. I feel tired just watching her.”
“Well, she’s left those men on their own upstairs. She must be uber confident in her appeal. If they were mine, I’d be hanging on like a limpet. Be on my guard every minute of every day. I mean, we all would, and we live with them,” Clara muses. “The guys want to go to the other club, so maybe she’s said no and left. God I hope so.”
“Well I want to watch Xander. For me, he’s the best looking of them all, in a dark way. I saw the look on his face when he was talking to her. I nearly came,” Tanya states as a matter of fact and they’re all laughing.
“I thought she wasn’t into being public,” says Candy—Gabe’s sole remaining devotee—with an attitude. “Could have fooled me. Fair enough you couldn’t see what they were doing, but everyone knew they were doing something to her. And it doesn’t take much imagination to figure it out.”
Clara climbs on the bandwagon. “She’s a liar. Plays miss goody goody, and all the while she isn’t. She can’t be if she’s fucking those two and keeping them loyal, which she’s managing at present. I take my hat off to her. She must be on her back twenty-four seven. No wonder she has everyone running around after her. She hasn’t got time for those kids, she’s too busy fucking two rock stars.” She sounds a cross between venomous and admiration.
And here we go. I have deja vu.
“It won’t last. They’re too extrovert, and they’ll always want more. She won’t be enough. It may be the three of them now, but eventually they’ll talk her into Gabe and Levi, then us.”
Texas, the traitorous bitch. I hear them all giggle.
“Then a show in a club,” she continues prattling on. “They’ve done all that already. Been the entertainment at times. Especially Marcus, he’s such an exhibitionist. Fucked a girl I know at an awards dinner. Atthe table,” Texas finishes off with a flourish.
They all laugh. What is wrong with them that they think that is funny?
And for me—Bingo, my worst fears are spoken aloud. My doubts and insecurities aimed for and hit the bullseye.
“If you know him that well, shouldn’t you be calling him ‘Kellen’,” sniggers Candy. She’s taking a pot shot at Texas. No honour amongst thieves.
“I don’t dare. He’ll go off at me and I’ll be thrown out,” Texas replies. “I can’t afford to piss them off. I need my fix every day. I’ve had to get more batteries for my vibrator. Gabe is just not cutting it with those three around.” They all cackle like witches.
Jesus fucking Christ, what the hell has been going on here? My nerves are shredding by the second. My day started full of anxiety, now it’s hit a precipice.
“So is Marcus worse than Xander?” asks Tanya. “Just asking for a friend.”
