CHAPTERTWO
London
Fuck my life.
I never wanted my secret to get out, but maybe it’s time to stop living in the shadows.
It’s scary to think that my life will be on display for all the world. That my parents will see it. Not that they care. They kicked me out of the house when they figured out the real me.
I lied to myself about who I was for so long that I don’t know who I am anymore.
No one really knows about my life. I am the product of a British mother and an American father, with Latino heritage. I don’t even know how they met. My father was in politics, so our family needed to play the part. My sister and I—yeah, I have a sister—we were incredibly close and, for the most part, kept up appearances. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but our parents moved to the States and set up house before we were even born. As I grew older, I started to explore, to live a little, and stopped lying to myself. That’s when I met Afton, a guy in my class. He liked me and I liked him back. We started sneaking and fooling around.
Soon, I fell in love—even went to prom with him.
And then my world came crashing down around me when my parents caught us.
I fell in love with a lie. My parents kicked me out, but not until my dad gave me a good beat down. I never even graduated. I thought Afton would help, but he told me I was just a fling.
My heart and body were broken.
Worse, I had to leave my sister, Aspen. She doesn’t speak. She can, she just won’t. Who would sign for her? Many years ago, she had gone through a traumatic experience and stopped talking. That delighted my mother and father because she was so reserved—the perfect child to parade in front of guests. They were able to keep up the appearance of the “perfect family.” And when someone tried to pry my parents for information about me, they threw money at them to shut them up. They own a security company that caters to politicians and celebrities, so money hasn’t ever been an issue since opening the business.
Until recently, I hadn’t heard from Aspen in years. I feel like a shit brother, but I’m glad for the chance to reconnect. And Afton? Never heard from him again after he pretty much laughed in my face.
I bounced around homeless shelters until I stumbled upon an underground MMA fight. I needed the money, so I signed up, knowing I would get my ass kicked—which I did—but afterward, I was five hundred dollars richer. One of the spectators took pity on me and took me in, got me a place to live, and signed me up for MMA classes. That guy was Sal.
I will always be indebted to him. For years while on the circuit, I dated girls just for the press. And some of them I would take home, but nothing lasted longer than a week. I was nowhere near the player that Memphis had been. No one was like that guy used to be.
None of the guys know I like both men and women. What’s worse? I like Shane.
I’m in such a predicament. I want to dominate him, and I would, but I’m afraid of making a move because he’s straight.
“You okay?” Snow asks, breaking me from my thoughts as Shane sets a plate in front of each of us.
“Yeah, just a lot on my mind.”
On top of that, I have to be strong for Snow and Shane. He loved Ivy, and that went to hell. He’s putting on a good front, though, I have to give him that. It sucks I have feelings for someone I can’t have. Ugh.
“I’m not judging,” Shane whispers in my ear.
“Thanks.” I go to take a bite of bacon, only to have it snatched from my hand.
“Hey!” I shout, swiveling my gaze around the table to find the culprit. Fucking Silas.
“I’m sure there’s more.” Silas grins, eating my bacon.
I was so inside my head that I didn’t even hear him come in. I should tell Shane to put a lock on that door.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to mess with another man’s food?” I grumble, stuffing another piece in my mouth.
Snow gives a few strips to Axel, who winks at her, as he takes a seat. He must have followed his twin into the kitchen.
And she giggles.
She giggled.
We all freeze.