Friends With Benefits (19 page)

“Maybe it’s time I leave,” Connor said, quietly.

Angela swiveled hard in his direction. “No.”

“I don’t want people to think badly of you, or Tyler.”

“Connor, Angie’s right. I don’t give a shit what people think of me.”

“But I give a shit about what they think of
her
.”

The vehemence of Connor’s statement squashed Tyler’s next words. Damn. He didn’t want Connor to leave. This thing between the three of them, it worked. Angela soared in their arms. Sex with his wife had always been fantastic, but now…fuck, now it was explosive. And he could feel her connecting with Connor. She responded to him, sometimes even initiated things on her own terms now. He knew if Connor left, she would be devastated.

“I’ll deal with it,” she said. “Please, Connor, don’t make any rash decisions. The guy had too much to drink. The other people…well…I guess they’re entitled to their opinions. We’ll just have to be more careful. Or not go out at all.”

Tyler had no intention of hiding out in their home. There had to be an alternative. Scott had said he might be able to help them. He’d give him a call and see what he had to say. Maybe he’d have some suggestions.

The remainder of the trip home was made in silence. Connor never agreed or disagreed with Angela’s request. Tyler knew he needed to convince his friend to stick around.

Tyler pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine. When he emerged from the truck and walked around to join the others, he realized Connor had turned away from the house. He walked away down the driveway.

“Connor, where are you going?” Angela stopped and turned around at Tyler’s question.

“I think I’ll go to my place tonight.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Yeah, it is. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, he flipped them a half-hearted wave and strolled away into the dark.

Hearing Angie’s mournful whimper, Tyler spun around. His heart ached at the hurt look on her face.

“He’ll be back tomorrow. Come on. Let’s go inside. It’s late, and we’re tired.” He wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist and guided her to the front door. He shut and locked it behind them and turned to find her heading toward their bedroom, her head hanging, her shoulders drooping.

There had to be a way to fix this. If he could show Angela and Connor that not everyone was ignorant, maybe—just maybe—he’d have a chance. Tyler flicked off the lights and followed his wife to bed. A bed that, tonight, seemed too big with only the two of them.

Chapter Eighteen

Connor opened the door, inviting Angela to precede him into the post office. In a town of this size, it only took a handful of people to crowd the small space. He passed her the parcel and then walked over to lean against the back wall to wait while she stood in line at the counter. He looked around the room, taking in the display of envelopes and the case of commemorative stamps and coins. A couple of older women stood nearby searching through a rack of cards in the corner.

He was close enough to hear their conversation, and his ears perked up when he heard their words.

“I can’t believe she’d come in here with him.” A short skinny gray-haired woman darted a glance in his direction but snapped it back just as quick.

“What do you mean?” The slightly overweight woman with the cats-eye glasses turned to peer at Angela.

“Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

“Apparently not. There’s gossip about Angela O’Neil?” The second woman seemed surprised at such a thing.

“Oh, yes. It’s shameful, really.”

“Spit it out, Agnes. I know you’re itching to tell me. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“People have spotted her cavorting with that young man over there.” She tilted her head in Connor’s direction.

Connor stiffened, but dropped his gaze, feigning nonchalance and studying his shoes. The last thing he wanted was for them to know he could hear them. He needed to know what rumors were circulating.

Ever since the night at the bar over a week ago, they’d tried to keep their relationship quiet. He’d spent a few nights on his own in the rental, but then had got so lonely for company and the feeling of Angela’s arms around him, he’d gone back to their house, and her and Tyler’s bed.

Connor’s feelings for Angela were growing, gaining a depth he hadn’t expected or wanted. Every day he spent with her, he grew to like her more. Every day he wanted to be with her more. And then he’d go to work and be faced with either Cindy’s nagging phone calls or her father.

Every few days his ex called, wanting to see him. Each and every time he turned her down. But then last night she took it further. She’d threatened to go to her father. She’d already done that once and almost ruined him. If Cindy’s influence usurped his contract with her father now, he might as well throw his plans for his own business out the window.

He glanced over at Angela as she waited her turn in line. Outside the house, Angela behaved as though he were her friend at best. Inside, she had withdrawn a bit. Keeping some distance from both him and Tyler.

Maybe he had overstayed his welcome.

“That’s not her husband,” said the younger woman.

“It certainly isn’t.” Disgust filled the older woman’s whiny voice. “I can’t believe you haven’t heard about this, Nancy.”

“I’ve been out of town for the last few weeks, Agnes.”

“Let me fill you in then.”

Connor shifted his weight to edge a little closer to the ladies. He flicked a glance toward the front of the store, where Angela stood at the counter now, oblivious to the conversation.

“It would seem that Tyler and Angela have invited that young man over there to move in with them.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Nancy asked.

“Two men, living in the same house with one woman?”

“Tyler and Angela are married, Agnes.”

“Yes, well, they’ve also been seen outside by their pool, Angela and that man. I heard they were kissing.”

Somebody must have had their nose pressed up against the fence if they caught that. Connor made a mental note to mention it to Tyler.

“I’ve heard they’re having
relations
.”

Connor almost chuckled. He put his hand over his mouth to prevent its escape. Agnes’s age showed.

“You mean she’s having an affair?” Nancy’s snort of disbelief came across loud and clear. This woman seemed to like Angela and wasn’t ready to accept idle gossip as fact.

Connor relaxed, relieved that not everybody believed the worst.

“No, I don’t mean she’s having an affair.” Connor didn’t want to give himself away, but he pictured Agnes’s stance from her pompous tone. He knew if he looked her head would be tilted at a haughty angle, her nose in the air. “She’s having a relationship with
both
men. At the
same time
.”

“Oh my.”

“Yes. It’s scandalous.”

Connor sneaked a peek to see Agnes shaking her head. Nancy, on the other hand, seemed intrigued. She appeared to be a fair bit younger than Agnes, maybe more open to the possibility of alternative relationships if the glimmer of excitement in her eyes were any indication. Under the veil of his eyelashes, he watched Nancy’s focus return to Agnes.

“You know, Agnes, unless you’ve seen the three of them together for yourself, it’s not polite to propagate the rumor mill. Besides, what they do in the privacy of their home is their business.”

“It’s not natural.” Agnes huffed her displeasure.

“It’s also not the eighteen hundreds.” Nancy reminded her.

“They need to keep it behind closed doors where other people will not see their perverted natures.”

Nancy chuckled. “Oh, dear, you need lighten up a little.”

Connor mentally applauded this woman. Regardless of her age, she seemed to be more open-minded than most.

“I don’t need to do any such thing, dear. I am entitled to my opinion.”

“Yes, you are. I’m sorry.” Nancy sounded contrite. “But you don’t need to extend the gossip mill, either.”

Nancy was neither the first nor the last person Agnes would share this juicy piece of news with. Connor would have to figure out a way to deal with the runaway thread of information before it picked up too much speed. He didn’t want Angela to be embarrassed or ashamed of what they were doing.

“Hey, Connor, I’m finished. You ready to go?”

Connor hadn’t heard Angela approach. He took a quick peek in the ladies’ direction. They must have seen Angela walking in his direction; they’d turned their attention to a group of young children who had come in with their mother.

“Yeah, honey. I’m ready if you are.”

Connor urged her out the post office ahead of him. On instinct he glanced over his shoulder just before he walked through the door. His gaze connected with Nancy’s. She had been watching them. She offered him a knowing smile and winked. Connor returned the acknowledgment and turned to follow Angie out to the car.

One supporter in a sea of naysayers.

Could he really put Angela through that sort of ridicule? Had the scene in the bar and the conversation he’d overheard not taught him anything? He didn’t deserve a woman like her. Fuck, what was he thinking? He couldn’t have her anyway. Not permanently. She belonged to Tyler. He should focus on his professional goals. He should use Cindy until the project reached a point at which her father would have no choice but to keep Connor around.

And as far as Tyler’s plans for the summer…well, summer would soon be over.

* * *

“Hey, Scott, thanks for meeting me.” Tyler took a seat in the booth across from his friend, signaling a waitress to bring them a couple of beers as he did.

“No problem, man. I’m game for a free beer any time.”

Scott and his wife Tammy had been part of their circle of friends for a few years now. A while back, he and Scott had talked about alternative lifestyles and some of Scott’s statements indicated he may have firsthand experience, but Tyler hadn’t thought about that conversation until Scott mentioned it at the bar that night.

“You told me to call you. You said you might be able to help us.”

“How’s Angela?”

“She’s fine. I’m worried about her and Connor though.”

“What do you mean?”

Tyler sighed. “I’m worried they may be reconsidering our relationship based on what they heard some people say that night.”

The waitress delivered their drinks. With a flirtatious smile, she placed a paper coaster and a bottle of domestic beer in front of each man. “Can I get you guys anything else?” Setting a hand on her hip, she jutted her breasts out. She even batted her eyelashes.

Tyler stifled a groan at her antics. “We’re fine for now. Thanks.” At his dismissal, she pouted and moved on to the table of young men being seated on the other side of the room.

Tyler waited until she had stepped far enough away before continuing. At mid-day, the bar wasn’t quite as busy as it had been the evening he’d met Connor here.

“So the three of you
are
in a relationship?”

Tyler nodded. “What did you hear that night?”

Scott scrunched up his face.

“I need to know, Scott. Angie and Connor have been tight-lipped.”

“Most of it wasn’t flattering. A few of the women dumped on Angela’s apparent interest in two men. I heard the word ‘slut’ thrown out, but I also heard a ‘you go girl’ in the mix too.”

“Fuck.”

“Don’t get too upset over it, Tyler. Nosy people butting in, that’s all.”

“I don’t have a problem with it, but Connor and Angie do. Connor’s talking about leaving, and Angie is moping around the house. I know she’s worried about what other people may think of her, but she’s not ready to see Connor leave yet either.”

“I think I can help.”

“That’s why I asked to meet you. I remember you telling me about a club or two in town that catered to alternative lifestyles. I also seem to recall an article in the paper a few months ago about a specific club. Is it still around?”

“Sure is. The one you want is The Vault. I know the guy who owns it. His name is Gabriel McBride. He’s one serious dude, but he knows his business. “

“Is he discreet?” Tyler would not take Angela anywhere their lifestyle choice could be advertised.

“Very. You can generally only get in by referral, and he screens every potential member personally to evaluate their interest and their commitment. He doesn’t tolerate any crap. If he gets even a whiff of deceit he won’t admit you.”

“Perfect. Can you set up a meeting for me?”

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Absolutely.” The thought of having a place, outside their home, where he, Connor, and Angela could meet like-minded people and explore their desires without fear of mockery or condemnation, appealed to him more than he was willing to admit, even to his friend. Something like this might be just the thing he was looking for.

“We need a place where we can go and feel secure,” he said, simply.

“OK then. I’ll contact Gabe.”

“So, how do you know about this place?” Tyler took a pull on his beer, waiting for Scott to answer. When he didn’t, it dawned on him. “You go there, don’t you?”

Scott cleared his throat. “Tammy and I have been going there for a few years now.”

“How did I not know this side of you?”

“We’re very discreet. Only those who are part of the environment are aware. Like you, we didn’t want to risk ridicule. No city is too large. There’s always the chance you’ll run into someone you know. If that happens, you want to trust they can keep your secret, just as you’ll keep theirs.”

“Good point.”

“Gabe will want to meet and talk with Angela and Connor too. I can set up a meeting with him for the three of you. If he thinks you’re sincere, he’ll grant you access to the club. There’s a steep membership, but the price is worth it.” Scott grinned. “Very worth it. Don’t worry, you can afford it.”

Tyler ignored the friendly jibe. “So what’s it like?”

Curiosity filled Tyler, but Scott shook his head. “You’ll find out when you meet Gabe. He’ll give you a tour and tell you everything you need to know.”