“No, work’s going great.” There were never enough hours in the day, but the time and effort always felt worth it. The company wasn’t just money and power to Tanner, it was his whole life.
Well, the company and now what seemed to be a sex club.
A fucking sex club.
“People ever surprise you?” I shouldn’t have asked, but there was too much running around in my head.
Simon chuckled. “All the fucking time. What’d boss man do?”
Why did he automatically think it was Tanner?
“Nah, someone from college found me online.” I gestured vaguely and sat up to reach for a slice, trying to come up with a cover story. “Seemed like a nice beta, but he’s gone insane and is getting a divorce.”
“That sucks.” Simon glanced quickly at me before grabbing another piece. “His family must be shocked.”
Yeah, divorce wasn’t something that was done, but then again, neither were sex clubs.
Even after the drive home and having to wait an extra ten minutes for the pizza, I was still having trouble processing everything. The Tanner I thought I knew was professional and calm and had some colorful friends, but nothing about him had ever been shocking.
Sure, with as much money and responsibility as he had, his life would never be boring, butnot boringdidn’t mean submissive omegas and heat knotting when a couple wasn’t trying to get pregnant.
Part of me wanted to say it was some kind of odd business venture since Mr. Johnson seemed to be involved and to ignore it. But Wright Shipping didn’t have any diversifications like that.
That meant it had to be personal, right?
“You can’t worry about other people’s lives, man.” Simon’s words had me jerking and I almost dropped the pizza I’d been holding for who knew how long. He snorted, not bothering to hide how funny he found me. “I know you worry, but just eat and let him fuck up his own life.”
Was Tanner fucking up his life?
Simon couldn’t have known how he’d sent my thoughts whirling again. “Yeah, it’s just hard.”
But it was Tanner’s life. He always knew what he wanted and where he was going. Would this be any different? I’d never known the man to do anything that wasn’t thought out and planned. Mr. Johnson, on the other hand, was just as methodical about his business dealings but a little wild with his personal life, so his involvement didn’t surprise me.
“You need to learn to lie better, man.” Simon actually took the uneaten pizza out of my hand and set it back on the table. “Even as a kid you couldn’t lie worth shit.”
I shrugged, trying to keep a blank face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Simon chuckled, watching me reach for my piece again. “You have a good blank face. I’ll give you that. If you can’t talk about it that’s fine, but don’t get all moody and shit.”
Snorting, I swallowed around the bite of pizza I’d finally taken. “Thanks, love you too.”
He grinned. “Cause I’m so loveable.” Then his expression turned more serious. “You’re never this quiet. It’s usually Mr. Wright this and Mr. Wright that.”
He made me sound like a teenager.
“I have a fascinating job.” Taking another bite gave me a few seconds’ reprieve. “And I never talk about work at home.”
Simon laughed. “I didn’t say work. I saidMr. Wright.” Tanner’s name came out in a singsong voice that made me look like a lovesick kid with his first crush. “Mr. Wright didn’t eat lunch. Mr. Wright works too much. Mr. Wright came in late.”
“You’re insane.” And I was going to have to watch what I said better. “It’s not like I see a ton of people every day.”
Of course I’d talk about him.
Rolling his eyes, Simon grabbed another piece. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Asshole.
Finishing off my slice, I reached for my phone. “Just watch your game or I’m going to stop paying for cable.”
