Okay, pivoting.
“That was a... prank,” I settle on. God, how can I even begin to explain this to him without telling him things about several of his teammates that he doesn’t want to know?
“A prank?” His brows lower with skepticism.
I think through my words for a long moment.
“Let’s just say some of your teammates are familiar with Provoke, and there have been some... situations. Honestly, I know that’s vague, but that’s as much as I can say about the whole thing. Except maybe I can tell you that it’s all in good fun and everyone involved gives each other shit in a friendly way.”
There’s no way I can tell him my brother has slept with not only Benny but two of his other teammates too—many years ago and before he met Benny, of course—and that it’s thanks to that connection that they met their now husbands, but it was still a tense situation when everyone found out.
“Okaay.” He draws out the word, but nods simply after a moment.
“In any case, we don’t really advertise. Like I said, members bring in people who they trust.
“Because it’s all supposed to be super secret,” he says, now looking amused.
Why is every expression on his face more attractive than the last? Seriously, does the universe want to torture me?
“Yeah,” I agree lamely, but I can’t stop a smile from stretching my cheeks.
“It makes sense, then.” He nods once as if the matter’s settled.
It’s the moment I’ve been dreading, but it’s here at last, and I’m surprised at how resolute I feel.
“So, for a membership we’d run a background check, and of course I’ll still have to get that done, but you can get a day pass while it’s processed.”
I’m positive nothing about his history will throw any red flags, so of course?—
“Do you normally take care of those?”
My gaze snaps up to his once again confused frown, and it takes me a second to understand.
“Well, no,” I admit.
“Then why would you bother with doing the background check? You’re the owner. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
I don’t really know what to say to that, especially because his tone has changed slightly. I pride myself on how perceptive I am—it’s a trick of the trade, if you will—and I could swear Timmy’s trying to act coy and maybe... flirty.
That can’t be.
So I plow right through.
“You’ll pay for the privilege of coming in, and you can use the facilities with other members however you please. Every member is aware of the rules—consent before anything, no drugs, illicit or otherwise, no alcohol unless both parties agree that it’s part of their play, and red always means stop no matter the situation or if you’ve agreed on different safewords.” I pause for a moment until Timmy nods. It’s important that he understands every single aspect of what the membership entailsbefore I even put the contract in front of him. “If you want to pay for any other services, then you can’t drink alcohol and there’s an extra fee. We always have a range of men with different kinks and specialities available.”
“What about you?”
My jaw drops unceremoniously at the question.
“What?” I hate that my voice comes out shakyFucking get it together, Jake.
“Are you available?”
He raises his chin, looking so fucking confident while I sputter.
“No—what? I don’t—I don’t do that anymore.”
The confession—even if it’s technically a lie—slips out more easily than any truth about me has in years.