Page 113 of Angels & Whiskey

“What? Are you two like secret agents or something?” Brandi laughed.

Paul laughed. “Sometimes.”

Gabe nudged Paul and then Brandi spoke as if she didn’t hear Paul’s response. “Let’s just go and see what they have to say, Autumn. If you still don’t like it, you can stay with me until we figure out your house situation.” “Fine, let’s go.” I downed the rest of my drinkstillneeding the liquid courage.

The alcohol was starting to heat up my veins by the time we arrived back at the house. He was ready to talk and so was I.

“You might want to sit down.” Gabe gestured toward the couch.

“Or have some more to drink.” Paul laughed.

I gave Brandi a wary look as we both sat on the couch. “I’ll take a shot of Fireball.”

Paul walked toward the kitchen while Gabe sat in a chair in front of me. My gaze met his and I could see the worry in his emerald eyes. Whatever he had to tell me was scaring him.

“Promise that you’ll let me tell you everything before you storm off?” Gabe pleaded.

I nodded and reached for the shot of whiskey from Paul.

“Do you want me to leave the room?” Brandi asked.

“No.” Gabe shook his head. “Autumn will tell you eventually, and it’s better if you hear it directly from us.”

“Us?” I asked as I set the glass down.

“Should I have a shot too?” Brandi asked with a chuckle and looked up at Paul.

“You might need one, firecracker.”

Brandi and I looked at each other while Paul poured her a shot and refilled mine. I eyed the shot glass then looked back up to Gabe. He nodded for me to take the shot. I didn’t question him. Whatever he was going to tell me was probably better not one-hundred percent lucid.

After taking a deep breath, Gabe glanced at Paul and then back at me. “We’re male escorts.”

It felt as if the room spun. Like a dizzy spell came over me. Part of me had expected him to tell me he was in the Secret Service or working for the FBI, but I never expected him to tell me that people paid him for sex.

“Come again?” Brandi uttered.

“It’s not as bad as you think,” Paul said.

“We’re paid to go on dates,” Gabe said.

I still couldn’t speak. I wasn’t sure if I should be mad or find it funny. I never in a million years thought they’d be escorts. Last I knew, it was illegal to pay for sex. Apparently, I was attracted to criminals.

“I should clarify that today was mylastdate.”

I felt three sets of eyes on me, waiting for a response. “I need some air.” I stood and made my way toward the backyard. Gabe had asked me not to storm off, but it was too much. I’d only been with four guys in my twenty-nine years and Gabe apparently had been with … well,a lotof women.

“Angel, I quit because of you.”

My hand stayed glued to the door handle. I looked over my shoulder at him. “You did?”

“Tonight was the first date I’d been on since we’ve been together. I hadn’t had a chance to quit before today.”

Turning around to face him, I asked, “Why didn’t you just tell me when I asked you what you did for a living?”

I could hear Brandi and Paul laughing in the living room. Seemed she was okay with her friends being male escorts. If Gabe and I were just friends, I’d probably find the situation funny, too.

“I didn’t want to lose you before I could save you.”