Page 37

Thierry faced me after setting the temp on the water. The scar on his knee might be a bit larger now, but his leg healed like Dr. Jay said it would. Took a little longer, though. “I’m nervous.”

“The guys are going to be ecstatic you’re back.” I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around him. “Don’t forget, you’re Thierry Thomas. NHL star.”

“I kind of like the sound of that,” he murmured before opening the door to the shower. “Join me?”

He didn’t have to tell me twice.

I had the flat screen on in the shop while I waited for Rick.

The background noise took away from the din of silence.

The guys didn’t come in until three for the night shift, with Simone taking the front window space at eight.

She’d raked up quite the following since she arrived, and I was glad she was there.

When we met in Vegas, she’d taken me under her wing like a long-lost sister I never knew I needed. Now, I was returning the favor, getting her away from an asshole ex-husband whose middle name was domestic abuser.

“Actor, influencer and drag queen Kewpie Doll aka Derrick Whitlock was arrested on domestic violence charges along with stalking and revenge porn,” a reporter said.

“He’s been detained at the Manhattan Detention Complex until arraignment.

If assigned bail, the amount could range from ten thousand to a hundred thousand dollars.

Derrick has been featured on Drag Race, D-List Celebrities, and has had a recurring role on Help!

Fix My Relationship. Requests for comments from his lawyers and publicist have gone unanswered at the time of this broadcast.”

I exhaled, stunned by his arrest, but not shocked at why.

Since we’d found the app on Thierry’s phone, I’d known it was a matter of time before someone got hurt.

I was glad it hadn’t been Thierry but ached for whoever pressed charges.

I’d seen the comments his fans left about his relationship with Thierry.

When we talked about it… I wanted to beat the shit out of him.

Let’s just say narcissists know how to influence people and manipulate them into believing anything they say.

Them reveling in the posts supporting them, only fed the beast.

The door to the shop opened moments later and Rick stepped in with the biggest grin on his face. We’d chosen now to do the tattoo since the team had a bye-week, which gave him the time needed to heal before he got tossed around.

“Hey man,” I said, standing. “You ready to do this?”

“You know it,” he replied, joining me at the table. “So, how’s Thierry holding up?”

I flicked my gaze toward him as I gathered what I needed. “How long has it been out there?”

“Since this morning,” Rick answered. “Lily-Mae was going to call him, but Jenner is sick, and Douglas is teething, so we’re running low on sleep and the ability to use our inside voices.”

I chuckled while cutting out the transfer. “Not surprised, man. I want to do a lot more than talk to him. What I’d really like is a fist to face meeting with Derrick. It would only take five minutes.”

Rick chuckled. “Lily-Mae said cast iron skillet to the head.”

“There is a reason I like Lily-Mae,” I said with a laugh. “So, which arm are we doing this on?”

“Right,” he said, placing his arm face up on the bench under the light. “Everyone will see it since it’s my throwing arm.”

I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” I let the transfer ink dry on his arm while I poured out the ink I’d use to outline and color the tattoo in. “I don’t know if Thierry has heard about the incident yet.”

“Better he doesn’t,” Rick said. “Thierry doesn’t need that weight around his neck anymore.”

Of that, I couldn’t agree more.

Three hours later, I exited the shop, knowing the guys had everything well in hand and Simone would be down later to start work.

Since I was living with Thierry now, I let her stay in my apartment above the shop.

It was small, but safer for her than with her ex.

Plus, Thierry and I did a few upgrades making the space more of a place to live than somewhere to lay my head.

As I drove to meet Thierry, more reports came in about Derrick, and I knew there was no way to avoid telling him. I was sure reporters and paparazzi would be waiting for him to exit the complex. Just another way for Derrick to fuck with him from prison.

Sure enough, when I pulled up to the gate, reporter vans and men with cameras stood outside the fence waiting for the moment Thierry would appear.

Fuckers. I pulled up to the parking gate and showed my pass the team gave me, to the person on duty.

The attendant let me in, and I drove up to the door to park.

There was a secondary exit across the lot, and that was how we’d get out of there.

Especially if Thierry didn’t want to speak with the reporters waiting on him.

As I got out, Thierry exited the building, a resolute expression on his face along with a paper in his hands. His expression morphed to relief the second he saw me, and I held open my arms for him. “Hey...They’re everywhere out here.”

“I know,” he said. “The team and I have seen the reports. I’ve come up with a statement.”

“Fuck,” I said on a sigh. “Did someone tell you to?”

He shook his head. “Nope. I’m doing this on my own. I want to lend support to whoever he attacked. Cobi called too. Said he was forwarding everything from that day in the hospital. He thought it might help the prosecution in Manhattan.”

I nodded. “I wondered if maybe.”

“Yeah,” he replied. “Looks like Derrick also owns stock in the app or helped crowdsource the app. Not a good look.”

Holy. Shit.

“I’m going with you,” I said, not giving a shit if those people out there wanted me with Thierry or not. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

He sagged a little. “Thank you.”

I grasped his chin, tilting his face up. “You never have to thank me,” I said before brushing a kiss over his lips.

“We’re coming too,” Christopher said, Richard following behind him.

“Don’t forget me,” Pavel added. “I don’t like abusers.”

Seeing the door open and more of his team exit the building to join Thierry, warmed a spot in my chest I absently rubbed.

These guys had his back just like I did, and I knew he had theirs too.

In a group, we walked back to the entrance and stood on the closed side.

The shouts of questions and clicks of shutters from the cameras filled the silence stretching between Thierry and those who waited for him to speak.

“My statement is short, and I won’t be taking questions at all,” Thierry said, staring at each person who listened.

“My time with Derrick Whitlock was short lived. I found out rather quickly the type of person he was, and did what I had to, to make a clean break from him. The salacious stories that followed about me, were stories he’s told to garner sympathy.

The accusations of abuse and cheating are a direct reflection of his character.

There are multiple photos floating around of bruises left on my face from his disturbed actions.

I have always stayed silent in the face of these challenges, but today I break my silence. ”

I placed my hand on Thierry’s shoulder to steady him.

“Domestic violence is nothing new for Derrick Whitlock.

Nor is cheating. To his victim or victims, I am sorry I stayed quiet.

I thought by not saying anything he would go away.

Unfortunately, my inability to speak out, caused harm to others.

For that I cannot apologize enough. For the makers of PomPom , you know the type of app you created.

Put in the hands of someone like Derrick Whitlock, will or already has, caused undo stress, fear, and anxiety for unsuspecting users of the app.

At the behest of Nashville Metropolitan Police, I have agreed the information gathered during an incident that involved Derrick and myself in connection with PomPom should be given over to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for further investigation.

Specifically, after Derrick began showing up everywhere I was without being told my location.

To anyone out there who believes they are a victim of PomPom, report them and the user who is stalking you. Thank you.”

Thierry folded up the paper and pivoted, walking back toward the complex while reporters yelled out questions and more photos were taken. I was so damn proud of him. Whatever came next, I’d be right by his side.

“I want to go home,” he said. “Eat pizza and watch movies.”

That sounded really good. “As long as we can make a blanket fort.”

Thierry grinned. “You’re on.”