Insider (Exodus End #1)(84)
Author: Olivia Cunning

“You know, it started out that way,” Reagan said, chewing on the end of her finger thoughtfully. “But nope, we’re all emotionally invested now.”

“That’s wild,” Toni said for lack of anything more poignant to add.

“It just feels natural to us. But the rest of the world doesn’t get it. They might never get it. So that’s why I try to hide it.”

Toni nodded. She didn’t get it, so she was sure plenty of folks out there were unable to grasp the concept. She didn’t hold their unique lifestyle against them—love was love—but she knew there were a lot of people in the world who would hold it against them. And try to destroy what they had. So Toni completely understood why Reagan was keeping the truth about her complicated love life a secret.

“I won’t tell anyone,” Toni said. Though she would like to discuss it with Logan, her sex instructor. Maybe he could explain some of the sexual parts of a polyamorous relationship to her. “Does Logan know?”

“Yeah. All the guys in Sinners know and all the guys in Exodus End know, but no one else.”

“Not even Butch?”

“Of course Butch knows. He helps us hide it more than anyone. But no one else knows. Well, except Myrna and Jessica. Um, and Rebekah Sticks and Jace’s fiancée, Aggie.” Reagan cringed. “And a couple of the security team. Shit. I didn’t realize how many people know about us. It’s kind of scary, you know?”

Toni nodded. She didn’t plan to talk about it in front of anyone—with the exception of Logan—but it was good to know who was privy to the information, just in case something slipped or the trio needed help covering their trail. Toni would do her best to help Reagan keep her secret.

“What does your family think about it?”

Reagan paled. “My family definitely doesn’t know. And I hope they never will. My father would die. And he’d take me with him.”

“He’d probably freak out at first, but I’m sure he just wants you to be happy.”

Reagan shook her head. “Nope. He wants me to be like you when I grow up.”

Toni tilted her head, wondering what she meant by that. “Like me?”

“A sweet and charming good girl.”

Well, that didn’t sound very fun. Toni scowled.

“Who has been irreparably damaged by a very, very bad boy.” Reagan laughed. “Don’t look so glum, sweetie. Same thing happened to me. I just happened to be fifteen at the time.”

“I’m a late bloomer,” Toni said and laughed.

“Those bad boys are an addictive adrenaline rush. Once you’re hooked, you’ll keep going back for more.”

“Until it takes two to feed your addiction?”

Mouth open, Reagan blinked at her in astonishment. But before Toni could utter the quick apology on her tongue, Reagan burst out laughing.

“I never thought of it that way, but I think you might be right.”

The door slid open. “That doesn’t sound like making out to me,” Logan said, peeking in at them from between the doorframe and the edge of the sliding door.

“Privacy!” Reagan tossed a pillow that hit him square in the face.

“We’re stopping for sandwiches, and Butch told me to ask Toni what she wants.”

Steve’s head appeared over the top of Logan’s head as he stood on tiptoe to peer in at them.

“He means Butch was headed back to ask Toni what she wants, but at the mention of her name, Logan tackled Butch to the floor and sprinted to the back of the bus because he’s obsessed.”

Logan frowned, turned to shove Steve off his back, and then smiled into the lounge again. “So what would you like?” he asked Toni, his gaze so intense she could almost feel it against her skin.

“Oh my God, he is obsessed!” Reagan shouted.

“Shut up! The woman has to eat.”

“What do they have?” Toni asked, trying not to grin at the way Logan’s bandmates were teasing him.

“Cold cut subs.”

“Turkey on wheat with extra jalapeños.”

“You won’t want her to suck your dick tonight,” Steve joked. “It’ll burn so bad, you’ll need a fire extinguisher.”

Logan covered Steve’s face with his splayed hand and shoved him out of view again.

“Oh.” Toni nibbled on her lower lip. She hadn’t considered what effect eating jalapeños would have on Logan’s anatomy. “Hold the jalapeños.”

Logan grinned and winked at her before turning away. “Guess who’s getting his dick sucked?” he said to Steve as he slid the door shut. “Again.”

Toni’s face flamed much hotter than any jalapeño that had ever existed. “Are guys always that embarrassing?”

“Pretty much.”

Toni lifted her recording device. “I’m going to turn this on now,” she warned, “so anything you say is fair game for the book.”

Reagan nodded, and Toni pressed the record button.

“How did you get picked to play guitar for Exodus End?”

“Their manager, Sam Baily, thought it would be good publicity to do a contest. So hundreds, maybe thousands, of hopeful guitarists sent in demos of their work. I actually entered on a dare. Anyway, the top five were selected by Sam—which I didn’t realize until recently. Have you met Sam yet?”

Toni shook her head.

“That would explain why you’re still here.”

Before Toni could ask what Reagan meant by that, Reagan continued her story.

“The top five had to audition live for the band, except the guys couldn’t see us. They had to base their pick solely on our sound.”

“So I’m assuming you won?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t believe it. And neither could Pyre Vamp, apparently.” Reagan’s lip curled and she lifted a hand to cover her throat.

“The guitarist for Hell’s Crypt?”

“Yep, that’s the guy.”

“Didn’t they unexpectedly pull out of the tour last month?” Toni had run across that tidbit when she’d been preparing for her trip. The details of Hell’s Crypt leaving the tour had been vague.

“They sure did. Because of this.” She traced a faded yellow mark on her neck.

“Is it that a bruise?” Toni had no idea how a bruise would lead to an up-and-coming band pulling out of a career-changing tour with Exodus End.

“It’s almost gone now. You should have seen it a week ago.”