Tusk’s Fury Novel – This morning, I’m pacing in my apartment. It’s been a month since Tusk was patched into the Legion, and I’m still not in his property cut. We’ve been together for almost eleven months. If he doesn’t know by now whether he wants me, I don’t know what else I can do to convince him. I toy with the magnificent bracelet he gave me, trying to work through what I might be doing wrong—what’s keeping our relationship in this holding pattern. I’m doing everything I can think of to turn my life around. I don’t stay at the clubhouse anymore.
Tusk and I talked about living together. But his kids visit every other week since he has joint custody. They’re young, so we decided to ease them into knowing me before we even consider me moving in. I stay at his place a lot when they’re with their mom. For now, I have a one-bedroom apartment in the same complex as him. We’re both satisfied with the arrangement so far. The club used to be my whole life, but now I only go there if I’m with Tusk or meeting an occasional friend. Otherwise, I have no reason to be there. If I’m totally honest, it’s a relief. My time there was filled with stress, conflict, aggravation, and the constant desperation of trying to find a good relationship.
Nothing ever worked out for me at the clubhouse—until Tusk came along. It didn’t matter to me that he was just a prospect. I fell for him almost immediately. I have a job as a receptionist at a doctor’s office. Rider’s old lady, Frannie, got me the job, I’m not remotely qualified for it, but they promised to train me. The pay is enough to cover my expenses, and the work is growing on me. I’m even thinking about taking classes to become a nurse. Today, I arranged to meet Tex’s wife, Clara, at the clubhouse for breakfast. She wants to plan a birthday party for Tex, and I offered to help her. We’re unlikely friends, to be honest.
Clara’s husband was the one who cheated with Tusk’s wife. It blew up both their lives. Their situation is even more complicated because Tusk’s wife is Clara’s sister. I don’t know if I could handle my sister cheating with my husband without beating her, but Clara takes it in stride. She’s clearly a better woman than me. Anyway, Clara and Tusk remain friends. Why not? They both know the sting of betrayal from the same situation.