I sat in my car as watching people go about their lives till I spotted Joann at the front doors of Langhurst Realtors. She looked a little annoyed talking to some man in a blue flannel shirt and jeans so I got out and made my way over.

"I appreciate it, I really do. It's just not the best timing right now. I'm staying with my sister and well... look at me, I look like the bride of Frankenstein. Maybe some other time."

I heard Joann tell him as I walked over to them. She seemed noticeably relieved when she saw me.

"I thought you could use some help."

She gave me a thankful smile and instead of giving me her usual protests she readily accepted.

"These things are killing my armpits. I can't wait to be rid of them."

She raised one of her crutches. I turned towards the man she was talking with not caring about the dirty look he was giving me. His short curly black hair and sunken brown eyes gave him a rather pessimistic look. He made me think of the cartoon character Hardy Har Har that I watched as a kid.

"I'm the sister." I stuck out my hand purposely not telling him my name "and you are?"

"Dan Harvey." He shook my hand giving me an award winning smile. You're a little late for me to buy that dude. If you're the new employee she mentioned you need to up your game if you're going to make the sale.

"I was just trying to convince Joann here to have pizza with me or something this weekend. I know she doesn't feel like it but I know it would do her some good. I promise not to keep her out late."

He held up his right hand as if he was swearing under oath. I glanced to Joann to see her looking away which meant she was probably rolling her eyes.

"Yeaaaaah It's probably not the best time, Dan. She does need to rest. I'm not even happy with her being here yet and I have plans to go out with my coworkers this weekend which means, I need her to watch my dog."

He nodded and let us know he understood. He did seem genuinely saddened by the rejection making me question if I was a bit hard on him before letting him know I needed us to get back home so I could go to work myself.

"Is that the guy you were talking about going out with?" I asked Joann as we were driving back to my trailer. She gave me a large frown

"Yesss. Okay, so he's not the hot stud I made him out to be but he is a sweet guy. I think he's just lonely and wants some company. I wouldn't mind going out with him sometime but I'm afraid it would just give him the wrong idea. I'm not interested in him other than as a casual friend. Am I wrong in this?"

I shook my head "No, you're not wrong. But making me think you're hooking up with guys you're not even into is a clear sign that you need some serious help."

She punched me in my shoulder acting mad but I knew she wasn't. We've gone over this before. I just never understood why she felt the need to make up dates with people. We weren't in High school anymore so nobody cared if he was the captain of the football team or not. Yet even that wasn't enough to take her out as Brett Owens found out senior year when she bailed on him too.

"I do not! I'm too busy keeping up with your boyfriends and now girlfriend/boss. She knows I lied for you by the way. You must have some smooth moves because she didn't seem all that mad about it."

Fuck! How? "Did she stop by?" I didn't realize I had asked out loud till Joann answered.

"She called me. Yeah, I was surprised as you look when I picked up the phone and it was her. Maybe it was for the best. She wants to buy a place over here so I guess she did get someone to help move her things from Jake's. The way the markets been, and having been in the hospital, I could use a sale."

She answered as if it wasn't a big deal as she dug in her bag and pulling out some gum. "Want one?"

I shook my head. "Your loss." She replied with a shrug as she popped the piece into her mouth.

The rest of the drive was fairly quiet. Joann would occasionally say something but I wasn't in the mood for more talking. I was freaking out wondering how Nancy knew I lied on the application and what she had planned to do about it. Things were actually starting to improve between us and I already had a skeleton in my closet that could ruin everything. I didn't need this added.

After getting back I took a quick shower and got myself ready before flying out the door. Even picking Joann up early was still cutting into my ability to get to work on time. Being stressed out didn't do anything to help the situation. Blue jeans, a white lace crop top, and my tan knee high boots will have to do. Actually it didn't look half bad. But I was able to do the bare minimum of makeup before I was running out the door which I hated doing. It makes my face look too masculine.

One of the benefits of living in northern Idaho was the lack of traffic on the highway. Pushing eighty-five fighting between getting there on time and not wanting to be there to face Nancy, I arrived five minutes early.

"I'm five minutes early, right?" I asked Jason when I walked in giving him my best smile. He just glanced over at me as he stocked beer "Is that what the clock says?"

I wish we could get past this. I suppose it could be awkward for him to have me here now that I've seen him naked. It's kinda weird for me too. I was just about to ask him if Nancy was here when she came out of the back room. Her hair was down again adding some softness to her sharp features when combined with her grey tan slacks and white blouse. The outfit was simple but she looked gorgeous. So much so I almost forgot that she could be about ready to go off on me for lying.

To my relief she didn't appear upset as she stared at me from the doorway. Might as well get this over with I thought.

"How did you know?" I asked her

"Hmm? Oh, your sister? I recognized her voice the other day so I just pulled your application to get her number. Has she found anything for me yet?"

I was taken back as it wasn't what I was expecting. This has be a part of her torture making me guess on how she'll react to everything. I was planning to ask later but perhaps now might be better

"Probably. She was excited to hear from you. I guess she likes you better than my last..."

Just fucking great Crystal! Could you possibly screw this up anymore?

"Our ex?" She asked raising her brow to me. "I should hope so. If not, I'd never be able to live with myself."

She said as she moved past me. Her voice was flat and her face void of expression. I was glad she wasn't upset but not about her withdrawing from me again.

"What do you got planned this weekend?"

This got her to pause and while the look of "are you stupid" wasn't my favorite, it was better than her blank one.

"Working. Why?"

"Because I wanna take you out. Linnea needed a ride to a party. They're not my scene but I do kinda want to see this one."

Nancy pinched the bridge of her nose as if she was suffering from a migraine. This wasn't going well. Looking around nervously Jason clearly didn't like the idea either as he watched us with both hands on his hips.

"She really needs to tell him before I kick her ass all the way back to Sweden."

"Who?"

"Her mate. Who else? If he had his Black card she wouldn't need to bum rides to these things. Well she can forget it, you're not going."

What the hell? I watched as she stormed off without even bothering to explain why which really upset me. Nobody was forcing her to go if she didn't want to but she had no place telling me I couldn't. Glancing over I noticed Jason smirking as if this was somehow funny. I've been here just a few minutes and already want to go home.

The next couple hours dragged by slowly as Nancy kept giving me the cold shoulder. I knew she was more upset with Linnea than me but I wasn't really sure why. It wasn't uncommon to want to go to a party. And while I would probably just go without her, I really did want her to come. As much as the supernatural fueled my desire to go, what got my attention the most was when Linnea said it was where they showed us off and I was really wanting Nancy to do that.

Every relationship I have been in has been a secret. Assholes who were scared of what others might think if they found out they were with a tranny. This was supposed to be different. And while it wasn't totally fair to judge Nancy as she didn't know, it was starting to feel like the same old, same old. I want so badly for someone who isn't afraid and actually show me off.

I tossed my cigarette on the ground half finished no longer wanting it when I felt Nancy nearby. What now? I was really getting sick of her hot and cold game.

"You got a phone call. The woman said she's your mom."

What's she doing calling me? I really didn't want to talk to her but if something happened to Joann then I'd want to know. I let out a long sigh as I pushed myself from the wall of the building.

"If she let you know that, it must be important."

As I went to pass her she grabbed my arm. "I know you want to go. It's just there can be lots of-"

"I get it." I already knew what she was going to say and I didn't need any "mate" connection or whatever. I've heard it before.

"You don't want others to know about us. Save me the script Nancy, I'm use to being everyone's dark little secret."

I tried to pull away which was useless. Her grip only tightened in response and her veins in her neck became prominent. I had struck a nerve.

"I never said I wanted you to my dark little secret. I have no idea what I have done to give you that fucking idea. I'm not Jake so don't you compare me to him!"

"You didn't have to and it wasn't just him. Will you let go now? That hurts."

She looked down at her hand on my arm and removed it. The guilt on her face plainly visible.

"I'm sorry. I'm just trying to keep you safe. Anything can happen at those things."

"Then you'd come with and make sure I was instead of just saying I can't do it."

I went back inside and talked to my mom which proved to be about what I thought it would be. Joann had mentioned that I was given her rides to and from work and she was "worried" someone would out me and it would affect Joann's future. It did nothing to improve my mood to say the least. The fact that I had Nancy and Jason intently listening to every word I said made it even worse.

"It's not a "lifestyle". Don't ever call me here again!" I practically screamed at her before hanging up.

I couldn't believe my own mother could be so stupid as to think something like that. It's a small area so more than a few of them already know we're sisters already. It's had no impact on Joann yet.

I was pulled from my thoughts by a soft hand on my back.

"Your sister told your mom about me."

She said more to herself than to me. I didn't respond. Instead I closed my eyes as I just focused on her touch. How could it have such an effect on me? No matter if I was mad at her, or someone else, I always found it comforting.

"You know what? The Dark Soirée does sound like fun after all. I may not be able to change how your mom feels about us but I ain't going to have you thinking I'm not fully committed."

I stared into her eyes unsure of what to say. She was so against the idea of going but now was willing to go just to make me feel better.

"Who are you going to get to come in?"

I hadn't seen any other employees here besides me, her, Linnea, Jason, and Blake who only guarded the door. She just shrugged before giving me a dark smile

"Maybe I'll ask Jake if he could watch the place with Jason while I show you a good time."

I couldn't help not to laugh at that idea. I could just imagine the look on his face.

"I know a few I can call so cheer up, okay?"

I already had.