by Morgan Black
“You know that it wasn't me. Right?”
“I know it wasn't you.”
“So, then, why try to get information from me? Why not just ask me?”
“I didn’t think you’d tell me. But now I know better. You're so different from the other girls. None of them are honest and genuine like you are. It's what I like about you.”
“Really? Because that’s not what you’re showing. People who like other people don't talk about them behind their backs. And they certainly don’t accuse them of murder!”
I had wanted Hudson, something real. But our entire relationship was based on a lie. He had just wanted information.
“Why did you owe him a favor?”
“It has something to do with business.”
“And what business is that? I haven't learned anything about you since we've been here. What do you do for a living, Hudson?”
He chewed on his lower lip, something about wanting to answer me, but his secretive nature stopped him. “If I told you that, you'd be in a lot of trouble. I'm not going to tell you. I want to keep these days, Calla. I don't know what it is about you that makes me feel something, but something does. I need to protect you.”
“No, you don't. You need to stay the hell away from me. Do not come back to the club. Our arrangement is over.”
I grabbed my bags, and went out the front door. I told myself that if Hudson James ever came to me, I would turn him away. He wasn't hurt; he just couldn't be. Because, if he had been, he would have chased me down right then. But he didn’t. He just let me walk away.
Chapter Four
I rode to the airport alone. I sent Alexis a text message as we left Hudson’s cottage.
I'm coming home. Alone. Don't ask.
I thought the driver would say something to me, about how he felt bad, or to have a nice trip, but he didn't. Just another reminder that everyone works for Hudson James; none of us were actually involved with him. He had even told me himself that he didn't have any real friends. Now, I understood why. I did a couple shots on the plane, so I would fall asleep quickly. I didn't want to think about him the whole flight back. About how my chest hurt, or how I felt like I couldn't breathe without him near me. There was something about him that had drawn me in so quickly, and made me want to be around him. But now that I knew how easily he could hurt me, and that it had all been fake, I couldn't imagine having fallen so quickly for him. When the flight landed, there was a car for me, but I told them I would find my own way home. I didn't need any more of Hudson's favors. I didn't want to feel like I owed him anything.
I dialed Alexis's number and asked her for help instead. “Hey, it's me.”
“Hey! How was the trip?”
“It was great, for a while. But now I just need some Jack, Coke, and Ben, & Jerry's. My three favorite men.”
“You still at the airport?”
“Yup. Bring the boys with you. I’m starting in the car.”
“Got it.”
She got to the airport about half an hour later, and she had a sports drink bottle and some chunky monkey with a plastic spoon. True best friend right there; doesn't ask questions, just does what she needs to. I didn't say anything on the ride home. Actually, I hardly remember getting up the steps, or into my apartment. But when I woke up the next morning, my bag was next my bed, and Alexis was sitting in a chair across the room.
“Morning, sunshine.”
“Don't scream. It hurts my head.” Awesome. Just what I needed, a fucking hangover on top of a broken heart.
“Calla, you have to tell me what happened. There is some shit on the news about Hudson going away with some girl. And in the Entertainment section of the Boston Globe, your picture is everywhere.”
“My picture?”
She nodded. “Apparently, he's never taken a girl to his house in France before. You’ve become this international reality celebrity mystery.”
“Oh, shit.”
“You guys look really happy, though. How did it go downhill so fast?”
“Hell if I know. I thought we were having a great time, and then I find out that the only reason that he brought me there, was to ask me questions about the judge, and to see if I was actually telling the truth about that night. He played me, Alexis. He saw some poor girl that he thought he could use to get ahead with the district attorney. And he was so right.”
She came over, and sat on the edge of the bed. I could tell that she was trying not to let all of her weight go down at once, knowing it would make me puke. She rubbed my arms slowly. “I'm so sorry, Calla. I know how much you liked him. I could hear it in your voice as you were leaving. I can't believe he did this.”
“I can. He tried to warn me about what kind of guy he was, but I didn't want to hear it.” I slowly sat up because the room was spinning. “So, tell me what's all over the news?”
She sighed. “They're mostly just talking about this mystery girl with Hudson James in the South of France. So far, nobody knows your name. But you also might want to go out into the living room, and see what else is here.”
“Something’s here?”
“Yeah. You should just go look.”
I pushed myself out of bed with my arms, and shuffled over to my door. The room wasn’t very large, but by the time my hand reached the handle, I felt like I'd run a marathon. Hello Jack and Coke, you treat me well the night of, but the next morning you’re a killer. I slowly opened the door, slightly afraid of what might be waiting for me. But I was met with a view of absolute beauty.
The entire apartment was filled with white flowers.
All types of flowers: roses, daisies, Calla lilies. There were potted plants, hanging plants, and bouquets. The entire flower shop must've been cleared out to get them here. “What the hell?”
Alexis came up behind me. “They're all from him. Every single one. Four different flower shops have been here so far this morning, and, considering he hasn't filled up your room yet, I would say there's probably at least another one on it’s way.”
I reached into a bouquet of roses, and pulled out the card that was attached. In print it said:
I'm sorry. Hudson
I turned around, and on a potted plant of tulips, there was another card with a similar message.
Forgive me. Hudson
I shook my head. “I don’t want to see all of this, Alexis. I don't want to hear his excuses and his lies. Because that's all he really is, a damn liar.” I dropped the cards on the floor, turned around, and walked back into my room. I fell back onto the bed, and let the pillows absorb my sobs.
Chapter Five
When I emerged from my room later that afternoon, Alexis had taken care of most of the flowers. There were definitely still some in the apartment, but I was shocked to see how many were missing.
She turned around and looked at me from the couch. “I called a local nursing home, and they offered to come pick them up. At least some old bitties are enjoying your flowers, even if you're not.”
I walked to the kitchen to make myself some PBJ. “What's that supposed to mean?”
She shrugged. “I don't know, Calla. Why would he send all those flowers? Do you think you should just give him another chance? I mean it's not like he really set you up.”
I screwed the lid back on the peanut butter. “We don't know that. And, after I totally thought I was in the clear and I wasn't going to have to testify, now he's talking to the detective on the case. I'm probably going to have to be involved even after Monique tried so hard to get me out of it. I just can't trust him. And that’s entirely his fault.”
She shook her head, but was silent.
“What?”
“I didn't say anything.”
“Alexis, I know you. Just because you're not saying anything doesn't mean you’re not thinking something.”
“I'm just thinking that you kind of have trust issues to begin with. Maybe Hudson isn't such a bad guy, but you're not willing to give him a fair chance.”
&
nbsp; I took a bite out of my sandwich. “Did you hear what I just said? I'm probably back involved with the case. A murder trial, Alexis. He did that, not me.”
She nodded. “Fine. But if it turns out that he was a good guy, I'm going to tell you I told you so.”
I took another bite of my sandwich. “Fine.”
* * *
The next day, I trudged to my physics class, first thing on a Monday morning. It sucked. I had a shift at the library later that day though, so at least I would get all my homework done before I had to go home that night. It would give Alexis and I a chance to just hang out; she hadn't really spoken to me since our discussion the day before. Deep down I knew she was right; I did have trust issues, thanks Mom. But, at the same time, I felt like she didn't understand what had really happened. Hudson had treated me like I was someone special, and that had blown up in my face. I hadn't done anything to deserve the way that he treated me. But another part of me knew that I just needed to accept that. Because I was a call girl, and that's just what we did.
I sat in physics class, taking notes on my laptop, when an e-mail came in.
I need to see you.- H
How did he even get my e-mail? He certainly didn't have my phone number. Come to think of it, I didn't know how he found my apartment either. He probably had his detective friend look me up. Just another favor. The professor was droning on and on about acceleration, so I decided to send him an e-mail back. I chewed on a pen while I thought of something meaningful to say.
That's not possible.
I pressed send and didn't expect a response, but just a couple minutes later, I had another new e-mail.
Did you get the flowers?
I typed back, yes.
But you still don't accept my apology?
You can’t apologize for who you are. I expected too much.
No, you expect exactly what you should.
I sighed and closed my laptop, even though there was still twenty minutes left of class. I just couldn't focus anymore, and I didn't know what to say back to him. He clearly didn't understand what it meant to hurt someone the way that he had hurt me. As soon as the professor dismissed us, I grabbed my things, and was the first one out the door. I ran through the campus to get to the library on time.
I logged in and went up to the second floor to find a quiet place to work. I had the library pager; if someone needed help, I would get a buzz. I opened my physics book, and realized I still had no idea what I was doing. Apparently, I should have listened during the acceleration speech. I looked at my phone instead of opening my notes on my laptop. I didn’t want to give myself the opportunity to check my email. Alexis had texted me.
When are you coming home?
My shift ends at six.
You are right about Hudson. Cops were here. You're getting a subpoena.
Shit.
I couldn’t focus during the rest of the shift, and hardly got any work done. I rushed home to find out everything Alexis knew. She was eating some dinner and sitting on the couch watching reality TV. But as soon as I walked in, she shut it off. “I'm so sorry. You were totally right about Hudson. The cops came here and were looking for you; they had a warrant. They went through stuff in your room.”
Luckily, I knew there was nothing that could incriminate me. I mean I had nothing to do with the judge's death. How could anyone think that I would do something like that?
“They were in my room?” Regardless of the fact that I knew they wouldn’t find anything, I still felt violated.
She just nodded. “I'm so sorry, Calla. What are you going to do?”
I thought about Monique's business card sitting in my bedside table. I wondered if they had taken it. I walked into my room, expecting a mess, and found it in the same condition that I left it. It didn't look like they'd gone through anything. I opened the drawer, and looked inside the journal that I'd been keeping the business card and my cash in. It was still there, right in the front. “I guess I call my lawyer.”
Alexis chewed on her lower lip while standing in the doorway. “What do you think is going to happen?”
“I don't really know. But I sure as hell hope Monique has some sort of plan.”
Alexis sat on the edge of my bed as I dialed Monique's number. She wasn't trying to be nosey, she was there for support. I sighed as I sat down next to her.
“I heard you're getting a subpoena.”
I closed my eyes. “I figured someone would've told you. What the hell? I thought I was in the clear!”
She paused and then said, “Somebody tipped them off. There's definitely some shady shit going on here. But you're expected to be in court on Wednesday morning.”
“But I haven't even received the paperwork yet. And how am I supposed to get out of class?”
“Hopefully, it'll only be one day. And I wouldn't tell your professors unless you want to say that you're sick. You don't want them or the college sniffing around, too.”
She was right about that.
“So, what do we do now? What's the game plan?”
“I have a prior commitment that I can't get out of today, but we’ll meet tomorrow night before you give your statement, and we’ll go over what you're going to say. Hopefully, it won't be that big of a deal.”
She and I both knew that she was lying. “What about the media? How do I avoid all the questions about why I was with the judge that night?”
“I can't really answer that. But you know the rules. Try to find a way around it, or you'll be in a lot worse trouble than you are right now.”
The rules.
Boston Buyer’s Club Rule #1
Never talk about the club.
“Understood.”
“Perfect. Dress in something professional, but show a little leg on Wednesday. I’ll meet you outside the courthouse. Tomorrow, show up at the club at six o’clock. The Madame and I will go over your statement with you then.”
And then she hung up. The color drained from my face. There was no real plan. I was fucked.
Alexis looked at me, eager for information. “So what did she say? What's your plan of attack?”
I shrugged because I still wasn't really sure. “I don't really know that she has one. Alexis, I think I'm totally screwed.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Yeah, go into my closet and find something professional for me to wear to court on Wednesday. And Monique said I should show a little leg.”
She laughed. “That girl, she's always trying to get it in. No matter where she is.”
I smiled for what felt like the first time in days. “Yeah, she's definitely got that badass, superhot, confident woman thing down.”
Alexis looked back at me from across the room as she walked into my closet. “So do you, Calla. You can beat this, I’m sure of it.”
I was just glad that one of us was.
Chapter Six
Monique called me the next afternoon. “Make sure you’re on time tonight.”
“Am I going to be working?”
“There's a chance. I mean you're going to have legal fees to help cover. The club will cover most of it, but you're going to have to work to repay some of your debt.”
“Yeah, I kind of figured that was coming. Monique, I have to tell you something.”
“Tell me tonight. I have other clients to see.”
She hung up, and I sat on the edge of my bed looking at the phone. I had been thinking since I talked to her the day before that I had to tell her about Hudson, and how I knew that he spoke with the detective. I was being set up. And, also, whatever favor he owed the detective, I had to find out what his big secret was. Why didn’t he ever talk about his business? What did he really do for a living?
I went over to my laptop and opened it up slowly, sitting down at my desk. My fingers rested on the keys, but I didn't know what to say. I'd considered e-mailing him a thousand times since he had messaged me in class, but I didn't have anything to say. There is only one thing to f
ind out. What is the truth behind Hudson James?
I opened up my e-mail, and found his last response. I typed back. I'm going to be at the club tonight. I need to see you. There are things I need to know.
I pressed send and waited for a response. I closed my eyes, and put my hand over my forehead, leaning back in my desk chair. I waited for the ping to signify a new e-mail, but I didn't hear anything. I waited for what felt like hours but I got nothing. Hudson had already moved on. I closed my laptop, and left the apartment to walk around campus to clear my head. I didn't really know where I was going until I had walked the whole campus, and was back at my apartment, staring at my car. I found my keys in my hoodie pocket, and I drove over to the club. It was time to face the music. Even though it was an hour before Monique requested my appearance, I had to get it over with. I had to see the Madame.
When I got there, the bouncer let me in right away, so I knew she didn't have any other appointments. I could tell she was surprised to see me without Monique from the look on her face.
“Calla, you’re early. And not in your best attire.”
I was in sweats, typical college clothes but not really an outfit suitable for the club.
“Go up to the dressing room and find an appropriate outfit. Monique should be here shortly. We’ll discuss your situation then.”
“Yes, ma'am.” I trudged up the staircase into the dressing room, and I found a red corset and ruffled booties set sitting on my dressing table. I changed and threw my hair up into a messy bun. My face looked like hell, so I grabbed some makeup from another girl’s kit, and cleaned myself up. Her complexion was little bit darker than mine, so I looked like I got a nice tan, or maybe I really did have a little bit of color from France… France, where everything was simple. How I wished I could go back there and live in that carefree world. I found a set of matching red heels, and tightened them around my ankles before I walked back down the stairs. I could hear the music, and I noticed a few men smoking cigars at a table. They were the only ones in the club so far. I knew we would be busier later, but I still smiled, and gave them a flirtatious wave knowing there was a good chance I was going to have to go home with someone tonight.