by Jody Kaye
Not as much as I am.
“Hey, Morgan,” She rubs his arm. “I was about to make next week’s schedule. Mind taking a look at when I have you down for?”
He shakes his head. “Lemme get Aidy set up and I’ll be right over.”
Morgan guides me to a round booth at the side of the room and I sit with my back to the stage. “You’ll be okay here?” It’s more of a statement.
Shock and the awe over my surroundings have me unable to respond.
Morgan walks back to the bar where Kimber’s got a notebook out and is penciling things in. On the way over, he taps a younger man with cropped black hair on the shoulder and tosses his thumb back in my direction, saying something I can’t hear.
The guy, dressed in a dark button-down and black trousers, gets up and walks over. “So you’re the infamous Aidy?” he holds out his hand to shake. “Jasper Somers. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You’re Sloan’s brother.” His almond shaped-eyes are the identical shade as hers, and they have the same skin tone that reminds me of the surfers on the big island in Hawaii. The familiarity allows me to relax a fraction, but I start wringing my hands in plain sight because I have nothing to keep them busy.
“In the flesh.” He chuckles. “Mind if I keep you company.”
Seeing as Morgan’s sent Jasper over here, it doesn’t do me much good to say no. I glance over to where Kimber and Morgan are. They’re staring at me.
“Is Kimber upset at Morgan for bringing me here?”
“If she was, you’d already be out in the parking lot. Kimber is pretty much the least judgmental person on the planet.”
“Eek!” A squeal emanates from the side and I’m crowded into the booth by a brunette in a silk robe. “I knew it was you! I saw you come in from behind the curtain and I wasn’t letting Morgan get away with not introducing us.”
“Uh, how’d you know it was me?” And who is this person?
“The hair. I think at first I expected you to look like Kimber—and up close you do. Anyhow, your mom was like the most amazing dancer. When I started here, she was a performer and I swear she still kicks all of our asses during warm-ups and rehearsals.”
“She’s not my mom.” My clipped response is the complete opposite of the way Jasper has described Kimber a moment earlier. I’m ashamed as it slips from my lips because it’s obvious everyone here has the utmost respect for Kimber. I want to sink into oblivion when Jasper tells Cece to tone down her enthusiasm.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not on anything. I thought Morgan was keeping you all to himself forever.”
My brow flares. What is that supposed to mean?
“He came to walk you home.” I try to act normal. Morgan’s sister is being nothing but kind to me. Her excitement seems genuine and there’s humor in Celine not wanting me to think she’s stoned. We both want to make a good impression on the other. “We didn’t have anything going on, so we showed up early,” I say as if Morgan and I are a package deal.
Cece smiles. Stage makeup accentuates her exceptional beauty. She has big brown eyes that match her long brown hair. A bunch of men continue glancing at her from behind their glasses—both the ones on the bridge of their nose and the ones filled with liquid courage they’re hiding behind. She notices I’ve noticed.
“Ever been to Sweet Caroline’s before? I’ve gotten used to ignoring the stares. I can’t even see these guys when I’m on stage and the light is glaring in my face.” She tips the crown of her head like a princess who is unafraid her tiara might fall. “You’re good here. This is Jake’s table and the patrons are as scared of him as anyone else is, so they won’t approach you. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not…It’s all…No, I’ve never been to this kind of club before,” I admit.
“The more times you do, the less extraordinary it becomes.” Cece acts as if I’ll be at Sweet Caroline’s as frequently as she is. It’s a weird sort of welcome.
I pull a sealed bottle of water out of a fridge behind the bar and Holly hands me a new concoction Kimber’s experimenting on to taste test. I drop a ten in the tip jar.
“Take your money back, douche canoe.” She fishes it out.
“I’m off tonight.”
Holly lifts the edge of her bralette and pulls out a five, tucking the original bill I gave her into its place. My hands are full so her manicured fingertips shove the other half of the money in my front pocket, pulling me close as she does. “Spend it on your girl.”
I don’t bother correcting her. If I could be so damn lucky.
By the time I get back to the table, Cece’s gone, but Jasper’s stayed put the way I’d asked him to. Aidy looks as if she’s having a decent time. Although, I’m sure it’s been unnatural for her in a strange venue with fucked up sociological rules. Not that it makes a difference, but I wonder if Aidy’s realized how much further up the food chain she ranks than I do because of Kimber.
My butt slides into the booth, touching Aidy’s and the water goes in front of her. I taste my drink. “Have you tried this one yet?” I ask Jasper. “It’s decent. Missing something, though.”
“Yeah, the booze,” he barbs, taking the glass I offer.
I hold the cup up for Aidy. She shakes her head, so I place it back on the table and she opens her water bottle.
“If you will excuse me, I’m going to check on my girl.” Jasper holds up his cell.
“Does she come here too?”
I choke, trying not to laugh. Carver would have a conniption if Jasper’s girlfriend got past a bouncer. “Nope. She’s away at school and his boss is wicked overprotective of her.”
“Jasper’s dating his boss’s daughter.”
We’re speaking close so we can hear one another over the din. I tip my drink before taking another sip, acknowledging Aidy got it right.
“I’m on information overload.” Palms with straight fingers hit the sides of Aidy’s face, reminiscent of the guy in that shrieking painting. “Is she mad at you?”
“Kimber? Nah, it really was a schedule thing. Listen, I’m sorry I didn’t know you didn’t know—”
Hoots and hollering as the next dancer comes out on stage cut me off. Aidy takes advantage. “It’s not your fault. I guess I let people tell me what I want to hear instead of pressing for answers.”
“Sometimes there’s stuff you’re better off not knowing until you need to.”
“How did you ever get a job here?” It’s obvious what Aidy’s trying to figure out is how her bio-mom wound up in a place like this. But she’s attempting to ask questions, which is a huge step forward given what she’s just said.
I feel like the douche canoe Holly called me, recognizing nobody had been upfront with Aidy. I’d taken what she knew for granted.
“I walked Cece a few times when I first got out. Kimber wanted to know if I was interested in extra hours since I was hanging around waiting for my sister anyway. It gives me some extra pocket change.”
My hours at Sweet Caroline’s are under the table. My student loans are in default, I have a fuck ton of legal bills, and the powers that be garnish the wages in my actual paycheck. There’s not a lot left at the end of the month. I’m not sure how I’d be able to afford rent.
Trig keeps telling me not to worry. He’s got my back, and it’s all going to even out. But my boss and his wife—also my boss—do so much for me that whenever they need a helping hand with Owen, or anything else, I jump on it.
“So, ah, Cece said this is Jake’s booth. Should we be sitting here?” she asks with wide-eyed trepidation.
“He never shows if Kimber is managing.”
“Why not?”
“Depending on where he is in his cycle, Jake hates women.”
“That doesn’t sound great for a man who owns a strip club.”
“Now you get why Kimber’s the manager everyone respects, especially the dancers since she’s been there and won’t put up with their drama.”
Aidy looks at Kimber with a deeper sense of pri
de and that’s saying something since the only time I’ve seen it take a hit was the initial shock when she walked into the bar. “Everyone does what she says. It’s sort of amazing. I didn’t grasp—”
“She treats us like family, which is good since a lot of us don’t have one.”
“Cece?”
“My sister could have washed her hands of me. I don’t take it lightly. And Jasper’s the same with Sloan.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She leans forward defensively.
“It’s not my place to say, Sweet Pea. But looks can be deceiving, and not everything is perfect. Everybody’s got baggage—even if it’s something dumb like forgiving a sibling for breaking your favorite toy when you were a kid.”
The crowd is clapping as Jasper comes back with a shit-eating grin. “Want my spot? Cece is about to go on.”
“Shut up.” I ball a napkin and throw it across the table.
“You don’t watch?” Aidy asks, curious.
“Not if I can help it.”
“Do you mind if I do?” Aidy swings herself around so she’s up on her knees, peering over the back of the seat.
Jasper’s appreciation for her backside is obvious.
“Stop it, fuckface.” I mouth.
His finger motions back and forth between Aidy and me, wanting to know if I’m interested in her.
Kimber floats nearby the table on her way to the back office. Jasper makes an “ah” and taps his head as if I’m smart to think about my actions beforehand. It’s pretty much all I do in my room; ruminate over Aidy. Too often with my hand wrapped around my dick.
“Oh my god, She’s really good!” Aidy’s impressed when Celine ends her performance.
“I keep trying to tell him.” Jasper mocks.
“What if it were your sister up there?”
“I got no qualms. However, if Jake hired Sloan, Carver’s the one Jake should worry about burning Sweet Caroline’s to the ground.”
“Skye still up north?” I ask as we settle into the conversation.
“Yup, and Dusty took his Bruce Banner persona home before his alter-ego appeared.”
“What’s he pissed about?”
“Got me.” Jasper leans back, indifferent. If it weren’t for the fact he treats his girlfriend like gold, I’d wonder if he cared for anyone but himself.
A while later, Cece’s beckoning us down the hall to the back exit with her bag slung over her shoulder, ready to go. The music doesn’t carry and Aidy asks to see the dressing room. I’m holding up a wall for the next eternity until they reappear. Cece and Aidy titter like little birds on the way to the parking lot as if I don’t exist.
We reach the light pole I’ve intentionally parked the van underneath, and I open the passenger door for Aidy. “I hate to tear y’all apart.” I jest. It’s nice to see them getting along. Now that Aidy’s been to Sweet Caroline’s I can bring her more places with me when we get together. “Mind waiting here while I have a moment with Celine?”
Aidy gives me a cheery “Nope”, saying her goodbye to Cece and promising to come back another night that we’re having a tough time figuring out what we want to do. I hand over the keys so she can warm up the cab. She locks the door as soon as it closes.
Celine and I jog across the road to the sidewalks. I look over my shoulder while crossing the street.
I’d convinced myself that my company tonight bored Aidy stiff. Us sitting on the sofa, flipping through channels seems further away than a few hours ago. I’m grateful the night is ending on a different note.
I can see Aidy and, the way the property is lit past the stone entrance, our profiles are on full display.
“Thanks.” Celine tugs me into a hug as our shoes hit the last step before the entrance.
“Your safety is never a problem. I was glad to come out.” I glance around. Things are quiet. Although, it doesn’t mean much if someone is hiding in the bushes. Hence all the floodlights. “Who’s bugging you?”
Cece rubs her arms through her jacket. “It’s Dusty. He’s a great guy.” Her stance softens. “He gets in the way of the paying clientele.” My sister was damn good at throwing our parents off her scent as a teenager, but I know she’s keeping something hidden.
“You’re not—” My jaw clenches. Carver may not give a damn if what the girls do on their time as long as it doesn’t touch his property. But I’ll be damned if my sister turns tricks to afford her tuition. The idea of her giving lap dances for extra tips makes me want to shudder.
“No!” Celine’s palm touches my chest reassuringly.
“Then why are you so worried about Dusty being out here at night? He hasn’t come on to you, has he?”
My sister gives a rather unconvincing shake of the head, glancing at the van. “Do you like her?”
My lips twist. “Great deflection.”
Cece shoves my shoulder. “She’s your type, minus the purple hair.”
“Maybe she was, once. I have nothing to give a girl like her, and she knows it.”
“That’s not true. Carver and Trig have given you a second chance. No different than Jake and Carver helping me get through school, so I don’t have to turn into what you accused me of a minute ago.”
“I didn’t accuse you—”
“I’m teasing, Morgan. Have faith in me, I won’t do anything to ruin the good I’ve got. Things are looking up for you too. Maybe Aidy is part of that?”
“I live in Trig’s attic and work under the table for Kimber to pay off my debt.” I remind Celine. “Aidy needs a friend right now. That’s all we are.”
My sister ticks points off on her fingers. “I’m not dumb. I see what goes on between the club and inside these walls. I know to keep my mouth shut and not question the stuff that makes no sense to me. You’d have no place to stay or a job if these guys didn’t trust you. Trig wouldn’t let you around Aidy either. He and Kimber are protective of her. I lived on the third floor with Kimber for years before finding out she had a daughter—and it was only from pictures at their house. It was nice to have the chance to meet her in person.” I think Celine is finished until she rattles off, “And, dumbass, girls don’t agree to go to anyplace like Sweet Caroline’s with a guy if they aren’t at least a little interested.” She challenges me to say I don’t want Aidy.
I do. I want Aidy in all the ways possible. Most of which, I worry about since I haven’t been with a woman since before I was incarcerated.
“I went to prison.” I remind Celine.
“You paid the price for something you did. not. do.” Cece hates my decision to plead guilty. She argues free will and the guys who kept feeding Rob drinks were the ones culpable. “I won’t tell you I’m glad you took responsibility. However, the fact remains you did. Have you ever stopped to ponder whether Aidy is the silver lining? She was who was waiting for you when you got out.”
“I’m not tarnishing her reputation, Cece.”
“Fuck that. You’re a good person, Morgan.” Her flat hand moves, tapping the middle of my chest. “Right now, you’re doing what you have to do to get by since the future you’d planned got ripped away by a bunch of rich people and their fucking fleabag lawyers. It’s all the more reason to take back what you deserve.”
I’ve tried not to make it seem like I’m spying, but the angle the parked van sits at makes it useless. Morgan hugs his sister and waits for Cece to use her key to get inside the old factory building. He even pulls on the door handle afterward to ensure it’s locked behind her. I can’t help smiling over how thoughtful he is. It’s then that the night strikes me as funny. Like a schoolgirl, I’ve broken out in a fit of giggles by the time Morgan is jogging back across the street.
I hit the button to unlock the van. Morgan gets inside, looking at me like I’m a crazy person, wondering what he’s missed.
My hands slap to my lap. It’s me who failed to acknowledge the signs. I try to be pragmatic, but take things at face value because I’ve never considered anyone was out to d
eceive me. Unable to catch my breath, I recall how I’ve spent the past few hours at a strip club. The Aidy I thought I was wouldn’t have sat around with two men, surrounded by a hoard more voyeurs, watching women take off their clothes. More to the point, I had fun tonight. How messed up is that given the circumstances?
“Oh my God!” I cackle. “You must think I’m such an idiot. My birth mother manages a strip club and the closest I’ll ever get to having a hot boyfriend is a convicted felon who escorts an exotic dancer home each night.”
Morgan blinks. “What did you say?”
“I’m an idiot?”
“After that.”
“Ah, Kimber is your sister’s boss?” I bite my nails, watching Morgan’s curiosity pique. The sinful twitch of his brow shows me his concern isn’t me missing Kimber is his boss too. “You’re a felon?” I feel awful for blurting it out.
His finger twirls in the air. “In between those.”
“You’re the closest I’ll get to a hot boyfriend?” It’s said even lower than I’d brought up his conviction. Thank goodness the dome light has gone out and Morgan can’t see how red my face is. I didn’t mean to humiliate him and deserve to have my words thrown back at me.
“I’m not hot?” He’s acting a little cockier than normal.
“That’s what you picked up from me running my mouth off? Yes, you’re hot.” Has the man not seen himself in the mirror?
“Then how can I be the closest to hot?”
“No. You’re the closest to a boyfriend. The hot part is proof of—I don’t even know.” I cover my face, muttering what a fool I am.
“Aidy.” Morgan moves my hands. “I can’t be your boyfriend.”
“No kidding.”
He places a finger over my lips. The simple touch has me warming all over.
“You gotta shut up for half a second, Sweet Pea.”
My jaw drops as Morgan leans in. His breath is soft against my ear. “As I see it, we’d have to do more than you letting me hold your hand at the beach on occasion. Or me pretending to yawn in the hopes you’re not offended when I try to tuck an arm around you. I haven’t kissed you. And like hell is the first time I do it going to be in a utility truck. So maybe tomorrow, I pick you up, take you out, and—if you want me to when I drop you off—we’ll take care of the formalities. That way you can have something close to a hot boyfriend.”