Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
“Can I have your driver’s license and social security card?”
I reach for my purse and dig out my IDs, then lay them on the desk. He picks them up and walks with them to the copier. I watch him as he looks at them for a long time before finally making the copy.
When he turns back to me, I start writing again. “Twenty-one, huh?”
I glance up at him. “Yep.”
He just nods his head and so I finish filling out the paper and sign my name, handing them back to him.
He holds my IDs out to me and this time, my fingers graze his. I can feel the heat coming off of him, and I almost bury my face in my purse acting like I’m having a tough time finding my wallet. But in truth, I need this break from him to compose myself.
I stand up. “I’m going to go find Teddy. He’s training me, right?”
He immediately starts shaking his head side to side. “No, I’m going to train you, but I’m about to leave. So you’ll start tomorrow.”
I instantly start to freak out. I don’t know how much in tips I will be making, but honestly, I was hoping to make something. My refrigerator is bare and I have to pay the electric by Friday.
“But I really need… well, I was hoping to start today.” Normally, I would be embarrassed, but not now, not today. I need the money. I’m not too proud to admit it.
He stares back at me like he’s trying to read my thoughts. I don’t blink, and I stare right back. This is important to me.
“You’ll get a night’s pay and start tomorrow,” he explains.
I cross my arms across my chest. “I don’t need a handout. I want to work. Can I please start tonight?”
He looks like he’s about to argue but stops himself. “Fine, but I want you with Teddy the whole night. No leaving his side. Anyone gives you a problem, you come talk to me about it. If I’m not here, you call me. Give me your phone.”
I look at him incredulously. “What?”
His hand is in front of me with his palm up. “Give me your phone. I’m going to put my number in it.”
I pull the band off my wrist and wrap it around my hair, putting it in a ponytail. “I don’t have a phone.”
He picks the papers up that I just filled out and points at it. “So what’s this number you put on here?”
“My home phone,” I tell him, and then figure I should be honest about it. “But it’s disconnected.”
“Fuck,” he grunts.
I take a step back from him. “I’ll be here. You don’t have to worry about me not showing up and you trying to get a hold of me or anything.”
He takes a step toward me. “I’m not worried about that.” He looks pissed for a minute before he finally unclenches his jaw. “Fine, I’ll have Teddy keep an eye on you.”
He opens the door and I slide by him to get out of the office. I don’t wait for instructions. I see Teddy at the bar and start walking toward him.
Smoky pulls Teddy aside and I can tell they’re talking about me, but I turn my back to them and try to act like I’m memorizing all the liquor bottles they have on hand.
I turn around when I feel a peck on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I have to leave. Club business,” Smoky tells me. “I’ll be back before your shift is over.”
I just nod, not really understanding why he’s explaining himself to me. He finally leaves, but does it reluctantly.
The rest of the night flies by. Teddy trains me quickly and it isn’t long before I’m working the floor, delivering drinks. The dancers, for the most part, seem to be nice. All of them except Kristy, the one that I assume is Smoky’s girlfriend. No, she has a bitchy remark every time I turn around. But I just ignore her. There’s no sense antagonizing her and getting myself fired.
I keep checking the door, thinking Smoky will be back any minute, but he never does show up. I can almost kick myself. I know he’s bad news. I just met him a few hours ago and I shouldn’t care where he’s at. I’ve found out that he’s part of the Exiled Guardians, and my father has always warned me to stay away from them. I finish cleaning up and head out the door, putting my tips into my pocket. If the rest of this week goes as well as tonight, then I will definitely be able to pay the light bill, get food and even pay the water. Yes, things are looking up.
3
Smoky
I walk into the bar the next night and for the first time since I left her yesterday, a calm fills me. I told her that I would be back last night, and I fucking lied to her. Not that I had a choice. I had club business to take care of and it’s not like I can put that shit off.