Chapter 21
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
EMERSON
After meeting with Hendrix, we worked it out for me to dance on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, since games were on Saturdays. Tonight was my second night, and I loved the place. The environment was invigorating, and I already felt more like the version of myself from Brighton than I had since being back in Oak Hills.
There were three different rooms, each with a different vibe, and the number of dancers varied depending on the needs. I hadn’t realized the extent of the place when I first started at Club Ember, but it was impressive for a town the size of Darlington.
Ember was the main room and a typical dance club with an open floor and a DJ mixing songs. Each night was a different type of music, bringing in new crowds with each genre. It had pop-up stages that rose around the floor, giving each dancer a mini platform to dance on. It reminded me of Go-Go dancing. There were four slots each night to showcase on the main stage. On Sundays, the club was closed, and it was when auditions for those spots occurred. Hendrix would fill them based on the dancer’s popularity and technique. They were coveted, and I wanted one.
Ignite was a medium-sized room with a smaller stage for live music. Dancing in this room varied based on the musician and what they wanted. Some wanted dancers to mix in with the crowd; others wanted a dancer on stage. When they didn’t have live music, the room was used for ballroom dancing. Since I had no experience in that, I doubted I’d ever dance in Ignite.
Wildfire was by far my favorite room. It was the smallest and filled with small cocktail tables. The stage was wide and held a piano. It had a Burlesque feel, and I wanted to work my way up to being a regular in there.
Tinder was the VIP room and was only by request, so I had yet to learn what happened in that room. Hendrix told me not to expect to be in there immediately, and I was fine with that. We got paid an hourly rate and could earn tips in the smaller rooms from either the band or patrons. The big money came from the showcases and VIPs.
So far, everyone had been friendly, and I hadn’t experienced any mean girls, which was good since I had one in my daily life. Being able to escape Hope was the haven I needed.
I guzzled water and wiped the sweat from my forehead. Tonight was ‘90s-’00s Pop night, and the DJ played a lot of classic Britney and Christina. There was nothing like a girl’s anthem to get your blood pumping. I’d just finished my third shift of dancing and had two more before I left. We got thirty minutes in between sets to rest. I hadn’t thought I’d need it, but after the first set, I was glad to take a break.
Everyone did different things during breaks, but I just wanted to sit and stare at my phone. Colter had been texting me nonstop since Tuesday. He sent me a “good morning, beautiful” text and a “sweet dreams, sweetheart” one every night. Throughout the day, he would tell me something personal. So far, I’d learned why he wanted to be a veterinarian, that he was an only child like me—though, I guess that was technically no longer true—and that he wanted to foster dogs once he had his own place. Each little nugget of information showed me who he was, making me fall for him more and more.
Smiling at my phone, I sent him a picture of me crossing my eyes and sticking out my tongue in response to his most recent text.
Colter: I need a sexy photo of you to put as your contact.
Colter: Send me one, and I’ll send you one back…
Emerson: *image*
Emerson: Sexy enough for you?
I giggled at the dots, wishing I could see his face.
Colter: You so get me.
Emerson: No sexting allowed! I’m at work.
Colter: You going to tell me where that is yet?
Emerson: Nope. I don’t need you coming here.
Colter: Mer, you realize that makes me want to know even more, right?
Colter: What if I guess?
Emerson: Sure. You’ll never guess, though.
Colter: Are you a waitress?
Emerson: Nope.
Colter: Okay, what about in retail?
Emerson: Hell, no.
Colter: Damn. Okay, I need to think outside the box.
Colter: How about something medical?
Emerson: Negatory.
Colter: Book related? Do you work in a library? Can you wear your hair up and seduce me for being too loud?
Emerson: Librarian fantasy? You’re the one who works in the library.
Colter: Oh, right.
Colter: Damn, I give up.
Emerson: *maniacal laugh*
Colter: I shall think of something to bribe you with…
Colter: Speaking of, are you free after the football game tomorrow?
Emerson: Maybe.
Colter: Save it for me. I want to take you on our date.
Emerson: You finally decided?
Colter: Yep, and you’re going to love it.
Emerson: I can’t wait. Okay, break’s over.
Colter: Text me later.
Emerson: XOXO
Sighing happily, I checked on the surprise I had for Hope tomorrow. She hadn’t made any other attacks outside of her verbal abuse, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I showed up to practice right on time and left with Cody right after. I avoided her in the house and waited until Astronomy class started, then snuck in the back. Keeping ahead of her schedule prevented surprise attacks, but damn, it was exhausting.
While I was avoiding Hope, Holden seemed to be avoiding me. He ignored me entirely in class on Thursday and didn’t even meet my eyes. Sometimes, I would feel his stare on me, but it would be gone when I looked. I shouldn’t still be thinking about Holden or wanting him. I wanted to forget about him and focus only on Colter.
But Holden had burrowed under my skin, marking me like a tattoo, and I didn’t know how to stop. The constant back and forth kept him in my peripheral, never allowing him to fade. I didn’t know what that meant for the future; if I needed closure before I could move forward, or if, over time, I’d completely withdraw from him.
“Five-minute warning,” Hendrix called. I stretched my muscles, securing my phone in my locker before following the other girls. Climbing onto the stage, I fell into the rhythm of the music and lost myself over the next few hours. The club was packed by the time I finished my shift, and I had to squeeze between the crowd on the floor to make it to the locker room.
“Excuse me!” I shouted, but no one heard me over the bass. Blowing out a breath, I retreated and went the long way back by the bar. I’d avoided it tonight once I saw the dudebro from Astronomy here. His name was Ricky, and he’d overexerted his importance here. He wasn’t a bartender, but a busboy. He cleared the tables and brought out the fresh glasses to the bartenders.
I’d been able to steer clear of him earlier and didn’t want to deal with him now that it was time to leave. My feet hurt, and I just wanted to go home and shower before bed. Ducking around a tall guy, I made it to the locker room and breathed a sigh of relief.
“How are you feeling about things?” JoJo, one of the dancers, asked. She’d been friendly and had been open with pointers. Some girls kept their secrets close to their chest, worried another dancer would take their spot if they shared anything. But not JoJo.
“Good. Tonight was a lot busier.”
“Oh, yeah. Be glad you’re not here tomorrow. It gets wild, especially after football games. A lot of the team comes here to celebrate.”
Well, damn. I hadn’t expected to run into anyone from school. Which was dumb, but somehow, I’d convinced myself it was separate from all the bullshit there.
“Good to know. Thanks, JoJo.”
“Oh! Icky Ricky asked about you. I’d avoid him at all costs if I were you.”
“Wait, did you say Icky Ricky?” I busted out laughing. It was too good of a nickname.
“I keep telling Hendrix to fire him. He makes all the girls uncomfortable. Looks like you’re his new target.”
“Perfect. I have a class with him. I’ll be on the lookout. Thanks!”
“No problem. We girls have to look out for each other. Have a good night, sweetie.”
I appreciated the sentiment, but before Brighton, it had been a long time since I could trust females to have my back and not stab it. I pulled on a hoodie and grabbed my bag, ready to be home. Stepping out into the dark hallway, chills ran down my back as I walked to the back door. The sounds of the club were muted here, and the only light came from red recessed lighting along the floor. It gave the hallway a red hue, making it feel more ominous than a hallway should.
The door came into sight, and I let out a breath. Reaching to push it open, I gasped when an arm pulled me back and pressed me against the wall. Ricky stood over me, squeezing my wrists and pressing his body into me. He smelled of sweat, his overabundant use of cologne doing nothing to mask it. I wrinkled my nose and turned my head, wiggling my lower half.
“Let me go, Ricky.”
“Now, now. Is that how you talk to the person who got you this job, new girl?”
Snapping my head forward, I leveled him with a glare. “You didn’t do shit. I got this all on my own, jackass.”
“Such crass words. I should teach you how to speak to me.”
“If you don’t take your hands off me, I’m going to scream.”
“Go ahead; no one will come.” He pushed his pelvis into me. A hard length met my stomach, and I tried not to gag. “Now, how do you want to show me your thanks? I think you’ll look best on your knees.”
“Get off me!” I screamed. “Help! Fire! Rape!” I couldn’t remember which word was more likely to grab someone’s attention, my mind muddled with information as adrenaline coursed through me.
“Hey! Let her go!” someone shouted, and I wanted to cry in relief.
I bucked against him, a renewed sense of strength rising in me. His grip tightened, and I whimpered. He shoved my hands back against the wall and butted my head. Someone started to smack him from behind, but he was too big for either of us.
“Fucking slut! Stop! New girl owes me. She likes it,” Ricky babbled. He turned his head, and I realized it was JoJo, whacking him with her shoe. His distraction gave me the leverage I needed, and I raised my knee, nailing him in the groin. His grip instantly lifted, and he bent over. I moved away from the wall and pushed him away, kneeing him again in the head for good measure.
“What the hell?” a deep voice shouted, coming out to investigate.
“See, Boss! I told you he was a creep. He had Emerson against the wall and wouldn’t let her go,” Jojo said. She wrapped her arm around me, and I realized I was shaking. A light overhead flickered on, and I squinted against the sudden brightness. Hendrix stood over Ricky, his stance imposing and his face hard. If I were the one on the ground, I’d be scared shitless.
“They’re liars! She was going to give me a blowjob until this bitch showed up. Don’t listen to them, Henny.”
“Shut the fuck up, Ricky. I told you if I found you doing anything, you were out.”
“But you promised,” Ricky whined, finally seeming to understand the shit he was in.
“I promised Aunt Lyla I’d give you a job; I didn’t say you could do whatever the hell you wanted.” He glanced over his shoulder, nodding to someone. “Take him out and make sure everyone knows he’s no longer allowed in the club.”
“Yes, Boss,” one of the big beefy guards said. He lifted Ricky like he weighed nothing. It was then I got a good picture of his face. His nose was bleeding, and he had a scratch on the side.
“That your handiwork, Jo?” Hendrix asked, nodding.
“Just the scratch. Mer kneed him in the balls and nose,” she said like a proud mama. Hendrix snorted and nodded.
“I’m sorry this happened, Mer. Let me know if you need any medical attention, and I’ll cover it. ”
“I think he just got my wrists,” I said, looking at them. They were red and splotchy and would bruise.
“He got your head, too,” JoJo said, touching my cheek gently. I winced and pulled away. I appreciated their kindness, but I wanted to go home.
“Do you want to press charges?” Hendrix asked. “I’ll support whatever decision you make. It’s your choice.”
The concept I had a choice overwhelmed me. Having to face him and tell more people about what happened was too much, and I shook my head before I could think more. If I went down that spiral, I wouldn’t make it home, and I just wanted to shower and go to bed.
“No. Thank you. If he can’t come here, I’ll be fine.”
Hendrix hesitated, searching my eyes before he spoke. “If you change your mind, let me know. An official incident report will be written, and I’d like you to do one on your next shift to cover our bases. Your safety is the priority.”
“I’m good. Thank you.”
“Okay. I’ll walk you out to your car.”
“And maybe change the lighting back here, Boss,” Jojo said, planting her hands on her hips.
“Yes, Jo. I’ll get on that, Jo,” he said with a smile, as if they’d had this conversation a lot.
“Call me if you need anything, Mer.”
I nodded and let Hendrix usher me out the door. He was quiet, and I appreciated that he wasn’t pressuring me. “You’ve been doing a great job, kiddo. I hope tonight doesn’t make you want to quit,” he said when I stopped at my car.
“Kiddo? How old are you? You can’t be that much older than me.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be thirty this year. To me, you are still a kid.”
I rolled my eyes like the mature adult I was. “Okay, Gramps.”
Hendrix laughed again and shook his head. “Be good. ”
I nodded and climbed into my car. He waited until I’d pulled out of the back lot before he turned to walk inside. His care made me feel better, and I shoved the whole experience out of my head. I didn’t want to think about Ricky anymore. He’d already taken enough of my time.
The house was dark and quiet when I unlocked the back door. I hadn’t seen Hope’s car, but Holden’s truck had been parked in the usual spot. I prayed it meant he was asleep, resting for the game tomorrow. I didn’t have the strength to deal with him tonight.
Soft music flowed from under his door, so I quietly entered my room and peeked into the bathroom. The light was off in his room, so I suspected he’d fallen asleep with music playing. Still, I kept the light off in the bathroom, not wanting to alert him to my arrival. I plugged in a small light I had that shifted colors and used it to take stock.
Dark circles had developed under my eyes, and I had a red spot on my forehead. I should be able to cover it with makeup. Scanning my wrists, I winced at the tender skin. That would be harder to manage. At least I’d be in the Wolfie costume tomorrow. I never thought I’d be thankful to be the mascot, but it meant my body wasn’t on display.
Glancing at the shower, I bit my lip as I debated if it was worth turning it on and risk waking Holden. In the end, it didn’t matter. The door swung open, and Holden turned on the light, freezing when his eyes landed on me. His aquamarine orbs went wide, and he stalked forward. I flinched, and he stopped, his hands hovering over me.
“Who. Did. This?”