Chapter 17
Lacy
After receiving the phone from Eagle, with the message already on it, he didn’t send any other messages or try to call. To say I was confused was an understatement. But I guess at least he hadn’t blown it up. Still, why did he give me a phone if he didn’t try to contact me?
It said he wanted a chance, but what did that mean? When? It almost felt like a game. As irritated as I was, I nearly called him several times. Yesterday was spent lounging around, snacking, and hydrating. I was scheduled to work for the first time today so I did my best to pull myself together. Being idle gave me too much time to think and it was making me crazy.
Jeannie’s house was pretty tidy, so besides cleaning up after myself, there wasn’t much to do. I had gotten so used to tending to the clubhouse or helping Mama Hen I hardly had a dull moment. Even if I was caught up on housework, there was always someone to watch movies with or play video games with me. Hell, I found COD to be pretty cool to play online. I wasn’t great at any of the games, but I still had fun and was getting better. I still didn’t understand all the terms thrown around. I just tried to kill the enemy and not shoot one of my teammates, but it was still fun.
But Jeannie didn’t have any gaming systems. She mentioned an old laptop, but I’d never gamed on a PC. I’d also heard you needed a pretty good setup for it or you’d get killed over and over because of the lagging.
We watched TV and ate. That was about it. After learning her schedule for work, though, I realized she was missing out on her clubhouse time. Seemed she spent most of her offtime there. She didn’t mention it for my sake, probably.
She was kind enough to offer to drive me to work even though she didn’t have to be there until the night shift. I tried to refuse and call a cab, but she scoffed. “They’re so expensive! At least let me drive you and you can take one home since I’ll be working later. Or maybe you can talk one of the guys into driving you home? They take shifts there, too. Someone has to be leaving when you do and my house is on the way.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Eagle seemed edgy. I was already wondering when he’d find out I was working there. I couldn’t imagine how he’d react if I rode on one of their bikes.
“Well, until you guys figure out if you’re gonna work it out or not, Eagle can’t say shit.”
“Maybe he shouldn’t, but I’m pretty sure he would.”
She cocked her head. “True. But this mess is on him. So, he can get over it. You’re technically free as a bird.”
She was right of course, but I didn’t feel free. I felt trapped. I just wanted to be happy. With him. But how was I to know if this was all a game or if he was really trying to prove himself for good?
I couldn’t worry about that now. We were pulling into Destiny’s Desires and I had to get stage ready. It was my first shift at a new place, and I didn’t want to let Mama Hen down after she gave me a chance. Once Eagle found out, he wouldn’t be happy with her, so I understood the gravity of what she did for me. She may be the HBIC, but she was still a woman, and members ruled with the final word.
Jeannie pulled around front to drop me at the door. “Love you girl, but I’m not hanging out all day. I’ll see you at shift change.”
Looking over, relief washed over me that Butch wasn’t at the door. It was a prospect. I couldn’t remember his name, but I’d seen him at the clubhouse a few times. “I don’t blame you. I’ll figure out a car soon but I appreciate the lift.”
“Go get that money!”
I squeezed her hand then headed inside with my bag. The prospect smiled and opened the door. His brown hair was shaved on the sides and cropped short on top. Sunglasses covered his eyes but he seemed to be fairly young. “Hey, Lacy.”
Shit. I didn’t know his name. Should I? “Hi, thanks for grabbing the door. See you around.” I’ll ask someone for his name. They didn’t have little patches with their road names until they were officially members so I couldn’t just read it. But he was being sweet so I wanted to address him, but didn’t want to seem like a bitch for not already knowing it. Although, he probably understood why I didn’t. Most of the men steered clear of me and Daisy.
It wasn’t time to open yet, and it was quiet besides the clanking of glass from the bar and sounds coming from the kitchen. I was booking it to the dressing room I had gotten ready in for the audition when I heard footsteps behind me. Boots.
Turning quickly as my heart raced, my shoulders sagged and I rolled my eyes. “You could have announced yourself.”
Butch stepped closer and leaned on the wall, his arm up over his head. “Why, you heard me?”
“What happened to your face?” It was bruised and riddled with small gashes that didn’t seem properly tended to. He didn’t look like that Sunday.
“Your boyfriend and I had a disagreement.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Why did I tell him that?
He grinned, letting his eyes roam over me. “Well, that’s good to hear.”
The way he was scanning me sent a knot to my stomach. “Did you get a concussion?” I asked with pinched brows.
He chuckled and righted himself, crossing his thick arms over his chest. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because you’ve never said two words to me until Sunday, and were kind of a dick then. Now either you’re just making nice with the new girl, or you’re hitting on me. Either way, super confusing.”
He stepped closer, but I had space in the hall so I moved back. “Would it matter which to you?” he asked.
What the fuck ? “I need to get ready.” I needed to get away from him.
“First, I need to show you around and introduce you to the cook and bartender. Standard tip outs are expected.”
Cursing Jeannie for leaving me, I nodded. “Let me put my bag down.”
He nodded so I turned, rolling my eyes again and went to the dressing room. Nobody else was there yet, so I sat my bag on one of the stools and walked back to meet Butch.
He waved me to go but I said, “I don’t know where I’m going.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll guide you. Ladies first.”
I really didn’t want him behind me. It was more than the fact he was a dick. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but he gave me the heebie jeebies. Still, it was clear he wouldn’t budge, and he was head of security, and almost as high in rank as Eagle. Almost, but not quite there. That little nugget made me grin.
Even though I was pissed at Eagle, I still felt like I had to defend his honor or something. How pathetic. So what if he outranked him? Why did I care?
I flinched when Butch’s hand touched the small of my back. “Over this way.”
Moving my feet faster, I tried to get ahead of his touch, but his long legs kept pace easily. He was right behind me, the heat from his large frame towering like a bear standing tall to intimidate its prey. I was the prey .
We entered a swinging door and a few guys were back there with hairnets and aprons. Only one of them bothered to look up. “Hey, Lacy.” Did everyone know me? Geez.
Butch spoke up. “That’s Lance. You may have seen him around the clubhouse.”
Lance didn’t look like a Lance. He had a deep complexion with black hair that was neatly combed under the hairnet, dark eyes, but a warm smile with thick lips. He wiped his hand on his apron then held it out. “Not sure we officially met, but I’ve seen you there.”
“I’m sorry we never chatted.” He seemed nice enough, but I never spoke to the men.
He smirked and Butch chuckled. Lance said, “That’s kind of how it goes. But I haven’t seen ya around in a few days.”
Butch said, “She’s hanging with Jeannie.”
Lance shot his eyes to me, to Butch, then back to me. “Well…good to have you on board. First day then?”
Now everyone knew about me and Eagle. Great . “Yep. I’ll be by before I head out with some money.”
“Thanks, sweetie. Just hand it to me and I’ll take care of these knuckleheads,” he said as he tossed his thumb over his shoulder, directing it at the other two who said nothing. “Prospects.”
“Oh,” I said. “Well nice to finally meet you, Lance.”
“You like Caesar wraps?”
Shrugging I said, “Sure.”
“Come see me at your break. Or end of shift. Some of the girls don’t like to eat until they’re leaving. I’ll fix you up good.”
Smiling at the kind gesture, I said, “Thanks, Lance. I’ll see you in a bit.”
Butch’s hand was at my back again, guiding me back to the main area past the stages. We went to the bar and another member was there. “This is Jules. Jules, this is Lacy, new girl.”
Fighting to roll my eyes again, I smiled and said, “Hello.”
“You like water or soda?” Jules asked. He was ruggedly handsome with a bit of scruff, and light brown, wavy hair that was just past the top of his ears. Dimples for days. Green eyes. He should be working at a club where women frequented. He’d make a killing.
“Diet Coke and water. I like a pop of caffeine. Great to meet you.”
“Great to have you. You need anything, anything at all, you just holler or give me a wave.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, fresh meat,” a man said from behind me. Turning, I didn’t recognize him and he wasn’t wearing a cut.
“This is Lacy. Lacy, this is Rayne.”
The tall man was muscular but not as bulky as all the bikers. His facial features were chiseled with a clean shave, large friendly smile, and short perfectly coiffed chestnut hair. He held his hand out, so I obliged. He drew it to his lips then smiled up at me. “So lovely to meet you. I’m DJ Rayne,” he said as he flashed his rich brown eyes at Butch.
He released my hand and I tried to stay cordial. “Thanks. Cool name.”
He put his hands up and wiggled his fingers. “It’s perfect because I help you ladies make it rain.”
I chuckled. “That’s quite clever.”
He turned and threw his arm over my shoulder. But I didn’t feel uncomfortable like I did when Butch only touched the small of my back. “What’s your stage name, love?”
“Sapphire.” When I started at the first club ever, I had no idea what to call myself and everyone said I had to randomly pick a name. All the girls said it wasn’t safe to use your real name, even if it did already sound like a dancer’s name. I had no clue who I should be, so I sat at the bar before opening, sipping a diet soda and picking apart a napkin. The bartender, who was a striking woman, came over to clean up my mess and leaned on the bar to ask me if I was nervous. When I explained my conundrum she laughed and said, “That’s easy. Sapphire.”
“Just like that?” I kind of liked it, though I still asked, “Why Sapphire?”
“Because those big baby blues are going to make the boys wild.” I’ve used that name ever since.
“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. It’s a pleasure to have you on board. I need to take care of a few things before shift starts. Good luck today, Sapphire.”
DJ Rayne was definitely giving safety vibes. That made me feel a little better. Too bad he wasn’t one of them.
“Rayne switches shifts with Jodeci so you’ll meet him soon,” Butch said, breaking me from my comfortable haze.
“Jodeci, like the group?”
He grinned. “No, but he likes to think he’s as popular. Anyway, that’s the grand tour. Be sure to visit them at the end of your shift.”
“Got it. Pretty standard. Am I free to go?”
“You’re free to do whatever you want, Sapphire .” His grin melted into a serious line, and his eyes bored into me. He didn’t let them roam, but instead locked them with mine.
“I need to go get ready. Thanks for the introductions.” I turned and power walked to the hall where the dressing rooms were without looking back. What a weird way to start my first shift.