Chapter 13 #2
She turned to see Stephan standing in the doorway leading to the front counter. The man had his arms crossed and a shit-eating smirk on his face. Sabrina raised her middle finger at him as she stormed out. “Fuck you!”
The cold air cooled her temper, and she slowed her pace. She didn’t know where her feet were taking her, but she kept going. At least her phone was in her pocket, so she wasn’t without any resources.
Who would she call? In retrospect, she couldn’t afford to lose this job, but at the same time, there was only so much crap she could take.
An aesthetician told her this spa had a revolving door for employees.
No one stayed there very long either because of pay or the general work environment, or both.
She could definitely see why. And while Sabrina was grateful for the opportunity and the leeway with parking her van out back, that didn’t mean anyone had the right to walk all over her.
Worry hit her that Stephan or Cicely would call someone to tow her van and trailer. “Dammit!” she muttered. “If I have to apologize to that guy…. Nope, I can’t do it.”
She had the option of returning to her previous route between Planet Fitness and Walmart parking lots at least for now.
Then she paused. Why the hell was she even sticking around?
It was clear Scrap wasn’t going to give her any answers.
Even though she was low on funds, she wasn’t flat busted broke.
She hadn’t put down roots in this city. Nothing was stopping her from loading up her van and taking off. Maybe that was for the best.
She thought briefly about Cam and how he would take the news of her leaving. Regret pierced her heart as she thought about not seeing him again. Last night had the potential of turning into something special, but today….
She turned around, intending to call the spa to officially quit, but she heard someone calling her.
“Sabrina!”
She spotted the person who’d embedded himself in her life and didn’t seem to want to go. Cam approached her, walking stiffly.
Those psoas muscles are giving him trouble again.
“Hey, Cam.”
He stopped in front of her. “Everything okay?”
Not really. “Yeah, everything is fine. I forgot to ask if Scrap made it home from the hospital.”
“He did, and Wolf checked on him this morning. What’s wrong?”
His face showed such concern that for a moment, she wanted to do nothing more than cry. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just asking.”
“Then why are you here looking like someone stole Reptar and Rugrat instead of at work?”
“No one is gonna steal my babies. I just needed some fresh air. The last client I had smelled like ass and acted like one too.”
“Long ways to walk. ’Bout a half mile from here to the spa.” His demeanor changed from concern to anger in a heartbeat. “Did this ass touch you or say something to you?”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall.
Not yet. When was the last time anyone had this kind of concern for her?
Definitely not since Ernie passed away. Her dad always figured out when she was down and often took her for ice cream.
He had a manner of calmly talking to her and asking questions until she finally opened up and told him what bothered her.
The closest person she had now was Amelia, and even then, there were limits.
“I’m just having another really shitty day, that’s all.”
To her surprise, he stepped forward and folded her into his body, tucking her head into the space between his neck and shoulder.
“I’m sorry, babe. Tell me how I can make it better.”
She sighed as his warmth penetrated her shirt.
She hadn’t realized she was cold until he surrounded her.
“I think you’re doing it already.” Another sigh passed her lips.
“I cussed the asshole out and left in the middle of a job. Cicely told me she would fire me if I made her have another bad review. I expect that’s what’s about to happen when I go get my rig. ”
“We’ll give her some very positive ones. Wolf needs his back done, and there’s others in the club who need your services. Watch out for Melter, though. He’s unpredictable.”
Somewhere above, she heard him chuckle. “Of course, the operative syllable in that word is dick. Best just to stay away from him.”
His heart beat in a steady rhythm below her ear.
The heavy sensation of his arms around her body felt like a shield she could hide behind forever.
A couple of cars passed by on the busy street, and someone shouted in the distance, but nothing penetrated the wall of protection he offered.
It was comfortable, and Sabrina found she wanted all that and more. “I will.”
“I have to work at the club tonight. In the morning, I’ll help you move your rig.”
She didn’t even think about protesting. “Sounds good to me.”
He pulled back and gazed deep into her eyes.
His were also a shade of blue, though more on the charcoal side.
She noticed the dark ring surrounding his irises as his fingertips moved to lift her chin.
His mouth descended and covered hers in a slow, burning kiss that reminded her of last night.
No ton of bricks fell on her, no electric flash traveling through her body.
Just a smoldering that filled her belly with the promise of more heat to come.
He finally raised his head, and his breath brushed over her lips.
“Where is this going?” she asked in a quivery whisper.
“I don’t know, babe, but I’m not ready to stop.”
“Me neither.”
He released her and cleared his throat. “You can sit in the break room and look through the want ads for another spa opening.”
“No need for that.”
Both of them jumped at the amused voice.
Wolf stepped up to join them on the sidewalk.
“I just called to book an appointment with Sabrina and expressed my disappointment that she wasn’t there because the Knights plan to make her our official masseuse.
” The big man’s face split into a grin. “I also mentioned our rally and how we would support all our sponsors. She’s got a check waiting for me.
I think your job is safe. If Cam’s okay with it, I’ll take you back to the spa now if you want to work on me. ”
Sabrina smiled and stepped back, putting some distance between her and Cam.
Relief coursed through her body, mixed with a little humility.
The Knights didn’t have to go to bat for her, but they did, and it made her a little nervous.
Not many people stood up for her, and she wasn’t sure how to handle it.
Fuck it, I’ll take the win. “I’ll do you anytime. Massage, that is.”
Wolf tossed his head back and let out a huge belly laugh.
Cam frowned at his friend’s amusement and turned his attention back to Sabrina. “That’s cool, but I still want you to move tomorrow morning. I’m sure getting that van and trailer back there wasn’t easy. It’s going to be even harder to get it out.”
She blinked. “Okay, sugar.”
“I’ll get whoever is available to come spot. Those suckers are tricky as hell to maneuver. Might need to move the trailer separate. Where’s it going?” Wolf asked.
Cam answered before Sabrina could open her mouth. “My place.”