13. Sloan
Chapter thirteen
Sloan
I ’m in a bit of a daze when I get back from lunch, going through the motions of stocking the supply room based off memory instead of conscious thought. I think I agreed to spend the night with Carter. What the actual fuck?
I could probably say I’m staying with Blake, and Ally and Finn probably wouldn’t look into that too closely because they’d love to have the place to themselves for a night. Lennon would back me up if I needed him to, leaving Blake himself as the only wild card, but after we sort of bonded over the whole massaging the clients thing, I’m betting he’d do me a solid.
What am I doing?
I’m plotting my escape like some teenage boy trying to sneak out after curfew, all to keep things with Carter a secret. Is he worth that? Is any guy?
Much as I want to say no, the only answer that comes to mind is yes. Our situation may not be ideal, but it feels right in a way none of my former relationships have. Ironic considering the efforts we’re going through to hide it, but I feel like our little bubble is full of honesty and admiration. That has to count for something, I think .
“Hello? Earth to Sloan.” Blake waves a hand in front of my face, causing my hand to slip and knock a bunch of lotion bottles off the shelf.
“Shit!”
He crouches down to help pick them up, calling me out as he plucks bottles off the ground. “Dreamy expression, red cheeks, I’d say you not only gave your client the happy ending he wanted, but you’re starting to think he’s more than just a client.”
Keeping my eyes focused on the floor I casually lift my shoulder. “Maybe.” I don’t bother trying to lie about what he can clearly see.
“You remember the part where I suggested catch and release?”
“I do. I also remember how you said importing wasn’t a bad thing.” I stand with my armful of bottles and start replacing the shelves.
“True.” Blake’s head bobs cautiously up and down. “But I didn’t suggest mixing the two.”
“What do you mean?” I pause with a bottle midway to the shelf.
He opens his mouth then abruptly shuts it with a small shake of his head. “Let’s just say it seems early to try to keep your catch. Especially if you found him here.”
“Does that matter if he’s the right one?” Admittedly, I’m getting way ahead of myself, but Blake’s questions are ruining the excitement of only minutes before, so I’m feeling a little defensive.
“Hey.” He waves his hands in surrender. “I’ve seen what happens when people believe the fairy tale that some rich client is going to steal you away and take care of you. It doesn’t work like that.”
“I don’t want it to work like that.” I force my attention to stay on restocking the lotion, so I don’t blush, or inadvertently imply Blake’s words hit a little too close to home.
I get what this will look like to anyone on the outside, and being rescued by Prince Charming is actually the lesser evil compared to sleeping my way to the top, though both inherently imply I need someone else to save me, which isn’t remotely true. Given that Blake just suggested I’ve latched onto a Prince Charming makes me wonder if people will ever believe I like the man himself, not his name or the size of his bank account.
“The look on your face says you do,” Blake says softly.
“What look?” I face him with my best scowl.
“The dreamy one you were wearing earlier.”
“I think he’s a nice guy, big deal. I wouldn’t have crossed any lines with him otherwise.”
“That’s exactly why you need to be careful. This is personal for you, and every time you give him what he wants you risk falling deeper. If he doesn’t feel the same—and after years of playing this game, I’m telling you that’s a long shot—you’re the one who gets hurt. You start reading into things or getting too clingy… bam. He reports you and you’re out. Keep it to sex and tips. That’s the only safe way to do this.”
“ This isn’t something I plan to make a habit of. I’m not for sale. Everything I’ve done is because I actually like the guy, not because I’m looking for better tips.” I try to storm past him, but he stops with a hand to my arm.
“Sloan, I’m not trying to make you sound cheap or unethical. I know that’s not who you are, which makes my warning that much more important. If you can’t keep your feelings out of it don’t go down this road. Stop taking him as a client.”
“I already have.” That’s not a total lie since the last massage I gave him was before we started sleeping together.
Blake drops my arm as his eyebrows disappear beneath his shaggy brown hair. “For real? That’s great news. I should’ve given you more credit. You’re too smart to keep risking your career for a little fun. Smarter than me.” He’s smiling as he says it, though once again his voice doesn’t match his expression. I’d call him on that if I weren’t at a loss for words.
He thinks I’m too smart to put my career on the line, but I’ve done that in a much bigger way than he can possibly imagine. What would he say if he knew the extent to which I’ve jeopardized things?
“Hey, uh. Can I ask you a favor?” Blake’s deep, soft voice jolts me from another wayward train of thought.
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Can you tell Ally I have to bail on the bike race?” He holds his breath, seeming to shrink in front of me. Clearly, he thinks I’ll react like my sister. I won’t, but that doesn’t mean I’ll do his dirty work.
“Uh, uh. No way.” I shake my head vigorously. “You know how hard she works on all the costumes and stuff. I am not going to suffer her wrath for you.” I can’t overstate how important costumes are to my sister. It borders on obsession. I love the girl like crazy, but this is the one thing about her I don’t get. It’s also the one thing I don’t fight her on, because life’s just easier that way.
“You’ll get less wrath than I will.” Blake averts his eyes, knowing the magnitude of his little favor.
“You know that’s not true, or you’d tell her yourself. Why can’t you make it?”
“A friend invited me to go surfing in Mexico. I’ve never been but always wanted to go.”
Dammit that’s a pretty good reason . “I still don’t know why you need me.”
“Please?” He clasps his hands like he’s in prayer. “She’ll give me the guilt trip from hell, but she can’t guilt the messenger. And if she does, you can point out she had me dressing as Spiderman, who’s maybe not technically an Avenger, or at least the newest Avenger and not really that important. ”
An idea starts to form the moment he says Spiderman. He and Carter are similar in height, and if I tell Ally I have a solution for the extra costume before she has time to freak out about it, maybe she’ll freak out less that Carter is the one filling the vacant spot. Plus, if Blake is out of town, I have a legit reason not to stay at home that night.
“I’ll do it on one condition.” I point my finger at Blake, pretending that he hasn’t just given me a gift of sorts.
“Anything.”
“Let me crash at your place while you’re gone. Finn and Ally haven’t had a night alone in ages, and we’ll all benefit if I wasn’t sharing a roof with them after the race.”
“Done.” Blake gives me a relieved grin and pulls me in for a hug.
***
After work I swing by the ski team training center and check in with the receptionist. I do this periodically, just so they know I’m still interested, although it being June means it’s a little early to be thinking about staffing for the next season. As predicted, there’s no news, but I’m choosing to believe my persistence will eventually pay off.
Back at home the house is quiet. It’s too early for either Finn or Ally to be off work, but I can’t really enjoy the solitude since I have a night shift at Murphy’s. Grabbing a frozen pizza—dinner of champions—I scarf it down while checking my bank account to see how much closer I am to affording my own place.
It’s not that I hate living with my sister and her husband. Our schedules are so opposite I barely see them except in passing, and they don’t make me feel unwanted. But living with them isn’t the same as having my own space.
I had some money saved up before moving here, and working two jobs while paying only a few hundred bucks a month toward utilities and groceries means my balance is growing steadily. I could probably make the leap and get my own place now, but it’d make more sense to stay patient and keep saving so I have enough wiggle room to quit Murphy’s.
That’s a bittersweet thought. I actually love working there—Lennon and his staff are like one big family—and I like being part of that. It’s the hours that start to wear on you after a while. And having to work during some of the best events the town has to offer.
The bike race is only the first one of the season. There’s the Summer Solstice, Fourth of July parade, the art show, the bike show, and a ton of summer concerts. I don’t miss those things by choice, and I’d rather not miss as many of them as I have in the past. Naturally, the idea of missing things brings my thoughts back to Carter.
He has fond memories of this place as a kid, but most of that time was spent in training. There’s so much more that he’s never experienced, and if he’s going to make his living here, he should. Though I’m a little nervous about bringing him into the fold since it could expose what’s happening with us, I can’t deny I’m excited to have him see all the great things this town has to offer.
“Why don’t you get dinner at Murphy’s?” Ally sets her purse on the kitchen table, snapping me out of my daydreams. “Their menu is better than frozen pizza.”
“If I eat it every day it might lose its appeal.” I talk around a bite. “And I don’t want it to become a place I’m tired of eating at.”
“They all become that. It’s unavoidable when there’s only a total of twenty restaurants in town. ”
“I don’t want it to happen too soon then.” I take a gulp of water to wash down the last of my pizza.
“Speaking of work.” Ally takes a seat on the barstool next to me. Here it comes . “You got the day off, right?”
“I got the afternoon off. Best I could do considering it’s one of the biggest restaurant days of the year.”
“What are we supposed to do all morning without the full cast?” She puffs out her bottom lip in a pout that probably works wonders on Finn but does nothing for me.
“The cast is so big I’m sure any missing members will go unnoticed for a few laps. And let’s be real, Deacon and Dex will be late cause they’ll both be closing the bar the night before.”
“Dex won’t be late. We’re meeting at his bar for the final costume check.”
My sister and playing dress up . I try not to snort, knowing how important this is to her.
Katah Vista is a difficult town for a fashionista to live in, and she’s managing it pretty well all things considered. She runs a cute little boutique on Main Street that’s a big tourist draw, so she gets some of her fashion fix there, although half of what she sells would be considered out-of-place in this town, which is more prone to wearing ski pants or bike shorts than fancy dresses. Thank goodness for tourists and costume events that can be her outlet. Speaking of…time to drop that bombshell.
“You have Blake going as Spiderman, right?” I hold my breath and wait for my question to register. It only takes a few seconds.
“That coward. He sent you in here to let me down easy, didn’t he? Well, he can’t. He’s committed. I already have the costume and everything.” She hops up and paces wildly back and forth.
“I have a solution, if you’ll calm down enough to hear it. ”
“I’m calm.” She spins on her heel and walks the other direction.
The snort comes out before I can stop it. She stops dead and gives me a cold stare. “Seriously.” I hold up my hands. “A good solution, too. I think.”
“I’m listening.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest and taps her foot, waiting for me to continue.
“A few weeks back I had a client. A local. Newish, so he doesn’t know many people in town yet. He’s about the same size as Blake, so the costume could still get used.”
The frown she’s wearing gets less pronounced as her anxiety starts to level off. “Sounds promising. Who is it?”
I take a deep breath and will my voice not to crack. “Carter Quinn.”
Ally’s eyes morph from little slits to giant saucers, but it happens in a weird slow-motion way that makes me think her head might spin around. Either that or steam will shoot from her ears.
“No. Absolutely not. I would’ve happily played welcome committee when he moved here last year but he wanted no part of that. I won’t do that to Finn either. He deserves to have fun on his day off and hanging out with his boss isn’t his idea of fun.” She starts pacing again.
“Offering to get together out of the office might work in Finn’s favor.” I’m grasping at straws since the costume substitution didn’t have the effect I hoped for.
“Maybe if Carter wasn’t such a closed-off jerk they’d have hung out outside work already.” She slams her hands to her hips and sends me a frosty glare.
“That’s fair. I’m just saying it must be hard to become part of the town if you don’t know anyone. I had you and Finn to help me get settled when I got here. Carter didn’t have anyone. ”
“That makes it okay for him to sit up there in his fancy office and ignore the people who work for him?”
“No. But it does make him human.”
“What does that mean?” Ally’s top lip pulls up as she wrinkles her nose.
“He’s not immune to the things people say about him. He’s aware he played a role in that, but knowing a whole town sort of hates you doesn’t make you want to come out of your office.”
“Hate’s a strong word.” She starts to soften. Ally may not be as forgiving as me, but she knows I wouldn’t defend someone unless I thought they deserved it. “I’d say more skeptical.”
“Either way, I think he’d like to change that. The bike race is the perfect opportunity, and he solves your costume problem in the process.”
“We should’ve dressed as ‘Man in the High Castle’ if he’s joining us.” The corner of her lip ticks up in a partial smile. A peace offering of sorts.
“He’s not that reclusive.” I roll my eyes.
“He kind of is. But not with you it seems.” Her eyebrows climb up to her forehead and stay there, a not-so-subtle hint that she’s waiting for an explanation.
“I told you, he’s a client. A nice one. Nicer than I expected him to be anyway, and I get the impression he didn’t set out to isolate himself, it just sort of happened, and then he didn’t know what to do about it. When Blake told me he couldn’t make the race, the pieces sort of fell together.” Ally doesn’t need to know things didn’t exactly happen in that order.
“Well, I suppose since he did finally bring Finn in for a meeting, we can reciprocate by having him join the cast. He has to wear the costume though.” She points a finger at my chest .
“Duh.” I’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
“Finn still has to say yes.”
“Of course.” No way he’ll deny Ally her full cast.
“And you still have to work on Lennon. That man works too much. He needs to come out for at least a few laps.”
“I’ll do my best.”
The slight shake of her head says she can’t believe she’s agreeing to this. “Okay,” she sighs heavily. “I guess we’ve got our Spiderman.”