Sierra
Chapter twenty-seven
The guy tossed some money at my feet, then rushed from the room. What the fuck! It’s the first time that’s ever happened to me. Bending down, I pick up my skirt and bra, along with the cash. Cyrus steps into the room just as I’m standing up.
“Is everything okay, baby? Did he try something?” He crosses the room in long strides and pulls me into his arms, holding me tight against his chest. My bare tits brush against the cotton fabric of his shirt and I shiver.
“No, he didn’t. I’m not sure why he charged out of here. He just tossed the money on the floor and ran.” I count the money in my hand and roll my eyes when I see it’s only fifteen dollars.
Fucking cheapskate.
“I love you, baby,” he whispers as he places little kisses on my neck, taking advantage of this moment alone.
“I love you too. He tipped for shit, though.” I laugh.
“Rico wanted me to tell you he charged him three fifty for thirty minutes. So you still made more money than you would if he hadn’t screwed you. Also, you’re done for the night. Rico wants you to ease back into your full schedule slowly.”
Although being sent home pisses me off, I kind of get it. Hell, if I’m honest, I am tired and the thought of snuggling up in my bed next to Cyrus makes me anxious to get there.
“Normally I would argue, but I’m already tired and I know we need to stop by the drugstore on the way home.” I wink as I pull away from him. “I’m going to see Rico before I head to the locker room and change.”
“Okay, babe. See you in a few.”
I step out into the hallway and as I make my way down it, I put the bra back on. Just before I make it to the main area of the club, I slip my tiny skirt back on.
It takes a minute to maneuver through the tables as patrons stop me to talk. I can’t turn them down, so instead I take a few moments to listen and joke around before moving on. I’ll be back tomorrow and they may be as well. So I need to play nice.
I finally make it to Rico’s door and knock gently. I didn’t see him on the floor, so I’m assuming he’s here.
“Come in,” comes from the other side, and I turn the handle, opening it.
“Hey,” I say, stepping inside his office.
“How did the dance go? He didn’t try anything, did he?”
“Nope. I danced. He ran. He even gave me a whole fifteen dollars as a tip.” A laugh slips from my lips when the pencil Rico was holding snaps in half.
“That’s all the fucker gave you? Now I don’t feel bad triple charging him.” Rico rolls his chair back, pulling out an envelope from the drawer and handing it to me.
“Thanks.” I grip the envelope tightly, not bothering to open it.
“How much is your rent and who do I make the check out to?” he asks, looking down at something on his desk. It’s then I notice a checkbook in front of him.
“What are you doing?” Anger boils inside me. I can pay my own fucking bills. I have been since my mom passed away.
“What does it look like? I’m writing out your rent payment so you can drop it off at the landlord’s office. Now, who do I write it out to?” He glares at me, and I give it right back. There’s no way he’s paying it for me.
“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I turn to leave, and reach the door when his stern voice hits my ears.
“Sierra. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I need your landlord's name. If you won’t give it willingly, then I can always find out.”
I swallow, then square my shoulders. Holding my head high, I leave the room. Rico is not paying my bills for me. Not now. Not ever.
Maybe tomorrow I’ll feel differently, but tonight my pride won’t let me.
I walk into the dressing room and head straight to my vanity. Pulling out one of my face cloths, I clean the makeup off. Once I’m done, I change and pull my hair up in a ponytail, tucking it under my ball cap.
I open the door only to run into a brick wall—Cyrus.
“Hey, babe. I thought I’d catch you before you changed so I could watch you undress.” Fuck, his words ignite an inferno inside me.
“Well, you can when we get home.” I don’t know what’s come over me lately. I can’t seem to get enough of him since we’ve had sex. But the funny thing is, if I say sex around him, he corrects me. To him, it’s more, and it’s why I love him.
He takes my bag from me, slipping the strap on his shoulder before pulling me close to his body with his other arm. Protecting me from all the evil forces around me. At least that’s what I like to think.
We make our way through the club to the front doors. My skin prickles like someone is watching me, and I start to get nervous. I burrow my body deeper into Cyrus’s side, wrapping my arm around his waist while the other rests on his chest.
“You okay?” he asks and I just shake my head. “What—”
“Not here.” I interrupt him and he grips me tighter, leading us out of the building and straight to his jeep.
Only when we’re safely inside and he has the engine started does he ask me again.
“What’s wrong, Sierra? You were panicking back there. If dancing is causing you anxiety, then stop. I’ll make sure the bills are paid.”
What the fuck?
I turn in the seat and shoot him a glare. “What is it with everyone wanting to pay my bills? First Rico, then you. I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself. I’ve been doing just fine so far.”
“Sierra, we know you have been. We just want to help you. You’re not alone anymore.”
Shit, I know he’s right. They’re just trying to help me and I’m being a bitch.
“I’m sorry. It’s just so hard to let someone in and help. I need to apologize to Rico, too.” I sigh. He leans over the console and kisses my lips, softly at first, but deepening as he goes.
When he breaks free, both of us are panting heavily. “Now what happened as we were leaving?”
“I don’t know. I can’t really say other than it felt like someone was watching me. Could my aunt and her boyfriend be here? Fuck, I’m scared, Cyrus. What if she wants to punish me for CPS finding out about her not being there to care for us? What if she thinks I told them what happened to me?”
“I’d kill her. Fuck that, Rico would kill her and him before they laid a finger on you. I’ll die before I ever let anyone touch you again.”
“Okay,” I mumble, fighting back the tears that want to break free.
Cyrus reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Let’s go home.”
I love how he calls my apartment home now. “Only after we stop by the pharmacy. Don’t forget, we need condoms.” He chuckles as he puts the gear shift into reverse.
“Umm, I know this may be a touchy subject—” he starts as he backs out of the parking spot and heads toward the exit, looking both ways before pulling out on the main road.
“But how do you feel about getting on birth control? I’ll still wear a condom if you want, but I’d love to feel you bare.
I’ll even go with you and get an STD test done. ”
“I’ve been thinking about that, too. I can check to see how much it is at the health department.” I fiddle with the edge of my purse, feeling my phone vibrating inside of it, but ignore it. “And thank you for offering to get the STD test.”
He reaches over and gives my knee a reassuring squeeze before taking my hand in his. With my free hand, I reach into my bag and pull out my phone, seeing I have a lot of text messages.
Today is Colton’s day to send Sam’s message. It hadn’t come in by the time I went to work and I really want to see it now. It’ll be late when we get home, but I need to send her one back.
My fingers hover over Colton’s name. I open his message thread and realize he’s messaged a few times. I scroll to the end, bypassing everything else. When I see the video clip, I quickly press play.
Sam’s sitting in the same room she’s in every time. I can tell by the pink comforter on the bed and the Disney princess picture on the wall. She looks so happy.
My heart aches knowing that Mr. Stevenson is able to give her all the things I couldn’t. Things she should have. A true childhood.
She tells me about school and the guys. How nice everyone is being to her and how she misses me. Sam’s even going to a sleepover next weekend. I don’t realize I’m crying until my tears drop on the screen of my phone.
“She’s going to be back with you soon. But it looks like she’s being taken care of and she’s happy. And most of all, she’s with someone that she can sneak messages to you.” Cyrus’ deep timber voice soothes something inside me.
“Yeah, I just miss her. I get to see and talk to her, but it’s not the same.”
“I know, babe. You just need to stay positive. This is temporary. Also, I think you should cut those guys some slack. They’re risking a lot sending you those messages.”
He knows I have feelings for them. How can he be so accepting? I should be happy with just him. He’s wonderful. But Zander and Braxton, well, they’ve wormed their way into my heart.
As for Colton…
Fuck, I don’t know.
There’s just so much there. He apologized, but should I forgive him?
It’s just so hard to give my trust to someone.
Maybe baby steps?
I squeeze Cyrus’ hand tightly. He’s the blessing I never knew I needed.