Chapter 12
Marlowe
“Your place is just ... adorable, Marlie,” Kate announced as she sauntered into my living room with her flashy new boyfriend at her side. “It looks just like you.”
It was clear from her lackluster tone she wasn’t impressed by my apartment, but I wasn’t surprised.
If there weren’t diamond-cut chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and expensive furnishings positioned in every corner, then she would snub her nose at the place—just as she’d done mine.
All of my furniture and rugs were secondhand, the paint was peeling off the walls, and the pictures were there when I signed the lease.
Needless to say, it wasn’t the greatest place in town, but it was mine and I was proud of it. “It’ll do in a pinch.”
“Well, if it was a little bigger, Eric and I might’ve been able to stay with you.” With the fakest smile, she shrugged and said, “But it’s just as well. Eric got us a room at the Omni. You should see it, Marlie. It’s just beautiful.”
“The Omni is really something. I’m sure you both will enjoy it there.”
“You know, I’ve been planning to make the trip up to see you for months, but I’ve just been so busy.
You know how hard it can be to get away.
” She slipped her hand through her boyfriend’s arm, pulling him close.
Kate had always gone for the preppy, rich-boy type with trendy hair and the most fashionable clothes.
While Eric was well-dressed in his expensive black Armani suit, he was far from preppy.
His dark hair was brushed back with thick gel, and with the slight crow’s feet in the corners of his eyes, he looked to be at least ten years older than her or me.
“When Eric mentioned he had business to take care of in Nashville, I insisted I come along so I could come by and spend some time with you.”
“That’s great.” I walked over to the refrigerator and took out a diet soda. “How long will you be in town?”
“Just a few days.” Kate looked up at Eric with starry eyes as she told me, “It just depends on how long it takes Eric to close this deal he’s been working on.”
“Sounds important.”
“Because it is. That’s why Eric came here to handle it himself,” she answered proudly. “Everything has to be done right.”
“I see.” I looked over to Eric and asked, “So, what kind of business are you in, Eric.”
“I buy and sell real estate,” Eric answered coldly.
“Yes, he has a real knack for finding places for a steal, then after a few renovations, he turns around and sells them for three times the buying price.” Kate was practically beaming as she asked, “Isn’t that amazing?”
“It sure is.” I could see by the way she clung to his arm, Kate was really into this guy. I wanted to share in her enthusiasm, but I couldn’t find it in me to care what her fabulous new boyfriend did for a living. Hoping to change the subject, I asked, “How are things with you and school?”
“They couldn’t be better. I’m set to graduate next month, and then I’ll start my internship at Daddy’s firm.
” She released her hold on Eric’s arm as she went over and looked out my window.
There wasn’t much to the view, just a busy street and a rundown gas station, so I wasn’t surprised when she asked, “What about you? Did you ever graduate?”
“No, but I’m working on it.”
“That’s good to hear. I was a little worried you’d be stuck bartending for the rest of your life, and well ... that would be disappointing.”
“Actually, I do pretty well with it.”
“Um-hmm. Clearly.” She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth with sass, then sauntered back over to Eric. “So, what about dinner? Eric and I were thinking we could take you out to eat and maybe have a few drinks.”
“That would be great, but I have to work.”
“What time do you get off?”
“It’ll be after one, so we’ll have to do it another time.”
“We could always stop by your work and spend some time with you there.”
I couldn’t believe it. For the first time since they’d arrived, Eric had something to say.
Unfortunately, his idea about them coming to the club wasn’t a good one.
I could only imagine how Kate would react to being at a strip club.
Hoping to quickly squash the idea, I shook my head and replied, “That’s probably not a good idea.
It gets a little hectic around there. Might make it difficult to talk. ”
“I’m sure we can manage,” Kate sassed.
“Yeah, but I’ve only been working there a few days.” I shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to upset anyone by having friends stop by.”
“I’m sure they would understand. I’m your sister, after all.” Kate rolled her eyes as she murmured, “It’s not like we’re talking about some five-star restaurant here. It’s a bar.”
“Yes, but ...” I started to argue but quickly decided against it. “You know what? You’re right. If you two want to stop by for a bit, you should. It would be fun.”
“Great.” Eric smiled, then slipped his arm around Kate’s waist as he said, “I really need to get to my meeting. Would you like me to drop you off at the hotel, or would you rather stay here and visit with your sister for a while?”
Kate’s eyes skirted over to me as she answered, “I think I’ll just go to the hotel. I could really use a shower.”
“Whatever you think, sweetheart.”
“That’s okay with you, isn’t it, Marlie?”
“Of course it is.” I was actually relieved. I needed some time to put my walls back up and guard myself from the onslaught of Kate and her condescending bullshit. “Go take a break, and I’ll see you both later tonight at the club.”
“Okay, that sounds good.”
As they started towards the door, I giggled as I teased them. “Be sure you come with a pocket full of singles.”
“Ugh, Marlie!” Kate gasped with repugnance. “Like we’d ever.”
“You never know.” I wiggled my eyes with a mocking smile. “You might get caught up in the moment.”
“I seriously doubt that.”
With that, they both left, and for the first time since Kate called me, I felt like I could actually breathe.
I hated that I’d let myself get so wound up, especially after all this time.
I wanted to believe I’d put all the hurt and rejection behind me.
I’d come so far. I’d built a new life for myself.
I had my own place, my own friends and family, and for the first time, I had a man in my life—a good man.
It should’ve been enough, but it was clear from my ever-so-brief visit with Kate those old wounds from my childhood still hadn’t healed.
In fact, they seemed just as fresh as the day I left San Antonio.
As I got ready for work, I tried not to think about the knot that was growing in the pit of my stomach.
It wasn’t like I didn’t know why it was there.
I knew all too well. I could almost feel myself withdrawing as I started getting ready for work.
I painted my nails and put on makeup, and if that wasn’t enough, I even curled my hair.
I wore my favorite black miniskirt and heels, then grabbed my things and left for Stilettos.
Into the darkness I went, and there was no one there to stop me.
When I got to the club, I sat in my car for a minute and took a few deep breaths. After I pulled myself together, I put on a brave face and headed inside. I was just about to step behind the counter when Country called out to me. “Holy Batman, woman. You got somebody you’re trying to impress?”
“What?”
His eyes skirted over me playfully as he teased. “You’re looking fifty shades of fucking hot.”
“I look the same as I always do, Country.”
“Bullshit.” He cocked his eyebrow as he continued, “You’re all dolled up like it’s fucking prom night. There’s gotta be a reason, so spill it. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing. I just decided to fix up a little. That’s all.”
“You did more than fix up a little. Damn, that ass-hugging skirt you got on there is definitely gonna turn some heads.” His eyes slowly skirted over me as he pressed, “Fuck, I’m not even sure that little thing right there counts as a skirt. Looks more like a tube sock if you ask me.”
“Well, no one asked you, so just drop it.”
“Hmm ... You and I both know that’s not gonna happen.” A mischievous smirk crossed his face as he said, “Damn, just wait until Rafe gets a look at you. Poor guy’s not gonna know what hit him.”
“What-ever. He’s not a complete perv like you, so I doubt he’ll even notice.”
“Oh, he’ll fucking notice. You just wait and see.”
I rolled my eyes and tried to redirect his thoughts. “Don’t you have some work you need to be doing or something?”
“Nah, I’m all caught up.” He sat down on one of the empty stools as he announced, “Don’t know if you heard, but we got Gladys moved into her new place.”
“Yeah, Rafe told me.” I started prepping for the night ahead as I asked him, “How’s she liking being at Ada’s place?”
“From the sounds of it, she’s liking it a lot. They’ve really been hitting it off.”
“That’s great. I’m really glad to hear it.” I took a beer out of the cooler and placed it on the counter in front of him. “I’ll have to get Rafe to take me over there and see her soon.”
“She’d really like that.”
I turned my back just long enough to start filling the garnish tray, and when I turned back around, I was surprised to find Rafe standing there staring at me like I had three heads.
Normally, he’d greet me with a playful smile or wink and ask me how it was going, but today there was no playful greeting.
Instead, I was welcomed with the scowl of a lifetime.
Remembering his earlier warning, I glanced over at Country and wasn’t surprised to see that his eyes were wide and his cheeks were beet red.
The guy looked like he was about to explode into laughter as he mouthed, “I told you.”
“Ummm ... Hey, Rafe.”
“Hey, Marlowe.” Rafe studied me for a moment, then asked, “Something going on that I’m not aware of?”
“Not sure what you mean.”
“Hmm, pretty sure that you do.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Country leaned over and snickered. “I tried to tell her.”