Skylar
“We’re here,” the driver announces.
I quickly finish applying my lip gloss as the SUV pulls to a stop in front of Blue Ocean. “It’s show time.”
Memphis, who’s been his usual grumpy self for the duration of the ride, tenses. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” His eyes drop down, taking in my plunging neckline and short, black dress. “Neither is you wearing that dress.”
Good to know this baby is giving what it needs to give.
Smiling, I snap my compact shut. “I got it for five bucks at a thrift store.”
Lust etches his face as his gaze slowly travels up my body. A spark of heat runs through me…until his eyes linger on my cleavage and his expression quickly changes to one of disgust.
“That’s an awfully cheap dress for such an expensive rack.”
Shame snakes through me…but then I remind myself I have nothing to be ashamed of. “That’s an awfully cheap shot for someone who used to cum on my tits.”
I reach for the door handle, but his fingers wrap around my wrist, pulling me back. “If you’re not out in twenty, I’m going in there.”
He’s lost his mind.
“You can’t. She’ll recognize you and it will blow my cover. Besides, it’s going to take longer than that to make this girl my new bestie.”
His gaze sharpens. “I don’t care.”
Resolute, I match his cold glare. “I’m doing this my way, Memphis.”
The pad of his thumb slides along my cheekbone. “You have twenty minutes, Sky.”
I spot my target at the bar chatting it up with some older, skeevy man wearing an expensive suit. As I make my way over, I can’t help but notice that both his shoes and watch are cheap knockoffs.
Or that her black eye has completely vanished.
Along with the bruising around her neck.
Thinking quick, I start walking past them but accidentally trip, colliding into him. His drink spills, soaking his shirt and sprinkling Brooke’s dress.
“Are you kidding me? This is silk.”
Grabbing a couple of napkins, I promptly wedge myself between them, dabbing her dress.
“I’m so sorry.” I turn to the guy. “Go ask the bartender for some lemon juice, white vinegar, and club soda.”
He makes a face. “I’m not—”
“Can you afford her dry-cleaning bill?”
He scampers away. Didn’t think so.
I focus my attention on Brooke. “I have a confession to make.” When she lifts a brow, I say, “I was invoking Girl Code. That Rolex is fake.”
Surprise crosses her face. “Really? Well, shit.” She shudders with revulsion. “I can’t believe I almost went home with him.”
“No judgies. Been there, done that.”
The bartender hands her the glass of lemon juice and club soda.
“Next round is on me,” I tell Brooke while slipping the bartender my debit card. “Get her another of whatever she’s drinking, and I’ll have the same.”
She swiftly goes to work on the stain. “You really don’t have to do that.”
I wave a hand. “No worries. The guy I went out with last night was loaded so I have a little extra cash.”
When the bartender returns with our drinks, I gesture to a small nearby booth. “Wanna go sit over there while that dries?”
“Sure.”
“Does your rich guy from last night have an equally rich friend?” she questions as she slides into the booth. “Because tonight has been a bust.”
“Sadly, he was only in town for one night.” I give her a look. “So he says.”
“Ugh. Probably has a fat wife and three bratty kids at home.”
Good Lord, this chick is something else.
Staying in character, I laugh. “Good thing I’m not interested in being his new wife or playing stepmom. I just want his money.”
She taps her glass against mine. “Cheers to that.”
I take a sip of my drink. “Although I should start thinking long-term and lock something down before it’s too late.”
“I hear you. Our looks won’t last forever, and everyone knows men like them younger.
Once we hit our thirties, we won’t be able to compete with hot twenty-year-olds.
” She frowns. “Personally, I don’t really care if he has a piece of ass on the side as long as he spoils me like a princess.
Too bad it’s such a cesspool out there. If he’s hot, in shape, and younger than forty…
then he’s either broke, married, a drug addict… or all three. And if he’s rich…”
“Then he’s over forty, hasn’t seen the gym in a decade…”
“And has a small dick,” we say at the same time.
I stir my drink with my straw. “A girl I used to go clubbing with landed some bassist in a rock band. Now she lives in a giant house with a pool and a housekeeper. Musicians seem to be where the money is.”
Leaning in, Brooke lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Trust me, I’m working on it.”
I feign innocence as I hit the record button on my phone. “What do you mean?”
“You know the band Sharp Objects?”
“I’ve heard a few of their songs, but I’m not a big fan.” I shrug. “They’re pretty hot, though.”
Especially that guitar player.
Brooke smirks. “I screwed the drummer the other night.”
I’ll say.
Cue my shock and awe expression. “You didn’t.”
She tosses her hair over one shoulder. “Oh, but I did.”
“How was it?” I waggle my brows. “I heard drummers have great stamina.”
“Don’t believe the hype.” She makes a face. “Dick was pretty nice, but overall, it was kind of a letdown if I’m being honest.”
Poor Storm. Just wasn’t my boy’s night.
“I’m gonna need more tea than that. Spill it, sister.”
She sighs. “I heard a rumor he was a dom, but the sex was super vanilla. Missionary. Very little foreplay. Barely lasted ten minutes…and he fell asleep right after we started spooning.”
“I mean, the spooning part doesn’t sound so bad.”
“I was the big spoon.”
Well, dang.
“How…disappointing.”
For her. However, this is awesome news for Storm.
“Tell me about it.” Her lips twitch. “Thankfully it wasn’t a total waste.”
“Oh?”
She studies her nails. “Let’s just say I’m expecting a nice payout any day now. If you catch my drift.”
“Right.” Glancing at my watch, I slip out of the booth. “Sorry. Gotta go.”
Brooke blinks. “Already? Do you want to exchange numbers?”
“Nah. I’m good.”
“I heard a rumor he was a dom, but the sex was super vanilla. Missionary. Very little foreplay. Barely lasted ten minutes…and he fell asleep right after we started spooning.”
The guys break out in snickers. Aside from poor Storm who buries his head in his hands.
Hitting the pause button, I look at Alexis. “Will that help?”
“Not with Storm’s status as a sex symbol,” Memphis quips.
Another round of snickers erupts.
Josh snorts. “Bruh, you couldn’t even last ten minutes?”
You barely last five. Bruh.
Alexis regards Chandler. “You were right about her. This was genius.”
The tips of his ears turn pink, and he smiles. “Told you she’s incredible.”
“Damn right she is,” Josh agrees. “Beauty and brains.”
A small smirk plays on Memphis’s lips. “In other words, two things you don’t have.”
Ignoring that jab, Josh squeezes my thigh. “You owe me, Storm. My girl saved your ass.”
The smile wipes clean off Memphis’s face. “He doesn’t owe you shit. He owes Sky.”
Storm nods. “Thank fuck for her.” Looking at me, he mouths, “I owe you.”
I shake my head. As far as I’m concerned, I’m just returning the favor.
“I’m just happy the problem is solved,” Chandler says.
“Yeah, but now we have another issue to tackle,” Phoenix states.
When everyone looks at him, he states, “Storm sucks in bed.”
Rolling his eyes, Storm flips him the bird.
“Just say the word, bro. I’ll give you some pointers.”
Alexis grabs her purse. “Good work, Skylar.” A somber look mars her face. “It’s a shame my assistant position is no longer available. You would have been a great fit.”
My heart sinks.
She’s right. I would have.