“You are gorgeous,” Kristy said over her shoulder.
Makenna met her gaze in the chipped floor-length mirror that hung from the back of the door. “Thank you. It’s perfect. I feel really comfy in this, too.”
Kristy winked. “I know what I’m doing.” She smiled and rubbed her hands together. “He’s gonna lose his mind tonight.”
“Huh? Who?”
“Oh, I just mean the guys there in general. You’ve got this whole innocent seductress thing going on. Men eat that shit up.”
Makenna laughed so hard, her stomach ached. “Innocent seductress? You’re crazy. I have nothing going on but bills, work, and responsibility. Oh, and diapers.”
“You know, sweetie, it’s okay to let yourself have some fun. Your siblings will be just fine if you take some time for yourself.”
“They deserve so much more than what I’ve been able to give them, Kristy. How can I make that happen for them if I don’t work a lot?”
“And what do you deserve?” Kristy asked with a tilt of her head. “You’ve put yourself sixth ever since your parents passed. You’re allowed to have a life, Makenna. Parents all across the world, even single ones, learn to balance their own needs with their children’s.”
Makenna squirmed under the assessing gaze of her neighbor. What did she deserve? A harsh laugh almost escaped. Prison, probably. She’d technically kidnapped five minors and fled across state lines. The very last thing she deserved was fun and games. But Kristy didn’t need that sob story. Kristy couldn’t have her true history.
No one could.
Which was one of the reasons she never allowed herself to think beyond her siblings. Didn’t look for love or relationships. Didn’t dream. Didn’t fantasize about more. At least not for herself. Her job was to provide more for those she loved. For her young siblings who still had a chance of dreaming and achieving those goals. They were innocent and worthy of a fulfilling life. She hadn’t figured out what she was worthy of yet.
But Kristy knew none of that. So instead of laughing, Mak straightened her shoulders. “You’re right. I do deserve some fun. Thank you for this.” The appreciation was legit, even if she lied through her teeth about what the universe owed her.
“There ya go, girl.” Kristy slapped her ass. Then she spent the next twenty minutes helping Mak with her makeup. After a fierce debate, they decided she’d just wear her hair in a high ponytail. She was bound to get heated, working the busy bar all night. Kristy still insisted on using her straightener on the locks, swearing a sleek ponytail made men fantasize about yanking it back as they “did her from behind.” Once again, Makenna had bitten off her bark of disbelief. As if that would ever happen. To be honest, she barely understood the physics of it. Her experience consisted of lying flat on her back, staring at the ceiling, and praying her sixty-year-old husband’s Viagra wouldn’t make him last too long. Finding enjoyment in sex was a foreign concept.
“Okay, girl, I gotta bounce. I’m due at the Chrome Disciples clubhouse in an hour, and though I’ll be wearing a lot less than you, it’ll take me twice as long to get ready.” With a wink, Kristy gathered up her mountain of beauty supplies. Emmie had fallen asleep a few moments ago on Makenna’s bed, and she let out an adorable snore with each exhalation. “God, she’s a cutie.”
“She really is.”
“You’re lucky to have them,” Kristy said, making Mak’s jaw drop.
Though she loved her siblings with her entire heart and then some, it shocked her someone like Kristy, who had complete control over their life, would ever find her lucky. “You think I’m lucky? You can do whatever you want whenever you want to. You’re totally free. I’m heavily shackled.”
And constantly exhausted. Balancing a job, meals, schoolwork, babysitters, laundry, cleaning, and constant vigilance took everything she had and left her limp with fatigue most nights.
Kristy shrugged. “True, but I’m alone. You’ve gotta helluva lotta love in your life, honey. I’ve been married and engaged multiple times, trying to fill my life with love.” Mak swore a flash of sadness passed through Kristy’s eyes before she schooled her expression. “Anyway, have fun, serve drinks, get laid.”
This time, she couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Oh yeah,” Mak said. “I can see it now. ‘Hey, baby, wanna come back to my place? My two-year-old sister is asleep in my bed, and my four other siblings share walls with me. It’ll be hot.’”
Laughing as she strode from the room, Kristy turned around. “Who said anything about bringing someone back here? Find a wall at the clubhouse and get fucked against it.”
She swallowed a healthy gulp of nerves. A wall? What the hell? At the clubhouse? Did people do that?
And if so, what on earth kind of place was she walking in to?