“You’re married now, Lil, you don’t need a roommate. Especially not an ex-junkie stripper,” she joked.
My eyes had narrowed. “You are never to refer to yourself in such a way ever again,” I commanded seriously. I clutched her shoulders. “You don’t have to leave. I don’t want you to leave.”
She smiled. “I know, but I’m not going far. Rosie’s got a spare room and has offered it to me. I’ll be five minutes’ drive,” she reassured me.
I felt my eyes water. “Five minutes is too long. I’ve spent three years having you two doors away,” I choked out. She’d been with me since freshmen year.
Her eyes turned sad. “It’s time, as much as I would love to live with you until you’re old and gray, you’re a married woman now, that’s your husband’s job. That’s the bad news, nothing lasts forever, not even our kick ass living situation.” Her kohl-rimmed eyes turned serious. “It’s the good news too, Lil. Nothing lasts forever,” she squeezed my hand.
I pulled up to the empty parking lot of the strip club owned by the Sons. I’d been in a couple of times since Bex started working there. It was a vast improvement on the last place. It had class. An oxymoron for some, a strip club with class owned by bikers. But they did it well. The bouncers were respectful, not that they said much, and most of the women who Bex worked with were friendly. It wasn’t seedy, she was treated well and she seemed happy.
I frowned down at my phone.
Bex: Pick me up from work. Then we’ll party! xxx
It didn’t look like there were any signs of life in the club, that being because it was a Monday afternoon and they weren’t opening for another few hours. I had questioned why Bex was even here, it wasn’t completely unusual as she came here to practice routines. I’d been with her a few times and gave her pointers. Not that I had much experience.
Me: I’m outside.
I texted, not wanting to go in. It might be broad daylight but it was in an industrial part of town, not much else was out here and I couldn’t see any signs of life. A glint of silver caught my eye and I recognized Lucky’s bike out front. How I had missed it before I didn’t know. I was relieved slightly, but I was also dubious to go in. I didn’t need to see … that. Bex swore that whatever was between them was purely physical, but I knew different.
Bex: Come in. I’m not ready, need your help with something.
I rolled my eyes. Bex was never ready when she said she would be. I got out of my car just as my phone started ringing.
“Hello, hubby,” I greeted with a grin.
“Hey, baby,” his husky voice tickled my stomach. “How’d it go?”
I locked my door and strode across the empty lot, my heels echoing. “Good….” I paused. “I think. Or I could have bombed completely. It’s done. Out of my hands,” I declared.
“You would have aced it, flower. You’ve been studying like crazy over the past month, no one can produce that many flashcards without some of that knowledge sinking in,” he teased.
I grinned. He had dutifully tested me on everything from blood types to how to administer an IV without a compliant. He’d even insisted I practice my “procedures” on him. That always turned dirty within minutes.
“You on your way here?” he asked. There was a small party at the club, celebrating me finishing mid-terms. One that didn’t cause me to break out in hives. Over the past two months, whenever I wasn’t on placement or working at the store, I spent my time with Asher at the club. My shyness had quickly fallen away, and I felt comfortable around all of the rough men. They were family. They took my silence in their stride and grew used to the fact I wasn’t loud or sassy like Gwen and Amy.
“I’m picking Bex up from work and I’ll be there,” I told him, frowning at the front door, which was ajar.
“What’s Bex doing there now?” he pondered.
I walked through the dark foyer. “I don’t know, but Lucky’s here. I hope my eyes aren’t scarred for life when I go inside,” I joked.
Asher’s deep chuckle sounded at the end of the phone. “I hope so too, flower. Or else I’ll have to kick his ass for corrupting my sweet innocent wife.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’ve already well and truly corrupted me, Mr. Breslin,” I shot back, looking around the empty room gingerly, hoping not to encounter anything above G-rated.
“Well, hurry over here so I can corrupt you some more, Mrs. Breslin,” he commanded roughly.
My stomach dipped. “I’ll do that. Love you,” I replied throatily.
“Love you, flower,” he returned.
I rang off. “Bex,” I called.