Tough Guy: A Hero Club Novel by Jamie Schmidt (the reading list .TXT) 📗

“How did the audition go?” I asked.

She sat up straight again. “It was awesome. I think I did okay. At least I didn’t embarrass myself. The combo was giving me a hard time, but I think I nailed it when I was up there by myself. Anyway, they’ll call if they’re interested—which means I’ll never hear from them again.”

“Think positive.”

“I’m positive I won’t get a callback. But it doesn’t matter. I did it and I’m glad I went.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek.

“What’s that for?”

“For putting up with my shit.” She gave me another. “That one’s for giving a shit about the audition.”

“Like I told you, anytime.” I waited for a stop light, turned her face to mine, and kissed her lips.

The honking told me the light had changed and I reluctantly pulled back. She seemed as breathless as me. Jackie chattered on about the dance routine and the choreography. It went over my head, but it made the drive go by easier. She helped me stop thinking of how I fucked up by letting my temper get to me when I fired Ginny, instead of playing smart and letting Grier handle it. Being with Jackie reminded me of the good times I had in Ibiza, when the worst problem I had was whether to wear my Bulgari watch or my Rolex. I had hocked both of them to pay rent on Dalton’s a year ago. I didn’t miss them, but I did miss cruising with a beautiful woman at my side.

“Are you sure this is it?” Jackie asked as we pulled into the Moondust Cherry Ranch parking lot. It didn’t look like much from the outside, basically several double wide trailers linked together into a ring.

“What were you expecting?”

“Something a little fancier.”

“They don’t need to be fancy on the outside.”

I got out of the car and opened the door for her. I figured taking her to a chicken ranch lost me gentleman points, so I wanted to make up for it.

“Have you . . . have you ever been here before?” she asked, looking up at me with her big green eyes.

“No, but what you’re really asking me is if I’ve ever been to a brothel before, right?”

“More like do you have a frequent fucker card.”

She surprised a laugh out of me. “No. The last time I frequented a house of ill repute I was eighteen. I had just graduated from high school and that was my Uncle Johnny’s present to me.”

“How . . . sweet?” Jackie said tentatively as we walked up to the front door. Sounds of loud bass lines and laughter drifted out through the door.

I snorted. “I would have rather he’d given me the thousand bucks.”

“A thousand?” She gaped at me. “What the hell did you get for that?”

I had to think about it. “I got a hand job. A blow job. Body touching privileges and a quick lay.”

“Did you order that off the menu?”

“Yes,” I said seriously. “That’s how it goes. It took about an hour.”

“A thousand bucks an hour sure beats two fifty.” Jackie inhaled a shaky breath.

“I’m not sure how much the house cut is, but they also pay out to the taxi and limo drivers. I have no idea what the takeaway is. If Broadway didn’t like grinding in the VIP room, your sister would never do what these girls do all day.”

“I hope you’re right.” Jackie wiped her hands on her skirt. “Dee said just to come in and ask for her.”

“Don’t be nervous.” I gave her a quick hug. “I’m here. Whatever we find out, we’ll handle it together.”

She buried her face in my chest and gripped me tightly. “I’ve never had someone say that to me. I’ve always had to handle Lisa’s bullshit on my own. I can’t tell you what it means that you’re here with me.”

Leaning in to whisper in her ear, I gave her earlobe a quick nibble. “Besides, you might enjoy yourself.”

“I’m not expensing a grand in a whorehouse. I’m pushing the limit to what my mother is going to reimburse me for, as it is.” With a deep breath, she pushed away. “Okay, let’s find out what fuckery my sister has got herself into now.”

“That’s the spirit.”

I rang the doorbell and slung my arm around her. “Don’t leave my side.”

“You can bet your sweet ass I won’t.”

The madam opened the door. She had platinum blond hair that was pulled back into a severe bun. She was dressed in a conservative suit and her welcoming smile faded when she saw Jackie. “Couples night out?” she asked.

“Dee told us to come by,” Jackie said, holding on to me for dear life.

The madam’s face brightened a bit and she stepped away from the door. “Come in then. I’ll check her availability.”

I think Jackie would have rather waited on the doorstep, but I ushered her inside. In the parlor area women in various state of undress draped themselves over men or burgundy red velvet couches. Jackie was the only nonworking girl there.

A woman dressed up like an angel came up to us and smiled. “Are you looking for a party?”

“We’re here for Dee,” I said when Jackie just gawked.

“I’m Angelique.” She trailed a finger down my shirt. “If you change your mind, I’ll be in the bar.” She gestured behind her. In the bar was a wide-screen television playing a porno. There were men with women on their laps. Others were playing pool, and some were drinking and staring at the movie intently.

“This is super awkward,” Jackie said.

The bell rang again, and I pulled Jackie away from the door. “Let’s sit down.” I picked one of the couches that faced away from the bar and hauled her on my lap. She settled in with a dazed expression on her face. Leaning in, she whispered in my ear, “Do they think we’re going to have a threesome with Dee?”

“Yes. And I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to pay for Dee’s