Young Love Dies Hard: The Young Brothers, Book 1 by Nikki Lane (old books to read txt) 📗

song blared through the room, and that was my cue. I started my routine as usual. But something felt off. Awkward. I must have been hiding it well, because the money still fell. I searched the room for Rich, and finally found him settled at a table near the back. Why wasn’t he in his usual spot whenever he paid me a visit?

I slinked up the pole, my heartbeat throbbing against my chest. Just a few minutes longer and it would be over. The crowd hooted and hollered as I slid back down. I knew the song would be over in just a few moments.

When I looked over at Rich again, he wasn’t alone. The girl sitting beside him was ordering a drink from the waitress.

I managed to pull off a few good moves before it was over, collected the few bills that had fallen from my G-string, and hauled ass off the stage.

I’d barely made it a few feet before the firm grip of Sal’s hand caught my oiled-up arm.

“Where you think you’re going?”

I yanked myself free from his sausage fingers. “To get cleaned up.” It felt like bugs were crawling on my skin.

His already squinted eyes got even narrower. “Make it quick.”

I scurried back to the dressing room, passing people with stupid party hats and annoying noise makers. I dried off with a towel and changed my outfit for the third time, all the while psyching myself up to go back out. How could I go the rest of the night avoiding a certain part of the room?

I crept out of the dressing room and hovered near the bar. I was a little relieved to see Sal was out of sight. I snuck behind the bar and poured myself another shot.

Laura, the bartender, raised an eyebrow at me when I started to pour again. She opened her mouth as if to say something, maybe talk me out of it, but I guess she changed her mind. She turned her back on me and reached deep into the cooler for a couple of beers. I slung the amber liquid back, feeling comforted by the slow burn down my throat and into my chest.

It didn’t take long for the alcohol to permeate my system. I felt good enough to work the room a little. As long as I didn’t have to talk to Rich, I would be fine.

I kept to the front of the room and made small talk with one of the regulars. He never wanted a dance, just someone to talk to. I was happy to sit with him all night, even if I didn’t make a dime doing it. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Sal at Rich’s table. They were talking, and Sal was looking around the room. My stomach churned. I averted my gaze away, not wanting to be spotted in the dark room. But it didn’t matter how dark the room was. Sal could spot me a mile away. It was like he had built-in night vision in his corneas.

Sal stomped over to where I was sitting and then nodded me over.

I gave a small smile to the regular and told him I’d be back in just a few minutes.

“See that table over there?” His double chin wobbled a little as he gestured toward Rich.

I didn’t look, just nodded.

“They’re asking for you.”

“Well, I’m with the someone right now.” I turned and pointed to an empty seat. I searched the vicinity and found Mr. Regular had already replaced me. So much for good conversation.

“Looks like you’re free now, so get your ass over there. Pronto.” Sal stomped off, leaving me no other choice but to head to Rich’s table.

I took a deep breath. As if on cue, the music changed when I took the first step. Rich locked eyes with me as I approached the table. The girl sitting with him was totally oblivious to my pending arrival. She sipped her drink and gazed around the room, swaying to the music.

“How’s it going tonight?” I asked in my usual fake-as-hell perky tone of voice.

“Hey, Maeve,” Rich said. “How come you haven’t come by to say hello?”

I recognized that drawl in his words. It was how he’d always sounded right before he reached the belligerent drunk phase of the night.

“I’ve been working, or haven’t you noticed?”

He lounged back in his chair. “Oh, I noticed. We both did, didn’t we?” He looked over at his date, or maybe she wasn’t his date. She could have been his sister for all I knew. Unlikely, though. That was too weird, even for Rich.

“This is Jillian.”

She perked up at the sound of her name, and her gaze crashed over me like one judgmental tidal wave.

“Jillian, this is Maeve. Or wait,” he said, squinting. “Is it Maeve, or do you go by another name when you’re here?”

“Just Maeve,” I said through gritted teeth. Why did he get such joy in toying with me?

Jillian set down her drink. “Wait a minute.” Her eyes widened. I could almost see the light bulb illuminate over her head. “I know you…” She scrunched her face. I almost expected to see smoke come out of her ears. “Didn’t we have a class together?”

It was the moment I’d been dreading for the last year. Honestly, I was surprised it’d taken this long. I should have known Rich would somehow be involved. He kept my secret, probably relishing in the power he held.

“You work here?” she said, her thin eyebrows arching.

I guess my silence was a good enough response.

“Oh my God,” she said with a giggle.

Like this night could get any worse. Scratch that. It could always get worse.

“I’ve got other tables to see.” I went to walk away, but Rich held on to my hand. Just then, the waitress came by with another round of shots.

“Where are you going, Maeve? Don’t leave so soon,” Rich said.

I could feel Sal glaring at me. I freed my hand from Rich’s grip.

“Don’t worry about Jill over here,” Rich