The beauty I found in taking a private jet was bypassing the entire airport and instead taking a car straight to the waiting plane.
Part of me wondered if there’d be a catch. With Chance, I was sure there always would be, but when I boarded, the pilots and single flight attendant were ready for me. I didn’t bother to appreciate the opulent leather seats, the state-of-the-art entertainment system, or the full bar at my disposal.
Before long, we took off. After accepting a bottle of water from the flight attendant, I effectively dismissed her for the rest of the flight. I was probably the lowest-maintenance passenger she’d ever had on this plane.
I’d been tempted to call Chloe or my sister, but what would I say? I was heartbroken because I’d agreed to become a fake date for a guy I knew wasn’t over his ex-fiancée, and now I was shocked to learn he wasn’t over her? Or better yet, how about his older brother finding out I was a stripper in a country where it was illegal—then offering to pay me to leave Reid alone. Good times.
At least I was over my crush. Of course, it had cost me my heart to get here.
As the plane flew toward LA, I did what I’d done my entire life. I internalized it all. Beat myself up about letting my guard down, and for believing for one minute my infatuation could become a real-life relationship. My eyes burned with hot tears.
Stupid girl.
Served me right for getting my hopes up and starting to believe there could be such a thing as a happy ending. And hell, maybe there was, but not for a girl like me. I’d made my choices. I owned them. And if people wanted to judge me for them, then they could fuck right off.
It was early morning when the Uber dropped me off in front of my sister’s apartment complex. I’d sent her a text just saying, “here early, will be there soon.” But weirdly I’d had no reply. Perhaps she was on another job interview or with Penelope at a doctor’s appointment. They’d had one on Friday, and I wondered how it had gone.
I had a key but chose to knock since she hadn’t answered my text. I was unprepared for the devastated look on my sister’s face when she opened the door.
She immediately went in for a hug and burst into tears. My sister didn’t hug or cry. Ever. Except once. When Penelope had first been diagnosed with leukemia. Oh, no.
“What happened at the appointment?”
She pulled away, wiping her eyes as if she was angry with the tears for falling. “It’s back. The cancer. Or it never left. I don’t know. They’re scheduling another round of chemo beginning later this week.”
My heavy sigh fell between us. I couldn’t think of worse news.
“Sorry. Come in. You must be tired. Why are you here early? I wasn’t expecting you until later tonight.”
I followed her inside with my suitcase. “There was an earlier flight available.” I wouldn’t tell her what had happened with Reid. My problems paled in comparison to what she was going through. What my niece was going through. “You found out on Friday?”
“I did. And don’t be mad I didn’t tell you right away. You were at the wedding, and I figured it would be a better conversation to have in person.”
I wouldn’t debate her. “Where is Penelope?”
“Napping.”
I took a seat on the secondhand couch and tried not to let the shittiness of the world overwhelm me. It would do no good to wallow. “How did she take the news?”
Tory took a seat next to me, heaving out a sigh. “She took the news like a champ. Said she was sad her hair wouldn’t get a chance to grow back yet, but she’d stay strong and fight it again.”
The last word came on a broken whisper, causing a tear to slip down my face. Four fucking years old and trying to be strong and fight cancer.
“God, I have to get myself together. I’ve had no luck in getting a new job. Not sure how I’ll get one now with all of the appointments I’ll have to take Penny to.”
Tory stripped at a local club a few nights a week, earning enough money to pay rent and cover food costs, but not leaving much left over for medical care or anything extra. She’d tried to get a day job, but it was impossible to balance a nine-to-five with a sick child who needed daily medical care. Sure, if she’d already been in a job for a year, she could have qualified for FMLA, Family Medical Leave Act, but that wasn’t the case.
As much as I’d have loved to quit my job at the Scarlett Letter—and had planned to do so—this took priority. “I’ll take more shifts at the club.” Myra, the woman in charge, was always flexible with girls who requested more hours. I’d even endure more back-room dances if I had to.
“I can’t ask you to do that. How are things with your boss going? How was the wedding? You can’t jeopardize anything with him by continuing to work there.”
“I wouldn’t be jeopardizing anything with Reid. It’s over. Or it didn’t really begin. He’s still hung up on his ex.”
Her eyes didn’t leave mine. “Men suck.”
“Yes, they do, but maybe going with him for the weekend had been necessary, so I could get over my crush once and for all.” Getting over heartbreak would be tougher, but I’d throw myself into the club and numb myself to the rest.
“Will working for him be awkward?”
I hadn’t gotten that far in my plans for the future, but I’d deal with it the way I dealt with any emotionally distressing situation. By pretending it didn’t affect me. I was well-versed in the art. “Probably, but I can transfer to another department. Also, he’s most likely moving to the Sydney office in the next couple of months anyhow. I suppose it’s all worked out the way it should.”
Her scrutiny was unnerving. “But you got hurt in the process?”
“Yep. But I’m fine.” I would be. Eventually.
She took my hand in hers. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too. Anyway, I’ll return to Dubai tomorrow. Take some extra shifts if I have to, but we’ll get through it.” I had a measure of regret over leaving most of my expensive clothes behind in the hotel room. I could’ve sold them if I’d been thinking clearly.
Her eyes teared up again. “I don’t want you to have to take extra shifts.”
“Tough shit. I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for the bravest little four-year-old on the planet.”
“You were supposed to see Chloe and have some days off.”
“She will understand.” If anyone would, it would be Chloe. “All you need to focus on is getting the best care you can for Penny. Have you thought about getting a second opinion?”
“I think about it, but the options are limited once they hear you don’t have insurance. I wish I could get her into Children’s Hospital.”
“We’ll get through this. She’ll beat it.”
She would. There was no other option my brain could fathom.
My sister, my niece, and I spent the evening watching both Frozen and Frozen II, eating pizza and popcorn, and drinking lemonade. I was out the front door at four o’clock the next morning.
With excellent timing, Chloe pulled up at the curb.
I met her with a hug when she got out to pop the back hatch of her SUV. “I don’t know what I did to deserve such an amazing friend.”
She shook her head. “Please, if taking you to the airport is the only time I get to spend with you, then I don’t care how early I have to come to pick you up.”
“Thank you.”
We got into the car, and she put it into gear before the questions started. “What’s going on with Reid? He’s been blowing up Aiden’s phone since last night. He says he’s on his way here. Something about his mom using his phone to send you messages about getting back together with his ex.”
“What?” Reid hadn’t sent the messages? He wasn’t reconciling with his ex?
“Yeah, crazy. But I did what you asked. I told him I hadn’t heard from you and didn’t know your plans. But, Teagan, please call him.”
Hope bloomed in my chest followed by a piercing shot of regret. “I can’t.”
“What happened between you two?”
There was a lot to catch her up on. But by the time we pulled up to the international terminal at LAX, I’d given my best shot at relaying most of it.
“So you saw the text messages and left, but now you know it wasn’t him who sent them.”
“Yes, but I’m sure by now Chance has told him about the club.”
“So what? Aiden knew about me stripping, and it pissed him off to discover I was putting myself at risk, but it didn’t change how he viewed me. And as much as I’d hate for his family to find out, it wouldn’t change the way he feels about me.”
“This is different. I have no intention of quitting the club. Penelope’s cancer has returned.”
She sucked in a breath. “I’m so sorry. Let me speak to Aiden. We could help.”
I knew Aiden had money just like Reid did, but I’d never take a dime. “Even if I was tempted to accept help, my sister wouldn’t touch it. She absolutely refuses to take charity.”
Chloe’s shoulders slumped. “There has to be a way. Talk to Reid.”
“A relationship with him wouldn’t work.”
“Why not?”
“For one, he’s told me countless times how happy he was not to be dating anyone. For another, my stripping would be a liability for him and his career. And there’s the fact we’re from two very different backgrounds.”
“I call bullshit. Those are excuses. The type you tell yourself because you don’t believe you deserve something good in your life.”
“It’s reality, Chloe Bear. Like I told you before, I’m Cheez Whiz, and he’s spent his entire life surrounded by brie.” And I’d been stupid to forget it. “Anyhow, I’ll text you once I get back and let you know I arrived safely. Okay?”
She sighed but let the subject drop. “Okay.”
Nineteen hours later, I walked into my apartment in Dubai, leery of what I might find. I was immediately grateful to discover I was still without a new roommate. Thank God for small favors. After a shower, I sent quick texts to my sister and Chloe to let them know I’d arrived and that I’d call them both tomorrow.
I cursed at the low-battery sign. Just my luck. I’d forgotten my charger in the resort hotel room. To conserve what power I had left until I could buy a new charger, I turned the device off. As much as I needed a nap, I had no time. I had to get to the club.
Myra didn’t bat a fake eyelash when I came in that same night and asked to work during the week. The additional hours increased my risk of discovery, but what choice did I have? Dubai might be progressive, as far as Middle Eastern cities went, but there was no way it would ever be legal here for a woman to take off her clothes in a public place.
I knew exactly why I had the risks on my mind tonight. Because of Reid’s brother. The fact he knew my secret unnerved me. Now I was wondering how many other people knew. And how the hell had he found out? I wished I’d thought to ask.
After changing over into my G-string and pasties, I shoved my regular clothes into my locker along with my purse. Then I turned around and took a deep breath. Another night, another dollar.
A typical evening consisted of performing a stage show, after which we’d work the crowd. It was a good thing it was a slower Wednesday night, since I wasn’t on my A game. When the floor manager came up to me, I tensed, worried he’d noticed my lack of enthusiasm. Men didn’t drop thousands of dollars here in order to have a lame lap dance.
“Ruby, you have a back-room request.”
I wasn’t over my last back-room request which had ended with me taking a backhand across the face. I was about to pass when he made my decision for me. “Myra says it’s nonnegotiable.”
Crap. “Which room?”
“Room six.”
I didn’t like the idea of meeting a mystery man in room six, but it wasn’t unusual for a customer to see you on the floor and request your presence in a private room. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be creepy or horrible like the Russian man from two weeks ago.
But when I walked into room six, I faced my worst nightmare.
