Page 146 of Lost Lyrebird

I slowly peel it from the wiper and face Goose.

Looking down and away, he scuffs his boot against the gravel, the sound grating against the silence.“I saw it and thought, why not.Think of it as both an apology for the other night and a thank you for helping Raven with the other girls.She told me you’ve been helping her a lot, and I wanted to let you know I truly appreciate it.”

“I love doing it.”

He clears his throat.“That’s good.I’ve heard things have improved between you and the other girls.”

“As much as they can, I guess.But yeah, it’s better.”

“Good.Glad they’re not giving you hell anymore.You don’t deserve that.You never did.”

Does my body zing with pleasure?Yes, it sure the fuck does.Am I going to let it show how much his words are getting to me?

Hell no.

When he looks back up, his eyes meet and hold mine.A flicker of something passes between us—hope, regret, both maybe.

I bring the flower up to my nose.The scent triggers memories—good ones.It reminds me of my little sister, Lacy, and our aunt, Lisa.She loved gardening and planting flowers.She often put Lacy and me to work in her garden when we spent the weekend.I savor the memories because good ones like this of my family are hard to come by.Lacy is the only one I still speak to, and that hurts sometimes when I let myself think about it too long.

“It’s beautiful.Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The moment stretches on.I open my mouth to see how he’s doing with the pills, to see if he needs help, but I also don’t want to ruin this night.Instead, I opt to be a coward.

My “Goodnight” comes out soft.I’ve always disliked the word ‘goodnight’ because it feels so final.Never more so than in this moment.

His smile is thin.“Night, Lil’.”

He nods once and ambles to his bike.After it fires up, he motions for me to go first.As I drive away from the lot, his headlights follow me for two miles.This time, when I check the review mirror, it’s to appreciate the view behind me.

When he eventually turns left and heads down another road, I’m left with this odd sensation.If I had to name it, it would be a sudden lack of comfort.As if having him following me gave me a sense of safety, and I want it back.

I find a new flower on my windshield every night, different kinds, and in varying shades.Each night, Goose’s there waiting, leaning against the building, to greet me and walk me to my car.He’s back part-time at the club and doesn’t usually stay for long if he does show up, and it’s ridiculous how my body reacts to just the knowledge that he’s there, and how, when he’s not, the entire energy of the club seems dimmed somehow.

He’s been doing oddly wonderful things, too.Updating stuff around the club, hiring a new cleaning crew, buying the waitstaff all new uniforms, and taking on two new waitresses, so the girls on the floor aren’t so overwhelmed.The increase in patrons had been stressing them out.They love the tips, but leave every night exhausted and overworked.

He also left a massive basket of sweets and baked goods in the dressing room.Raven had immediately grabbed the Ding Dongs and shoved one into her mouth with gusto.The dainty way she wiped her mouth afterwards had me laughing.She flipped me off and started in on the second one.I stole the rainbow-colored macarons and sunflower seeds and hid them in my vanity to snack on throughout the night.

A few days after, I made an appearance at the HOC Clubhouse and found out that the guys are planning to do a charity run to raise money for a battered women’s shelter.Griz told me it had been Goose’s idea and that he’d gotten all the brothers on board.When I mentioned it at practice the next day to Raven and the girls, they jumped on the bandwagon and we began brainstorming ways we could help raise money too.

The funds will provide clothing, hygiene products for the women and children, plus small comfort items for the kids who get displaced for a period of time when child services are called in.

Ultimately, we plan to hold two events to raise money due to the excitement and varying opinions about what we should do.The idea of dancing for charity lifts everyone’s spirits, and with Easter just around the corner, we combine the holiday with a special event theme night.There’s an increased charge at the door, items clients can purchase, and additional dancer perks.Extras cost extra.Naughty Bunny Nightis the name Raven decides on, and she takes on the marketing and promotion with a focus on pulling in a higher-end crowd.

Our outfits—Playboy bunny costumes, vary in color, come with a bunny half mask that has long ears, and sparkle with crystals.Mine is lavender, and I pair it with a matching bow tie, dangly earrings, and sky-high platform shoes that are encrusted with iridescent rhinestones on the heel and wedge, and feature a clear upper toe and ankle strap.

Raven even dresses up for the event in an entirely black Playboy bunny suit with more modest heels.

The most memorable moment is when Goose walks out of his office and nearly collides with me in the hallway.He opens his mouth twice to say something and ends up rubbing his hand over his mouth, shaking his head, and raking his hand through his hair.

“Good talk.”I pat his shoulder twice and then move past him to saunter down the hallway.

His response, “God help us all.”

I put a little extra swing in my steps and grin like a lunatic because I can feel his gaze follow me until I’m out of sight.

There’s some flirting and some heated looks from him throughout the night, but we keep it mostly professional, a lot like when we did when I started working at the club.