Page 31 of Rum & Coke

“What if he only wants to be friends with benefits?”

“I think he wants more than that. He’s spending time with you and Colton. Friends with benefits is just what Bailey and I are.”

Melony wasn’t looking for a relationship. She and the guy she was sleeping with had an understanding that it was only for sex. Melony was okay with that because she was going to school to become a nurse and didn’t want to get involved with a guy until she was set in her career. I had nothing to fall back on, and if I found a guy who wasn’t okay with my stripping, then I didn’t know what I’d do. And if that guy was Vinny, it would break my heart if he was okay with me stripping because I needed the money.

“I’ll just see what happens,” I replied.

“Okay. Now, tell me everything that happened from the time you left until he dropped you off last night.”

I laughed and took another bite of salad before I told her what she wanted to know.

After I picked Colt up from school on Friday and made sure he and Sophia were good for the night, I went to Red Diamond. Having my talk with Melony made me realize I needed to do something other than strip because I wasn’t going to be able to do it forever. Hell, I didn’twantto do it forever.

When I walked in through the side door, a feeling of sorrow washed over me. This was all I had to survive. Most of the girls were stripping to pay for college, medical school, whatever. I was doing it to pay therapy bills and to put food on the table for Colton and me. I wasn’t hurting by any means; stripping was good money. But I wanted more even though I wasn’t sure whatmorewas anymore.

Sommer walked into the dressing room not long after me. I was sitting at a vanity doing my makeup, and I smiled tightly at her. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I replied, and she sat next to me at an open vanity.

“You seem gloomy or something. Sure hope that doesn’t affect your tips.”

I rolled my eyes. “It won’t.”

“Whatever. More money for me.”

“Do you not listen? I said it won’t affect my tips.”

“Bitchy much?” she barked.

I turned toward her and glared. “I always give my best performances because not all of us get extraperksfrom the boss.”

Sommer threw her mascara down and turned toward me. “What the fuck does that mean?”

I snorted and rolled my eyes again. “Nothing.”

“That’s what I thought.”

I stood, scooting the stool back as I did. Sommer was a friend, but because I was in a bad mood, not wanting to bite my tongue anymore. “Tell me, did he pay you for your extra time?”

She stood and got within inches of my face. I faintly heard the other girls trying to calm us, but we didn’t pay them any mind. “I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but whatever it is, it’s none of your business,” she hissed.

“You’re right. I don’t give a fuck whose dick you suck.”

Her eyes widened, but before she could respond—or slap me—Melony stepped between us and pushed me back. “What the hell are you doing?” she asked. “This isn’t like you.”

“It’s shark week or something,” Sommer jabbed.

“Is it?” Melony whispered.

I rolled my eyes. “No. That was last week.”

“Then why are you all—”

“Bitchy?” Sommer cut in, still seething as she glared at me.

I groaned and stepped around Melony. I left the dressing room and headed straight into the restroom that was only for dancers. Melony followed me. “Okay, what’s going on? Vinny said he only wants to be friends with benefits or something? Broke your heart?”

“What? No,” I groaned. “I haven’t said anything to Vinny, just like I told you I wasn’t going to.”