Page 14 of Sexting My Ex's Dad

I can’t stop myself from laughing and shaking my head. “You are awesome. I’m happy you weren’t fired.”

“Me too.” She shakes my shoulder gently. “You’ll be okay. Besides, every job has its growing pains.”

I nod my head. I do have to agree with her there. These are just a little different from others.

“You know what will make you feel better?”

“What?”

Isobel reaches into her pocket and pulls out an envelope.

I frown. “An envelope will make me feel better?”

“What’s inside of it will.” She thrusts it into my hands. “Your first check.”

I make so much money just off of tips that I hadn’t considered I’d get an actual check, not a big one anyways.

The white envelope feels heavy in my hand. I glance over at Isobel, who nods in encouragement, her eyes reflecting the excitement bubbling within me. I slide my finger beneath the sealed flap, tearing it open.

My heart skips a beat as my eyes land on the amount printed in bold black ink. Nearly four thousand dollars – and this is just one week’s pay. The number seems too big, too surreal to be true. My hands tremble, and I feel the breath catch in my throat.

“Wow,” I whisper, feeling dizzy with disbelief. “Is this... is this really how much I made?”

“Looks like it,” Isobel confirms, grinning at my astonishment. “Not too shabby for your first week, huh?”

“Definitely not,” I agree, my mind racing with the possibilities. I’ve never made this much money in my life with just one paycheck.

It’s settled. I’m never leaving this job.

“See, it’s worth it,” Isobel teases. “Welcome to the world of adult entertainment, where dreams come true and clothes come off,” she says with a playful wink, her words laced with light-hearted humor.

“Who knew?” I shake my head, a genuine smile gracing my lips for the first time in what feels like an eternity.

I should’ve taken this job years ago. This is far better job security than Owen ever was.

I wish he was here right now, so I could rub it in his face.

9

STELLA

Like. Like. Like.

I hardly ever leave comments on social media anymore, probably because I barely talk to any of the people I follow. Most of them are from high school, college, and some even from middle school, but it feels weird not to scroll through it every so often and see what they’re all up to…see how their lives compare to mine.

Most of them have gone on to do great things, but me…? I’m making mid five figures a month working at a gentlemen’s club.

Not too shabby.

Not that I would ever post that.

I pause mid-scroll, my heart sinking like an anchor into the depths of my chest. There he is – Owen – with his arm draped around a new woman. Both of them are smiling, and it pains me to say that the woman is absolutely gorgeous with her bob length hair, slim figure, and pretty eyes.

I want to slap her.Him too.

“Ugh,” I mutter under my breath, trying to suppress the storm of emotions brewing inside me. The betrayal stings like salt on an open wound, and I can’t help but feel foolish for ever trusting him.

“This is just a break, Stella, not a breakup.”