It’s better to pretend.
•
“Pizza’s ready,” Ethan tells me. “Do you want a slice, babe?”
“Two please.”
I didn’t really mean to wind up in a relationship, it wasn’t anything that I planned to do and I didn’t really want one, I don’t think; but Ethan and I saw each other almost every day after our coffee and dinner dates, and when I told him about my job, he didn’t run.
I try not to take it personally that we haven’t slept together more than twice since I told him about what I do.
Maybe a part of me is glad about it.
I settle into Ethan’s couch, grabbing one of the throw pillows and curling it against my body while I channel surf, looking for something for us to watch. This is how we spend most nights together, in front of the TV eating a reheated meal. I don’t mind it. Sometimes the quiet nights at home are nice after the chaos of working in a nightclub, but...sometimes, I miss the excitement that I had in Mexico.
Eric’s face pops into my mind, pulling memories to the surface of our time together, and damn it it if it isn’t just theexcitementthat I miss from Mexico, but the guy, too.
FOURTEEN
Sophia
“It’s weird,” I say, bumping my hip against the door of the washing machine to close it. “It’s one thing for him toknowwhat I do, it’s another entirely for him toseewhat I do.”
Ava hops up onto one of the machines behind us, picking through her own laundry basket. “At least he’s familiar. Maybe you can treat it like a night off.”
“Maybe,” I sigh. “Or maybe my sparkly new relationship ends tonight.”
Things have been going so well with Ethan over the past few weeks. It took some time for me to tell him what I do at Envy, but when I finally did, he didn’t seem horrified or run off scared or act like I was dirty, like I’d expected him to. Instead, he told me again that he wants to come visit – and tonight is the night.
Ava tosses a shirt from her basket into one of mine, pursing her lips at me in thought. “If he judges you, he’s not worth the space he takes up in your life,” she tells me, treading carefully with her words. “If he can’t understand the position you’re in...bye. Onto the next. I’m serious about my brother, you know.”
“Me too.” I waggle my eyebrows at her while I toss the last of my clothes into the dryer, dropping a few quarters intothe slot next to the power button. “He’s been in love with you since he was in second grade.”
“Pffft. Who hasn’t? I’m wonderful.”
“An angel on Earth,” I chuckle with a roll of my eyes as I hop up onto the machine next to her.
I might say it with sarcasm, but the words are true. Ava is my safe space, my biggest supporter, and my twin flame. She keeps me grounded when I start to spiral, and she has known and loved every version of me, no matter where we each were in life. Every friendship needs an Ava in it.
•
My legs are Jell-O when I step out of the lounge and onto the floor, making my way toward the stairs that lead up to the VIP section. Anxiety drenches every inch of my body and mind, worsening with every step that I take, only to be intensified again as I round the corner to find not only Ethan seated on the couch, but six of his friends, as well.
I can’t help but look over my shoulder at the security guard waiting near the steps. I was happy to work the table alone when I thought it was just going to be my boyfriend, someone that I was at least somewhat familiar with, but this?
Thismakes me nervous.
The last time that I was sent to work alone with a group of men like this…
I stuff the memory down, shaking off the clamminess that it brought with it, and I throw on a wide smile. “Good evening, boys! How are we doing?”
“We need vodka!” One of them shouts, and I hide my grimace with a smile.
They’re not going to be creeps tonight, but they are going to be obnoxious frat boys.
“Guys,” Ethan chides, “can you sayhifirst? This is my girlfriend.”
“Ohhhh shit,” the ‘vodka’ guy laughs. Turning to me, he asks, “So do you really fuck dudes for money?”
