“Last night. Where the hell did you get the beer from? Did you steal it?”
Once I started, the words poured out of me. I couldn’t stem the flow. “I put myself on the line, Harlan. For you. I brought you into my house. I got you the job.” I kicked back the chair to pace the room. “People said I was crazy, but I believed if I helped you, that’s all it would take. But the worst thing is that you just don’t give a damn. You wanted that liquor more than you wanted my friendship. So go for it. I hope it was worth it.”
I stopped, my chest burning with hurt. Like my heart was getting ripped apart.
He trembled and fumbled with the cup, finally steadying his hands around it. “What are you, my keeper? And no, I didn’t steal anything.”
“You think that’s bein’ your keeper? ’Cause I’m sayin’ you shouldn’t be drinkin’ on the job? I thought you had common sense.”
He flushed and stuck out his jaw, eyes blazing. “So what if I had a drink? I wasn’t drunk. My nerves got the better of me, and I needed something to take the edge off. And obviously I did my job, as José had no problem with my work.”
“It ain’t right.”
“Says who? All the dancers get to have drinks. And James never said anything to me in my interview about not drinking. So by his omission, I chose to believe he wouldn’t care.”
Damn.“You’re confusing me, talkin’ like a lawyer. I don’t like none of that doublespeak.”
“What am I saying that you don’t understand? I’ll lay it out for you. James didn’t tell me I couldn’t drink, so I assumed he wouldn’t mind.”
That wide-eyed innocent look from his baby blues didn’t fool me. But if that was the way he wanted it, fine with me. I didn’t need him.
“You don’t havta talk to me like I’m a fool. If you needed a drink so bad last night, you got a drinking problem.”
A muscle in his jaw tensed. “No, I don’t. Just because I had a few drinks doesn’t mean I have a problem.”
I couldn’t help a snort of disbelief. “You’re sneakin’ drinks on the first day of work and you think that’s okay?” Harlan remained silent, which only infuriated me. “Fine. But when José or James find out, don’t come cryin’ to me, asking me for help.”
“I never asked you for help. I never asked you for anything.”
The guy was right. Here I was thinking we were friends when I was nothing more than a stepping-stone for him. That made sense, though. It was the way everyone else had always treated me. No reason Harlan should be any different.
“Sure. Whatever. I’ll back off.” I sat back down to finish my coffee. “I’m going to the bookstore after breakfast.”
“Oh, okay. I was going to go clothes shopping. I can’t keep wearing your friend’s hand-me-downs.”
“How’re you gonna pay for that?” A part of me wondered: if he would sneak a drink, would he also help himself to money from the cash register?
“I didn’t plan on stealing.”
“Never said you did.” Our gazes clashed, and by the red flush creeping up his neck, I could see his anger rising.
His hand curled into a fist on top of the table. “José paid me my tips before he left. I made the most from doing that one service at your bridal table, but he gave me a small cut of the bar tips as well. It’s not a fortune, but I’ll be able to buy some new things to wear. And I need an all-black outfit.”
I said nothing. If we hadn’t had words, I’d offer to go shopping with him. Austin, Frankie, and I did it sometimes, and we always had a fun time, trying on outrageous clothes we’d never buy and generally acting silly. It was something friends did. But Harlan had reminded me: we weren’t friends.
“Do, um, do you know of any places I can get things that aren’t too expensive?” With a wry smile, he fingered his shirt. “I can’t afford the clothes I used to wear and have no idea where to shop for things.”
Despite my misgivings and hurt feelings, I couldn’t not help the guy. “Yeah. You can go to places in Union Square. They got stores that sell stuff cheap. Even at Modell’s you can get nice T-shirts in every color for like five bucks. Or try Kmart on Astor Place.”
“Modell’s?” He scrunched up his nose and looked so funny, I had to bite back a smile. “What’s that?”
“A sporting-goods store.” I finished my coffee and went to the sink to rinse the cup. Harlan remained seated, staring down at the table. What went on in that mind of his? “I’m gonna take a shower and get dressed.” I headed toward the bathroom.
“Um. Can I ask you something?”
I shrugged and waited.
“Would you mind coming with me? I’m sorry I snapped at you before. I’ve been on my own for so long, I’ve forgotten how to act with people.”
