“Don’t worry, I am. As gay as they come. It’s not about that.”
“Oh, good. Because me, too.” And then, she giggles.
“I wanted to ask you when Mayhem was closed next. I… can’t remember,” I trail off, feigning nonchalance.
“Don’t you ever look at the schedule, Ced? It’s posted in the dressing room.”
“It is?” I ask, mouth falling slack.How have I never noticed?
“Yes, you idiot. It always has been. The next closing day is in a week and a half. We’ll be closed Sunday and Monday for cleaning and some light fixing. Just checking lights and safety stuff.”
“Oh,” I nod. “Is that both days, or…?”
“Just Monday,” she hums. “Cause Sunday, we finally get a day off.”
“Yeah.” I lean back against the couch and let my eyes fall closed. “Finally.”
“What do you mean? You guys get days off every once in a while. There’s no one else to run the front if I need a sick day.” And she sounds so sad when she says it.
“What about Johnny? He doesn’t come in?” Johnny’s the new owner, but we rarely ever see him, if I’m being honest.
“He does, but I always feel like such a bother when I have to ask him, so I always just try to avoid it.”
“Kierra, you’re going to burn yourself out if you keep doing that,” I try to reason with her, but she just shrugs.
“It is what it is.” And then, she tips back her drink and finishes it in a few swallows and stands on her two feet shakily. “Woah, I’m drunk.”
“I’d say,” I laugh as I stand beside her to help keep her steady. I’m drunk myself but probably a lot more sober than she is at the moment.
At least I can stand.
“Thanks, Ced.”
“Of course. Maybe you should crash.”
“I think I’m gonna.”
I take a look around the room and notice most of everyone else is spread out on the mismatched furniture, either sleeping or nearly there, still donning their costumes from Mayhem. It makes me yawn with my own sleepy breath, and I drop back down on the sofa.
“C’mere, Kierra. There’s nowhere else to sleep.”
She glances around the room, then looks down at me before shrugging and plopping down. “All right, thanks.” And then, she leans her shoulder on mine and closes her eyes as she turns her face into my painted neck.
“Mmm, you smell good.”
I chuckle. “Thank you.” And then, with sleep-ridden eyes, I pull my phone out of my pocket to text my little mouse goodnight and let him know he’s on my mind before I drift off into oblivion.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tonight’s the Night
Madison
Tonight’s the night.
I’m ready for him.
Or… I’m as ready as I could ever be, I guess.
