He shoves his hands into his pockets. “Hey.”
Not the greeting I expected. “What’s wrong?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing.”
It’s a lie, and we both know it.
“Cody, what is it?”
“You make a lot tonight?”
His question throws me. “I did okay. Why?”
“I watched the last dance. I left when you gave that kid in the white ball cap the lap dance.”
My mouth parts. No one told me he was here. How did I miss him? He must have been sitting in the dark spot near the DJ booth. I glance at Velvet slipping into her car. She’s wearing a sly smile, like she knew the entire time.
“I didn’t see you,” I whisper.
“Guess not.”
“Are you mad?”
He looks off, and his jaw tightens.
“Cody, you know what I do for a living.”
“Yeah, I do. Doesn’t mean I like it.” His gaze returns to mine. “Would you quit if I asked you?”
My shoulders drop. “Don’t start this, please.” I move to walk past him to my driver door.
“Why not? I can’t say how much I hate this?”
“I get that, but it’s what I do.” I shrug. “So, what point is there in having this conversation?”
“You can find another job.”
“I make good money, Cody, and I only have to be away from my son for a few nights a week. There’s no other job like this.”
“You can’twantto do that.” He flings an arm toward Sonny’s.
I toss my bag in the car and whirl, my hands landing on my hips. “Of course not. No little girl dreams of growing up to be a stripper. But I do what I have to do to survive. Don’t you dare judge me.”
“I’m not judging you.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Because I don’t want other men leering and touching what’s mine?”
“Yours? I don’t belong to anyone. Are we clear?”
“I thought we had something.”
“Not if you’re like every other guy.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Possessive and thinking you own me. No man owns me, understand? I make good money, Cody. More than I could make doing anything else. I’m saving to set Tucker up for the future. I have plans. Don’t screw them up for me.”
