“Mommy work?” Lena asked, looking at me while she continued shoveling cheesy pasta in her mouth.
“That’s right, cherub, I have to go to work. And Stella is going to stay with you.”
She nodded, used to me not being there at night all the time. And it broke my heart that she was so used to it, that this was the norm, that I wasn’t the one putting my kids to bed every night.
I kissed her chubby cheek, then Luca’s, and reluctantly waved goodbye. We walked to Sebastian’s bike and he got on, then held the purple helmet out for me.
“Is it a normal thing for you guys to have purple helmets lying around the clubhouse?” I asked, still curious as to where it had come from.
“Just put it on. We’re going to be late again,” he grumbled.
I sighed but put it on and took his outstretched hand. He helped me up on the bike, and once my body was flush to his and my arms were wrapped around him, we took off.
The ride was amazing, and I felt invincible once we pulled up outside the club. But as soon as I took off my helmet and handed it back to Sebastian, reality crashed in around me and my breath hitched.
“I’ll be right in,” I said when we were almost at the back door.
Sebastian stopped next to me when I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. Since this had happened every time we’d gone to work together, he knew the drill. And despite me telling him to go ahead without me every time, he never did.
I did my thing, then took a deep breath and walked past him and inside the club. Sebastian was right behind me, and I could feel the heat coming off his body.Does he have to crowd me like that?It wasn’t busy yet, so there was no need to walk so close.
I made it to the dressing rooms and looked over my shoulder. “See you later.”
He grunted a reply and lifted his chin before he stalked off. I turned the other way and went through the door. All the girls were already there, getting ready for their performances.
“Hey, honey, you need a hand with your hair?” Star asked, looking at me in the mirror.
“Do you have time? I don’t want to make you late,” I said, pulling out my chair.
She came over, bringing her makeup with her. “I got here an hour ago. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
I sat down, looking at her. “Trouble with Mike?”
She started braiding my hair. “There’s always trouble with that man. But this time I’ve had enough.”
This was not a new development. She kicked him out every other week. The guy wasn’t the smartest bulb in the pack, but he was sweet. Unfortunately for him, he had a terrible taste in friends, and they regularly got him in trouble.
“What did he do this time?”
“He didn’t come home for three days. And when he did, he stank of cheap perfume and bad choices.”
“Oh no, Star, I’m so sorry.”
Up until now, he’d never cheated. I knew what it felt like when someone you trusted trampled all over you. It sucked hairy balls.
“It’s okay. We should have broken up years ago. I was just too stuck on what we used to be to cut the cord.”
I took her hand. “You’re too good for him anyway.”
“Damn right she is,” Elle called out from two dressing tables away. “And I can finally set you up with my cousin. You’re going to love him. Just remember to name your firstborn after me.”
Star laughed, and Elle winked at me.
“Who’s got the bachelor party tonight?” Tia asked, flopping down in the chair beside me.
Tia was even smaller than me but looked nothing like a little girl. Her surgically enhanced boobs were barely contained by her latex top, and her pouty lips had seen one too many injections. She was as loyal as they came, and we’d gotten along from the moment we met.
She might be small, but she was freakishly strong. Guess all that pole dancing really gave her a workout.
