“I kind of have a stalker,” I said, tired of keeping things from my friends.
“A stalker?” Elle screeched.
“How long has this been going on?” Tia chimed in.
“Almost a year,” I said, going for full honesty tonight.
Elle stopped fixing my face and stood up, wielding the brush in her hand like a sword. “And you never told us? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I thought it wouldn’t escalate. It was only little things. Nothing too crazy.”
The girls stared at me like I’d lost my mind. Which I guessed I had. But I was used to taking care of things myself. And it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. Not until I got the note.
“Who’s stalking you, girl?”
I twisted my hands in my lap. “It’s Clive.”
He wasn’t exactly subtle about it either, so at least I knew who was after me.
“It’s your lucky day, because Clive is gone,” Elle said. “Didn’t anyone tell you about last night?”
I hoped that meant he’d seen the light and moved on from his stalkerish ways. If he really was gone, I couldn’t say I was upset about it.
“What happened? Did he quit?” I asked, turning in my seat.
“He was arrested,” Tia said. “A dozen cops swarmed into Pepper’s and took him out. It was quite the spectacle. I can’t believe you haven’t heard about it yet. Sebastian was here when it happened.”
I stilled. Why wouldn’t he tell me about that?
“What did they arrest him for?” I asked.Does this mean I can go home again?
“Assault,” Tia said, stepping out of her dress and pulling on tiny jean shorts and a red-checkered shirt.
“Of who?” I asked, watching her tie the ends of her shirt together, leaving it unbuttoned.
She walked to her table next to mine and rummaged through her makeup bag. “Police officer, I think.”
Elle finished with my makeup. “This is the best I can do. Did you take an antihistamine so the swelling goes down?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t think to bring any with me when I packed for our sleepover.”
“I think I’ve got some,” Tia said, rummaging through her bag, coming out with a case full of pills.
“That’s a lot of pills,” I said and pulled my clothes into place.
But just like every other time I’d worn them, they didn’t magically lengthen or cover my butt just by tugging on them.
“It’s just painkillers, antihistamines, and Viagra. Don’t worry, I’m well aware of Pepper’s policy on drugs. Besides, I’d never do them. I’ve seen too many of my friends get dragged into the dumpster.”
I wasn’t even going to ask why she had Viagra in there.
“I’ll start with one, and if it doesn’t make me too sleepy, I’ll take another one,” I said.
Tia pulled out a packet and pushed a pill into my outstretched hand. I swallowed it and stood up.
“I better go or Smitty is going to dock my pay.” I waved at the girls. “See you out there.”
The night was slow. I searched the floor for Sebastian but couldn’t see him. He was usually near the stage, but he’d disappeared almost an hour ago, leaving Gears to stand in his spot.
