“At the house. While I was working,” I answer.
“Did he recognize you? From here? Or the ring?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I don’t think so? I’m still trying to figure it out myself.”
“I’m going to deliver these drinks to the cast of Bridesmaids over there, and then I need to know everything that happened,” Lainey says.
Of course, the crowd only picks up after that, and one tray of drinks turns into two. Then an hour turns to four, and the next thing we know, Lainey and I are ready to close up shop. The lights come on one flicker brighter to signal to everyone to finish up. She comes back to the bar, leans on it, and sighs heavily.
“What the hell was that?” she asks, looking as exhausted as I feel.
“I don’t know, but the money’s good,” I smile.
“You’re telling me,” she says, holding up a fat booklet. “Now tell me what happened. Every detail.”
“I was in the kitchen cleaning and he came in like a bat out of hell,” I say.
“Nothing new,” she says.
“He asked me to make him a drink, so I did. I asked him what was eating him. He complained about work. Changed the subject, and then when I tried to walk out, he stepped in front of me and–”
“Mila,” Niko’s sharp voice interrupts us, and we both turn to see him marching toward me.
“Yes, sir?” I ask.
“One of the regulars called out, I need another waitress,” he says.
“You mean in the…” I nod towards the back door, and he nods in return.
“Yes. Where else?” he asks.
So much for it being a secret.
“Are you sure about that?” I ask. “Last time didn’t go so well…”
“So I heard. But we have some of the top fighters in the ring tonight, and I need a full staff. Brynn will formally train you.”
Brynn. Fucking perfect.
I turn to see her smiling coyly at me. “Don’t worry, Niko, she’s in good hands. She won’t be spilling any drinks on people on my watch.”
I bite my tongue as she takes off her apron. Niko walks off, and I turn to Lainey.
“Since when do you work the ring?” she asks.
“Since tonight, I guess,” I tell her.
“How funny. I’ve worked here two years longer than you, and they’ve never asked me,” she says softly. I open my mouth to say something, but before I can, Brynn steps in.
“Not everyone is cut out for it, Lainey. Nothing personal,” her sugary smile is about as fake as they come. Then she switches her attention to me. “Come on. We need to get you…” she looks me over. “Ready.”
I nod and then look back to Lainey, but she’s already headed out the door. I want to go after her, but I don’t really have any other choice right now but to follow Brynn to the back room.
“Ring girls wear a similar uniform but less,” she tells me as she opens a locker.
“Less what?” I ask.
“Less material,” she says, holding up a skimpy strip of satin.
