In less than ten minutes I’m behind the wheel of Callum’s car and driving toward Elegance. It’s the only place I know where I can go and quiet the noise in my head. When I pull up inside the lot Walker and Leo are outside holding the door open, and the dancers are heading out.
“What’s going on?” I ask Tami as she passes on the way to her car.
“Beast closed up for the night,” she shrugs and walks on.
That’s weird. Why would he do that?
“Charley, why are you here, you know Beast told you to take a few days,” Lily comes over to me.
“I was bored. Why is the club closing?”
“Do you think they tell us anything? Not that the girls are concerned, we’re still getting paid. Plus a bonus for being accommodating,” she deepens her voice for that last part. Not sure who she is imitating, but it’s kind of funny.
“You drove down here for nothing.”
Walker sees me and comes over, asking me if everything is okay. I like Walker, he’s good to the dancers, looks out for everyone. He reiterates what Lily said, that the club will be back open as normal tomorrow and we should get ourselves home and enjoy the free night off.
Easy for him to say. Lily is watching me as I turn back to the car. “What?”
“You came here because you’re bored,” she smirks.
“It’s too quiet by myself. I’ve been going stir crazy.”
“It’s been two days since that man almost attacked you, Charley.”
“Key wordalmost.”
“You shouldn’t be so blasé about it. It’s a good job Nashville went looking for you. Why is that by the way?” We’ve walked back to the BMW, and she gives me a knowing grin.
“It’s not like that,” I lie. “I had some trouble with my car and he helped me out.”
“And where you’re living?” She leans against the SUV and gives me a look. The kind that says she knows more than I thought she did. “I’m not the only one who noticed.”
“What?”
“Relax, Ellie shut everyone down.”
“Oh shit,” I close my eyes. How does everyone know?
“Don’t worry, he’s hot,” she winks.
“It’s not-”
“Like that,” she cuts me off. “Yeah, you’ve said that.”
Her laughter should irritate me, but she is such a genuine kind person I can’t get mad. She also isn’t judging me like some of the other women would. They’d be right, I have had sex with him. It’s nothing like what they would think.
Callum is different with me. Or maybe I’m just being a foolish girl. I haven’t heard from him in two days. What if he is hoping I leave and isn’t coming back till I’ve gone?
Ellie knows. Jesus.
“The place I was staying before was sketchy and he didn’t like me staying there. He did me a favor that’s all.”
“Is it though?”
“Lily,” I unlock the doors and open the driver side. “I’m looking for a new place. In fact, I have a few lined up to check out.”
It’s not a total lie. I have saved a few places. After this, I’ll be contacting them first thing tomorrow.
