“Baby, you don’t mean that.You know you want me,” she desperately tries again as Bambi and Greyson walk closer to us.
“No, I don’t.I have someone and your used up pussy isn’t worth losing her,” I state, thinking of Ruby when I know we’re not together.I won’t allow this skank to taint what could happen between the two of us though.“I’ve never once touched a single woman here and you’re not enough for me to change that.”
“Since when do you have a girl?”she questions me like she has a right to know anything about my personal life.
“That’s none of your fuckin’ business.Get the hell out of my face or leave.You’re not gonna keep pushin’ up on me and tryin’ to get me to fuck you when it won’t happen, Temptation,” I tell her as I stand from the stool and move my body away from her.Without another word, I head for my office and lock the door behind me.No one will get close to me for any reason if I can help it.
I take a seat at my desk and pull out my phone.For the last three days since we got back from the festival, I’ve been looking at the pictures I managed to get of Ruby.There are some of her on stage when she was performing and the ones of the two of us I took when we officially met.I can’t tell you what it is about her, but there’s something different.It’s not about her looks or how sexy I think she is.I can see Ruby is someone who truly cares about her fans and loves what she does even when she’s absolutely exhausted.Or when she rushed off the stage to get to her best friend and hugged her as if it’d been years since they last saw one another.Every single moment Ruby lives is one to be cherished and spent full of life and love.She always stays so positive and it’s something that’s pulled me into her orbit and made me want to learn everything about her.
Yes, I still think she’s with Memphis.Anyone who sees the two of them together can recognize the chemistry they have.It’s not just when they’re on stage performing either.I got to see the two of them when they weren’t in front of fans or putting on a show.They’re really close and Memphis watched Ruby like she was his entire world.No, I would never step on another man’s toes and ruin a relationship because that’s not who I am.If Ruby’s taken, I’ll admire her from afar and get over whatever this shit is eventually.If not, maybe I should listen to Death and see where something between the two of us could go.It’s something I’ve been thinking about for the last few days and I’m not closer to figuring out what I want to do than I was when I first saw Ruby.
Opening up the internet on my computer, I start searching for local supply companies who will bring me alcohol weekly and won’t charge me an arm and a leg because it’s a strip club.Yes, I’ve had quotes that were outrageous in the past because this is a strip club owned by an MC.People believe we’re only out to cause problems when that’s the last thing I want to do.I want to run this place and give men and women a place to enjoy good music, dancers on stage, and a place to have fun.We stop all fights before they get out of control, the dancers are monitored closely when they’re in private rooms, no drugs are permitted in the club, and we don’t pimp our girls out for any reason.I take care of my employees and the customers who walk through the door every night we’re open.
Finding a few local suppliers, I submit requests for estimates and close out of my laptop.Grabbing my phone, I flip through the pictures of Ruby once more.I can’t get this woman out of my head and I’m not sure what to do about it.As I look at the pictures, a knock sounds on my office door.Closing out of the gallery, I set my phone down on my desk and walk over to open the door, fully prepared for another battle with one of the girls or other staff members.Instead, I find Lock standing outside the door with a smirk on his face.
“What’s up?”I ask my best friend as he enters my office and walks behind me to the desk.
“Thought I’d stop in and see you.You haven’t been around the last few days since we got back from the festival.What’s goin’ on with you?”he questions me, taking a seat and accepting the bottle of water I have in here.I don’t drink when I’m at work because I still have to ride back to the clubhouse and I never know what will happen once the doors open for the night.Having a clear head is the most important thing to me when I’m at work.
“I’ve been busy.Shit here is goin’ crazy every fuckin’ day.The dancers are restless or some shit and causin’ one drama after another.My current alcohol supplier tried to skip sendin’ us alcohol again because they said I didn’t pay.Once I showed them proof I did, it was another excuse why they weren’t gonna make the delivery.I’ve put them in their place and got the alcohol so we don’t run out this weekend.I just submitted requests for estimates from a few local suppliers so we’ll see what they have to say.I’ve just been puttin’ out fires here and then goin’ to the clubhouse to crash so I can get up and do it all over again tomorrow,” I tell Lock as he leans back in his chair and shakes his head.
“Still thinkin’ about Ruby?”he asks me, getting to the real reason he’s here.
“That’s not important.She’s a famous star and I’m the manager of a strip club.Anythin’ between the two of us would never work.Yeah, I’d like to see what’s between the two of us, but I don’t know if it’s worth it in the long run.She’s always on the road or in the studio.I’m sure she has things to do when she does have an odd day off.And, I’m pretty sure she’ll end up with Memphis.The two of them are really close and already have a relationship of sorts.I’m not gonna step in the middle of that,” I answer Lock as he stares at me with shock written all over his face and I have no clue why.
“I never once thought you were stupid, Ice.You’re one of the smartest men I’ve ever met.Except in this situation.Ruby was into you when we were at that festival.I saw the way she touched you and noticed how she always stood just a little closer to you than anyone else when we were walkin’ her anywhere.Her eyes always found you even when she was on stage performin’ for thousands.That girl wants you and is waitin’ for you to make the first move.She just had her heart broken by that fuckin’ security guy and she lit up around you.You need to message her and ask how she’s doin’ or somethin’.Don’t let this build up into nothin’ but regret or a missed opportunity at findin’ the love of your life,” he tells me, being serious about something on this rare occasion.When he’s talking to me, it’s usually to bust my balls about something and make a joke out of it.This time, he’s not doing any of it.
“I’m busy here with tryin’ to find new suppliers and tryin’ to figure out how to get the girls to stop fightin’.Temptation is startin’ her shit again tryin’ to get me to fuck her when she knows I don’t mess with the girls here.There’s no time to start anythin’.Ruby isn’t the love of my life.She’s destined for great things and I’m here in Briar Glen.We’re on two different playin’ fields.I’ll be there for her if she needs extra security again, but that’s all it will be between the two of us,” I say, trying to make myself believe the words coming out of my mouth.
Taking a sip of my water, I wait for Lock to talk again because I know this conversation isn’t over yet.Lock will talk to me until I see the error of my ways and send Ruby a message.Knowing this, I pick up my phone and pull up Ruby’s contact information.
Me: Hey, it’s Ice from the festival.Just wonderin’ how you’re doin’ after the busy weekend.
Lock grabs my phone and I watch as he reads the message with a smirk on his face.He shakes his head as I grab my phone from his hand and put it on the desk far away from him.I don’t doubt that my best friend will send a different message to Ruby just because he thinks he’s trying to help me out.I’ll have to keep my phone on me at all times so he doesn’t have an opportunity to get it without my knowledge.
“Okay, so you sent a generic message to her.What are you gonna do if she actually responds?”Lock questions me as he sits forward and sets his bottle on the desk in front of him.
“If she responds, I’ll answer her if it’s necessary.If not, then I won’t send another one.Ruby’s busy as hell and I’m really not expectin’ much to happen here,” I tell him honestly as music starts to play outside of my office and I know the night has started here.
“I think she’ll respond.She’ll never find a man more devoted to her than you if she lets you in.Ruby would be lucky to have you in her life as more than some part-time security guard.When are you meetin’ up with Zeus?”Lock changes the subject as I lean back in my chair and fold my arms over my chest.
“I don’t know.I have to call him and see what’s goin’ on.Honestly, if he can’t make the trip here, I wouldn’t mind goin’ there.Gettin’ out of town for a few days and just relaxing when he’s not workin’ with me.I might talk to Judge about it later when I get back to the clubhouse,” I state, the idea of leaving Briar Glen for a little while sounding more appealing as I continue to think about it.
“Why the fuck you wanna leave, Ice?What’s really goin’ on with you?”Lock questions me, sitting up straight in his seat and staring at me as if he’ll be able to find the answer to his question without me saying a word.
“Nothin’ is goin’ on.I’m just restless maybe.I need to get away and not focus on everythin’ here.It seems as if it’s been one thing after another since we lost Razer.If it’s not somethin’ here at the strip club, it’s somethin’ goin’ on at the clubhouse.We have a run comin’ up and I’m still tryin’ to become even half as good as Razer was on the computer when he was lookin’ shit up.It’s never gonna happen, but I’ll do what I can to help out.Maybe gettin’ away is somethin’ I need for a while.Stretch my legs, so to speak and just ride to Braedon so I can think and figure shit out,” I tell him, knowing there’s no deep reason for my needing to get away.I think I’m just burned out and need a break.
I love the club and I’ll never regret joining for a second.The Knight’s Rebellion have helped my family when we needed extra hands and have given me a chance to be myself without the worry of constantly being judged by everyone around me.While I love working on the farm and helping my family, it’s not all I like.I love riding my bike, hanging out with all the guys, going on our charity rides, and my friendship with Lock.He’s been at my side since school and our friendship has only become more solid and strong since we joined the club.
“You thinkin’ of switchin’ clubs or goin’ Nomad?”Lock asks me with a frown on his face as he laces his fingers together in front of his face.
“I don’t think so.You’d be the first I’d have that conversation with, Lock.We’ve been best friends since elementary school.You’ve been my soundin’ board for as long as I can remember just like I’m the one who listens when you need to vent.I wouldn’t make a decision that big without your input.Plus, I have to think of my family and the help they need on the farm,” I tell him honestly because I know it would hurt Lock immensely if I simply made a huge life decision without talking to him about it.Especially one that might take me out of Briar Glen.
“Good.You know I only want you to be happy, Ice.If that means gettin’ away for a while or goin’ Nomad, then I’ll support whatever decision you choose to make.I’ll miss the hell outta ya, but we’ll figure it out.I can always help out on the farm if you’re not here.You know your parents love the hell outta me.Do what you gotta do for you, Ice, and don’t worry about anyone else,” he says and I know he means every single word he’s speaking.Lock would fully support my decision to leave if that’s what I feel is best for me.That’s the kind of friend he is.
For the next few hours, Lock and I head out to the floor and watch the customers as each dancer performs.None of them come close to us because they know Lock won’t fuck them either.We’re not here for lap dances or any of the other bullshit everyone else is here for.I’m working and Lock is keeping me company because he feels something inside me he doesn’t like.That I’m pulling away from the club and him.Maybe I am and I haven’t realized that’s what I’m doing until right now.We’ll see what happens over the next few days and weeks.The first thing is getting a hold of Zeus to find out when he wants to meet up and then I can figure things out from there.
