Kale moves lightning fast.
I pull back. ‘I want it in the ledger.’
He glares at me. ‘Jaxon, get Serenity’s ledger.’
Jax goes to the safe and does as he’s told. He flips the notebook open to the latest page, then reaches for a pen and writes the amount down.
He comes over to show it to me and I hand the cash to Kale.
‘That should make it two hundred and eight to go,’ I say, because I stay on top of this stuff.
‘Two hundred and eight thousand, that’s correct,’ Jaxon confirms, and I keep my gaze level with Kale’s.
‘Is that everything?’ Kale asks.
I smile politely. ‘No. I’m not feeling so good. Wondered if you’d mind if I head home early tonight?’
I keep looking directly at Kale.
He crosses his arms over his chest. ‘What’s wrong with you?’
I put one hand on my stomach. ‘Got real bad cramps tonight. Due my period any day now.’
If there’s one thing Kale hates, it’s one of his girls talking about girl problems. Misty once taught me that it was the easiest way out of a shift, but you had to pick and choose carefully when to pull a code red.
Kale dismisses me with a flick of his fingers. ‘Fine. Head on home. Jax, tell Kaycee and Talia that Serenity had to go. I’ll need them up on stage for another round tonight.’
‘Thank you,’ I say.
‘Need you back here tomorrow night though. Swallow a bottle of Tylenol, I don’t care. Want you back on that stage, collecting those tips.’
A soft smile touches my mouth once more, because I used to be afraid of him. And now I see him for what he really is.
‘Of course, Mr McCoy,’ I say obediently. ‘I’ll be here, no question.’
In the car, on my route home, a message pings on the CMC group, from Harmony.
No practice tomorrow because of away game. Meet at my apartment forteam bonding. 10 a.m. Apartment F, 3580 Century Drive, Boulder Creek.See y’all there.
While I’m thankful that I don’t have to drive all the way across to the Danube Stadium, equally, I’m nervous about what ‘team bonding’ entails outside of official training.
When I get home, I check on Dad. Lately, he’s been sleeping with a portable oxygen concentrator for his emphysema, so I check the tube is all hooked up properly. Satisfied, I head for the kitchen and eat a handful of walnuts before I go upstairs to my room.
I’m taking off my makeup when the tears come. A moment later and I can’t wipe them away fast enough, the events of the past few days overpowering me. When the floodgates open, my body is wracked with uncontrollable sobs, so all-consuming that I have to cover my mouth to stop the sound from waking my father.
All I want is to speak to Jake. I check the phone and there’s nothing. He’ll be on curfew tonight at some hotel or other in Cleveland. I take my chances and dial him, not expecting him to pick up. So, when I hear his voice at the other end of the line, I’m unprepared.
‘Serenity?’ His voice sounds deep and masculine.
‘Hi,’ I say softly. ‘I didn’t know if you’d answer. Or if you’d take the phone with you.’
‘I can’t really talk,’ he says. ‘I’m on curfew.’
‘I know. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.’
He’s quiet for a long moment. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t call. I needed a little time to… process.’
‘I get it. I know it wasn’t what you expected. When do you fly back?’
