by Coco Holland
“Which one of you dorks am I closing with tonight?” Rachel looked at the both of us questioningly.
“Me,” Kate said with a frown.
“Well take your break.” Rachel clapped her hands.
Kate’s gaze darkened. I shook my head behind Rachel. It really wasn't worth it.
Kate made her way to the back door.
“Fifteen minutes and not a minute more!” Rachel called out in a sing-song voice. “We’re not paying you to sit around.”
“Hello girls!” A cheery male voice called from the window. It was Keith Kipling, a sleazy lawyer from a strip mall nearby.
“Hello beautiful,” he said as he waved me over. “Get me a cappuccino won’t you doll?”
I nodded and took my position near the machine. I pulled a shot of espresso and began heating the milk.
“You’ve got a nice set of legs on you, are you a runner?” Keith stared at my body as I worked.
“Nope, I’m not a runner,” I said over my shoulder. I poured the coffee and milk into a takeaway cup. I turned around to hand it to him.
“You should be,” he said wetting his lips. “You should be doll.”
“You’re not going to tell me I’ve been running through your head are you Keith?”
He flashed a bright white smile as he took the cup from my hands and handed over money. His eyes lingered on my legs.
“How did you know, doll?”
“I’ve heard it before, Keith.” I forced a smile. “You have a nice day now.”
“You, too baby doll,” He made a show of dropping a note into the tip jar. “I’ll see you next time, legs.”
“Amateur,” Rachel muttered.
“What did you say?” I swivelled around to face her.
“I said you were a freaking amateur,” she repeated. She walked over to the jar and shook the money out. “See? A dollar. Why bother?”
It wasn’t too bad. He did just buy a coffee.
“You’re not even trying,” she continued, shaking her head. “Being pretty isn’t good enough. Your technique is shit. Don’t look at me like that, don’t you want to make some money?”
She looked over my shoulder.
“Watch and learn, amateur,” she said snidely. She pushed past me and walked to the window. Another sleazy looking customer.
“Rachel,” he drawled. “The prettiest of all the things.”
“He’ll want the drip coffee,” she said over her shoulder before turning back around to giggle at his lame pun.
I poured Mr. Modern Day Cyrano a cup of drip coffee and listened to Rachel working her magic. She laughed and touched his arm and to my surprise she leaned over and he placed his tip into her bra. She giggled as his fingers grazed her cleavage.
Rachel wagged her finger at him and stepped back.
I watched open mouthed at the exchange. I walked over to hand her the coffee but she was unfazed. Rachel tittered at something the man said before waving goodbye flirtatiously.
“Come around more often Chris,” she cooed. “I’ll miss you.”
“I will darling,” the man took a sip of the coffee. “Ahh… Delicious nectar of angels.”
I gagged.
Rachel continued to smile and wave as he left the parking lot. When he was gone, she stalked over to the back of the room.
“Gah,” she said pulling the note from her bra. “A twenty, he gave me fifty last time. Stingy old coot.” She walked over and put the tip into her bag.
“You let them touch you?” I asked.
“Oh, get over yourself, he didn’t grope me,” she snapped. She played with her long red ponytail. “I’m just friendlier than you are. Gerard says it’s a sure way to get more tips, and guess what, he’s right.”
“I don’t think…”
“You're not paid to think honey.” Rachel rolled her jade green eyes. “Just make the coffee.”
I opened my mouth to retort but she interrupted me again. “I’m going on a break.”
“But you just came.”
Rachel ignored me and disappeared outside.
“What did I miss?” Kate re-entered the shack.
“Did you know what Rachel does for tips?”
“You mean the giggling stripper act?” Kate said. “Everyone knows. Gerard encourages it, the old perv. Just be friendly, he says. Rachel told me that I’m limiting my earning potential and I should try it too.”
“Are you?” I asked. “Going to try it, I mean.”
“I was tempted to, I mean those kinds of tips just to cock tease some grimy perverts?” Kate said. “Plus it’s mostly just leading them on. I don’t think she does anything too extreme.”
I furrowed my brows at her.
“But I haven’t.” She said quickly. “Tried it, I mean.”
“I’m glad,” I exhaled. “Extreme or not, it’s still fucking sleazy that’s what it is. You’re right we can do a lot better than this.”
“Oh, that’s rich,” Rachel said from the doorway. “Leah Trailer Trash Allen too high and mighty to make some money.”
“Did I say something untrue?” I said. “It is the definition of sleazy. And potentially dangerous and possibly illegal. Who knows what else you’ve done for a tip?”
I emphasised the last sentence and her eyes narrowed. She stepped forward and she poked her finger against my chest, backing me up against the wall.
“Listen here tramp, I don’t know what you think you saw,” she growled. “But don't go around telling people these lies, you hear?”
“Get off me,” I pushed her. “I won't have to tell anyone; you don’t think stuff like this travels on its own? How long until the cops come knocking?”
“HOW DARE YOU!” She shrieked. “How dare you threaten me? You have no idea what you’re even talking about!”
Kate stepped in between us.
“Guys, stop,” she pleaded. “No one is going to tell on anyone. Right, Leah?”
“Yep,” I answered Kate.
Rachel backed away, her eyes glazed over and her shoulders sagging.
“There is nothing to tell,” Rachel sniffed. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Right,” I said plainly.
“Whatever,” she said turning away from me. “I don't think I want to work today. I guess you two will both have to stay the whole day.”
“Rachel ---“
“Talk to Gerard about it,” she huffed, gathering her things. “I don’t give a fuck.”
She slammed the door behind her.
“Shit,” I groaned. “I'm sorry I'll stay behind with you.”
“Knowing her…” Kate said shaking her head. “She probably planned to leave even before you got into it with her.”
“Still…”
“We gotta get out of here,” she repeated. “I have a date with a guy from the dating site I was telling you about. I hope it goes well. This shit is too much.”
My heart sank lower at the mention of her sugar daddy ambitions. We were worth more than this. I just didn’t think I could convince her otherwise. Plus, who was I to tell her anything? Even Rachel with her shady ass dealings didn’t screw up more than me.
Fifteen grand for my integrity.
Even if it was for family, it was below me and by far the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life.
“Hello?” someone called outside. “Hel-loooo?”
“I'll get that,” she said. “You gonna be ok? Take a seat and calm down a little.”
I nodded gratefully.
My phone started to ring. “Can I get that? It might be Ollie.”
She nodded and turned her attention to her customer.
I walked outside of the stand and answered.
It was an unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Have you gotten the photos yet?” A curt voice asked.
Tom. Shit.
“Well?”
I had been dreading this question. I knew I had to deal with it sometime. I threaded my hand through my ha
ir.
“No,” I said.
“Why not?”
“Tom…” I cringed.
“Stop playing with me little girl,” he rasped over the line.
“I don’t want to do it anymore.”
There was silence on the other line.
“If you won't do it, I'll take my money back.”
I couldn’t speak.
“That’s what I thought,” he said grimly. “Call me when it's done.” He hung up the phone before I could answer.
I held the phone in my hands. They were trembling when a message came through. It was Callum.
Callum: Hey baby
Callum: I miss you. Pick you up later?
I paused. My body tensed as I typed into the phone.
Leah: Yeah. I finish at five.
Oh, man, what was I going to do?
“What’s wrong?” Callum asked. He stirred the contents of the pot he had warming over the stove.
I was a fool to think I could hide my feelings from Callum. He had an uncanny way of reading me but I didn’t want to be read tonight. “Nothing,” I replied.
“You’re quiet.”
“Just tired,” I said tucking my hair behind my ear.
“Hmmmm…” He didn’t seem convinced. “Taste this for me?”
He lifted the ladle to my lips.
“It tastes good,” I said with a small smile.
“What’s that noise?” he asked.
I recognized my ringtone. “Oh it’s just my phone.”
Tom had been calling all day.
“Do you want to take the call?” Callum looked at me expectantly.
I put the phone on silent and plastered on a smile on my face.
“Who is it?”
“Nobody.”
“Right,” he said.
“Let’s just eat ok?” I grimaced. “I have something I want to tell you.”
He cocked his head, staring at me for a moment before he nodded.
“I’ll get things ready,” He kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll meet you at the table cutie.”
I had to tell him. I would give back the money and I would tell him. Maybe he’d forgive me.
I sat down at the dining table and waited. Callum appeared with a bottle of wine.
“Silvia called asking about you,” he said pouring some into my glass.
“She did?”
“Yeah, she wanted to know how my girlfriend was,” he said nonchalantly.
“Girlfriend?
“And you didn’t correct her?” I asked taken aback. “On the girlfriend thing?”
“Should I?”
“Uh…”
“I don’t see why I should,” he continued happily. “I liked the sound of it.”
Girlfriend. His girlfriend. I liked the sound of it too. God help me.
I drank the wine in one gulp.
“Whoa,” he laughed. “That was not the reaction I was expecting. Do you not like the idea of being my girlfriend?”
“I do,” I said honestly. “Very much.”
“Then come here.” He patted his lap. I sat down and he kissed me.
“What was it you wanted to tell me?”
I bit my lip
BZZZZZZZZ.
“You’re popular,” Callum laughed. “Why don’t you take it? Maybe then they’ll leave us alone.”
“Good idea,” I said. My shoulders tensed. “Excuse me.”
I stood up and I hurried to the bathroom. I locked the door behind me.
I caught a glance of myself in the bathroom mirror. My wine stained lips, tousled hair and wide terrified eyes. I was like a deer in headlights.
I lowered the toilet seat and sat on the lid.
“Fuck,” I breathed. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
I need more time to figure out what to do
Another phone call came through. Tom, again. I declined the call.
“Did you fall in?” Callum joked outside the bathroom door.
“I’ll be out soon,” I squeaked.
My phone buzzed again. This time a multimedia message alert popped up.
Tom: Call me.
An image appeared on the screen It was the WSU logo. Ollie’s future university.
How did he know? Dread filled my body. Was he threatening to ruin Ollie’s scholarship?
No. He couldn’t have. He wouldn't. Would he? I couldn’t discount him; he really could be that connected that he’d ruin my brother’s chances.
“Leah?” Callum knocked on the bathroom door. “Are you ok? Let me in?”
I was trapped. Callum knocked on the door again.
I needed to buy more time.
I nervously opened the door.
“What’s happening?”
“Nothing baby,” I said soothingly.
Just distract him. It shouldn’t be hard.
I grabbed his crotch and rubbed my hand along his length.
I ignored the questioning look on his face. I unzipped him and knelt down.
“You’re going to suck me in the hallway here sweetheart?” He gave me a puzzled look. “We haven’t even started eating.”
“I’m hungry for something else.” I took him out of his pants. He was heavy but flaccid in my hands. Within a few strokes of my hand he was hard and ready for me.
I wet my lips and wrapped them around the tip of his cock. I moaned as he filled my mouth. I grasped his buttocks with my hands, pulling him deeper.
“Christ,” he groaned. Everything was forgotten. “Your mouth feels amazing on my cock gorgeous.”
He’s just a man after all. Easy.
My heart slowed to a steady beat. I bobbed my head up and down his shaft.
“Slowly,” he whispered.
I complied, teasing him with my mouth. I sucked him slowly and licking his shaft with long deliberate swipes of my tongue.
“Look up at me when you do that,” he pleaded.
I looked straight up at him.
“Shit,” he pushed himself deeper into my mouth. I let him fuck my mouth. I closed my eyes and forced all my thoughts and worries out of my head. It was just me and him. Him and his cock.
“I’m going to come baby,” he cupped my cheek. I could feel him trying to pull away.
I shook my head and grabbed the back of his thighs forcing him deeper into my throat.
“Leah…” he groaned my name as he filled my mouth. I swallowed everything. I didn’t waste a drop.
“What in the world was that?” he said happily. I was happy too. Happy to see the suspicious look on his face disappear.
I got up off my knees and hugged him. I wanted to remember this. He was going to hate me after this. I pressed my face into his chest, tears burning behind my eyes.
“What’s wrong, Leah?”
I shook my head. Fear gripped my body.
I had no idea what I was going to do.
Chapter 10
Callum
Dinner laid cold in the dining room as we curled up in my bed. It was a surreal experience, getting my dick sucked and then having my girlfriend cry uncontrollably afterward.
Leah cried for a while. She refused to talk about it and while she eventually succumbed to sleep, I didn’t.
What the hell was that?
I couldn’t shake it off. Something was off. It was a lot of things. I couldn’t shake the suspicious feeling I got when she got edgy over her phone and the way she disappeared into the bathroom.
She’s hiding something.
A guy? Was she playing me? She couldn’t be. She didn’t seem the type. But I knew to trust my gut when it came to these things. I knew something was wrong with my relationship with Natalia and I ignored it. I wasn’t going to do it now.
She’s cheating on you.
I suppose, technically, she wouldn’t be cheating. We never said we were together. It still hurt. I was all in. I had been all in from the start. But Leah, she had been hesitant. Maybe it was because there was someone else in the picture.
&n
bsp; Fuck. I never thought of that.
It made sense. Too much sense.
I got out of bed and walked down the hallway. I turned on the bathroom lights.
I didn’t want to snoop, but I had to know. I couldn’t help myself. I found her phone near the sink. It was locked, but the notifications flashed when I tried to turn on the screen. Rows and rows of messages. From “Tom.”
Who the fuck was Tom?
I read the snippets of messages, and I couldn’t make sense of them. Tom didn't seem to be a lover. The texts were curt and angry.
I walked back to my room, her phone in my hand. Should I confront her? This was obviously ‘something’ and it was why she was upset. All I had were fragments of the truth rolling down her screen, and the messages were indecipherable without her.
So, I sat down in the seat next to the bed and waited. I don’t know how long I waited until Leah finally stirred.
“Callum?” her voice was croaky. “What are you doing?”
“What’s this, Leah?” I asked holding up her phone. All emotion had drained from my body. All that was left was the dull ache of looking at her.
Leah sat up. Her face blanched white. She clutched at the sheets.
“Who’s Tom?” I asked. My voice was oddly calm.
“Callum, I’m so sorry.” Her eyes were pleading.
“Please,” I said. I stood up and sat at the end of the bed. “Just tell me.”
And she did. She told me everything. About “Tom” and his offer. The money. Her job. Her boss. Her mother. Her brother’s scholarship. Tom’s threats. Everything. I sat there until she finally stopped talking, I was numb and tired from it all. I couldn’t process what I felt about her betrayal, about her and us. I could only think of “Tom” and the anger building inside of me.
“Tom,” I said. “Thomas Berger.”
“Who?”
“The man you’re working for.”
Her face was a picture of confusion. She really didn’t know
I got up and walked to my home office. I heard the rustling of sheets and the sound of Leah following me. I approached my desk and flicked on the desk lamp.
“Callum,” Leah stood in the doorway watching. “If I could go back, I wouldn’t have said yes. I wanted to tell you so many times.”
I ignored her and reached into my desk drawer for a familiar stack of papers. She watched as I rifled through them, pausing to sign at each marked page.
