Stepbrother Lust

by Penny Ward

  “Thank you, I will enjoy the rest of my night, especially now that I saw you. Have a good night, girl.”

  I wink at him again and walk off.

  He seems to have more confidence than the last time I saw him.

  I walk around the club and I get that feeling that someone is watching me. I look over at the nerdy guy but he’s talking to another guy who looks even nerdier than him.

  I turn to my other side and I see Grayson standing in the middle of the room.

  Damn.

  What is he doing here?

  What a pig.

  I immediately start to walk toward the back but he catches me and grabs me by the arm.

  “So can I get a private dance?” he asks.

  “No! No, you may not! Why the hell are you even here? I know you see I haven’t been returning your phone calls. I don’t have anything to say to you and I’m damn sure not shaking a thing for you. You must be out of your damn mind!” I yell at him.

  I see James, the club owner, coming back over toward me and I already know it’s going to be the same episode from last time.

  He looks at Grayson, smiles politely and then grabs me by the arm.

  “Monica, I thought we went over this last time,” he talks through gritted teeth, “You always give the customer what he wants and this is a very important customer. He has spent a lot of money here over the last few days and you seem to be his favorite girl. I don’t know why you insist on making things so difficult. It’s not like I’m asking you to sleep with the guy.”

  “No, I’m not dancing for him but you can. That guy is rude and is a complete asshole and I will not be subject to dealing with him anymore,” I say as I fold my arms across my chest.

  He could say what he wants to say to me but I was not about to budge from my point.

  There was no way I was going to a private room with Grayson.

  No way.

  “You know you will be fired if you don’t dance for him, right? It’s one dance, it’s not going to kill you,” he says between clenched teeth.

  “Well, you don’t have to fire me because I quit! I’m done dealing with you and him! Now if he’s such a good customer, then he will continue to spend money whether I dance for him or not! Now both of you can kiss my ass because I am out of here!” I yell at him and storm toward the back.

  I hear James saying something to Grayson but I don’t stick around to hear what it is.

  I go in the back, grab my moneybox, and throw on the clothes that I walked in the club with, over my other clothes.

  I walk from the back, look at the club owner and Grayson one more time, and leave.

  I don’t even bother giving James his share of tonight’s takings. I’m done here.

  I’ve been using this job as a crutch too long anyway and it is time I start to look for a job in my field.

  I throw the moneybox and the rest of my stuff onto the backseat of my car and aggressively drive home. I have never used the car horn so much.

  Why do people drive that badly anyway?

  I pull into the driveway at the house, grab the moneybox, and head inside.

  Rose is sitting on the chair in her pajamas, texting on her cell phone, and she looks up at me.

  “I thought you had to work the rest of the night,” she says as she places the cell phone down.

  I sigh. “I did but I quit so I will be working no more nights.”

  A shocked expression crosses her face. “Really? Why? Did a customer get a little too rough? Oh, wait, did James do something to piss you off? He has been feeling himself a little too much lately. I almost cussed him out the other day but I held it in.”

  “No, Grayson showed up again asking for a private dance but I refused and then James started to threaten me about the customer is always right or whatever and I told him he should dance for him because I quit. There was no way I was going in a private room with that man. I’m so over him and his games that it’s ridiculous. I was having a nice night but he just sat there and ruined it all for me. ”

  “Grayson came back to the club?”

  “Yes, weren’t you listening?”

  “Girl, he has it bad for you. That’s the only reason I can think of why he would keep showing up asking you for private dances and stuff. I just think he doesn’t know how to approach you.”

  “No, he just likes to get on my nerves. And I’m done being a little toy to him. I have to hold on to as much self-respect as I can get, you know? I mean, he just walks up to me and was like, “Can I get a private dance?” This is all a very sick and twisted game to him but it’s my life! I just wish he would crawl in a cave somewhere and leave me the hell alone.”

  “I understand… but I still say that he has it bad for you, otherwise, why go through all of the trouble? It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Because he’s an asshole. That’s what asshole’s do. He is an absolute asshole. That’s why he’s going through all of this trouble.”

  She laughs. “So what are you going to do for a job? Because the way our bills and your own bills are set up, you’re going to need one.”

  “I have enough to cover me for a little while but I’m going to start applying for jobs in my field. Time for me to quit procrastinating and give the business world a chance.”

  “Finally going to put your degree to use, huh?”

  “With as much as it cost me, I need to. As you know, I’m still paying the bills so I am going to do something with it if it kills me.”

  She laughs. “I don’t blame you. So what can you do with an English literature degree anyway? Stuff that has to do with reading or something?”

  “Lots of stuff but I really want to teach a college course or something like that, you know?”

  “Not me, I would not look forward to that. Grading papers, dealing with crazy students, and so many other negatives, it’s ridiculous.”

  “But it really is what I want to do. It’s my dream.”

  “Well, go for it. Hopefully, you can make something happen soon.”

  “Yeah, I hope so, too,” I sigh. “What a crappy day. Actually what a crappy month.”

  “So do you want to get in on this ice cream action or what?” Rose smiles at me.

  “I could use some ice cream action with the type of night I had.”

  “Well, there’s a fresh carton of brownie chunks in there for you,” she says.

  “That’s not the official name, but thanks,” I say with a laugh as I go and get the ice cream out of the freezer. I grab a spoon and take a seat beside Rose.

  “You know you’re going to make something happen, right? You’re smart, beautiful and you’re a winner. You can do this,” she says.

  “Thanks,” I say as I eat a big spoonful of ice cream.

  “So to new beginnings,” she says as she raises a spoonful of ice cream.

  “To new beginnings,” I say as I hit my spoon up against hers.

  Chapter 9

  Today is a very important day for me.

  It was the first day of the rest of my life, aka post stripper days.

  I wake up bright and early and go into the kitchen to grab some orange juice.

  I pour a tall glass and head back into the lounge room.

  Logging into my laptop, I start to look for jobs within my field. I scroll college sites and other educational sites but there aren’t many jobs that don’t require previous experience.

  Searching the Internet for jobs, I realize there isn’t much about.

  I take a deep sigh.

  “Things will work out,” I whisper to myself.

  I apply for a few jobs where people were asking for papers and books to be written, and hoped I would get the job because I knew I could use the cash. After two hours of applying to as many jobs as I can, I decide to take a break.

  I grab some sandwich meat and cheese and being to prepare me a sandwich. I grab a soda out of the fridge, place it on the counter, and grab a bag of chips.

  Sigh.

/>   I should get used to this routine, because it looks like I might be job-hunting for a while.

  I walk into the living room and begin to flip through the channels and settle on an old sitcom. It’s poorly acted, I know the jokes, and the script is terrible but it is nice to watch something so easy.

  I guess that’s what entertainment can be - very comforting.

  I eat my sandwich and am halfway through my bag of chips when Rose walks into the house, carrying a few bags.

  “So how’d the job hunting search go this morning?” she asks.

  “I didn’t see much but I applied for every one I saw,” I say as I take a sip of soda from my can.

  “That’s good. I hope you get one of them. How long were you filling out applications?”

  “About two hours before I finally called it a day. Will look again tomorrow and see if any new ones are posted.”

  “Well, that’s all you can do right now, unless you’re thinking about going to the pole.”

  “Nope, I’m not going back. I can’t deal with Grayson bothering me or with James harassing me.”

  “Well, then I suggest you continue with the job hunt. But what if you don’t get one soon, what are you going to do for money? I can help out with what I’ve been doing but you know our bills will be piling up again soon.”

  I sigh.

  I don’t want to admit it.

  “I think I will just have to ask my Mom for some money then but that’s the last thing I would want to do. Ever.”

  “But if you’re going to need it, then you may just have to swallow your pride.”

  “I know, but hopefully, it won’t come down to that.”

  “Always good to have a Plan B.”

  “I know. I just hate asking my Mom for help.”

  “But that’s what parents are there for. To help you when you fall.”

  “Well, if I don’t have a job or a job interview in the next two weeks, that’s what I’m going to have to do. Swallow my pride.”

  “Just keep the faith, it will all work out.”

  “I know it will. It just may not work out when I need it to work out.”

  “As long as it does, that’s all that matters, right?”

  “Yeah, I guess you would be right about that.”

  “I know I am but in the meantime, want to see what I got from the store?”

  I shake my head. “No, I would be super jealous right now because all of my money has to go toward bills.”

  She looks sad but nods her head. “I guess, but when you get your fancy job, we can go shopping together once again and all will be okay in the world.”

  I laugh. “Let’s hope I get the new fancy job first.”

  “I’ll say it in my prayers tonight, how about that?” she says.

  “If that’s all it took, I’m sure the unemployment rate would be nonexistent.”

  We look at each other and start laughing.

  I love having Rose as my roommate.

  She can always cheer me up and right now, that’s exactly what I need in my life because I was at a serious crossroads and had to find a path soon.

  Quickly, two weeks go by.

  I had yet to find a job in the field where my degree was relevant. My cell phone bill was overdue, my half of the rent was coming up, along with the light bill, groceries, and basically everything I need to survive.

  I twirl my phone in my hand, dreading making the call to my Mom but I knew it had to be done or I would be moving back in with her and George and I definitely did not want that to happen.

  I take a deep breath and press the button to dial my Mom’s number.

  “Hello!” says my Mom into the phone.

  “Hi Mom, how are you?” I ask her.

  “I’m good, how are you, sweetie?”

  “Not so good.”

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Are you sick? In some kind of trouble?”

  “I quit my waitressing job two weeks ago because the boss was being terrible,” I lie, “And I have been trying to find a job to use my degree in but it hasn’t been easy and now my bills are piling up and I feel as if I’m about to go crazy!”

  “Well, why didn’t you call me sooner, sweetheart? You know that I would help you with no problem.”

  “I don’t know. I just wanted to do it on my own, I guess, but I see that, at this moment, I can’t. I need help.”

  “That’s ok. That’s what Mom’s are for. I will send money to your house first thing in the morning. Don’t worry about it. It should tide you over for a while. I can also help you get a job in your field as well if that’s what you want to do. I don’t understand why you have to be so stubborn all of the time and not accept the help I try to offer to you.”

  “You know I like to be independent.”

  “Sometimes it is okay to ask for help.”

  “I know Mom, and I’m asking now.”

  “I’m glad you are finally asking. I will send the money and make a few calls in the morning to get you a job in your profession.”

  “Thanks Mom, I love you.”

  “I love you, too, sweetheart. Is there anything else you need?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure.”

  “Monica?”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you for asking.”

  Her words bring a tear to my eye.

  She is a good Mom and she has always been there for me when I needed it. I should really try to talk to her more.

  “Bye Mom.”

  I hang up the phone and toss it on the bed.

  Knocking on Rose’s door, I don’t wait to for a reply before I open it.

  Her room is a burst of color. Her walls are purple and blue with glitter on them. She has sheer cloth on her ceiling and gold balls on her wall.

  She has very different tastes than mine but it matches her personality just right.

  She is bright and outgoing and her room expressed that.

  My room is plain.

  It is painted beige and has nothing on the walls at all.

  There is no sign of personality in it at all.

  I keep thinking of ways to decorate it but there was nothing I could think of. Maybe I should give it to Rose as a project and see what she could come up with.

  Rose is lying across her bed with her laptop out, listening to music and singing at the top of lungs and I can’t help but laugh. I reach over and pull the headphones off her head.

  “Hey, girl! I didn’t even hear you come in,” she says.

  “I could see why, you were in here calling the cats,” I smile.

  “Girl, I have singing skills.”

  “Yeah, okay, but a few lessons wouldn’t kill you either.”

  “So did you call your Mom?”

  “Yes, I finally called her,” I sigh.

  “What did she say?”

  “She said she would send the money to the house in the morning and make a few calls so I could get a job in my field.”

  “Yay! That’s great news. Now you won’t have to stress so much.”

  “I know, I just wish I was able to do it on my own.”

  “You’re not superwoman. It is good to get help every once in a while. You know how many people’s first serious jobs come with the help of their parents?”

  “Actually, I do. Half of my class got jobs right away because of the connections they had but I was just too stubborn to use mine, I guess.”

  “You are stubborn. I can confirm that. Did she say how much she was going to give you?”

  “No, but if I know her, it will be a ridiculous amount.”

  “You’re right about that. She gave you ten grand on your birthday and the only thing you did was pay on your student loans.”

  “I want them paid off before I’m thirty, so you would be right.”

  She laughs. “So what do you have planned today Monica?”

  “Nothing. Got a date with the cable TV and some frozen pizza.
”

  “Sounds interesting. I have to work tonight or I would join you.”

  “For a woman who likes to be on the go, you sure have been in the house a lot lately.”

  “I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”

  “I think it needs to be the other way around.”

  “How so?”

  “I wish I had your spontaneity and personality. I’m always questioning myself or too scared to do anything outside of the box. The craziest thing I have ever done in my life was sleep with Grayson and you already know how I’ve reacted to that.”

  “Well, if you want to change who you are, then you should. Other than a few of your insecurities, you are fine just the way you are. If you can’t see that, then you will one day, I hope. You are a pretty awesome chick.”

  I laugh. “Thanks, Rose. Oh, there is one thing I want to do with my money though, besides catch up on bills.”

  “A shopping spree?” she asks excitedly.

  I laugh. “Uh, no. I want to redecorate my room.”

  “Redecorate? When was it ever decorated in the first place?”

  “Hush!” I say as I laugh. “I was in the process.”

  “Sure you were. So what do you want to do with it?”

  “I don’t know, I was going to leave that up to you.”

  “Really? I would love that. I think I can capture your personality just fine.”

  “Nothing crazy, Rose,” I say, warning her.

  She laughs. “Okay, nothing crazy but I have to admit, that is a pretty exciting job.”

  “I know. New beginnings, right?”

  “New beginnings.”

  Chapter 10

  Knock, knock.

  Two heavy knocks echo from the door as I’m sitting in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal.

  I look at the clock and see that it’s already ten in the morning. I don’t know who would come this early but then I remember Mom was sending money to me this morning so it could be a courier.

  Putting the bowl in the sink, I go and open the door.

  But when I swing the door open, I stand in shock.

  No.

  Please no.

  This is not what I need.