Bro'

by Joanna Blake

  And then I ran back to our dirty little room.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Clay

  I scanned the crowd, hoping for a glance of Nev. I was in between sets on day three of the tournament. She was here somewhere. Working. Giving me the cold shoulder.

  Frigid really.

  I hadn’t given up though. I had kept my word and stayed away from the flea bag motel they were staying in. Every night though, as I lay in my big comfy bed, I texted her.

  Wish you were here.

  Goodnight Kitten.

  Come back to me.

  So far she hadn’t written back. But I could sense that she was wavering. Especially after earlier. I’d caught her watching me win yet another match. She’d ducked her head and scurried away. But I had seen her. And after that I felt like I could do anything.

  Like every fucking super hero ever rolled into one.

  I’d won my next three matches without breaking a sweat. I was already in the finals. I was just waiting to see who I would play to become club champ.

  I had a strong suspicion it would be Matt.

  I could not fucking wait for that.

  Especially considering I still wanted to ram my tennis racket down his throat. Just for thinking he could date Nevada.

  Of course now she might be dating him now. Or anyone. She wasn’t talking to me so I had no way of knowing.

  But I didn’t think so.

  God, I fucking hoped not.

  I would not be able to handle that shit.

  I hydrated and stretched while I waited for my match. No surprise there- it was Matt. We grinned at each other as we took the court. But not in a friendly way.

  More like sharks bearing their teeth.

  Or wild dogs.

  Or in his case, a hyena.

  I was laughing to myself and I tossed the ball in the air for the first serve. The club was packed today. I could only hope Nev was watching.

  I was doing this for her after all.

  She might not accept money from me, but there was a cash prize of ten thousand dollars. If I won and gave it to her, or her mom, or Frannie- well, she knew I didn’t need the cash.

  Maybe she’d take it.

  I fucking hoped so.

  Throngs of socialites were in the stands. As well as the golf crowd. And of course, the young hotties. Everyone was there to watch me take down the club champ.

  For a while it seemed to be going well. I was beating him. Slowly, but winning. Then I noticed Matt accepting a drink between sets. A girl stood by the side with a tray.

  Nevada.

  Matt reached out and stroked her cheek.

  I barely saw her jerk back. I barely saw her storm away, hellfire in her eyes. I barely saw her drop the generous tip he’d given her on the floor.

  I couldn’t see any of that because I was seeing red.

  Bright red.

  The color of fresh blood.

  I picked up the ball to serve again.

  Nevada

  I was at the bar, running another set of drink orders. I’d nearly quit after what just happened. Matt touching me like that in front of everyone.

  Hell, him touching me at all.

  And the creepiest part was that I knew, I knew he was only doing it to piss Clay off.

  Matt was using me to get to him.

  The thought made me want to throw up, truth be told.

  I heard a ferocious cheer from the crowd. It must be over. I really hoped it was over.

  And I hoped Clay beat the pants off of that fucking asshole.

  Man, I’d really developed a potty mouth this summer. It was a good thing I didn’t usually say those things out loud. My mother would not be amused.

  I carried my drinks over to the patio and waited while the couple signed for their drinks. I glanced down. A 5% tip. This was standard at the club.

  For some reason the richest people were also cheap ass sonofabitches.

  I scanned the crowd, looking to see if anyone needed service. Then someone grabbed my arm and yanked me backwards. I stumbled as Matt dragged me around the building to where they kept the trash and out of use golf carts.

  “What the fuck, Matt?”

  He grinned at me, looking somewhat demented.

  “Well, if it isn’t little miss Nevada Jones.”

  I crossed my arms.

  “What do you want?”

  “I was just wondering if you are down to fuck.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Now that Clay is done with you. That’s what he’s telling everyone.”

  I stood there, staring at this cretin in disbelief. Clay wouldn’t do that. Would he?

  “I heard he broke you in real good.”

  He stepped towards me and I took a step back. I felt disgusting. Like he was pouring his hate all over me.

  “You’re just another notch in his belt. You must know that sweetie.”

  I swallowed back tears. I knew it wasn’t true. Well, not entirely.

  Fuck, maybe it was true.

  “Another cute little whore. But it’s different for you. Because you’re poor. Rich guys like him will just eat you up and spit you out. Not that I blame them.”

  He lurched forward and grabbed me.

  “I’m sure you taste delicious.”

  “Let go of me you pig!”

  “Fuck no. I think I deserve a taste.”

  He started kissing me but I turned my head. That’s when I saw him.

  Clayton Westfield was running at us.

  Full blast.

  He hit us like a ton of bricks.

  I stumbled backwards and watched in horror as Clay proceeded to pummel the fuck out of Matt. He fell backwards and Clay put his foot on his shoulder.

  “No man, don’t!”

  “What did you call her?”

  “Nothing!”

  He must have applied pressure because Matt cried out.

  “Ow, fuck! A whore! I called her a whore!”

  Clay smiled at him grimly.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  And then he pushed down. I heard a snap. Matt started screaming.

  I looked up and realized a crowd had formed.

  Brett was holding the trophy.

  He walked over and handed it to Clay.

  I guess he’d won.

  “You better get out of here man.”

  Clay nodded and looked at me. We could hear sirens.

  “Nev? Come with me?”

  My boss was watching. I could tell by the look in his eyes that I was fired. I stepped around the writhing body on the concrete and put my hand in Clay’s.

  What else could I do?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Clay

  “Ouch! Careful Nev!”

  I was bitching, but I was loving this. We were sitting on my car down by the lake. We’d stopped at a convenience store for first aid and a six-pack of beer.

  She gave me a look that clearly said ‘hold still and shut up’ so I did. I did love being tended to by such a pretty nurse. I had a few cuts and scrapes from tangling with Matt but it was mostly my hand that was messed up.

  I’d hurt it where I’d smashed his stupid face.

  It was so, so worth it though.

  So far it was a very good day. Winning the tournament was just the icing on the cake. No, the best part was that Nevada was here.

  Talking to me.

  Not hating me.

  Even though she should.

  I took her hand away from my face and kissed the inside of her wrist. She stared at me, clearly not sure if she was going to let me kiss her. I stared at her lips hungrily.

  And then she sighed.

  I was in. I knew it. Triumph filled my chest.

  I fucking heard trumpets.

  I pulled her between my legs and leaned down. I kissed her slow at first, holding her tight. But then the kissed deepened.

  I grunted, already feeling my cock engorge with blood.

  It was a while later whe
n I lifted my head, pulling her face to my chest. I just held her for a while. I was feeling supremely excellent, all things considered.

  But I had one major problem.

  No bed.

  “Nev, can I take you somewhere?”

  She lifted her cheek from my chest and stared at me.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea Clay. Besides, where would we go?”

  I smiled at her hopefully.

  “A hotel?”

  She rolled her eyes at me.

  “As long as it’s not the Sunset Inn.”

  I brushed her hair away from her face and nodded. I picked up my phone and found a five star hotel about twenty minutes away. I opened her door for her and jumped into the drivers seat.

  I drove to the hotel like devil was on my tail. Maybe he was. Not being with her this week, not knowing if I’d ever get to hold her again, well to me, that was hell.

  Nevada

  I looked around the swanky hotel room. There was a king sized bed, as well as a seating area with a gas fireplace. The balcony looked out over the countryside with a spectacular sunset.

  Clay came up behind me and started kissing my neck, sliding his hands all over me.

  I sighed. I knew it was wrong to be meeting him like this. To be here.

  But I couldn’t help it. I could not resist him. I could not resist his touch.

  This was inevitable.

  But it was the last time.

  Maybe that’s why it was so different. He was touching me so gently, so tenderly. I’d always wondered what the difference between fucking and making love was.

  Now I knew.

  Slowly, he undressed me. I was wearing my club uniform so it should have been quick but it wasn’t. He kissed each inch of my skin as it came into view.

  Then he started to touch me, tease me, like only he knew how to do. I knew I would never feel anything like this again, so I tried to savor it, to memorize the feelings.

  But it was too hard to concentrate on anything. He lingered over me endlessly, making me climax twice with his hands and mouth. When he finally slid inside me, I was so ready, so turned on, that I came instantly.

  I shuddered as he began his slow assault on my senses. Featherlight touches as he held himself above me, driving his cock into me again and again. He moved with precision, each thrust ending with an upward tilt of his hips, until the tip of his cock touched my womb.

  I arched off the bed as I came again and he shifted positions, sitting up and dragging my hips to meet his. Now he was rocking his hips in small circles as he dragged his fingertips over my chest and stomach. I felt another orgasm approaching and he shifted again, finally laying on top of me.

  Now things changed for real. I’d thought it was intense before but now- now he was fucking me and making love at the same time.

  Hard but tender.

  Rough but true.

  I must have passed out during my final climax. The last thing I remembered was Clay above me, his head thrown back as he convulsed on top of me. I’d never seen him so vulnerable.

  As I lay there next to his sleeping body, I realized how much that scared me.

  Clay was never going to let me go.

  He wasn’t just gaming me.

  And if I let him keep me- if I stayed- I would forever be his poor little piece of ass from the wrong side of the tracks.

  I needed to make my way on my own. I couldn’t let him pay for school. He’d signed his tournament check over to me despite my protests. I stared at it on the bedside table. Then I padded over to the desk to write him a note.

  It was time to wake up from this dream.

  I had work to do.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Clay

  I still could not believe it. I still could not believe she had left me there. Alone. After the night we had shared. With just a short note, sitting on top of the check I’d tried to give her.

  Thanks for the offer but I will pass

  Try not to bash anyone’s face in hot stuff

  Goodbye,

  Nevada

  I clenched my fists behind my back. I was in the back of a cop car. The same cop car that had been waiting for me when I drove home, out of my mind from her note. We’d been sitting here for an hour, while my dad tried to get the cops to let me go.

  It wasn’t working.

  I watched as my father shook hands with the police and walked over to the car.

  “I’ll be right behind you Clay.”

  I nodded. It was hard to believe his sudden interest in my well being. I could understand him wanting to avoid the embarrassment, sure. But this mess was all his fault to begin with.

  Well, most of it.

  Maybe not the face bashing part.

  That was all me.

  I was processed rapidly, with what had to be more courtesy than the common criminal received. That probably had something to do with my father and his attorney looming in the waiting room in suits that cost more than some of these guys made in a month.

  There was something about crazy money that just intimidated people.

  Finally I was uncuffed and fingerprinted. I stared at my ink stained hands. Just a few hours ago, I’d been touching the most beautiful girl in the world with these hands.

  And now she was gone. And I was in jail. I almost laughed at the cruel irony.

  It was an hour later before they came to get me from the holding cell to talk to the lawyer. Stan was an okay guy for a suit. He and my dad had been friends forever. He’d always been nice to me. I knew he was giving me straight advice.

  I had to cop to public nuisance but deny the battery charges. Deny deny deny. Matt had it coming so I felt zero compunction lying about who had thrown the first punch.

  Actually, Matt had thrown the first punch. After I’d steamrolled him into a dumpster. So, it was all good. Nobody had seen the fight begin except Nevada.

  Not that I was going to drag her into this.

  Finally, Stan stood up and shook my father’s hand. Dear old dad stayed behind, leaning on the back of one of the chairs.

  “What the hell is wrong with you son?”

  I leaned back in my seat and crossed my arms.

  “That little fucker messed with Nev.”

  “What do you mean? Is she alright?”

  My dad had perked right the fuck up when I mentioned Nevada. Interesting.

  “He was groping her and called her some nasty names. So I intervened.”

  He hung his head, exhaling. Then he looked up again. Desperation was all over his face.

  “You’ve seen her? How are they?”

  “Dana won’t call you back huh?”

  My father shook his head sadly.

  “I really fucked things up son. I only hope you don’t make the same mistakes I did.”

  I held up my hands.

  “Actually, I think it may be too late for that. Nevada told me to go to hell more or less.”

  “But you know where they are?”

  I nodded.

  He slapped the back of his chair.

  “Okay. As soon as they let you out of here, let’s go get them.”

  Nevada

  I hoisted the tray over my head, weaving my way through the low tables. All the seats here were in sunken pits. The men sat there and watched us parade around them.

  I guess the view was better from that angle or something.

  Or it kept them in their place. It didn’t stop the clientele from acting like pigs though.

  I fought back a wave of disgust as someone tried to stuff a twenty dollar tip down my cleavage.

  “Why don’t you get up there honey? You’d be great.”

  I just smiled blankly and thought about how that money could go towards furniture for our new apartment. Or community college. Grin and bear it. That was my only choice.

  I was the one who had taken a job in a strip club after all.

  What the hell was I expecting?

  This was the best I could do.
Maybe for the rest of my life. If I couldn’t finish school, what better did I have to hope for?

  No. I was going to beat this. And I was going to save enough to do community college at the very least. I might have to start in the middle of the year but so be it. I would go and I would finish.

  Someday.

  I just hoped I could keep it together the next time one of these creeps tried to touch me.

  So far, I’d only been here a few days and I’d already had to stop myself from slugging at least ten guys.

  At least the tips were good. And they hadn’t asked for a resume. After pounding the pavement for almost a week I’d finally walked in the door of Sheila’s Palace. The name was awful but the decor was actually kind of nice. Not that you could see it during open hours.

  They’d taken one look at me and hired me on the spot. The owner Shelia told me right off the bat that my pay was two dollars an hour plus tips. I’d almost walked out.

  And then she’d told me what kind of tips I could expect. Basically, I’d make in a night what it took me a week to make at the club. Not enough to pay my tuition but maybe enough to go to a local school. Get a few credits in the fall.

  It was better than nothing.

  A lot better than nothing.

  Minus the creeps of course.

  And I didn’t have to do anything untoward. Or flirt even. In fact, Sheila had warned me against it. Not because it was bad for business. Just because it would piss the other girls off.

  They were more important than I was.

  I kept my clothes on.

  I sighed and went into the back to take a quick break. Anything to just not be stared at for five minutes. It was weird, how tiring it was to feel eyeballs on you all the time.

  Especially since they were almost all old enough to be my dad.

  Hell, my dad could actually be out there for all I knew.

  I sure as shit wouldn’t recognize him.

  I cringed at the bitterness in my thoughts. I was already turning into one of these women. Flat eyed and tired. Cynical.

  I stood in the hallway with my eyes closed.