Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
She lets out a long sigh. “No, nothing was misinterpreted. I take full responsibility, and that’s the problem.” When I give her a questioning frown, she says, “The tour is my responsibility. Last night was reckless. We could all lose our jobs.”
The waiter reappears with my coffee, and I request two menus before he leaves again. “None of the guys will say anything.”
“Are you sure?” she asks. “Some of them are not exactly discreet about their activities.”
“I’ll make sure,” I tell her.
She searches my eyes, and hers soften slightly. “I’d appreciate that.”
“I promise this will be the last time I mention it, but I just need to get this off my chest before I enter into the vow of silence.” She’s looking at me curiously as I lower my voice and continue. “Last night was fucking hot, the hottest night I’ve ever spent without actually … you know.”
Her cheeks flame, and it’s a small victory when the corners of her mouth turn up. “It was good,” she says. “It just can’t happen again. I can’t risk losing my job, and I don’t want to let the Stantons down.”
I nod. I get it. I’d be screwed if I lost my job, and I should’ve thought about that last night, too. “It’ll be fine,” I tell her in a reassuring tone.
After the waiter deposits a menu in front of her, I tell her, “You’d better have something to eat.”
She looks across at me, and I can see her consider arguing, but eventually she says, “I guess you’re right. It’s going to be a long day.”
We make our selections and place our orders when the waiter returns. “Are you enjoying being on tour, or are you regretting taking the job?” I ask her when we’re alone again.
“We talked about that last night, didn’t we?”
I frown and put on an air of cluelessness. “Last night? I don’t remember anything about last night.”
“Good man,” she says when she catches my joke. “I’m enjoying the tour, except for all of you being such pains in the ass.”
“Why do you lump me in with the others?” I ask. “What have I done to be a pain in your ass?”
Her eyes dart briefly to the side, and I know she’s remembering the literal pain in her ass that Jordan inflicted last night. She opens her mouth, closes it, then says, “I guess you haven’t, but you keep poor company.”
This makes me chuckle. “They’re my coworkers.”
“They’re like bratty children; Jordan and Colin are, anyway.”
Laughing again, I fiddle with the arrangement of my silverware to keep my hands busy. “They just like to give you a hard time.”
“You are quiet and moody,” she accuses, taking me by surprise.
“Quiet maybe,” I say. “Not moody.”
Our food arrives, and I’m glad when she digs in immediately. “You’re different on stage,” she says after a few bites of her omelet.
“What do you mean?”
“You have a completely different energy when you’re performing,” she says.
“I guess that makes sense. It’s a persona I put on. The shows can really be over the top.”
“How did you get into it?” she asks.
“I needed money,” I say bluntly. “That’s the story with a lot of the guys.” When she looks at me, asking unsaid questions, I continue. “My younger sister and I were raised by our grandmother. She took care of us; now I’m taking care of her.”
“Oh,” is all Brittany says.
It’s not some sad situation, but I do feel a strong sense of responsibility, and I’m grateful for the money I earn from Club Red. “You can be assured that I won’t talk about last night, because I can’t afford to jeopardize my job, either.”
Brittany bites her lip and her shoulders slump.
“What’s the matter?” I ask.
“Last night was my fault. I’d feel sick if you lost your job because of me.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her, purposely brightening my tone. “What happens on tour, stays on tour.”
She doesn’t smile, but she does continue eating, so I hope I’ve put her at ease.
I hate to think that last night can never happen again, and I hope there are exceptions to the rules when we’re all back on the island. Brittany is too gorgeous, and last night was too hot not to be repeated. I’d never shared a woman before, and it was so much better than I might have imagined. It wasn’t awkward at all, and seeing the other guys get her off added an extra dimension of excitement.
When I glance up, Brittany is watching me. “Stop thinking about it,” she says sternly, with some humor in her voice.
“You read minds?” I ask her.
She shakes her head like she’s frustrated with me, and I’m gratified when she laughs.
22
BRITTANY
I was probably too harsh when I yelled at Jordan this morning, and maybe I overreacted, but waking up and realizing that I did something that could cost me my job was a kick in the stomach.