Page 8 of My Soul for Sale

“You don’t wanna do something together? I thought we could grab a bite and a movie or something?”

“No, Jenna. You know the answer is always no. Going alone somewhere with you sends the message that we’re more than friends and we are not.”

“But we could be.”

“I have no interest in that, and you know it. Now don’t push this and ruin our friendship.”

She glares at me before stomping her foot. “This is about her, isn’t it? You’re still thinking she’ll waltz back into your life, and what? Be your girl? She’s your fucking step-sister, Atlas. That’s disgusting.”

“Our parents are divorced, so she’s not anything to me anymore. She’s none of your business, Jenna. Leave it,” I snap at her.

“Don’t you think that if she felt anything toward you she’d have come by? We’ve been adults for six years. I think it’s time to move on.”

I’m done. Jenna is about to burn her bridge with me. She doesn’t get to tell me what I should and shouldn’t be doing or having feelings for.

“Jenna, I think it’s time for you to go.” My dad’s voice comes from the overhead door behind us, where he’s standing.

She rolls her eyes but turns and heads my dad’s way. When she gets to him, she turns around and spits her last venom. “Oh, and it might be time to move out of Daddy’s house. You live, work, and go out together. People are gonna start to think things.”

“Jenna!” my dad barks. “Get the fuck out of my garage and don’t come back.”

She storms down the drive and gets in her white Cavalier, tires spinning as she pulls away.

“Thanks, Dad,” I sigh.

“No problem. I came out here to ask if you wanted to order pizza. And that I got an email from the auction. Had to sign an NDA and they want me to go get an STD test. Figured since you’re going as my guest, you need to go get one too.”

“Pizza is fine. Let me come in and wash up and I’ll sign the NDA. I’m not going to the clinic Jenna works at, though. She’s already snooping through the billing and files, looking at all the shit. That’s what she came over here for, to tell me about an auction and all the trash that’s come in for checks so far.”

“Well, maybe I’ll email this Edward guy who sent me the NDA and tell him that the clinic he recommended is compromised.”

I laugh, knowing he’s serious. My dad can be a petty bitch when he wants to be.

Hitting the overhead door button, I watch as the door slides shut and lock the walk-in before following my dad to the house.

“I’ll order the pie. You go clean up,” Dad tells me as we walk inside, heading toward the kitchen drawer where we keep our takeout menus.

“Get some Dr Pepper, would ya?” I call, jogging up the stairs.

When I get to my room, I grab a pair of sweats and a T-shirt from my dresser and head to the connected bathroom.

Peeling my shirt and jeans off that smell like rust and oil, I toss them into the hamper and turn the shower on.

While I wait for the water to get hot, I take a piss and flip on the exhaust fan, because if our housekeeper has to clean smudges from the mirror, she’ll smack me.

Stepping into the shower, I sigh as the scalding water hits my back. Hurriedly, I grab the soap and wash my body. I love it when the suds disappear, taking the dirt and grime with them, revealing my tattoos once more. Grabbing the shampoo, I lather up my dark brown hair and beard.

I can’t believe I’m going to this auction with my dad. I signed him up, but it’s still strange that these women, and I’d assume men, are selling themselves. I’m eager to see what they look like and if they give reasons.

Coming to the stage is Lilac. She wants to pay for nursing school. Her hobbies include anal and blowjobs. She hates kissing and nipple play.

Chuckling, I rinse the shampoo out, turn the water off, and step onto the cold tile floor. I grab a towel and dry myself quickly before getting dressed.

My stomach is growling, telling me it's time to eat.

Chapter Six

Sloane