Page 27 of Kisses at the Crossroads

“Can you believe this?” Kristy turns to me. “I bring in a fuck ton more than that brat and?—”

“Hey, now. Let’s not call Trick names when you don’t know his circumstances.”

Kristy rolls her eyes. “Sure, fine.”

“Actually, I think having Trick back in the rotation is a good idea, but he’s not headliner material for glowing. He needs to earn it just like everyone else.”

Kristy tips her head. “Exactly, which is what I’ve been saying all along. I like the kid, but he’s not more special than the rest of us.”

I don’t exactly agree, but I’m biased when it comes to Trick. “Right. So Kristy stays, as do the other dancers, and Trick comes out as one of the regulars until further notice. He’ll glow, but that won’t be his main attraction to headlining anymore.”

“Why,” Drake starts. “Do you think you have so much say in what happens in Flutter?”

My eyebrow has a mind of its own. I swear I don’t cock it on purpose. “You realize I’ve invested more in Flutter than you’ve made in five years of business. Flutter would be mine if not for the paperwork. So I’d watch it if I were you.”

I don’t trust the slimy look on his face. Drake leans back. “Fine. But if patrons hate the new lineup, we do things my way again.”

Kristy laughs. “No problem. Everyone loves all the changes so far.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Drake can be so damn frustrating some days and easy others. “Alright, so that’s resolved. Kristy stays as our headliner. Trick gets back on stage.” I turn to Kristy. “If you’re agreeable to that?”

“Absolutely.” She nods and turns on her heel.

Drake pushes to his feet and stomps toward me. “You need to stop undermining?—”

I hold up a hand. “I’m going to need you to stop. Before you took my money, I investigated Flutter’s financials, and you were drowning. You should thank me and stop fighting my ideas.”

“This wasn’t my vision.”

“And what was?” He looks away from me instead of answering. He can’t know I know about Trick, how he’s using him for his own power.

“Nothing. I’ll play by your rules, Pike. For now.”

“That’s what I thought. Also, Trick isn’t going to be confined in the basement all the time anymore. He wants to learn how to sew with Ava.”

Drake grinds his teeth but waves me off. When I’m on the roof again, Trick and Ava are dancing. Ava laughs as Trick spins her around.

“Join us, Pike.” Trick says. He and Ava release one pair of their hands to let me in.

Before, it’d always only been Van and Warwick accepting me. Now I have Trick and Ava. Kristy trusts me, as do the other dancers. While I love my home in the demon realm, I find myself falling a little more in love with Hex and her people every day.

Chapter 16

Lark

I’m back in a pair of booty shorts and while I don’t relish the idea of going back on stage, at least it gives me a purpose. Pike looks at me as if he could eat me and I give my ass a little unnecessary wiggle. Kristy wears a purple latex dress and purple pumps. Ava flitters around, making sure we all have glitter. So much glitter!

Sparkle preens in front of his vanity, letting his tail sway free. His collar makes me shiver. I’m glad Drake never put one on me. Only cuffs and anklets. I can’t imagine a collar, but it’s part of his costume and he flicks the little bell with a smile. “I’m glad you’re back with us, Trick. It was getting lonely being the only twink out here.”

I snort because I remember the first time he used that word and I had no idea what it meant.

“What happened to Eric, Sparkle? I thought you and him were a thing,” Kristy says.

Sparkle pouts. “We were, but that meat head cheated on me with my cousin. So we broke up.”

“Sorry,” I say.

“It’s fine.” Sparkle shrugs. “Just means I’m back in the dating pool.” The lights flash a few times. “Gotta meet my fans.” He swishes his tail and marches up to the curtain.

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