Page 61 of Pulled Away

“What do you want, Ryan? I only have a half-hour break, and I would love to sit down for at least a few minutes.”

His mouth opens and closes a few times, and I would have found it funny if I wasn’t so angry. And to add to my discomfort, I’m getting cold. The club is hot, but the night air has a bite to it, and a corset, booty shorts, and thigh-high boots don’t provide a lot of warmth.

I clench my fists to stop my hands from rubbing my arms. No way will I show Ryan any vulnerability.

I sigh when the silence stretches too long. Maybe he just came to gawk at me. I turn to head back inside. I’m too tired to waste my time on him.

“Aspen. If you need money, please, I’ll help you. You don’t need to do this.”

I freeze, slowly turning back to him. “So that was the plan? Come here and make me feel like dirt?”

He flinches back in shock. “No! That’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m worried about you.”

“Well, you can stop worrying,” I spit out. “I’m not your problem anymore.”

“I’ll always worry about you,” he says, his voice dropping. “How can I not? I love you.”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t think that’s it. I think you’re worried about what people will think if they find out your ex-girlfriend is working at a gentlemen’s club. What it will do to your precious reputation.”

He explodes. “Fuck other people. I’m worried about you, Aspen. This place isn’t safe.”

A movement catches my eye, and I see Jordy standing in the doorway, his eyes on us.

“Well, don’t. Jordy keeps us safe enough.”

Jordy is awesome. Sure, he’s as wide as he’s tall and sounds like he chews rocks for breakfast, but he’s a sweetheart. He keeps an eye on all the girls and makes sure they get to their cars safely.

But if you’re a customer harassing one of the girls? Then he hulks out completely. On my second shift, I saw him grab a handsy guy by his collar and literally drag him outside. A few minutes later, he came back inside by himself. I don’t know what happened outside, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing that guy again at this particular establishment.

I’m generally not a fan of violence, but what Jordy did? That I can get behind.

“Look, Ryan,” I sigh, so over this conversation. “What I do, where I live, where I work, is of no concern to you anymore. If your intentions stem from some misplaced sense of responsibility, thank you, but I absolve you from it. I’m free to live my life the way I please, just as you are. Let’s keep it at that.”

“Just like that, huh? It’s that easy to throw away everything we had?”

Damn, he’s angry, but guess what? I’m angrier because nothing about this is easy. But I don’t say that. Instead, I pull on every bit of strength I have inside me to keep my face emotionless.

“You made it easy when you chose Hadley.”

Chapter twenty-two

Ryan

You made it easy when you chose Hadley.

Those words of hers have carved themselves a cozy little nest in the forefront of my brain and will live there till the day I’m no longer on this earth. Maybe even beyond that.

Seeing Aspen working at the Silver Stiletto did something to my soul. I’m the one that put her in that position. Me. And I’m the one that has to fix it. Somehow.

I miss her. Every damn day.

Day is creeping towards dusk when I get home. Although calling it home isn’t right. It’s an empty shell of a place where I exist.

I should get a dog. Then I won’t be so alone. Not that a dog can ever replace Aspen, but she loves animals, so maybe it will make me feel closer to her.

For the millionth time, I curse myself for a fool.

A dog might be good company while spending hours in my car every night. Despite what Aspen said, I still don’t think it’s safe for her to work there.

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