Page 15 of Last Round

“Kill, don’t even start. The only one with a reputation here is you.”

“Calm down.” Sean assumes his usual role and steps between them. Dani, unfazed by the obvious height and weight difference, puffs out her chest. Ready for a fight. If I had to wager, I’d put my money on her. She’s always been scrappy, had to be if she wanted to be part of the trio, but she’s gotten tougher over the years. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this.”

“Ha!” Killian gives a victorious grin to Dani.

“BUT… Dani is right,” Sean finishes.

“What?” Killian falters in his steps.

Sean rubs the back of his neck. “As long as no ordinances are violated, how someone dresses is their choice.”

Dani sticks her pierced tongue out at Killian, behind Sean’s back.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Killian throws his rag on the bar. He locks his eyes on mine. “It’s fucking obscene,” he says before storming off.

Suddenly feeling self-conscious, I hug my exposed stomach.

“Told you,” Chelsea whispers in my ear. I turn and look at her, unsure of what she’s referring to. “Killian… he wants you.”

“That’s what you got out of all that?”

Chelsea shrugs a shoulder. “Maybe I’m wrong. It’s not like I’ve ever seen him have a crush before. But all that…” She gestures to the interaction across the room. “…is not Killian. And the only thing that’s changed recently is you. If you say that you two aren’t doing the deed, then I assume this sudden change is because he’s not getting what he wants. And let’s just say that’s not usually a struggle he has.”

“I’m going to take my fifteen.” I need to get some air. Chelsea smiles at me but doesn’t object as I rush outside.

I fish my phone from my pocket and shoot Bex a text.

Me: I can’t breathe

Bex: What’s up? Where are you?

Me: Work.

Bex: What happened? Did a customer get handsy with you?

Me: No.

Bex: Do you need me to come? I’ll be there in five.

Me: No…

Bex: I don’t like this. Talk to me.

Me: Chelsea, you know her, right?

Bex: Of course, did she say something?

Me: Yes.

Bex: I knew it! The sweet, quiet ones are always the biggest bitches.

Me: OMG, no. It’s not like that.

Bex: Okay, you need to start talking then.

Me: She asked if Killian and I were doing it. When I told her no, she didn’t believe me. She went on about how he’s always looking at me. Then Killian shouted something about us needing uniforms. He and Dani got into a huge fight over it. Sean agreed with Dani. He stormed off, and then Chelsea was all like SEE?

Bex: OMFG

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