Page 100 of Tainted

“How is she?” he asked.

“Asleep for now. What the hell happened?”

“A guy named Terence we went to school with had a scheme to make some easy money. They waited outside a fancy restaurant after targeting an expensive car. Otto was supposed to be the lookout, but the man resisted and tried to fight back. Terence panicked and pulled a gun.”

“He’s an idiot!”

“Otto tried to run, but it was too late. Now he’s looking at 5 to 15 as an accessory to armed robbery and aggravated assault.”

“I’m glad you were smart enough not to go with him, but now I’m fucked,” I sighed, reading Jewel’s response to my SOS text.

Brandy was in bad shape, and I was scared to leave her alone. Jewel agreed to come over but couldn’t get here for another two hours. With no other options left, I texted Kenyon, hoping he could cover for me at the club, but he didn’t reply.

“What’s wrong?”

“Aire Kesson’s party is tonight. I can’t leave her alone, but Jewel can’t get here for another hour.”

“I can sit with her,” Romello volunteered.

“No offense, but she hates you right now. Plus, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You can’t be late either,” Romello smirked.

“This is true. I don’t need to give Megan another reason to fire me.”

“Me and Bran have been down since vacation bible school. She might be mad now, but she’ll be aite. I don’t mind looking out for her.”

“Thank you, Romello,” I replied, feeling obligated to be honest. He deserved that much. “You’ve been nothing but kind to me since we met. I’m sorry, but we can’t hang out anymore. I’m seeing someone else.”

“Keyes,” he smiled, while my face held a big question mark. I’m not blind. I caught how he looked at you when we went bowling.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t owe me anything but the truth. I appreciate it.”

“Anyway, I should be going. Jewel will be here when she gets off.”

“Go kill it tonight.”

Romello and I shared a friendly hug before I left. Today had gone from bad to worse, and now I had to get my head in the game and focus on my performance tonight.

Aire’s party was a big deal. His name alone had drawn people from far and wide. Rajah was closing tonight, but I went on right before her pissing Phoenix off. She didn’t agree with the decision, and how Megan grilled me made me wonder who made the call.

“You’re late,” Megan groaned, flipping her wrist to confirm.

“Sorry, I got stuck in traffic,” I lied because I was less than three minutes late. The club wasn’t even open anyway. She just wanted us here early today because it was Aire Kesson.

“I have to prepare for tonight, and so do you, but if you keep it up, I will have to confront the boss who doesn’t tolerate insubordination.”

Megan delivered a sidelong glance as I turned to head for the dressing room. If misery had a face, it would be hers. Megan never seemed happy, let alone satisfied.

“What was that about?” Rajah whispered, staring at Megan, who had trailed in the opposite direction.

“Just Megan bitching as usual.”

“Oh, girl,” she waved her long red nails. “She should be glad somebody around here is stepping up ‘cause I’m getting tired of carrying you bitches!” Rajah purposely yelled over her shoulder so the rest of the room could hear.

“Girl, please, that ass ain’t heavy enough to carry all of this!” Cameo jumped on the practice pole and danced while the other girls clapped.

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