Page 36 of Vegas Daddies

“Why?” Tammy folds her arms.

“It’ll get them in trouble.”

“Like they don’t cause it daily anyway,” interjects Rachel.

“Besides,” I continue, “I don’t really want to remove it.”

“Alice.” Tammy unfolds her arms and grabs hold of mine. “I’m saying this as your friend.” Her eyes focus on mine for a moment. We don’t often stare at each other dead in the eyes because mostly we spend our time laughing. But as hilarious as the girl is, she says it how it is. “Stop being a fucking people pleaser and put yourself first for a change.”

Ouch.

Kinda wish Rachel had spoken for her. She doesn’t deliver as harshly.

The words slice open a part of me that I thought I’d crushed ever since graduating college. Parties and social gatherings at college forced me to smile at every given opportunity to escape the “rude” and “shy” labels that were assigned to me in junior high. When I was in the company of Levi’s friends, the smiles extended perhaps a little too far—my jaw would ache at the end of the night and I’d struggle giving him head.

The point is, people-pleasing has taken up a big chunk of my life.

I hold up my hands—occasionally it follows me into the workplace.

But with Lifesaver, Match, and Brander, it’s different.

I’m not keeping the tattoo to maintain peace.

I’m keeping it because the thought of removing it sinks my body in a way I can’t explain. Not even to myself, because it doesn’t make sense. Yet.

“Having a one-night stand with criminal bikers,” Rachel says, “is totally different to actually being in a committed relationship with them. I mean…correct me if I’m wrong, but I never thought polygamy was your thing.”

“I dunno what to say to you guys.” I shrug. “It’s like there’s a tiny voice inside my head telling me to keep the tattoo. To keep seeing them.”

“Tell the tiny voice to shut the fuck up then,” Tammy huffs.

Rachel frowns. “What will your dad say, do you think?”

God knows how Daddy will react to all of this if my friends can’t even get behind what I’m saying.

“Are you gonna see Levi again?” Rachel asks.

Already, our relationship feels like it was decades ago—so much has happened since.

“No.”

“What about the engagement ring? Will you give it back to him?”

“Pfft. No. I threw it out into the desert yesterday.”

“Atta girl.” Tammy’s excited grin makes a much-needed appearance. But not for long. She nets her fingers together and the serious face returns. “Distance yourself from them for a few days,” she says. “And if you need any money for the annulment and tattoo removal, me and Rachel are happy to help.” She beams a smile. “Interest free too. Think about it.”

“I will.”

I won’t.

Does this mean I’m breaking the triangle?

I check my watch for the time. “Listen, I need to love you and leave you. My shift starts in one hour. I need to shower and decide where to hide this diamond wedding ring before Daddy discovers it.”

Rachel hisses. “What will he do if he finds it?”

“Probably trace the buyer and kick the shit out of them all. That’safterhe’s punched Levi a satisfying amount of times for his fuckup.”

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