Page 10 of Goose

He grabs the photos and flips through them. “Whatever you think is best, Bambi. I’ll check over the girls you picked. I have a few in mind that I would like to have their own night. Maybe use the downstairs more. Plus, we need to find a new bartender... again.”

“Goose? That fucking asshole. I’m going to kill him one day. Ugh. Shoot me a text tomorrow and we’ll plan a meeting. Gotta get the girls ready for tonight.”

Mad Dog nods and heads back to his office. I turn and head to the main stage. The girls are all stretching and practicing small moves together before we open.

I walk to the front and clap my hands. “Listen up, bitches. We open in ten. Get your asses moving. Outfits, make-up, hair. If you are late getting on stage tonight, we are going to have some issues.”

The girls scatter, and Tiffani comes walking up to me with a scowl on her face. “You think after getting your Goose fix you would be a little more pleasant. Don’t forget where you came from, Bambi.”

I laugh and walk right up to Tiffani, sticking my finger in her face. “Oh, sweetie. Unlike you, I don’t need a limp dick to make me happy. I don’t need a man in my life. That’s what toys are for. Anyway, you better get your ass backstage to get ready or else I’ll let another girl take your place.” She huffs and turns away with a stomp. “Oh, and Tiffani? I know where I came from. I know how fucking hard I worked to get where I am now and have no plans to stop. Little advice, you better watch your fucking back.”

A slow clap behind me makes me jump. I turn around and see Goose coming out from the hallway with the offices.

“Well done, angel.”

“What the fuck are you still doing here, Goose?”

He gets up and saunters over to me with this air of confidence. “Just checking in with the club’s businesses.”

I look up into those gorgeous green eyes but pull myself back. No way I’m falling into that trap again. “Lying isn’t a cute trait. Go home.”

“Nah. I was going to stay for the show. Heard Tiffani was doing something new tonight. Something about whips...”

I grab Goose by the collar of his vest and bring him down to eye level with me. “Listen, fucker. You will not upset my dancers. Heard you lost us another bartender. I’m done playing games, Sawyer. I’m gonna tell you what’s going to happen now, so listen the fuck up. You will stay away from me and Studio Forty-Eight. I don’t want to hear from you ever again. You are dead to me, Sawyer Crawford. Now get the fuck out of my face.”

I push him back and go to turn around when he grabs my arm. My heart beats faster as his fingers caress my arm.

Damn him for still being able to spark that something deep inside me...

He spins me around so I’m once again looking at those mesmerizing green eyes. Those damn eyes that pull me every time, despite me trying to push my feelings for him away.

“You don’t get to tell me where I can go. I will come here every Goddamn night if I want too. Do you forget who the fuck I am?”

I rip my arm away from him. “Fuck you, Sawyer! Why do you do this to me over and over? Just stay out of my life.”

Mad Dog comes running out and stands right in between us. “Enough! Goose, just go home and cool it. I don’t know why you feel the need to push her buttons. Get out of here, brother, and don’t come back tonight. I don’t want to make that call to Striker.”

Goose steps back and I can see the fire in his eyes. “Fuck you, Mad Dog. Taking her side? I thought we were Brothers?”

“Don’t play that game, Goose. Just cool it for tonight. That’s all I’m asking. We open in five and I don’t want to have to deal with this in front of customers. Plus, you’re upsetting Bambi. She’s my friend and I don’t like that you’re hurting her. Go home, cool down, and we’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”

I watch as Goose’s eyes darken, and he scowls at me. “Fine. But this isn’t over, Bambi. We got shit to figure out, babe. I’m not just going to drop you like you mean nothing to me.”

“I don’t mean anything to you, Goose. I never have. You’ve proven that over and over with the way you treat me like I’m some blow-up doll. I have genuine feelings. Ever since that night-”

Goose growls. “That night I made choices that no fucking kid should have to make. You broke me that night and that’s something I can never get back.”

“Exactly. I did what I had to do, and you did what you thought you should do. And I’ve been reaping the consequences ever since. When will it ever be over? I paid my dues...”

“You have no fucking clue what I deal with every day.”

I shake my head. “And you have no clue what I deal with every day. This conversation is over, Goose.”

I turn on my heel and walk to the back, into my office. Slamming down in my chair, I let out a scream. I hate Goose for what he does to me time and time again. For all the emotions he brings up and makes me feel. For the never-ending game between us. For playing with my heart time and time again. For everything. I hate that he still has that power over me.

A soft knock on the door brings me back to reality. I sit up and wipe the tears from my face.

“Come in.”

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