Page 17 of Petals of Blue: Part One
Declan will most definitely not be okay in public once we leave here. He's hyperventilating, probably recalling all the times during senior year we dismissed Erica and ignored her. Distancing ourselves from the girl we loved was awful, but we thought it would make the split easier.
It didn't.
"You're going to tell me everything you guys did before I give you even asliverof Blue." Nichole is furious and protective, making me realize there's no getting past her boundaries.
"Who the hell is Blue and what the fuck was up with Erica and that dickhead?" Declan spits.
I'm one second away from forcing him to rein in his attitude because even though Nichole is not on our side for once, that doesn't give him the right to disrespect her.
Nichole crosses her arms. She looks like a warrior ready to throw down on behalf of her friend. I'm so glad Erica found her way to Nichole, even if it was by coincidence.
"You call her Erica. Everyone in Chicago calls her Blue. As it is on her ID. Erica, whoever that was, doesn't exist here. I suggest you realize what that means before approaching Blue again."
"Sh-She changed her name?"
Nichole's chin lifts in defiance. "Like I said. I need to know you aren't completely horrible when it comes to Blue before I say shit."
Declan curses and begins to pace.
She's looking at us as if we really are cruel.
Is it cruel to want to rip Erica's baby daddy apart and take his place in her life?
Probably.
But the disappointment from my role model won't stop me from making amends and bringing our girl back into our arms.
Fuck it,I am cruel.
She demanded we let her go, and there's no scenario I would ever make that mistake again. I'm not letting Erica go.
We need to tell the others.
Eleven
BLUE
Icried and cried and cried last night. Violet's snuggles and Levi's encouraging words got me through the night, but still...I haven't broken down like that in years.
My eyes burn today, and unfortunately, they're the only thing I need to work right now. Studying the policies and rules for the security team is proving to be a difficult feat.
I love working as a bartender, but when I heard that our head of security is retiring, something inside me lit up. An idea sparked to life three months ago, and the support I've received from everyone lit the fuse.
I'm a natural leader with enough defensive skills that I might just be able to run security for Serpent's Kiss. Because I've worked here for a long ass time, I know the building and our customers like the back of my hand.
Though I might not have the training to be a bouncer or security guard, I sure as hell know the team. I've been studying them, their blind spots, their strengths and placement preferences. Not being one of them might be a problem, but that's why I have to pass this test with flying colors.
I'm ready for something new. For eleven years, I've been abartender—I don't want my background to be booze anymore.
Doubling down on my notes, I barely notice Kevin dropping off another coffee. He's been instrumental in helping me fill in the gaps that I can't get from reading manuals.
I focus and soak as much in as I can for...Shoot, what time is it?
"Blue! We're opening!" Janine shouts, poking her head into the office.
"Shit!" I jump up, shove my stuff into my backpack and dash to the bathroom to change. Cotton shorts and a sweatshirt aren't appropriate clothes for work.
Breaking a sweat as I shimmy into a pair of leather pants and a sparkly silver bra is incredibly common. I regret the pants, but I didn't pack anything else. "It's fine," I huff and fluff my bright blue hair up.
