Club Princess - Nicole James Page 0,42

to dull the pain I carry as quickly as possible.

I toss back my shot; the burn of the hard liquor in my throat makes me hiss as I slam the shot glass down on the counter.

I shove to my feet, peeling off a couple of twenties and tossing them down, then I push out the door into the cool night air. My head spins, so I lean my back against the brick wall, breathing in deeply, knowing I need to get a room at the inn next door, rather than ride my bike in this condition.

A white corvette pulls in, and parks right in front of the entrance, its headlights flashing across me. I squint at it bleary-eyed. It’s new and probably costs close to six figures. I half expect some old, rich dude to climb out, but am surprised when an attractive woman emerges. She gives me the once over as she moves toward the door, then stops and gives me a sly grin.

“You holding up the wall, sweetheart?”

“Tryin’ my best, darlin’,” I reply.

She strolls closer, and looks up in my face. “You need some company?”

Her perfume is exotic and enticing, but her eyes are the wrong color, and so is her perfectly styled hair. It’s long blonde locks and blue eyes I’m missing. While she’s a temptress, I have no desire for her. “Not tonight, angel.”

She tilts her head. “You sure?”

I nod. “Positive.”

“You change your mind, I’ll be inside.”

I nod, and watch her go.

Another time I might’ve taken her up on her offer, had a drink with her or more likely gotten a room for the two of us. But tonight I’m missing Lola something fierce, and no other woman can make that go away.

I light a cigarette, and exhale the smoke toward the sky, watching a shooting star scratch the dark heavens like the sparks of a match being dragged across it. It’s there and gone so quickly I blink, not sure if I imagined it.

Out of habit, I reach for the compass pendant finding it gone, and then remember I gave it to Lola. I wonder if she’s wearing it. I slip my hand in my pocket and close it around my phone, but think better of it. I’m too drunk for that kind of conversation, and besides, I’ve waited too long to call her.

I wonder if she’s already moved on to someone else. I could call Rock, but even drunk, I know that would be a mistake. The moment I ask about her, he’d be all over me.

I stare at my bike, and feel aimless for the first time in years. This is the life I said I wanted, the life that suits me, the life I’ve been satisfied with, all until some long-legged blonde walked into my life, and blew everything I thought I knew to hell.

I push off the wall and climb on my bike, rolling it slowly over to the Stardust Inn to get a room alone, and sleep it off, once again hoping the pain will subside tomorrow, but knowing deep inside that nothing is going to cure what’s ailing me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Trez—

Biloxi, MS

I pull out of the casino parking lot, and head east toward my motel. Another night wasted, and I’m nowhere closer to winning the amount I need. I thought Biloxi would be a good place to lay low while I figure out my next move. I guess I just need to come to terms with the fact that I suck at gambling. I’ve had no luck at any of the games.

Spotting the funky shark-head souvenir place on the beach, I realize I’m about to miss my turn, so I jump over to the left lane, and dart across oncoming traffic into the motel parking lot as car horns blare.

I park, and rub my leg and hip. I know the difference between the pain I feel from my injury and the added muscle and bone pain that never fails to set in when I’ve gone too long without a fix. I thump my thumb on the steering wheel in a rapid tapping, knowing the restlessness overtaking me is another sign. If I don’t find someone who can hook me up with more painkillers soon, the cold flashes and vomiting will begin.

In the weeks since I saw Lola, I’ve tried three times to hole up in the room and kick this addiction. I’m so ashamed she saw me this way. I guess I didn’t realize how bad I’d gotten until I