you didn’t. You never paid me what I deserved, Bill,” I managed to mumble. My body hummed as it became clearer what he was saying.
Lawson. Lawson had done this? Everything inside me exploded with…hope.
“Get the fuck out, and don’t think you’ll be stripping on any more poles in this city. I’ll see to it that you’re done for.”
I frowned at him. “You really want to threaten me? You took my money, money I worked hard for. Or shall I ask Lawson to come back?”
I had no idea what had happened last time, but his face turned pale enough for me to know it must have been bad. I wanted to know what Lawson had said to him. Why and even when he’d confronted Bill. I’d told him about how unfairly Bill had treated me, but only because I wanted to vent.
Now Bill had paid me back the money he’d stolen from me in the two years I’d worked at his club. I also was jobless, but not even that thought could put a damper on my elation of having my rightful money. I was free, free from the lascivious stares of horny men and Emilio’s groping hands.
Thank god the dressing room was empty. The other boys all must have been either onstage or working the floor. I called a cab, swiftly packed my bag, and dashed outside. While I waited for the cab to arrive, I sent a quick text to Manolo—the only real friend I’d made—telling him that I’d gotten my notice but that I was fine. And I was. I loved dancing and always would, but I was glad I could close this chapter. With a sense of relief, I slid into the back seat. Then I spent the rest of the journey staring goofily at Lawson’s blurry profile picture on Cuffd.
Did he get many hits on the app like I did? I was grateful the photo didn’t do him justice, or all the boys on there looking for a Daddy would flock him.
When the cab stopped at the apartment building, I paid the driver who only seemed too glad to get away, but not even his standoffish air could ruin my mood. I ran inside like my hair was on fire and rushed for the elevator. I’d always thought it was fast, but now? Come on. Come on.
Once it was on my floor, I hurried to the apartment and unlocked the door.
“Maddy!” I hobbled along the short hall. “Maddy, you’d never guess—”
I came to a screeching halt.
“No fair!” I cried in my aha voice. “I thought the couch was off-limits.”
Maddy, dressed in a school girl outfit, sat on Mitchell, who had his hands wrapped around the barely there material of the pleated skirt. I couldn’t help taking a peek at Maddy’s boyfriend’s cock buried inside my best friend.
“Oh my god, Opie, what are you doing here?” Maddy cried, reaching backward to wrench the skirt out of Mitchell’s hands in a futile attempt to cover his naked ass. “You’re supposed to be at the club.”
I burst out laughing. “Hi, Mitchell.” Snort. “Sorry. I promise I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time, Opie,” Mitchell said, then grunted when Maddy elbowed him.
I waved the envelope in front of them, then showed them what was inside.
Maddy’s eyes bugged. “Jesus, what the fuck did you do? Rob a bank?”
My chest swelled with pride. “No. Lawson did this for me. He threatened Bill to pay me everything he’s been shortchanging me, Maddy.”
“Your Lawson?”
Was there any other? I nodded furiously. “Yes. And he wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t care, Maddy. I have to go find him!”
“Now?”
“Of course not now.” I rolled my eyes. “First, I’ll have to go back through our messages. I’m pretty sure he mentioned the name of the ranch. Then I’ll go pay him a visit and find out why he hasn’t called me.”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
“Yes.” I moved over to the closest sofa and sat. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to see me.”
“Um, Opie,” Maddy said with a groan. “Unless you’re here to watch, you may not want to take a seat.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. Carry on.”
“Opie!”
The sharpness in Maddy’s tone meant business. I glanced from him to his boyfriend. Mitchell looked like if I didn’t leave them immediately, he was going to start fucking Maddy right there. I took pity on Maddy, who would have been so embarrassed if that happened.
I jerked to my feet and covered my eyes as I backed out of the room. “Giving you