“Since three days ago,” I smile.
Waving an egg-filled fork he says, “Enlighten me.”
Should I tell him how nervous I was when I crashed those interviews? How I’d acted all tough so it would appear I was more confident than I truly feel on most days?
I learned one thing working at the strip clubs, when the dancers act like they’re sexy, they are. If you pretend like you can handle anything and nothing scares you, other people will believe it. And I needed Max to see a woman he could rely on.
Everything I told him about what I’ve done for the clubs’ bottom line was true. I was completely honest about all of it. The only thing fake was my tough veneer and saucy attitude.
Never planned on fucking him. Didn’t do it to land the job, either. I gave in to the sexual current between us because I was playing a role and he is so damn hot I got carried away. I wanted him, couldn’t wait to feel him inside me, and I know it’s going to be a bitch to resist jumping on him again.
None of this will I confide to A.J.
“Not much to tell. I overheard some people leaving an interview when I was in West Midtown. Asked around, invited myself into the room, and talked the director into hiring me. This is good sausage, what is this?”
“Maple syrup marinated.” He takes a sip of coffee. “How’d you talk him into it?”
“Told him about the success of the clubs.”
“You’re pretty enough you could be an actress. He should put you in the film.”
“I have no interest in it, but thanks.” Scooping up eggs I add, “Not all of us want to stand in the lights.”
“I love the lights on me. Dancing up there, the reactions I get. It’s a fucking blast.”
“And you’re very good at what you do.” I go back to reading and we eat in silence for a while. A.J. rises up with his empty plate and brings it to the sink, cleaning and putting everything away. He’s the most conscientious roommate I’ve ever had. It’s made me better at cleaning up, too. When I come home from whatever the world wants to dish out, I’ve got a clean house waiting. Nothing better than that feeling when I’m tired.
Makes our home a sanctuary.
“Thank you!” I call after him as he heads off for his shower.
“You want to join me?”
I give him a look. “No.”
He laughs and disappears.
An hour later he walks into the kitchen with his backpack slung over workout clothes. “I’m going mountain biking. You still reading about boring ass contracts?”
“I’ve moved on to budgeting software. Did you know they actually have software that just covers the film and television industry?”
“That’s fascinating,” he dryly says on his way out. “Try and see the sun today would ya?”
“You’ll see enough of it for both of us,” I mutter, face buried in the screen.
“You’re wasting your life inside when it’s a sunny day,” and the door clicks shut behind him.
I shake my head, saying aloud though there’s no one but me to hear it, “When you want something badly enough you have to sacrifice to get it.” But after about an hour, Paul calls me. It’s a Saturday which means busy in the dance world.
“Nat, get in here.”
“Now?”
“No, how ‘bout next week sometime whenever you’re free? Yes now!” He hangs up.
Making a face at the phone, I stand up, turn off my computer. “If you didn’t pay me as much as you do, I would so be out of there, Paul.” My shoulders rise with excitement, eyes widening. “Oh my God, I didn’t even think of this. If I help bring his film to profit, I might have a new career!” Dancing to my shower I sing completely off-key a song I’m making up on the spot. “Goodbye Paul. See ya later you stinky person with your bad toupee and bad manners!” Holding my arms up I wiggle stretched fingers for my jazzy finish. “Cha cha cha cha!!”
CHAPTER 7
M AX
I get Lexi’s voicemail again, and hang up to dial Samantha. My sisters are inseparable so if something is happening to Alexis, Sam will know about it.
Her sweetheart voice answers on the second ring, “Hi Max, sorry I didn’t return your call!”
“Uh huh.”
“I was busy.”
“Sure you were.”
“I was!” Nervously changing the subject so she can stop lying to me, my baby sister asks, “How’s your film coming along?”
“Making progress, but I’m calling about something else and you know it.”
“Oh?”
“I left four messages about it! Who’s this guy Lexi’s hooking up with?”
“Hooking up?” she laughs, chiding me. “She’s very serious about Brad.”
“Brad? Guys named Brad are up to no good.”
“You’d think anybody we dated was after something bad, Max.”
“Because they are! I’m a guy. I know what they’re after.”
“Caden seems to think it’s his job to butt in, too,” she shoots back with a smile in her voice. “You need to let us out of our cages. Oh wait, we already climbed out!”
“Trust me, your cage has a dead bolt on it.”
“Dumb.”
“I’m not dumb, you’re dumb.”
“You’re dumber.”
“I love you. There’s a difference.”
“You’re being ridiculous. Anyway, it doesn’t matter because Lexi has her own mind and nothing you say could stop her, and you know that!”
Opening the blinds on my loft I mutter at a clear sky, “That’s what she thinks.” As Samantha starts to object I cut her off, “Sam, we are Cockers. We look after our own. That’s just how it is, so where is she?”
“I’m not telling.”
“Tell me!”
“No.”
“Samantha!”
“Maximus!”
I laugh, “That’s not my name!”
“Well, you said my long name so I couldn’t just say one syllable and win.”
“You want me to drive over there?”
“Sure if you want to waste gas money. She’s not here and I’m heading to dance class so knock yourself out!”
“Samantha!” There’s no response so I say it again, this time a question, “Sam?” The line is dead. “She hung up on me,” I grumble, dialing Caden.
Hunter, the youngest of
