Page 36 of Hard Ruck

“You really think Storm and Frost are those other people?" She kept her voice down like we might be overheard in our own apartment.

“I know Frost is,” I said. “How did Divina take the news about what happened to Ivy?”

Sadie pressed her lips together. “She’s organising a memorial for her. And raising funds for Ivy’s family. I don’t think she misses her, exactly, but she respected her. You know?”

“I do,” I agreed. “Ivy was good at what she did. She was gorgeous and the clients adored her.” I remembered watching her and Frost step out of the private room. There was no hint of jealousy. We weren’t together yet, and it wasn’t as though he could ever fuck her again. He made sure of that. It was just a thing that happened in the past, that was all.

“Yeah, they did,” Sadie agreed. “Even though I got the impression she thought she was better than everyone else. I never really got that. All of the dancers there are different, with different looks and different talents. The kind of guys who went for you usually weren’t the kind who went for her. There was plenty to go around.”

“I guess some people feel the way they feel, even if it makes no sense.” I blew on the other nails and put her foot down before checking the first set of nails to see if they were dry.

“I suppose so,” she agreed. “It’s a shame, because you two might have gotten along if she gave you a chance.”

“We’ll never know,” I said. I screwed the cap back on the nail polish before setting it aside on the coffee table.

“That’s true,” Sadie said before we swapped spots, her on the floor and me on the couch. She picked up the colour I’d chosen for my nails. A deep red that couldn’t be confused with any other colour.

She cocked her head and peered at the bottle. “Nice shade of blue.”

I picked up a cushion and threw it at her. It hit her on the arm before plopping to the floor.

“I’ll give you blue,” I growled playfully. “As if I’d ever have that on my nails.” I’d wear blue, sure, but not painted on.

“That sounds like a dare to me.” She opened the red and started to apply it to my toenails.

“Remind me not to play truth or dare with you,” I teased.

That reminded me of Storm, who kept bringing the game up. It was fun, but I was never going to answerthatquestion. I’d take it to my grave first. Not that I was ashamed of it, but it was private. A night between two people, not something for the world to know. Not even guys I cared about.

“Next thing you will say you won’t play Kink Or Drink with me,” she pouted.

“I’ll absolutely play that with you,” I assured her. “As long as you bring your own men.” I didn’t need to remind her what would happen to her if there was any drama between me and her over my guys. Just like she wouldn’t have to remind me to keep my hands off anyone she was seeing. Sisters before misters and all that.

“You’re on,” she said. “Remember the time we played that at Flirts with a bunch of clients and staff?”

“That was fun,” I said. I earned a fortune in tips that night. And had a lot of fun with the raunchy card game. Invented at Brutham Academy by the Brantley twins, it was a particular favourite with me and my friends.

“Are you sure you won’t come back to Flirts?” Sadie asked. “You look like you miss the place.”

“I miss the people and I miss dancing,” I said. “I don’t miss anything else about it. It’s my past now and I want to focus on the future. Right now, that consists of sitting still so you can finish my nails.”

“It’s unfair you’re not as ticklish as I am,” she complained. “Why do I have to suffer?”

“You’re just unlucky in that regard,” I said. “You’re lucky in other ways. You’re smart, beautiful and cute. And most of all, you have me for a best friend.” I batted my eyelashes at her.

“That last one almost makes it worth being ticklish,” she said sweetly.

Together we said, “Almost.” Then we laughed.

“Seriously though, I’m glad we’re friends,” she said. “You’re pretty awesome. And I’m looking forward to all those free tickets to the Smashers’ games.”

“I knew you were my friend for a reason,” I teased. “You were waiting for footy tickets.”

“That’s what they call playing the long game,” she said. “I knew if I hung around long enough, I’d get free tickets tosomething.”

“Remind me to only apply for jobs with cricket teams,” I said, knowing she didn’t like the sport.

“If they were free, I’d go,” she said. “Anything that involves guys playing with their balls. Or a puck. Or a shuttlecock. I’m not that picky.”

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