Page 19 of Beneath Her Skin

“Cunt.”

Back at the carnival grounds,I make quick work of getting myself cleaned up in my trailer. The other female performers were waiting for me when I came back, asking if I was okay and if I needed anything. Even Cade and a few of the men were waiting to make sure I was okay. They helped me get rid of his car and once I was clean, I crashed out for the rest of the morning until I needed to get up for the show tonight.

We’re like one giant fucked up family. Coming from all different walks of life, but brought together because we are all outcasts in some way. Every one of the women here has a story. Every man is running from something. Usually themselves and who they used to be.

When the light finally creeps in through the curtains of my trailer and sweat coats my body from the stifling heat, I glance at the clock and see that it’s already three in the afternoon. “Ugh,” I say aloud, burying my face back in the pillows.

“Let’s get through the show and then we can leave.”

Food. I need to eat something first.

A bowl of sugary cereal sits before me as I relive the events of last night, smiling to myself at how much he suffered. A sharp tap on the door startles me and a small wave of panic hits. I stand and cross the short distance from the booth to the door.

“What do you want?” I shout, pulling my knife from my pocket, flicking it open.

“It’s just me,” Cade says. “Can I come in?”

Do I have to?

“Technically, no. But it wouldn’t hurt.”

Fuck.

I push the door open and step aside to let him in. He has papers in hand and I’m sure it just has to do with the show tonight. “What can I do for you this hot as balls morning, Cade?” He chuckles and flips through the papers in his hand, selecting one and thrusting it toward me.

“Set changes; I need you to fill in. And I’m just checking on you.” Cade reaches out with his free hand and pushes my hair back.

“You know I don’t like being touched.” I growl, shoving his hand away.

“I know. But your hair is crazy and I was just fixing it.”

“Please! You know he wants to fuck you.”

“You’re like a brother to me, Cade. An annoying brother.” I roll my eyes and take the paper back with me to the booth so I can finish eating.

“A brother you could fuck.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I gag.

“So can I ask?” He leans against the small L-shaped counter, staring at me.

“About what?” I say nonchalantly as I shove a spoonful of cereal in my mouth.

“What did he do? Didn’t want to fuck you or something?” Cade raises his eyebrow. The fucker knows that I’ve never been turned down by any of the men I’ve gone after.

I set the spoon down and turned to look at him. “He was at family night with his wife and son, flaunting his wife’s bruised neck, salivating over every pussy he came across and then when I confirmed with the woman that he hurt her... I mean, her body was covered in bruises, Cade. It was disgusting. I had to... I had to make sure that they could go home last night and be safe.”

Cade just stands there and listens. Nobody knows the horror I grew up in, not even Cade, but he knows I have issues with men, intimacy, and touch. “So I came onto him and had him come back and well... I did what I do.”

“He sounded like he was a real piece of shit. That woman and her kid will probably have a much better life now because of you.” Cade shifts and pulls himself from the counter. "Okay, so about tonight, do you think you can handle the switch? I can see if someone else can do it if you’re not in the right headspace.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “When have I ever not been able to handle it?”

“The audacity of him to even think that.”

Right! What a dick!

“I’m just giving you the option to rest. You deserve it.” Ugh…gross.

“Don’t baby me, Cade.” I groan as I turn back to my cereal.

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