Page 4 of Bling

His brow furrowed and he looked like he might cry. “But if Uncle Henry got fired too…”

Isabelle did her best to soothe him. “Don’t worry about this. It’s not for you to worry about, Alan. We’ll figure it out. I had all my vacation time, so my check was good. I’ll be able to find something else quickly. And your mom works at the restaurant, so you know she didn’t get fired today. It’s going to be OK.”

Alan still didn’t seem so sure, but she wanted him to focus on school. So many in her family had been raised to constantly stress about money. College was a luxury, but Alan was smart and going on a nearly full scholarship. There was no way in hell she was going to let him waste the opportunity he’d been given to break the cycle of poverty. Not the way she had wasted hers.

“Let’s just get home, sweetheart. We’ll figure it all out later.”

As they approached her compact car, she tossed Alan the keys. “Drive us home. I’ve got things to do on my phone.”

Alan grinned. His driver’s license was new, and she had a feeling being able to drive home would help take his mind off what had just happened.

With her seatbelt fastened, she pulled out her phone. The text from Garrett was still waiting for her.

What time should I get you for dinner, Doll?

Her heart twisted. Could she really spend a weekend at the luxury BDSM club with this crisis hanging over her family? It didn’t feel right. Then again, if she didn’t go, she wouldn’t have a chance to ask Eli about giving her some work. The club didn’t just rely on submissives to run, they also hired full and part-time staff. There was always next weekend, though. Right now, it felt like she was needed at home.

Not sure I can make it tonight. I’ve had a pretty shit day.

Her phone rang. It was Garrett. Damn it. She swiped to ignore the call and switched over to a web browser, navigating to the unemployment website. His number flashed across her screen again and she knew he wouldn’t give up until she answered. Fine. She stabbed at the green button to answer the call.

“Talk to me, Isabelle. A shit day sounds like a reason to come to the club, not a reason to skip.”

His voice drifted over her like velvet, and she sagged against the passenger seat.

“I know. You’re probably right. I just lost my job, though, and I’m really stressed.”

“Oh, Doll. I’m so sorry. How do I help? I can put some money in your account, help you find something else.”

She blew out a breath. His concern was sweet, but it also made her uncomfortable. “No. Please. I don’t need your money. I just need to focus on looking for another job. I also need to talk with Dad and Uncle Henry and come up with a plan for bills and such.”

Garrett was quiet for a minute. “OK. How about you meet me at the club? We’ll skip dinner. That will give you more time. I just want to see you. I can help you take your mind off this.”

She blew out a breath. She really did want to see him, and tapping into her submissive side, focusing on her tasks as a house sub, would certainly help her relax.

“OK. I’m on my way home right now. I’ll meet you at seven.”

“Isabelle, are you on the phone while you’re driving, young lady?” Her heart skipped a beat as his voice became hard and dominant, but she let out a giggle.

“No. My teenage cousin is driving. I’m just a passenger.”

“Good girl. My subs don’t put themselves in danger, do they, Doll?”

He was baiting her, trying to get her mind off her troubles and into her submissive headspace before she’d even gotten to the club. She appreciated it.

She coughed, unsure how to answer with her cousin in the car, and Garrett chuckled. “It’s OK. You don’t have to answer. I know you’ll be a good girl.”

They said goodbye, and Isabelle closed her eyes, suddenly exhausted. When they pulled into their apartment complex parking lot a few minutes later, she took the keys from Alan and walked up to her small front porch to unlock the door. Alan waved goodbye and walked three buildings over to the apartment he shared with his mom.

Her dad sat at the kitchen table talking quietly with Uncle Henry. When he motioned for her to sit, she shook her head. “Not now. I just want to lie down.”

Thankfully, the older man didn’t press, and she was able to trudge down the hallway to her room.

In bed, she picked up the photograph of herself with her mom and sister. Her heart hurt every time she looked at it, but she kept it there to remind her of her responsibilities. Her mom had died of cancer almost a decade ago and her sister was currently in jail… again. Isabelle was the mother figure for her two nieces, one a preteen and the other a sophomore in high school.

There was a big age difference between Isabelle and her older sister, but somehow Isabelle was the responsible one. The first time Carmen had been arrested, Isabelle dropped out of college and moved back home to care for the girls, so they didn’t wind up in foster care or with a member of the family they barely knew. Her dad and Uncle Henry helped, but they were better at going to work or fixing a broken sink than they were at dealing with the intricacies of parenting two teenage girls.

Her sister only spent a few months in jail, but Isabelle decided not to return to school and it turned out to be a good thing she hadn’t.

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