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“I doubt there is anything open.”

“I know a place. It’s always open,” I tell her with a smile.

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “I bet you do.”

I watch as she turns around and starts to head back for the front door. “I’ll see you around Speed Princess.”

Annistyn looks over her shoulder, a slight smile on her face. “At the finish line, you can bet on it.”

I watch her sashay up to the steps. Damn, this girl is a spitfire and I love it. No wonder I can’t seem to shake her. I’m not sure I’d want to even if I could. I climb back into the car and head toward the diner. As I drive, I try to list all the reasons why harboring these thoughts for Annistyn is a bad idea. I try to talk myself away from everything, but I realize I can’t. I’m screwed.

Seven

Annistyn

I place Augustus inside the bathroom and put the baby gate in front of the door. Talon and I didn’t want him making a mess all over the house, so we came up with this solution. Once Augustus is settled in, I sit on my bed and slip on my wedges. Talon and I are headed to visit with my dad. I stop by every day I’m on that side of the city for class, which is at least four days a week. Then on Sundays, Talon and I go together for the afternoon normally. Vienna and Talon also stop by throughout the week to check in on him and visit. I’m so thankful for their help.

I head out into the living room. Talon is standing by the door quickly typing away at his phone. When I enter, he looks up. “You ready?”

“Yep,” I tell him, as we head outside. Talon is still texting away. He slides behind the wheel of the car and I eye him. I don’t want him driving if he’s preoccupied, and he definitely seems that way right now. “You okay?”

“Yeah, why?” he asks, as he glances at me.

I shrug. “You just seemed preoccupied with whatever is going on with your phone.”

“No, I’m good.” He starts the car, and we head toward the home where my dad is a current resident. Talon actually seems too good, so maybe I’m just worrying over nothing. He’s just not one to be crazy over his phone. You get lucky if he answers it most of the time, so to see him so immersed in texting was a little bit of a shock. Halfway to our destination Talon asks, “So, have you considered the job at Sinner’s Den anymore?”

“Actually, I have. I was thinking that since they are so busy, I’d still make some great tips, so I might be able to manage it. It’d definitely be a step up from working at Vixens. I actually think I’ll try it if you think it’ll be okay between us,” I tell him. I won’t lie, I still worry that we’ll end up spending too much time together, or I’ll be invading his space, or stepping on his toes. Talon is my best friend, always has been, and the last thing I want to do is to put extra stress on him that causes me to lose his friendship.

Talon laughs. “It’ll be fine, Annistyn. You worry too much. I love ya, but you need to chill. Hell, it’d be easier for me if you did work there. At least then I wouldn’t be worried about Jerick and his losers coming in and harassing you.”

“And you say I worry too much,” I look at him, giving him a pointed look.

“Yes, you do. You worry about things that will never happen. I worry about Jerick being his normal self.” As we pull into the parking lot, I take a deep breath. I have a love-hate relationship with this place. I’m thankful that they are able to take care of my dad and his failing health. I’m thankful that he is well taken care of and that the nurses here seem to truly care, but then I hate it. I hate that he has to be in this place. I hate that I can’t just take care of him myself, but I’m not able to and he wouldn’t allow it anyways. This was his idea and what he wanted and I have to respect that decision, I have to remember that. Talon pats my knee. “You ready?” I take a deep breath and nod. Talon grabs the food as I get out of the car and we head inside.

The assisted living home, or nursing home, always has an overwhelming smell of sanitizer, but at least the place is clean. As we make our way down the hall, we say hi to some of the other residents until we reach my dad’s room. He’s sitting in his recliner watching some sporting event on his TV with the paper in his lap. “Hi Daddy,” I say to him.

“Annistyn,” he says, holding his arms out to me. There’s nothing like my daddy’s hugs. “Talon,” he says, once he notices him. I step out of the way so they can talk. I notice Cora, one of my dad’s nurses, standing in the doorway—she waves me over.

“Hey Cora, everything okay?” I ask, once I’m close enough.

She has a grim look on her face. “Yeah, but I just wanted to let you know that the dialysis rates have gone up, which means the twenty percent co-pay on your father’s insurance has gone up as well.”

My heart sinks into my stomach. Dad has insurance and you would think just because he’s covered that everything would be okay, but it’s not. You don’t consider that twenty percent co-pay that you have to cover out of pocket. Let me tell you, that twenty percent may not seem like a lot, but it adds up quickly. “Do you know how much the increase is?”

“Probably about fifty dollars a treatment,” she says apologetically.I give her the best smile I can muster. That’s one hundred and fifty dollars a week I need to come up with. “Dolores can give the exact number if you need it. I’m so sorry, Annistyn.”

I wave off her sympathy. “It’s okay. I’m just glad he has y’all to help take care of him.” As I head back to my dad and Talon, there is a sick knot of dread in my stomach. There goes changing jobs. There is no way I’ll be able to afford the change now. I’m going to need to try and pick up an extra shift at Vixens now too. I hate to break this news to Talon, but at least he’ll understand.

****

We spent the afternoon with my dad watching sports, playing poker, talking cars, and eating junk. It’s our Sunday ritual and I’m definitely going to miss Talon once he’s an actual member of the motorcycle club, because Sunday is their day. My eyes burn with unshed tears as I hug my dad and we say goodbye. I don’t know why I’m so emotional right now.

On the way back home, I break the news to Talon that, unfortunately, I’ll be staying at Vixens Strip Club. He tries to smile and play it off like the news isn’t a big deal, but I can see the disappointment in his eyes. I just hope the disappointment is in the situation and not me. I’m really trying my best and I don’t want him to think I’m giving up.

When we get home, Talon makes dinner while I play with Augustus, and then before I call it a night, Talon looks over at me on the couch. “It’ll work out. We’ll get you out of that club and manage the money for your dad’s treatment.”

“It’s okay, Talon. I mean, it’s not like I’m having to dance at the club,” I tell him, and that is true… for now. I’ve never told him how many times I’ve been asked to dance there and I certainly don’t tell him that if my dad’s medical expenses keep rising, I may just end up there. I cringe at the idea, but my dad sacrificed everything to raise me, and I’ll do the same for him—even if it means me and a pole.

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