Page 50 of Silent Comrade
He pressed a hand to his chest and pulled anoffended face. “What are you saying, my man? Listen, I’m as closeto a ten as our motley group of mutants will ever get.” He grinned,broad and mischievous. “Bet she digs military dudes.” He tipped hishead toward the car in front of them. “She might like to check outmy service weapon.” He pushed his tongue against his cheek andwaggled his eyebrows.
“Come on, man, stick to the mission.”
Rodeo kicked back and crossed his muscledarms over his chest with a pout, not before scanning the train caragain. “Spoilsport.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Al was nearby. Britt could feel it, like asense of static before a thunderstorm rolls overhead. When wouldthe lightning occur?
Glancing out the MARTA train window, sheused the reflection to observe the few other people in the train.Friend or foe? She stared at each passenger, judging their behaviorand demeanor. Did that older lady’s cane hide a knife? How aboutthose giggling teenagers pouring over the latest TikTok video? Animaginary finger of ice traced down her spine.
For a split-second she double-guessed herimpulsive choice to go out with Tachi. Come to think of it, she haddouble-guessed a ton of decisions in her life. That self-doubt andanxiety were big reasons why it had taken so long to get to decideon her college degree and her life goals.
No more doubting. For once, she would pickan option and stick with it. This was Britt’s life and she was anadult who could consider risks and benefits to her decisions. Shesmoothed her short skirt over her thighs. Brushed her fingers overa brow hoop.
A tiny voice asked if Tachi had a choice, ifsomething bad were to happen? A sour taste of guilt answered thequestion.
Tachi was chattering about her upcomingshoot next week. Excited, happy. Animated. As she should be. “…andthey want me to model summer fashions. If we get some good photos,they might use one for a cover! Can you believe it?”
“That’s awesome, Tachi. You’ll be fabulous.”She struggled to stay present in the conversation. “Do you thinkthere’ll be some cute people there?”
“Models?”
“Or photographers, maybe?”
“Rule number one of modeling: never date thephotog. Rule number two is don’t even think about it with the othermodels. Lordy, they’re as high-maintenance as I am!”
“I didn’t know those rules existed.” Brittlaughed.
Tachi scraped her long, curly hair back offher face and fluttered dark eyelashes. “Actually, rule number oneshould be, never sleep with the casting professional or shootdirector.”
“Is that even a thing these days?”
“No idea. No one has propositioned me yet.Can you imagine?” She narrowed her warm brown eyes until theybecame glints as she studied Britt.
“Uh, I’m not sure the correct answer.” Brittshrugged. “Yay?”
“Yes, yay. I get enough inappropriateadvances from my patrons at the club.”
“How could they not? You’re athletic,artistic, and beautiful.”
Tachi tapped her phone and held it up to herworkplace’s Yelp page with tons of five-star reviews. “Hottestplus-sized pole dancer in the greater Atlanta area, according tothisveryscientific survey.” Her friend wasn’t evenbragging. Neither were the reviews. These were statements offact.
Heck, Britt knew. She’d seen Tachi’s skillson the pole and yes, her friend had impressive moves.
Britt leaned back on the seat. “Well,tonight is for us to blow off steam and enjoy moving to the music.It’s necessary. Too much stress lately.” If Tachi only knew.
“Oh, yes, darling. Use tonight to forgetabout that boy from the other night.”
That boy. Yikes. Britt had made up alame story about Al coming over and then leaving. Anything to keephis presence on the down-low and protect Tachi. Unfortunately, thetale made Britt look pitiful and in need of a supportive girlfriendright about now.
Tachi could smell a charity case from milesaway.
Before her friend could take a full breathand come up with a three-step plan to recover Britt’s social life,the brakes squeaked as the train slowed. The recorded announcementcame on overhead. MARTA Civic Center.
“Our stop.” Britt jumped up and brushed theskirt down. Her look had drawn inspiration from Harley Quinn, witha two-layer skirt, black crinoline for the bottom layer and redsatin over it. Enough coverage to be socially acceptable, but shortenough to be super fun. She’d covered the darkest bruises on herlegs and arms with dense foundation used in photo shoots.Thankfully, she had only light bruises on her back that weren’tvery noticeable. The neck bruises, on the other hand—at least she had clothing to cover them up.
Tugging the high-necked halter top andadjusting her small cross-body black Guess purse—the result of one fantastic day of thrifting lastfall—Britt preceded Tachi out of thetrain. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of twoparticularly handsome men walking slowly in Britt’s direction butnot closing the distance. They were both dressed in understatedfashion but on-point for the club. One freshly shaved guy hadsported red hair a few inches long, camel-colored pants, dark-brownChelsea boots, and a distressed denim jacket that made hisshoulders look even more solid than she knew they already were.
