Page 16 of Fang
“I didn’t even know you knew where the library was. This is a book. Have you seen one before?”
He growls. “Shut the fuck up. You think you are so much better than everyone, but I know where you come from. You’re the product of a whore mother who forgot to abort the baby before it became full term. I’m surprised you can even read with all the drugs your mother did while she was pregnant with you.”
He’s making assumptions, but unfortunately he is right about them. My mother didn’t stop doing drugs during pregnancy with me. I only know this because she told me after I asked about who my dad was when I was six. Surprise, surprise, Barbara has no idea who could have possibly fathered me. She doesn’t even have a list of names to check.
“I read at a college level. Are you still using picture books?” I ask.
He rolls his eyes. “Come on, Cami. We’ve known each other a long time. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to sleep with me. I’m popular. I could change your life. I’d even be willing to be your boyfriend for a week or two to help elevate your status. Give me a shot.”
I hate how he speaks to me. As if letting him fuck me would be doing me a favor. He’s disgusting, and I hate him.
“I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man on Earth and we needed to repopulate for our survival.”
I stand, shoving my stuff in my bag.
As I stalk off, I hear him yell behind me, “That mouth of yours feels so good, Cami. Thanks for the quick suck in the stacks.”
I hear giggles from others as the librarian shushes them. She gives me a suspicious stare. I don’t bother to correct her thoughts.
I can only hope she doesn’t report me to the administration. Sure, I could come up with the money I need for books, but it would be a black mark on my record. I am really hoping to be able to apply for some more scholarships to cover the remaining schooling I have. I can’t do that if I have disciplinary issues.
The stress from the past twenty-four hours starts to plague me. I can feel myself about to break. I make it all the way to my car before I do. As soon as I’m behind the wheel, I let my head fall to it as the tears fall.
Sometimes life feels like it’s so hard. Like it is trying to crush me until I’m nothing but blood and bones.
I let myself feel the hopelessness of the way life is working. I give myself one moment to let myself throw the pity party that does nothing to help me. I break.
Then I suck in one breath. Another. I slowly build myself up piece by piece. I remind myself that I can endure a lot. This isn’t the end for me. I will fight until I have a decent life. I won’t be a stripper forever.
Letting out one last shaky breath, I pick up my phone and call the club.
“Boudoir. How can I help you?” Erin, one of the bartenders answers.
“Hey, Erin. It’s Cami. Is the boss around?” I ask.
“Nah, he hasn’t come in yet. What’s up?”
“Am I still on the schedule for tonight?” I ask.
“Hold on.”
I can hear her walking through the club, the cordless phone likely to her ear. The background noise changes as I imagine her walking through the hall to the locker room.
“Yep. You have the nine and eleven slots on the main stage. Eight and ten on the side stage.”
I let out a sigh of relief. Fang kept his word.
“Thanks. See you soon.”
I hang up, pushing away thoughts of how I am no better than Barbara. We both sell our bodies, only I draw a line as to how.
Zak was right. I’m not better than anyone.
I’m waiting on Cami to get here. I know she’s coming. Erin informed me as soon as I walked in that she had called for me.
I had planned to give her another night off, but I remember seeing how ashamed she was when she accepted the money from me. She didn’t want to but couldn’t afford not to.
So I wait for her. I know she has class until four. She is scheduled on the side stage at eight, so she will likely get herearound seven thirty since she doesn’t walk the room like the other girls.
