Page 37 of Rough Rider (Bad Boy High)
“How’s your mom?”
“Good.”
“Is she coming back?” he asks.
“I hope not.” He opens the door for me. “Thanks.” I slip inside; the smell of cigarettes and sweat assaults me. I give Shelly a wave from behind the bar. It’s still fairly early, so the place isn’t busy. I keep my eyes off the two stages, letting the shitty music fill my ears and drown everything else out.
No one pays me much mind as I make my way to the back, entering the girls’ dressing room.
“Andy!” One of the girls comes over, giving me a hug, and another asks about my mom. The girls here have always been nice—well, most of them.
“I’m getting the stuff from her locker,” I tell them as I spin the combination to the lock. It pops open, and there is nothing inside. “Her stuff is gone?” I ask them, and everyone shrugs.
“If it’s here, it’s in Rico’s office is my best guess,” one of them tells me.
“Right,” I sigh. “Is he in there now?” All of them nod. “Thanks.” I head toward the long hallway that leads down to his office. I’m dreading having to interact with him, but I’m not leaving without my mom’s things. The door is closed when I reach it, so I knock.
I hear a male groan followed by a woman cursing. “Come in!” Rico barks. I’m hesitant to open the door, but I want to get this over with.
As I push the door open, I see Rico messing with his belt while a dark-haired girl scurries past me, adjusting her top as she goes. She must be new. I’ve never seen her before.
“Look who it is.” He smirks, running his hand through his short, greasy black hair. Rico is literally the stereotypical shitty strip club owner. “Looking for work?”
“No, I’m looking for my mom’s stuff and her last check.” That has the smirk dropping off his old, weathered face that has seen way too much sun. How, I have no clue; this place is dark as shit. No light ever gets in. In fact, I bet this is where it comes to die.
“Shut the door if you want to talk.” I reluctantly do it but stay standing next to it. “I don’t bite, Andy.” He licks his lips, and I already know the cliché line he’s going to say. “Unless you want me to.” Typical and gross.
“I really just want my mom’s stuff.”
“There’s nothing here for her. She’ll be lucky if I ever give her a shift again.” I don’t want her to have one, so Rico can go get fucked. I keep that thought to myself. I’m not trying to escalate things.
“She told me she has her last check here and money in her locker.”
“Like I said, she’s got nothing here.”
“Rico, come on. It’s for rent.” He drops back down on the old leather couch, his belt still undone.
“What she had covered her ass for the shit she pulled. Call it even.” I was an idiot to think he would do the right thing.
“I’m serious.” I try to put some force into my tone. It must have some effect because he lifts his brows.
“If you need cash, come on over.” He pats his lap. “I’d pay a grand to fuck your pussy. I bet that shit is tight.” I don’t even allow his words to truly penetrate my brain because then I’ll have to remember he said them.
“You’re disgusting.” I can’t stop the eye roll. “Go fuck yourself.” I turn to leave, knowing this is pointless. I’ll work the double shifts.
The door only opens a few inches before it slams shut on me. Rico's hand lands on the door right above my head. “What are you doing?”
His other hand comes to my hip as he thrusts his crotch into my ass.
“I think your mama still owes me, actually.” My blood runs cold. “And you’ll pay it off for her.” My heart is pounding so hard I’m surprised he can’t hear it.
“Okay,” I tell him, slowly turning. “A grand, you said?” A disgusting smile spreads across his face.
“More if you’re still a virgin.” Rico wraps a piece of my hair around his fingers. “Well, girl? Are you?”
“Yes,” I admit, trying to get him to give me space, thinking he might head back to the couch.
“I’m not stupid, Andy.” He lets go of my hair. Wrapping his hand around my throat, he gives a hard squeeze. I’ll be shockedif it doesn’t bruise. “Don’t get any ideas.” I nod, and he lets go. I cough, sucking in a big gulp of air. “Take your clothes off.”
