Page 31 of Dare to Dance
“Ah,” he said. “See. If you train, you could be really good. Maybe you can get Kross to teach you a few moves before next Saturday.”
I flew off the couch. “No way.” I would be a ball of slush with him, and he reminded me too much of Raven.
He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and rubbed his jaw. “Suit yourself. That’s my deal. Fight and keep your job or leave.”
Illegal fighting wouldn’t get Raven back, but waitressing would. I picked at a nail. “You know, one minute you’re sweet like you care, and the next minute, you’re a dick.”
He grinned. “That’s what women tell me.”
“How much can I win?”
He unfolded his bulk and sauntered over to his desk. “Two thousand dollars.”
I flew off the couch, my jaw locked open. “For real?”
“You win, you get the money. No lies.”
I’d never seen Tommy in a calm and serious mood. He was either acting like a jerk or yelling at someone. His demeanor told me he wasn’t lying. “Who am I fighting?”
Tommy arched an eyebrow. “Does it really matter?”
Two thousand could be a deposit on an apartment plus first month’s rent. “I’m in.” Norma wasn’t going to be happy.
9
Kross
Igrippedthe edge of the bar so fucking tightly, my fingers were about to meld into the tacky wooden bar. For two long, agonizing hours, I sat with rigid posture and a scowl on my face, my gaze skating everywhere and nowhere. Blue-collar folks mixed with college preppies as they listened to the band. Penelope hung with her friends even though I sensed she wanted to sit by my side with her hands all over me.
I was a bomb waiting to explode as I tracked Ruby. She zipped around tables, smiled at men, laughed freely, and seemed to be having the time of her life. Meanwhile, my insides were burning. Tommy had the fucking nerve not to call me. Even worse, he had the balls to spit in my face. He and I weren’t even close to settling our shit.
Kody ambled over from Penelope’s table. Thank God for my brother. He’d kept Penelope away from me. “Penelope keeps asking questions. At least talk to her. Or get some fresh air. It looks like you could use some.”
Not bad advice on the fresh air part. The club was suffocating. But I wasn’t letting Ruby out of my sight. As far as Penelope was concerned, I did owe her an explanation, but not until I calmed my nerves.
“Seriously, Bro”—Kody wedged his way in between me and the dude sitting beside me—“stop looking at Ruby like a stalker. That bartender is onto you. He keeps eyeing you like he’s about to kick your ass out of here.”
“Let him try.” I drilled my gaze into Ruby as she filled her tray with drinks. Norma stood beside her and whispered in her ear. Ruby threw her head back and laughed.
My face reddened. How could she be so casual and flippant while a powerful storm brewed inside me.Maybe because what you believe to be true isn’t. Maybe there isn’t a child.Whether that was true or not, just knowing the story would relieve some of my pent-up tension.
The bartender banged a hand on the bar in front of me. “Mister, I don’t know what your intentions are, but if you keep staring at the girls like you want to rape them, I’m calling the cops.”
Steam came out of my nose.
“Kross, go outside and get some air.” Kody glared at the bartender. He wasn’t one to throw fists unless he was being attacked, but lately, he’d been working out a lot in the gym when he wasn’t performing or writing songs.
The cold November air would quell the rage in me. The bartender didn’t deserve my wrath. He was only protecting the waitresses.
A light drizzle fell from the sky. I strode down the block and around the corner into the alley. A can tumbled. Two cats meowed. I had to calm my fucking nerves before I talked with Ruby. Hell, I had to get myself under control for my upcoming match, which Jay was still working out the date and details for. Or maybe I could use my anger to beat Reggie. The problem with that idea was that I got sloppy when my brain was clouded. I paced down the alley and back three times before Kody found me.
“Bro, the band is done with their set, so I’m going to walk Penelope and her friends to their car. Also, I talked to Ruby. She still has an hour before she’s done with her shift. She said she knows you and her need to talk. So, relax.”
My shoulders slumped. I couldn’t say I was relieved. I wouldn’t be until I got answers, but it was good to know she acknowledged that we needed to talk. Regardless, I wanted to position myself back on my barstool just in case she got any ideas to slip out on me.
I walked Kody back to the entrance, where Penelope waited with her friends. I needed to apologize to her. I took hold of her hand. “Can we talk for a minute, privately?”
She nodded as I guided her to a quiet spot near the corner of the building.
