Page 10 of How We End
“We have a problem,” Margo said, walking into the bedroom.“Hockey boy only paid five k, and he’s supposed to be here in an hour.”
I checked my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the bathroom.Julian hadn’t specified a choice of clothing.So I chose a short black pleated skirt and an oversized long-sleeved cream sweater.
“That’s the right amount.”I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail.It always made me look a little younger.
“He’s booked for four hours.”Margo pointed to her tablet.Money was always exchanged before they entered the suite.It felt less like prostitution and more like a first date.
“Yep.”I checked my reflection one more time.Julian was my youngest client and by far my most attractive.His photos were plastered all over social media.He was tall, and from his shirtless photos, I bet he did look good naked.He didn’t smile much, especially in recent photos.I couldn’t blame him—some of the comments were brutal.Fans blamed him for every loss, and when the team won, they complained that he didn’t score enough.Half wanted him fired, and the other half worshiped him.And then there was his age.If Julian Silver so much as got a hangnail, they blamed it on him being thirty-four.
“Did Anders talk you into this?He’s always had a hard-on for Julian.Ever since he was a kid.Christ, Julian could have killed the family dog and Anders would have said the dog deserved it.”
“For the record, he didn’t kill the dog, right?”I asked, walking into the bedroom.The maid services had been in to clean and change the sheets.Margo had made sure there was a dish full of condoms on both nightstands.“Does this look okay?”I was torn.The thigh highs and heels nailed the naughty schoolgirl look, but it still felt immature.
“No, we didn’t have a dog.But you get the point.Lose the thigh highs.You look like you’re cosplaying an escort.”
“How long has Anders known Julian?”I slipped off the heels.
“Since he was eight.Julian lived with them when he was in Juniors.”
I sat down on the bed and took off the nylons.“Which shoes?And, like, a junior in high school?”
“The flats.And no, Juniors in the CHL.”
I frowned at her.That still meant nothing to me.
“I forgot you didn’t grow up with a little brother that played hockey.Julian’s family lived in Minnesota, and for him to play in the CHL, the Canadian Hockey League, he needed a billet family.And that was my dad and stepmom.I spent summers with the famous Julian Silver.”
“Really?What was he like?”I examined the few shoe options I kept in the suite.
Margo shrugged.“Quiet.But cute in that teenage boy kinda way.Had a couple of girlfriends, but hockey always came first.He mostly sulked around.I guess the NHL had been looking at him since he was sixteen.His dad was some famous player.Everyone thought he’d be better than his father.”
I knew what it felt like to have someone else’s expectations thrust upon you.My mother had done that.She had wanted to be the pretty thing everyone looked at.But a pregnancy at nineteen changed everything for both of us.
“None of that explains why Julian Silver, who makes plenty of money, is only paying five k.You owe my little shit of a brother nothing.”
“I set my rate.And this has nothing to do with Anders.”
“Does it have to do with what Dickie Valentine said?”
“No.”It kind of did.“And by the way, why did you tell Maverick?”
“Because you let things get to you.Every time.”
“I do not, and I would appreciate if you kept what my clients disclose to yourself.You signed an NDA.”And I did not let things get to me.
“For the press.Don’t let him get in your head.”
“This has nothing to do with Richard.”Okay, it did a little.Maybe I needed Julian to find me desirable as much as he needed to believe I enjoyed having sex with him.People didn’t understand what it felt like to have your whole life wrapped up in your physical appearance.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Fine, you want the truth?”At least the truth I was going to tell her.“I would like to enjoy sex for once.You’ve seen Julian.Even if he is horrible in bed, at least he looks good.And my body, my choice,” I reminded her as I put on a couple of bracelets.The ring Maverick gave me caught the blue neon that filled the room.
“Just be careful.Behind that pretty face is still a man.”
It was a strange paradox, being an escort.Men were my predator but also my customer.“Jackson will be here all night.”I checked my reflection one last time.In the low light, I couldn’t see the flaws.Hopefully, he wouldn’t either.
She checked her phone.“He’s here.”
