Page 67 of Bourbon Deceit
“Thanks, I owe it all to you, man. Without your help and encouragement, I never would have been able to make this happen.”
Jett just nodded, once again passing off his helpfulness as if it was nothing.
“When do you open?” I asked, still taking everything in.
Along with the gas lamps, there were big-bulbed string lights hung across the ceiling, and vintage circus posters decorating the tables. I wanted to hang out here; it seemed amazing.
“A few months, hopefully. I have to add a few touches with your skillful hand, then practice with the dancers.”
“Dancers?” I asked, feeling a little more comfortable.
“Not what you’re thinking,” Jett mumbled into my ear and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Where will Goldie be staying?”
“This way,” Diego said, ignoring my question. What was with that? Dancers were dancers, right?
We walked up another flight of stairs, which surprised me, since the ceilings on the floor we were on were so tall, but once we got to the top, I noticed it was an attic space that had been converted into a small bedroom and bath. It was quite small, but would do. I wasn’t going to be a brat about it.
“Where is your room?” Jett asked, looking around.
“On the first floor.” Diego chuckled. “Nothing to worry about and look, this door even has a lock, so I won’t be able to flank her in the middle of the night, like the thoughts that are running through your head.”
Jett turned to me and smiled. “Make sure to lock up every night.”
“I thought you would be staying with me,” I said in a whiny tone.
“Here,” Diego interrupted, handing Jett a key. “Here are two keys to the room, do what you want with them. I will let you two have a moment. I’m going back to bed. I will see you in the morning, Goldie, well, later in the morning.”
With that, Diego shut the door and left me alone with Jett. I felt like crying, I didn’t want him to leave. Even though Diego was a nice guy and had a pretty cool place, I didn’t want to lose Jett. I depended on him and losing him like this, being separated, was bringing up horrible reminders of when my parents were taken away from me.
“I hate this.” I buried my head in his chest.
“I know, little one. I hate it too.”
“Then just let me stay with you . . .”
“You know that is not an option right now, Goldie. Please don’t ask again because it’s killing me to say no to you,” he said roughly.
“I’m sorry. It just seems like I’m losing you and it’s bringing up horrible past images of when my parents were taken away from me and I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Taking a long, deep breath, Jett gripped me tighter and said, “I’m sorry. Fuck, I’m so sorry this is hurting you. It’s hurting me too but please trust me. You trust me right?”
He pulled away to look me in the eyes as I answered. I swallowed hard and nodded my head.
“I trust you, Jett.”
“Good.”
He grabbed my suitcase and opened it up.
“Wow, you could at least wait to unpack me,” I semi-joked.
“I wanted to give you this,” he said, handing me a wrapped present.
“Hey, when did that get in there?” I looked over the suitcase, trying to see if there were any more hidden presents inside.
“Don’t worry about it and just open it.”
Like a little girl during Christmas, I ripped open the present and gasped when I saw what was inside.
