Page 37 of Shamed
I know Del, who’s standing behind the counter, but the other two are unknown customers, so I don’t go any further.
Del pops something into a paper bag for one of the men. “Nah, he stepped out to grab some coffee and donuts.”
I shift on my feet. “Do you know if he has a bucket I could borrow?”
“Lemme go check the back.”
He leaves, and one of the men leans against the counter, openly watching me. “We don’t bite, sweetheart. You don’t need to stay glued to the door.”
I give a small smile and fold my arms across my chest, but I don’t respond as I glance around the area. Various shaped bongs line the shelves on one side of the store, while vapes, drinks, and an assortment of weed merchandise fill the other.
Thankfully, Del comes back out a minute later, handing me a dirty bucket. “Here ya go. I don’t think he’ll be looking for this any time soon. It was in the back corner of the storage closet.”
“Thank you. If he does want it back, tell him to text me.”
“Will do.”
After taking it upstairs and setting it under the leak, I head back out into the dreary day to continue on with the rest of my errands.
*~*~*~*~*
Teaseis particularly crowded tonight. I’ve given lap dances one after another, pushing all of my limits. I stare at myself in the staff bathroom mirror, adjusting the crown on top of my newly dyed brown hair.
I just needed a minute. A moment to remind myself why I’m doing this to myself.
Jacob.
The harsh bathroom lighting shows just how dull my eyes have become. Gray isn’t exactly a pretty color, but they used to shine with life. Now . . . well, it’s a good thing it’s already dim out there.
I reach for the hem of my glove but jump when the door bangs open.
“It’s just me,” Candy announces when she sees my face.
I exhale, relaxing my shoulders and facing forward while Candy hurries into one of the stalls.
“God,” she groans inside the cubicle. “I’ve been holding that in for over an hour. How has your night been so far?”
“Busy.” I quickly slide one of my gloves off and run cool water over my hand before holding it against the back of my neck. “What about you?” When I hear her start moving around, I dry my hand and pull the glove back on.
Stepping out of the stall, Candy fixes her thong and walks to the sink to wash her hands. “Had to give one guy a piece of my mind, but other than that, I should be able to afford that sectional couch I’ve had my eye on. The kids will love it.”
I smile at her through the mirror. “You look extra pretty tonight.”
Candy has four boys, but you’d never be able to tell. She says it’s because she started popping them out super young and was able to bounce back. Plus, she loves being active and spends a lot of her free time outdoors, playing with her kids.
That’s the extent of my knowledge about her.
I’ve been having Chester secretly give her most of my tips just to help her out a bit. Of course, he takes a cut just to do me that favor.
She pulls out a mini tube of red lipstick that was hidden somewhere in her hair and starts reapplying, making me avert my eyes at the color. “Oh, Chester is calling a challenge.”
My moment of peace completely gone, I turn back toward her. “For what?”
“There’s a fine-ass man out there sitting by himself that we’ve all been trying to tempt into getting a dance or private room, but so far, no one has had any luck. He just politely declines with an equally polite, yet panty-melting smile.”Candy tucks the lipstick back in, and I follow her toward the bathroom door. “You should give it a try. Chester said whoever can get him to accept something will get a request granted.”
I pause with my hand on the door handle. “A request?”
“Yeah, you know, like if you wanted to work the stage one night instead of the floor, or have a day off.” She turns to me. “Or even opt out of your night in the private room.”
