Page 29 of Tease
CHAPTER 22
KC
I’m soaking in a lavender bubble bath in my porcelain clawfoot tub; it’s relaxation in its truest form. The tub was actually one of the main selling points for me when I bought this place about a year ago for Brittney and me. Bubbles of all sizes cover my naked body as I carelessly run my hands up and down through the water. I watch the water push bubbles around, moving freely. The calmness of it gives me time to think back on everything that’s happened since we left home.
Brittney’s parents did keep their word by helping to square us away in Chicago five years ago. Brittney and I lived in our original apartment until I bought this place with cash from the TEASE app. When I first arrived in Chicago, I knew I could create a new version of myself. No more Kailey; I go by KC now. The happy-go-lucky gal is gone, and in her place is someone who fakes happiness and hides her true darkness. Her emptiness. I knew that I never wanted to return to nursing school, or any college for that matter. Instead, once we arrived in Chicago, I went job hunting. Luckily for me, The Purple Room had a sign posted on their solid glass door: Bartender Needed. I sweet-talked Carter, the owner; I told him I had just turned twenty-one and really needed a job, and he took pity on me and gave me achance, taking me under his wing. Years later, I’m now one of the bar managers, and Carter and I have become close friends—family. He knew I was running from something and never once pushed me for details; instead, he became a father figure to me here. His daughter, Ajani, has become like a sister to me.
Brittney is thriving and doing great. She graduates soon with her law degree. We still enjoy living together, and I only ask her to pay for utilities along with helping buy groceries. It’s a small way for me to show her how thankful I am for her friendship, and for saving me five years ago. When she discovered how I was really making most of my money—by taking photos and selling them on TEASE—she never once judged me. Britt’s words were simple; she told me to be careful, and that she’d always have my back.
Being careful is the reason I use a separate phone solely for the app. I got a New York City phone number, and used that as my location setting for the app. You really can’t be too careful these days when you’re selling yourself online. Even though I hide my face with a mask, I wanted to take extra precautions. Brittney and I are as close as ever; I love that woman. She never left me, just like she promised she wouldn’t.
I had to change my original number to cut all contact with Jared because, in my heart, Iknewhe’d never stop fighting for me. Brittney, Steffan, Greg, and I still have a friend group chat. The guys know better than to ever bring up Jared or Joey. They’ve only slipped up once, at the beginning, by informing me that Joey had taken off after Britt and I left town. I know they’re still friends with Jared, and I hold no grudges for that, but we just don’t talk about it.
My parents, Travey, and I try to do weekly video chats every Sunday, so we can stay caught up on everything that’s going on with each other. Mom and Dad want me to come back home, but they understand that it will never happen. Instead, we’veagreed to meet up every spring break on a beach in Florida, and stay there together for a week. Travey decided to go to college to be a doctor, and from what I can tell, he’s thriving. He found a college only a few cities away so he can still see our parents often. He hasn’t introduced me to a woman yet, but I’m sure he has no time for one, with the pre-med course load in which he’s currently enrolled.
Brittney has been dating a guy named Skyler for a couple months. I haven’t seen her as much in our spare time this past week. I think it’s getting serious—she’s been staying the night with him more often than not. But that’s okay; Britt knows that she will always have a room here in my home. Brittney has told me countless times that she isn’t moving in with him... anytime soon, at least. I think it’s his profession as a cage fighter that has him traveling to different cities, if I remember correctly. Holding my breath, I close my eyes and submerge myself completely under the mildly warm water, the bubbles now gone.
“Shit, this stings, Kailey,” Beth whispers as the big, burly, long-haired tattoo artist starts working on her sunflower tattoo—the one I picked out for us. “Oh, stop being a baby. You’re the big sister. You have to act like it doesn’t hurt so I’ll still want to get it done next.” I’m laughing now to where tears fill my eyes, and she squeezes her palm into mine. I squeeze back instantly. “Yeah, yeah, happy birthday, little sister. Who knew the neck was so fucking sensitive?!”
“Mmm—I bet Joey will kiss it and make it all better for you later.”
“I do love my neck being kissed…” Beth can’t hide the red tint taking over her face.
“It’s definitely a sensitive spot for me. I love when Jared nips my neck or gives it a long lick.” Feeling my own cheeks heat, I look down to see Beth staring at me with her deep blue ocean-like eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?!” She can’tmove her head from its current position, since he’s tattooing her neck, but I can tell she wants to.
“I’m just so happy for you, Kailey. I mean it. Jared is good for you, and you deserve the best of everything life has to offer.”
My lungs are burning, begging, screaming for air. Forcefully, my upper body surges out of the water, mouth gasping for air, and water sloshes out and over the sides. I don’t even notice I’m crying until a salty tear touches the side of my mouth. I wipe my face, roughly, and use my toes to pull the stopper out of the tub. The water drains, emptying my clawfoot tub, taking with it my memories of that day.
CHAPTER 23
KC
While I dry off my body with an oversized white cotton towel, I look at the neon clock sitting on the granite bathroom countertop; I only have an hour to get to work. I grab the pink silk robe off of the hook on the bathroom door and slide my arms in, tying it at the hips. My king size bed is on the side of the room opposite the leather loveseat, and I take a running leap and sprawl out on the comforter. The pink fluffy duvet smells like cotton candy—gotta love the smell goods we throw in with our laundry. I close my eyes and enjoy the comfort of my bed. I could just snuggle up and go back to sleep if I stayed in this position for too long. Knowing that isn’t an option for me, I grab my phone from the nightstand and finish my job.
Pulling the TEASE app up on my phone, I wait for it to load and then log in.
Welcome, xxSparkleySkittlexx.
Submit photo.
Submit photo.
Submit photo.
I check my inbox to see if I have any new messages. My app chimes, and one after another, notifications start pouring in.
As he usually does,INCOGNITOhas already purchased each of my new photos to hide them from my other subscribers. This is nothing new. He's been one of my main buyers for a while now. I will never show him my face or reveal my true identity, even though he’s offered me quite a bit of money to do so. A red dot by the inbox icon notifies me of a new message. Incognito must see that I am online.
INCOGNITO
I need more of you. [plum emoji]
xxSparkleySkittlexx
Oh, yeah? Well, I’ll have a video up for bids sometime later this month, so keep a look out for it… It’ll be of me… pleasuring myself. Of course, just like all the other times, the highest bidder will win it. You WON’T want to miss this one, baby. [kiss face]
INCOGNITO
