Page 40 of Guardian
I’ve also heard he’s into the “super kinky stuff,” whatever that means.I haven’t asked, even though I’ve wanted to.Tattooing, for sure.Kissing?Maybe even clothespins?
There was something on that list Daniel made me fill out about ice cubes.I chickened out and put no because I wasn’t clear on where the ice cubes would go.In a drink?In my mouth?In my…?
I’ve been meaning to research that one.
Either way, pretty much every sex worker I’ve met—including me—has some sort of pressing financial need that they haven’t been able to meet any other way.Prince seems to be the exception.Once on the group chat he said he likes to fuck so might as well get paid.
Makes sense.
“I’m not stupid enough to go behind Brennan’s back,” I mutter.“I don’t know what everyone’s worrying about.Dean told the guy no.His friend got him to back off.Aside from being all starey-glarey for the rest of the night he left me alone.Everything was fine.”
Troy, whose normally styled hair is all ruffled for some reason, pipes up.“You gotta be careful, though, pip-squeak.There are some real sickos out there.That’s the whole reason Adam and I started working for Brennan instead of being freelance.”He gestures between himself and Adam, who’s sitting next to him eating a cupcake.For breakfast.
“Uh, Adam?Aren’t you worried about your blood sugar?”He’s diabetic, right?Cupcakes don’t seem like a great idea for breakfast.
“It’s sort of a special celebration.”He elbows Troy in the side.“Don’t worry, this guy makes sure I check my numbers and everything.”Troy surreptitiously moves his hand over, patting Adam on the thigh.
They’re not as subtle as they think, because a look around the table tells me I’m not the only one who noticed their intimacy.Even I’ve put a few dollars down on the pool for when the two of them are going to finally admit they’re a couple, but they keep swearing they aren’t.
Over by Alexsis, Eve tries to ask what he’s celebrating, but they both give her a weird look, so she lets it drop.
Then Troy changes the subject by asking Dean how his daughter is doing.Which works like a charm.
“She’s in ballet now.You guys gotta see this.I did her hair myself…” Then he’s showing around photos of a toothless little girl in a tutu and a bun, who’s beaming happily with her two front teeth missing.
Michael’s the only one not oohing and ahhing, grumbling something about how Dean’s not the one who searched high and low for brown ballet flats.
There’s an unexpected heaviness in my stomach as I look at the pretty ballerina picture.I mean, it’s nothing against Dean’s daughter, who’s definitely the cutest daughter ever.It’s not even that I’m jealous, because I’m not even twenty yet, and I don’t know if I’ll ever even want kids.It’s more that she looks so secure and happy, and I hardly remember when I felt that way.
The rest of my burrito hits my plate in a scattered mess.I’m not as hungry now.
While I loved my parents, most of my childhood there was constant fighting.Nothing was ever predictable.Then they were gone, shot by my dad’s heartbroken mistress, which was worse.
Mr.Monroe is with us today, on the other side of PJ.He leans back in his chair and clears his throat.“Uh, so, Ravi, PJ mentioned you were having trouble with your living situation.Do you need a place to stay?We’ve been a little lax about getting the new house furnished, but there’s a sofa.”
“Yeah, and I made sure that shit was comfortable,” PJ pipes up.“His old one sucked.Badly.Not like you do, baby,” he says with a hand on Mr.Monroe’s cheek.
That’s, uh… I mean, good for them?Except already I have to see Mr.Monroe in class three mornings a week and pretend I haven’t overheard PJ on the phone before telling Mr.Monroe to “get his pretty ass home and have it up in the air.”
It’s so hard to focus on Mr.Monroe’s class lectures with that mental picture in my head.
Out of the corner of my eye I can see my teacher blushing hard, but whatever he says in response to PJ’s lewd comment is too quiet for me to hear.Thankfully.
“Uh, thanks, Mr.Monroe?I’m good though.Daniel Corvus is putting me up at the Belle Argo Premiere.It’s really nice.”
Around the table I can hear some whistles and murmurs of appreciation.
“That place is phenomenal,” Michael says from next to Dean.“I stayed for a week once doing a boyfriend experience.Especially nice if you’re on the VIP floor.Top-notch service.Don’t sleep on the gym and the pool while you’re there.Makes the gym at BAU look like that old place where Rocky trained.”
“I haven’t checked out the pool.Maybe you guys want to come over and swim while I’m still there?”As soon as the words are out of my mouth I freeze, because why would they want to come and hang out with me?But then some of them nod, and I relax a little.Sometimes I’m just not sure if I’m overstepping with people.
“It’s a great place,” Mr.Monroe agrees.“My brother Wes is one of the managers there.You can get in touch with him if you need anything while you’re there.Remind him that you know me.”
“Oh, yeah.I talked to him, actually.”I don’t mention the weird ass-kissing vibe and how different it was from the way he usually stares daggers at us all.Even though I still wonder if the guy had a personality transplant.
“Just don’t tell him you know me.”PJ laughs.
“He already knows, silly.He’s met all your friends at this point.”Mr.Monroe gives PJ a playful smack on the shoulder.Then he gives PJ the same look he gives when kids are talking in class before turning back to me.“Seriously, Wes’s issues with PJ aside, if you need something he’ll be happy to help.He’s one of those people who likes to feel needed.He’s staying at the hotel temporarily while going through a divorce, so he’s there most of the time.”
