Page 91 of Broken Rules
We finish our goodbyes, leaving the hospital with a weight lifted from my shoulders. I got my amazing wife by my side and time that needs to be spent with her. However, Dad’s words couldn’t be more accurate,time is unpredictable, and you’re never promised tomorrow. People are just as unpredictable, and plans don’t always pan out as you’d hope because someone will always be one step ahead—the incoming call from Kylo is proof of that.
THIRTY
ARE YOU JUDGING ME RIGHT NOW?
A lot can happen in seventy-two hours, the unimaginable, getting blindsided, completely thrown off your axis, and scurrying to get back to your center, where life should be. However, you come back different, stronger, wiser, and never take life for granted. All the above happened to Kylo and Sadie. Their life was hurled off their axis, and now they are slowly coming back to center with an addition, having to create a new normal.
Watching them navigate their trauma has brought me to light—not wanting to take life for granted. With Lennox reconciling with his father, I found the courage to do the same. To make a change, and it’s well past time.
Three months, that’s how long it’s been since I stepped foot inside Vivid Vixens. To finally rid me of the place that’s only holding me back. I run my hand through the rack of outfits, some new, others I’ve worn countless times, most of them for only seconds. There’s more construction happening, an expansion to the building I’ve yet to see. However, I have no desire to look since today will be the last time I enter the premises.
The dressing room looks updated, with a fresh coat of paint and new lights above each station. Mine still looks how I left it, the paper dove Jared made tossed into the corner behind my makeup. Roni walks out of the locker room buttoning her pearl blouse, the tight black pencil skirt hugging her toned thighs on top of her pattern stockings. She glances at me and continues to her station to finish her hair and makeup. There’s still tension between us, and I look at her the same time she does me, then she quickly reverts to her task. Pressing my lips together, I exhale a long breath through my nose and then stroll toward her.
Time to fix what I broke.
“Hey, got a minute?”
Her eyes flick up to mine in the mirror while combing her hair back into a low ponytail. “I got several.”
“Alright. I want to clear the air between us.”
Pursuing her lips while applying lipstick, she puts the cover on and stores the tube with the rest of her makeup. “Pretend you didn’t take advantage of me while I was brand new, not giving one fuck about how that made me feel?”
“Yes…I wasn’t in the best head place at the time of my life.” I huff, shaking my head at myself. “Still struggling while I’m here, but that doesn't excuse my behavior. I’m sorry for what I did to you. Truly.”
She’s still looking through the reflection, pressing her lips together before turning toward me. “You want to start fresh? Then work this session with me.”
My brows furrow. “I’m done, Roni. I’m only here to fix my wrongs, and I’m out.”
Her eyes gloss over, and she blows out a shaky breath, blinking a few times as she leans onto her station. “Please. A lot has changed, and I don’t know if I can do this session alone.”
“Why—”
“Clock should be ticking,” Julianne says, strolling into the dressing room in her red pantsuit. “Oh, Evie…I didn’t know you were here.”
Roni pleads, and I sigh. “One session and I’m hitting the road.”
A small smile lifts her cheeks, and she nods. “Thanks. Dress like me with red lace and no panties underneath.”
“Alright.”
“Well, you girls better get a move on it then.”
I look at the time on the wall, only five minutes until noon, and Roni walks toward the curtains. “Meet you there?”
“Yeah.”
Julianne takes hold of my hand as I walk toward the locker room. “You’ve been gone a while, kid. Are you prepared for the changes? Read over the new rules in the app?”
“I will,” I lie—doesn’t matter since I’m leaving after this performance. How much could change in a few weeks?
She blows a heavy breath, seeing through my lie, and whispers, “Shit.”
Quickly getting ready, I place my phone and purse inside my locker, then leave for the main floor. Gin glances at me as I pass the bar, the next person I need to speak with, and I pass the regulars who come to vivid on their lunch breaks, up the stairs to room three.
Entering through the employee door, I walk toward Roni, who’s holding a stack of papers by the doorway, and she looks at me before sauntering into the room like she owns it. I smirk, walking in a moment later, and my smile falls off my face entirely as I stay by the door, staring at a man sitting behind the desk in a black two-piece suit. Roni raises a brow at me when she looks back, nodding her head to enter further into the room.
Why is there a man here?
