Page 41 of Broken Rules
She takes off into the dressing room, and I sigh. Gin abandoning the liquor as she stands across from me behind the bar. “What are you talking about? It’s New Year’s Eve. You can’t not be here.”
“Well, Enzo got me a ring girl gig in Vegas—”
“Vegas? You’re needed here, not there.”
I place my hands on my hips. “I already took the job. My hotel and flights are paid in full, so I can’t back out now. There are more than enough girls to cover my shift.”
Gin pinches the bridge of her nose. “It’s New Year’s Eve. You, of all people, know how busy we are tomorrow—how many customers are coming to seeyou, and not only for voyeur.”
“I don’t care. I really don’t,” I say, shrugging my shoulders, then walk toward the dressing room. “Fire me for all I care, but we all know you won’t.”
“Everly—”
Heading for my locker, I take out my street clothes, tears stinging my eyes as I drag my jeans on and slip my arms through my button-up shirt. They flow so freely now as I roughly wipe them away. The hard shell I once built to hold my emotions is broken, along with the rules surrounding my life. Grabbing my phone, I sit at my station, propping my feet up along the ledge. No fucks given about responsibilities, about Vivid, anything—ready to leave for the night, but I need to wait for Sadie to let her know. So I scroll through MMA videos to brush up on the sport until Sadie appears in the mirror.
“Is Lex here?” I ask when she gets closer.
“No. Kylo dropped me off today.”
I lock the screen and drop the phone on my lap. “Fuck. Okay. I’m sorry, Sadie, but I need to get away now.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about me. Kylo’s picking me up tonight.” She walks in front of me, crossing her arms while leaning on the table next to my feet. “I think you should do what’s best for you, Evie. If you’re not happy here, why don’t you leave?”
The back of my throat burns, more fucking tears, and I quickly wipe my cheeks clean. “Vivid is all I know—I just need to focus on something else for a second. See my cousin Enzo. I’ll be fine by Wednesday.”
“Are you sure?”
I stare into the distance, then nod. “Yeah.”
“Okay. I have to get back to work, but please call me if you need anything, even if it’s just to talk.”
Standing from my seat, I draw her in for a hug, and she holds me tight, rubbing my back which is just what I need right now. “Love you,” I whisper before we part ways.
“Love you, too. Don’t forget to let loose and have fun.”
“New Year’s Eve, in Vegas, you know I’m letting loose—the fights after parties are wild.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Maybe keep yourself reeled, just a tad.”
A genuine laugh leaves me, and I smirk. “Don’t worry. Anyway, I’ll be with Enzo and Lex. I doubt either of them will let me get shitfaced.”
I’m unsure if she believes me, but she accepts my answer anyway. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”
“Let me get out of here before Gin tries locking a ball and chain on me.”
We both look at the doorway as Jared strolls inside the room, and a chill hits me. Did Gin tell him already? His intense stares land on me as he leans on the doorway, and I turn to button my shirt while Sadie walks toward him.
“Hey, can I speak with you? It’s about one of the employees—”
“No. Get your shit, and leave my club. You no longer work here.”
“What?” Sadie and I say simultaneously.
“Why are you firing me? I’ve done nothing wrong.”
He chuckles and pushes off the frame, standing before her. “I gotta say, you got heavy balls to continue stealing from me.”
My brows furrow—what is he talking about?
