Series: Sean Moriarty
Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
I can’t afford a car yet, and even if I could I wouldn’t know how to drive it.
My mother never owned a car and Kyle didn’t think it was worth the trouble to teach me.
Why spend all the money to add me to the car insurance when he could just drive me when I needed it?
God, how stupid I was to believe that.
I was so stupid to believe all the bullshit he fed me.
Am I making the same mistake trusting Jude to keep his word?
Absolutely.
But I can’t go backward.
I can only go forward.
Until I figure out a better plan.
Doubt, fear, and nausea churning in my stomach, the bus ride goes by way too fast. Before I know it, I’m pulling open the backdoor of Cloud 69 and scurrying into the dressing room.
I’m all by myself as I get ready. The dressing room strangely empty and quiet.
Leaning towards the mirror taking up an entire wall, swiping mascara on my lashes, I attempt to get my thoughts together.
Attempt to figure out what I'll do if Jude shows up.
The very thought of facing him again, though, makes me so nervous I want to throw up.
I’m ready to run to the bathroom when Lana appears behind me in the mirror.
“Oh my god, Eden. Did you hear about Rodney?” she asks in an excited rush.
Stiffening, I shake my head and play dumb.
“He accidentally cut his hand off!” she exclaims and takes the stool beside me.
Staring at our reflections in the mirror, I make my eyes go wide and ask, “What? How?”
Lana’s lips thin into a frown. “He did it while working on his car.”
It’s no secret Rodney and I didn’t get along. To act upset would be suspicious so I frown with her. “That sucks…”
“He won’t be back to work for a couple weeks. Until then, Lucifer’s men will be watching the club.”
“Lucifer’s men?”
Lana picks up a tube of lipstick and twists the lid off. “Yeah, the ones that were here last night. Did you see them?”
“I think so…” I say tentatively, afraid to play it too dumb.
Stabbing my mascara wand back into the tube, I start to stand up.
But her next words drop me right back down to my ass. “Well, one of them saw you. He’s been asking for you all night.”
“What?”
Lana smiles before she touches her lips up. “He won’t let anyone serve him. Won’t let any of the girls near him. And trust me, those bitches have been trying.”
Pressing her lips together, she smacks them a couple of times before she turns towards me. “You must have made quite the impression.”
“I…”
I don’t even know what to say.
Is it Jude? It has to be Jude.
I hope it’s Jude.
Because if it’s one of the others, I’m truly fucked.
Setting the tube of lipstick down, Lana stands up. “This is it, Eden. This is your ticket out of here.”
A fresh wave of nausea rolls over me and my entire body feels numb.
Ticket out of here?
More like my ticket straight to Hell.
Reaching down, Lana takes me by the hand and pulls me to my feet.
When I only stare at her, trying my damnedest not to pass out, she looks at me meaningfully. “A lot of girls would kill to have this chance.”
Gripping my shoulders, she turns me towards the door. “Get out there and grab him by the balls. Don’t let him get away.”
Before I can protest or correct her, she gives me a little shove.
I love Lana, I truly do.
And I understand what she’s trying to accomplish.
In her mind, she’s looking out for me.
But… fuck…
If she only knew the truth, I don’t think she would be so quick to push me into death’s arms.
Death. That’s exactly what Jude has become to me.
My unavoidable, impending death.
I’m going to die stupidly, just like my father.
And Jude doesn’t look like the kind of man who would grant mercy and make it quick.
No, after what I saw with Rodney, I can see him dragging it out. Relishing every moment.
Walking me out to the bar, Lana whispers in my ear before she gives me another shove. “Don’t fuck this up or I’ll kick your ass.”
It’s already too late for that, I think as I stumble forward.
The club isn’t nearly as packed tonight as it was last night.
And my section is completely empty save for one table.
Table seven.
The table where Jude is sitting.
He doesn’t notice me at first.
Shifting in his seat, he looks both antsy and bored. Like he has better places to be.
Checking his watch then his phone, he glances at the front doors. Then repeats the whole process.
And a little glimmer of hope flickers to life inside me.
Maybe he’s only here to make sure I kept my promise, I lie to myself.
Once he sees me with his own eyes, he might be satisfied and leave.
I was probably up all night worrying for nothing.