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3
Lash Out
Juliana
Likethetwoshots of tequila I downed immediately after walking away from Jay, the rest of the night goes down smoothly. Everyone dances and drinks. Tips are good, and since frat bro Chad left, patrons seem to be in a good mood.
For Kelly’s safety, we ask her to get rid of her old phone. Only she doesn’t have one like Chad claimed, which is odd. I don’t know anyone our age who isn’t attached to their phone. I’m starting to get the sense he isn’t her ex. There’s something she’s not talking about. Nevertheless, I give her a new phone from our stockpile and send her home. Gus goes along with her to make sure she gets there safely. He brings up calling the police and filing a report, but I don’t want to bring any more attention to Kelly or that guy. She seems to be in complete agreement too.
I almost regret walking away from Jay like that, but the night’s kept me busy and I haven’t really had time to think about it.
Things begin wrapping up, and by last call it’s around one forty-five. I check in with most of the staff and ensure all of the dancers, bartenders, and security team members are set.
Nightly closing duties are the worst part of the job. Going through and tallying up all of the cash coming in is satisfying. But checking inventory and making sure everything is clean and reset for the next day is brutal. Especially after being on your feet in nine-inch Pleasers all evening. It’s monotonous and meticulous, but it’s worth it at the end of the day. It’s a great outlet for the energy and adrenaline left buzzing under my skin. Plus, I’m a night owl. The late hours don’t really bother me.
I sit in my office going over numbers when Jay walks in and slides into the chair I took up only hours ago with Kelly.
“Julia, we need to talk.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, no.” I’m laying the sarcasm on thick, but Jay’s stern face doesn’t change. He isn’t fucking around. I sigh. “Okay. What’s up?”
“Earlier. The fight. The gun to your head? It can’t happen again.”
“No shit, Sherlock.”
Jay stands, makes his way to the side bar in the room, and pulls out the bottle of absinthe. Crap, this must be bad if he’s pulling that out.
“Julia…”
“Jay,” I parrot.
“Julia, that scared the crap out of me.” It’s not that he won’t look at me that has me worried—Jay doesn’t do feelings face-to-face well—but rather the tremor in his voice. “I can’t lose you. We’ve never had anyone pull a gun. It’s one thing to have drunken men spouting off random shit. But this? I can’t… I…”
“It’s okay though. I’m okay.” I’m absolutely pandering, but I need him to let this go. Otherwise, I’m going to break down, and I don’t have time for that. “You dealt with it. I’m safe. And honestly, it was pretty damn hot to see you take him down like that.”
“Please don’t joke around.”
“I’m not. I’m being dead serious.”
“Me too!” His outburst startles me.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so animated with anger before. It’s been a long time since Jay worked himself up to this extent about something. Seeing him like this is distressing. And a little hot, if I’m being honest.
“Jay. What’s going on? I get it. Today was a lot, but we handled it. You handled it.” I try to keep my tone soothing.
“I know, and I’m thankful nothing truly awful happened. But…”
“But what, Jay?”
“But if something happened to you? I don’t know what I would have done. You’re my best friend. My person. I don’t want to live without you. I can’t.”
“Jay, you’re being a little dramatic. Don’t you think?”
“No. I’m really not. I’m fucking serious about this.” He lets out a harsh breath. “Julia, I won’t lose you over something like a guy waltzing in with a gun, okay?”
There is so much pain in his eyes. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it there. Not since he cut ties with his family.
“Jay, you won’t lose me.”
