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No one else was here just yet, all of them were doing their aftercare. For some people, that consisted of a wind-down in a room alone or with their chosen partner. For Gale, she usually took an extended shower, had a snack, and then we’d usually talk about the performance. Go over what we liked and what we didn’t. I just hoped she would come back soon and put me out of my misery.
“Our deal never stated that Icouldn’t,just that—”
“You get it okayed with me first,” she said with a pointed stare.
“You keep saying no,” I pointed out. “When was the last time you actuallyletme perform? Did you forget that’s how you met me in the first place? Youknewthis was what I did going into it.”
She let out a gasp. “Then shouldn’t you respect that I don’t want you doing it? Not only that, but you also haven’t been giving me a heads up before you spread your legs for someone.Payton, really? You know she’s slept with every willing pussy out there, don’t you?”
I stood straight up, closing the space between us. I could handle a lot, but I wouldn’t let her talk down to me like that.
“I won’t let you shame me,” I spat at her. I wouldn’t let anyone do that. It had taken me years to come to terms with what I liked and had been shamed enough by—I didn’t even let my thoughts wander there. I was already getting too worked up, going down memory lane would only ensure that I’d do something I’d regret.
She let out a huff and rolled her eyes as if what I said was an annoyance to her.
“I thought we had something good going for us? What happened? You were so eager before, but now it feels like you want to find anyonebutme.”
Well, at least you hit the nail right on the head.
It was my own cowardice that didn’t want to end this. As much of an asshole as she could be at times, I still didn’t want to hurt her. She wasn’t a bad person, just… we weren’t on the same wavelength.
She had been a trial for me. A look at what a normal relationship should look like. What it wassupposedto feel like. After years of not allowing myself to get close to anyone, this was supposed to be an introduction back into dating.
I’d like to think we both failed spectacularly.
She was the one who sought me out. At first, I thought she was shy, and that’s why she waited so long to come up to me.
Later, I would come to learn that she was in a relationship before this, and when it ended, she propositioned me into what we had now.
“I miss performing,” I admitted with a sigh. “I need it. It gets me excited. It lets me try new things. At the end of the day, it’s somethingIenjoy, and that should be enough for you to support me in doing it.”
She let out a huff and crossed her arms over her chest. Just like an overgrown toddler having a tantrum.
Some parts I got. I could have done better with communication. I could have gotten her permission beforehand. But the rest was getting too much for me.
“I’m not enough for you? Too boring, then?”
I winced at her accusation.What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?That I had to seek out other people because every single time I left our room I was unsatisfied? I opened my mouth to speak, but I was saved by Sloan ducking into the changing room.
Thank God.
Her eyes widened when she saw the two of us. “Hey, I was here to talk to you about the performance schedule, but maybe I’ll—”
“I’ll text you,” I said quickly, sending Bailey a smile. “Better yet, let’s meet? Tomorrow in our room?”
Her eyes lingered on mine before she nodded. I knew there was so much she wanted to say, but that would be tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, at least she could sleep it off, andhopefullyshe wouldn’t be as mad.
“See you,” she muttered under her breath and stormed past Sloan, who just barely had enough time to jerk out of her way.
Sloan sent her a shocked look before looking back at me. “What crawled up her ass?” She jutted out her thumb, pointing down the hallway Bailey stormed down.
“The usual,” I said with a forced smile. “Though, to be honest, it’s mostly my fault.”
Sloan shook her head and crossed the room. I had the urge to pull her into a hug, but she must have seen it on my face and took the initiative to do it herself.
The warmth of her body was familiar, along with the cologne she wore. I couldn’t help but sigh into it. Sometimes a person just needed a hug, and Sloan was exactly the person I wanted one from.
“Long day?” she asked.
