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“There were also three copies of that demo tape that Chase had a copy of. Kailey must have been making copies and spreading them around, trying to help get me some attention, I guess.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s because of her my songs might be on an actual album.”
“Yep. Though the talent is all yours, baby.”
“She made me record that demo. I didn’t want to, but she talked me into it. I used to always give myself shit for letting her talk me into things. I guess it wasn’t always bad.”
“Nope.”
She lifted up and looked me in the eye. “You’re not saying much.”
“I’m letting you talk. I’m listening, baby.”
She sighed. “Everyone always said she did nothing but drag me down. But I can see now that that’s not true. She was the only one that believed in me. She pushed me to make that tape. If she hadn’t, this wouldn’t be happening.”
I smiled. “You saw the good in her, too, you know? Although everyone told you there was none. You never gave up on her. I’m sure that meant a lot.”
She nodded, eyes leaking, chin trembling. “This might go somewhere, Jesse.”
“They were great fuckin’ songs. Both of ‘em. That’s a talented band. They’re going somewhere so yeah, things are goin’ someplace for you, too. I know it.”
She snuggled in. “I never wanted to be on stage singing. But I’ve always hoped I’d someday hear my songs on the radio. If I get to hear just one, just once… it’d be a dream come true.”
“I’d lay money down you’re gonna hear a lot of them on the radio.”
“Thanks for believing in me, too.”
“Wasn’t hard to do, G,” I replied.
I stroked her back until I heard her breathing even out.
26
Three quarters of the club had hangovers today. But my hostage had the most gorgeous smile on her face as she hung out with several of the girls in the loft on the second floor. It was filled with couches, beanbag chairs, had a big television and a couple gaming consoles. It was set up expected to be a gaming lounge for the guys. But in the few weeks since we’d all moved into the new clubhouse, it’d already been nicknamed the Lady loft.
I’d been passing through on my way downstairs when my girl waved me over.
“Bunch of girls are goin’ to Jenna’s pole dancing class,” Gigi said. “You cool if I go?”
“What’s this?” I asked, intrigued.
I knew Jenna liked to pole-dance. I hadn’t seen it yet, though. I was surprised she still went, remembered clearly the last time I heard her talking about going. Rider got shot that day by the fuckhead Jackals.
Jenna piped up. “My instructor is having an open house today to try and drum up new students. I told her I’d bring some people for a free try-out class.”
Gigi had told me this morning she’d been invited to the group chat with all the girlfriends and wives in the club. The way she’d told it was as if she was stoked to finally be invited to sit at the cool girl table in the high school cafeteria.
“You wanna go, go,” I said. “How are you all getting there?”
“I was gonna ask if you could drive us in the Mystery Machine,” Jenna said. “If you’re busy, I can ask someone else. I was gonna ask Scooter but Deanna is coming, so…” She winced.
“I can do it,” I agreed. “I’ll bring a second as security backup.”
I knew just who to invite. It’d make the fucker’s day.
Jenna clapped her hands. “Yay. As long as you guys stay outside. Can you take us in about three hours? We’ll be there for about one and a half.”
“Yeah, no worries,” I said, knowing I would absolutely not be staying outside.
My girl had a huge grin on her face. After seeing her rapt attention at The Playpen, I wasn’t surprised she wanted to see if she could learn.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” Pippa groaned from one of the couches. “I’m so hungover.”
“Well,” Jenna said, “This is why Rider’s downstairs making us all a big greasy breakfast. We eat, sop up all that alcohol, take a one-hour nap, then we go.”
“Ugh,” Pippa groaned.
“We all go,” Jenna pressed.
Pippa stuck her tongue out at her.
***
Beyond taking Bront with me and the girls in the Mystery Machine, Deacon, Rider, and Spence all decided to come.
The Valentine brothers showed after the girls were inside and snuck into the dark hallway with me and Bront.
The room had six poles. There were twelve women there. Gigi with Jenna, Pippa, Ella, and Deanna. Unfortunately, Sara Ford was there with two women. Then there were three other women sitting together that didn’t seem part of either crew. I didn’t know if Jenna had invited Sara personally, if she was part of the girls’ group chat, or how she wound up there, but I was hoping my girl’s newfound backbone would come into play if Sara pulled any bullshit.
