Chapter 8

• I find myself laughing with Adrian, my mind going to how this place is. The women leave, never come around to the bar. Maybe that should change?
• "So, how is your journey to finding a guy to experiment with?" I laugh, rolling my eyes at his question.
• "Not well, but then again, I haven't really tried. Slowly rethinking the whole thing." Maybe I need to forget the experiment and settle down?
• "So that guy last night wasn't worthy then?" He smiles at me. Alesandro was amazing and didn't need anything like that to help me orgasm. Although I can't say that without dropping myself in it. "You're quiet." I nod, laughing.
• "Yeah, doing that thing where I try to think before I speak." He laughs nodding.
• "Well, that is a shame. I kind of like the whole ‘say the first thing that pops into your mind’. It is obvious you slept with him. Marcello's reaction kind of proved that, although he didn't say. He tried to play it down, which failed massively." I look at him shocked.
• "So there is a good chance I am out of a job soon then?" If he saw, then, of course, there is.
• "He can't get rid of you for who you choose to fuck. Even if it was his brother, he wouldn't and couldn't." He smiles, nudging me slightly.
• "How about doing it in a car here?" His eyes widen, I watch as he begins laughing.
• "Ahh, that's how you get a reaction from Marc then. Honestly? You couldn't wait until you got back to your place?" I laugh looking at him.
• "You do remember I live with a guy who was pretty much my fuck buddy, right?"
• He nods, laughing, obviously realising how that wouldn't work. "Yeah, I kinda forgot that part. He still crying over it?" I nod, laughing.
• "Yeah, I think him being explicit about how we were to go back to just friends, living together screamed he is still hurt. I should have considered my words more." I should have, especially as I need to live with him.
• "And the guy last night? Is he someone to help you?" I smile, my mind replaying last night.
• "To be honest, if last night is anything to go by, I wouldn't need to do all that." Maybe it is just the fact of after months of Clyde, my body got excited at something new?
• "Well, that is good, but obviously won't work long term with your house friend."
• I nod smiling. "Which is why I plan to move." The sooner, the better.
• "Hey." Turning, I see Alesandro. I thought he would just disappear after last night? He got sex. I smile at him, unsure of what to say. "Thought I would come by and see if you finished work?"
• Nodding, I smile. "Sure have."
• "So, how do you feel about a date? Now?" I laugh, looking at him shocked, turning I look at Adrian.
• "I best go. Marc will be waiting for me, no doubt." He smiles and walks off. I look back to Alesandro.
• "So, what is the plan?" I stand up and wait, unsure of what he wants.
• "Food, if you will let me? I know it is nearly midnight, but let's be honest, even a snack after a night of dancing will help." Nodding, I begin walking out with him following. "The place is within walking distance, this way." He proceeds to walk down the street.
• We stop at a small local bar not long after, Alesandro asking what I want to drink before walking off to order.
• Sitting at the table, my eyes glance around the bar. It is small and quiet. There is hardly anyone here. I watch as he walks back, placing down the drinks. "So, do you work there most nights then?" I nod.
• "Now I do, yes. Before, it was one night a week, now it is most nights. Have you been going there often?" He nods smiling.
• "Could say that - the guys like to go there on nights out. It is exclusive, private and stuff. Women are the bonus. I just prefer the privacy." I nod. I can understand that.
• "So, what is the plan for tonight?" I honestly didn't expect to see him again. Sure he gave me his number, but still?
• "A date, as I said. Last night was fun and everything, but not really how I do things normally. It felt weird; hence I decided to invite you on a date." Nodding, I laugh.
• "Sorry, last night was new for me. So I kind of understand." I do. Afterwards, I was shouting at myself. I find myself sitting with Alesandro and talking, smiling and laughing. My parents’ words in my mind - maybe it is time to accept defeat and settle down? I find myself enjoying his company.
• Agreeing to meet tomorrow night again, he drives me home, stopping outside. I smile at him. "I would invite you in, but I have a housemate. Thanks for the drive home." He nods smiling, watching as I get out of the car and walk in—the smile on my face bigger than before.
• "Well, he looked well off." I glance up to see Clyde. Why is he still up? It is nearly two!
• "No idea, not interested in money Clyde, never was. He is nice though." I smile at him, walking towards my bedroom.
• "Nice, well, I guess that is better than how you rate me." His words are sarcastic.
• "That was a mistake, Clyde, and we didn't sleep together tonight. It was a date." Which was unusual after the night before, but then again, maybe because I never expected to see him again?
• "Well, either way, it will make your parents happy - they called. Apparently, you hung up abruptly. Your dad wants to know the bar you work for." I look at him shocked.
• "They called you?" What the hell?
• "They did, and they mentioned visiting soon, apparently to make you see your wild ways need to stop." Oh crap. "You look worried, why?" I need to tell him - while I don't want to, I have to.
• "Because when they come, they get Henry to follow me. That is why Clyde; he is going to follow me to find out where I am working. Who I see, where I go, everything." I moved this far away for a reason.
• "So tell them, then they likely won't show."
• I laugh shaking my head. "Clyde, I can't. I need your help. If they show up, I don't know, send me to the shop for something and keep Henry here for as long as possible so I can go to work." Why would they just show up?
• "Or let him follow you, see the bar you work in and done. It is sorted and over."
• "Clyde, I work at Club Grande." He looks at me confused. He should remember it from the stag night he went on.
• "What is that-" He stops, his head raising as he looks at me, shocked. "Wait, as in at the bar or as a stripper?" I look at him, my head tilted slightly.
• "Does it matter? Even if it was just at the bar, my parents would not let me. Can you imagine the fuss they would cause knowing I worked there? Please, Clyde, I can't lose this job." Sure, I can take the day off, but I have no time if they just show up. I can't just drop out last minute and hope they fill the spaces.
• "So you are a stripper?"
• I look at him, shaking my head. "I didn't say that."
• He laughs slightly. "Even if it was just at the bar. Your words, if you worked just at the bar, you would have said that. How long and why the hell would you do that?"
• "Clyde, I am tired. Will you do it or not?" I look at him, waiting. Hoping he agrees, or I am screwed. "Please, I have already pissed the boss off twice in two days; once more, and I am gone."
• "Is that such a bad thing?" He looks at me, clearly not realising.
• "Clyde, I have no job! I get thrown out, then what? Months until I find a new job, then I can't pay my share in this place." I can't lose the job. I need to move out - that is the only way.
• "I'm sure if you walked into another bar, shaking your ass and taking off your clothes, you wouldn't have an issue."
• "Screw you, Clyde, forget it. By the way, I am moving out." Walking past him, I go to my room, slamming the door. He will tell them, I have a feeling he will tell them where I am working now. I hear the light knock as the door opens.
• "I will do it, only because my family are like yours. When it comes to working anyway, not everything else. So yes, if they show up and you need to go to work, I will - I don't know - lie about something you told me to keep them here and not following."
• I hug him. "Thanks, Clyde, honestly." He nods walking out. Falling backwards, I sink into the bed, my eyes closing too quickly to stop—the tiredness wins.