Текст книги "Forever a Jett Girl "
Автор книги: Meghan Quinn
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 22 страниц)
19
“Brand New Me”
Goldie
Arrogant, self-centered, asshole!
I busted through my old bedroom door to see my art supplies packed up, my clothes in bags, and my makeup sitting in boxes. The man didn’t even give me a chance.
I hated him; I fucking hated him.
My heart sunk to the floor the moment I found out that he thought I would cheat on him…that he would think I turned to someone else when he was all I ever needed.
All I wanted was to be the one who took care of him, who made him happy, who made him come alive and shed the walls he’d put up years ago.
No matter how hard you try, how much passion and love you give someone else, they might never change. I thought I’d made it quite clear to Jett that I was the only one for him, that I wanted nothing more than to be the woman by his side, but, apparently, he couldn’t get that through his thick-headed skull.
Unfortunately, anything I had taken with me to Rex’s house was a lost cause now, since I wouldn’t be going back there, so I had to pack up some clothes, grab my personal items I left behind, and get the hell out of this house, because the longer I stayed, the unhealthier I could feel myself get.
My body wanted to retreat back upstairs and beg to be a part of his life, for him to love me the way I love him, but I refused to lower myself to such a demeaning state. For once in my life, I needed to figure out what I wanted, not what someone else wanted or what I needed to do to stay afloat.
I had money now, thanks to my short stint as a Jett Girl; I needed to make use of it.
It was depressing, seeing my room so empty, as if my time at the Lafayette Club meant nothing.
Slowly, I went around and gathered some clothes, make-up, and shoes. Opening my night stand drawer, I took my credit card that was connected to the account Jett set up for me. I never thought I would touch it, because when I was at the Club, I didn’t need it. Everything was taken care of for me, but now I needed it, and I knew the first thing that I was going to do with that card.
I packed up a few of my art supplies, mostly the ones I came to the club with, and then turned to look at the room that held so many memories for me.
There were multiple times I’d stayed at the Lafayette Club when I’d threatened to leave, where I was on the verge of packing up and taking off, but I was always stopped. Now, I knew there was no stopping me. This was the last time for me in the club.
You can’t make someone love you, no matter how hard you try.
With a deep breath, I took one last look at the yellow room that sheltered me, my sanctuary for a short period of time, and turned to walk out my door when I slammed into Lyla and Kace.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Lyla said, with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Please don’t, Lyla, just let me go.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. What the hell is going on? All we know is there was some big bust down at Rex’s place.”
Taking a deep breath, I said, “There was, we were all thrown in jail. Jett bailed me out and left me there. I came back here to talk to him, but he wanted nothing to do with me, because Rex sent him a picture of what he thought was me in a compromising position. Jett believed Rex, and that’s that. I’m out.”
“That picture wasn’t you?” Kace asked.
I flashed an angry glare at Kace. “What did I tell you the other day, Kace? Do you really think I would do that to Jett?”
“Then, tell me it wasn’t you.”
“It wasn’t me,” I shouted. “Fuck, why doesn’t anyone believe me around here?” Frustration overtook me and tears started to form in my eyes once again. I hated crying, but when I became so overwhelmed with frustration, I couldn’t help it.
“I believe you,” Lyla comforted with a hug. I looked over at Kace, who had a distressed look on his face, like he wanted to believe me, but it was hard for him to do so.
Pulling away, I walked over to Kace and pushed his chest. “What is wrong with you? Why are you having a hard time believing me? I can see it all over your face.”
“It looked like you, Goldie.”
“How would you know? You’ve never seen me bent over like that.” Kace winced at my nasty tone. “But I guess you would take Jett’s side. We’re not friends, right, Kace?” He was about to speak when I stopped him. “Save it. Not that I need to explain, but that was a picture of Mercy, one of the girls who worked at Masquerade. She might look very similar to me, but she was missing one thing. My birthmark on her lower back. Check the picture again, Kace.”
I shook my head and pushed past Kace.
“Goldie, don’t leave,” Lyla called out.
I turned and shrugged my shoulders as I looked at her. “There’s nothing left here for me, Lyla. I need to find out who I am, and I’m not going to do that living here, pretending like the man upstairs actually cares about me.”
“Where are you going to stay?”
“I’ll figure something out.”
“Stay with me,” Lyla said, moving forward. “I’m done here. I was only here to help because you were gone. I don’t need this.”
I glanced up at Kace and noticed how his features turned from confused to troubled at Lyla’s words. It was clear he cared for her, maybe more than he cared for me.
“No, you do need this, Lyla. You can’t stay at Kitten’s Castle forever; you’re better than that. Stay here, earn an education, and start a new life. You deserve it.”
“But, Goldie…”
“Lyla, I love you, I really do, but you have to let me go. I’ll be fine. I’ve been through hell and back; this is just a minor speed bump in the shitty life I’ve had.”
The lies that were pouring out of my mouth were convincing enough for Lyla, but did nothing to affect my mood. I wanted to believe that leaving this house was a good move…that I would be happy, but I knew I wouldn’t. Jett owned me; he owned every piece of me, and getting over him would be the hardest thing I ever did, harder than saying goodbye to my parents, and harder than selling my body to make it in the world. Jett Colby was someone you just didn’t get over; Jett Colby was a staple in my life, an unyielding presence that will forever be a part of my heart.
With a sad smile, I turned away and headed down the stairs, secretly praying Jett would come after me. That he would come flying down the stairs and stop me from leaving, beg for my forgiveness, but he never came. He never showed up; he never begged.
***
“He will be right out, ma’am. You can have a seat if you would like.”
“Thank you,” I replied, as I took a seat on one of the worn out blue chairs.
My mind was still reeling from the emotional trauma I was just put through. I was cut in half by Jett not trusting me, but the icing on top of the cake was Kace not believing me. We’ve always had a love hate relationship, but we’ve always been honest with each other, so the fact that he automatically thought I would turn my back so quickly against Jett hurt.
A buzz rang out in the sterile room I was sitting in and a door opened. Wearing a borrowed shirt and the same pants he’d been wearing earlier was Blane, but instead of the normal mischievous look on his face, he was more somber, concerned.
“Hey,” I said, as I stood up.
Blane stopped in his tracks when he saw me, shocked at my being the one in the waiting room.
“Goldie, what are you doing here?”
Twisting my hands together, I answered honestly. “I couldn’t leave you behind. I feel like we were in this together, and we have to finish it together.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say,” he replied, while pulling on the back of his neck. “Did you post my bail?”
“I did.” It was the first purchase I made with my Jett Girl money, and I was damn proud of the decision. Everyone deserves a second chance, and it was Blane’s turn to make a new life for himself, a life without constraints.
Smiling at me, he walked toward me and wrapped me in his arms. “Thank you,” he whispered near my ear, sending goosebumps down my skin.
“You’re welcome,” I replied, while hugging him.
I didn’t know Blane that well, but what I did know, I liked. He was a good guy who’d made some bad decisions. Not everyone is perfect.
Blane wrapped his hand around my shoulder and we walked out of the Police Department together. We were greeted by the muggy night, which only New Orleans could offer. The night was just beginning for many, but for me, I was ready to call it, to bury my head in a pillow and end this horrible day.
“How did you get out?” Blane asked, as we started walking toward the French Quarter.
“Jett, he posted bail.”
“So, why aren’t you with him right now then?”
Cringing, I said, “That’s not going to happen.”
“Why not?” Blane pressed.
“Classic Rex, the scumbag, sent Jett a picture of him and Mercy together. The picture could have easily been me, since we look so similar. Clearly, Jett thought I was with Rex, and wanted nothing to do with me. We said some pretty bad things to each other, and I left, for good. He didn’t come after me.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes,” I nodded. “I’m done with the Lafayette Club, I’m done with being a Jett Girl, and I’m done with Jett Colby. I feel like he’s caused me nothing but heartache.”
That wasn’t true; the man had caused me a lot more than heartache. He taught me how to live again, how to enjoy life and live it to its fullest. He taught me that people are allowed to have second chances and can actually climb out of the pit of despair they might have fallen into. Jett changed everything about my life; he showed me what it was like to hand my heart over to someone. He was everything to me.
“Seems like you still care about him,” Blane pointed out, as we walked down Canal Street.
“Of course I do,” I sighed. “It’s hard not to when you love someone so deeply. It’s hard to just clean them out of your life. It’s going to take some time.”
“I can believe that. Was he the one who busted Rex?”
“I’m pretty sure. He didn’t come out and say it, but it’s kind of obvious. He knew everything that happened.” I thought about our fight and sighed again. “I also kind of messed up.”
“How so?”
“Jett is a man who needs to have control over every aspect of his life, and by me leaving, I took that away from him.”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” Blane interrupted me. “You left to help protect him, to find a solution. By no means should he be mad at that.”
“You don’t get it,” I argued. “You’re a dom; you need control…”
“In the bedroom.”
“Not in real life?”
“Well, I guess in some ways,” he admitted.
“Jett needs it in all ways. By me taking charge, in his head it looks like I didn’t trust him to protect me, to take care of things.”
“Is that how you felt?”
“No,” I said softly. “I just…ugh, I just wanted everything to be normal. I’m so beyond impatient. It seemed like things were never going to end, and I wasn’t sure how much more of the hiding I could take. I thought that if I went out there, tried to find a solution, I might be able to make things better. Instead, everything just blew up in my face.”
“Seems like we should be walking in the opposite direction, toward the Garden District.”
I shook my head no. “No, as much as my heart is begging for me to go back to him, my brain is winning out. I need to figure out what I want outside of Jett Colby, what I want to do with my life, because stripping down for men and offering them lap dances is not going to pay the bills forever.”
“I can respect that. So, where to now?”
We stopped in front of our destination and Blane gave me a quizzical look. With two knocks on the door, I waited for it to be opened.
I could hear someone running down the stairs to open the door. Locks clicked open and light spilled through the entrance. Standing in only a pair of sweats, looking fine, as usual, was Diego.
“Goldie, what are you doing here?” he asked, as he rubbed the top of his head and held onto the door frame.
“We need jobs and a place to stay. Can you help us out?”
Diego sized up Blane and smiled.
“I think we can arrange something.”
19
“Say You Love Me”
Jett
“Are you nervous?” Kace asked me.
“No, have I ever been nervous?”
“When you went to ask out Christina in high school you were. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sweat so much.”
I gave him a pointed look. “I was fifteen and she was a senior with a rack that had every guy in school sweating. Pretty sure I have an excuse for that.”
“Still, you were nervous,” Kace said with a smirk.
I shrugged and looked out the window. For some reason, New Orleans looked less exciting than normal. I used to enjoy the sights and sounds only true natives of the town could appreciate, but right now, everything seemed so bland. I tried to ignore the reason, why I’d been walking around the club for the past week like a ghost, as if my soul was sucked right out of me, but I knew the reason.
I threw away the best thing that ever happened to me.
It wasn’t hard to see. I destroyed the trust we’d built, I let my stubbornness get in the way, and I was blinded by pride. I deserved the loss of Goldie.
“Are you ever going to talk about what happened?” Kace pressed.
The incessant best friend of mine wouldn’t drop the subject of what happened at the club and why Goldie left. I knew he knew exactly why Goldie left, because I heard him talking to her near her bedroom with Lyla, but classic Kace wouldn’t let it drop there.
“It’s over; why bring up the past?” I asked, while adjusting the cuffs of my shirt.
“Because you’re not the same person. When I’m in one of my self-induced exiles, you make me talk about it.”
“That’s because I’m afraid you’re going to do something stupid, like commit suicide,” I smirked at him.
“I wouldn’t make it that easy on you. Come on, man, just fucking tell me. I hate all this whiney bullshit you’ve been putting the whole house through.”
“Whiney? Last time I checked, I don’t whine.”
“Well, you sure as hell aren’t a shining beacon caressing us with angel kisses and cuddling clouds.”
I eyed Kace up and down. “Lose your balls somewhere on this ride?”
“Sometimes, I think I did,” Kace said, while looking out the window.
“Lyla giving you a run for your money?” I asked, grateful for the subject change.
Kace rubbed his forehead in frustration. “She’s infuriating. She doesn’t ever listen. It’s like directions go in one ear and out the other, and the worst part about it is she’s influencing the other Jett Girls. When did we lose control?”
I shook my head and laughed. I knew the answer to that, the minute Goldie walked in the house. She shifted the atmosphere of the entire club. The girls always held the cards, but she turned into the fucking dealer.
“I think you know the answer to that.”
Kace wiped his mouth with his hand. “I told you Goldie was a bad choice,” he smirked.
“You were right when you said she wasn’t Jett Girl material; she is so much more than that. She’s a complex twist of sunshine and rain, a bright spot on a dull day, a compact ball of fucking sass and defiance.”
“But, you can’t help but love her,” Kace pressed.
Looking out the window, I nodded my head. He was right, I couldn’t help but love her and every little defiant and caring bone in her body. I was so fucking in over my head when it came to Goldie that I didn’t know how to handle the feelings running through me.
I wanted to protect her, dominate her, care for her, and love her, but I had no clue how to do those things, because for the first time in my life, instead of me being the dominant, Goldie was. She owned every last inch of me, and right about now, I would do anything she said to be with her. Fucking anything.
“Tell me you have a plan.”
“Plan for what?”
We pulled up to our destination and I fixed my jacket, making sure everything was in place. The driver walked around to our side of the car to open the door.
“Don’t play dumb with me,” Kace said. “Do you have a plan to win Goldie back?”
The door to the car opened, and I was greeted with an onslaught of press. Before stepping out of the car, I turned to Kace and said, “I always have a plan.”
Adjusting my tie, I stepped out of the car with Kace following me close behind as I weaved my way through the press, who found it necessary to shove microphones in my face every chance they got.
When George called me this morning about a press conference for Lot 17, I was more than accommodating because I wanted everyone to know about my plans for the space. What I wasn’t looking forward to were the questions involving my father and Rex Titan.
After the police invaded Masquerade, they were granted access to the inner workings of their business, their books, and everything involved with their bank accounts. Some city elites were brought down, and their reputations were tarnished, but what I wasn’t expecting was for Rex and my dad to have a lot more hidden in their closets than I thought.
When I sent Zane into Masquerade, I knew we were going to expose the prostitution ring Rex and my dad were running, but I never expected for them to be exposed for embezzlement and a grand Ponzi scheme that didn’t only affect some of the people of New Orleans, but also citizens around the country.
The findings were complete news to me, but when I thought about it, it all made sense. My dad wasn’t good at managing his money, which is why he was so desperate to obtain Lot 17; it was going to set up a lucrative business for him, using the people’s money and the business model of the Lafayette Club, but with a perverted and highly illegal twist.
Investigations were still underway, but for right now, my dad and Rex were facing charges for prostitution, embezzlement, and fraudulent investments. Pretty much, they were sitting pretty on some prison time. I was looking forward to the day they would pay their much-deserved dues.
George met me in the back of the room where the press conference was being held. We shook hands, and I could tell by the small smirk on his face that he was a very happy man.
“George, you’re looking well,” I greeted him.
“Mr. Colby, good to see you on such a joyous occasion.” He glanced over and saw Kace and stuck out his hand. “Mr. Haywood, a pleasure.”
“Hi, George. Good to see you. I can’t believe you’re still hanging around with this guy,” Kace said, while gripping my shoulder.
“I could say the same about you,” he smirked.
“He pays me. Have to milk the cow as much as I can.”
“Milk the cow?” I asked, while raising my eyebrow.
Kace just shrugged, making George chuckle to himself.
“It’s good to see a friendship likes yours stay intact. I’ve seen so many friendships dissolve throughout the years.”
“I’m too invested by now to let go,” Kace responded, being more playful than usual.
“Don’t let him fool you,” I cut in. “The man is obsessed with me.”
George threw his head back and laughed. “Never a moment with Jett Colby when he isn’t full of himself.”
“Why, George, was that a dig at my personality?” I acted offended.
He patted my cheek and said, “Never, my boy, only affection.”
“Mr. Colby, are you ready?” someone asked, who was helping run the press conference.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded my head and walked toward the lights of the stage.
The room was full of press with cameras, microphones, voice recorders, and columnists with poised pens, just waiting to take notes and ask questions. They looked like hungry vultures, and I was about to feed them the meal of the century.
George informed me before the conference that I was supposed to address the press with my own statement, and then take questions afterwards. It would be pretty simple, and thankfully I was seasoned when it came to handling the press, so if they started to become too invasive, I would be cutting the press conference short. There was only so much I divulged, and right now, I knew my personal life was up for attack, since my father was looking at such serious charges.
The room fell silent as I approached the podium. Lights shone down on me, blocking out most of the faces in the crowd, making it easier to recite the speech I’d spent the morning memorizing.
“Good afternoon. Thank you all for taking time out of your day to be here with me. As you all know, Lot 17 is a prime location in this great city of New Orleans. I’ve been very zealous at making it known that this property has been of great interest to me. Last week, I was awarded the property through a bidding process and can now tell you how ecstatic I am about acquiring the property. I am known in this city for my real estate investments and business prowess, but I’m afraid I have been quiet when it comes to my philanthropic work. I’ve done this because I don’t believe in gloating about my charity work. I am in a position where I can spread my wealth, and I believe doing so in silence is a proper way to conduct business, but there are times when you need to talk about such charity work to bring the community together, to make the citizens of New Orleans a cohesive force. That being said, I’m here to announce my plans for Lot 17.”
Taking a second to let my words sink in, I paused and then continued.
“Lot 17 will belong to the community, to the children of New Orleans, to those in need of second chances. I plan on making a park with ball fields, soccer fields, walking paths, and a community center, where we will offer free classes ranging from exercise to art for members of the center. Membership will be free to the citizens of New Orleans; all we ask is that you keep the parks clean, you encourage each other, and stay positive. We want to encourage kids and adults to explore different avenues of recreation, whether it be cooking, painting, or even joining a team. It’s time to give back to the community, the same community who raised me from a baby to the man I am today. I want every family in this city, no matter their social standing or race, to have a chance to grow and experience life in a way they might not have without the community center. I am announcing the plans for Lot 17 because I want to engage the community, ask for volunteers, and help spread the word about the new opportunities we will be offering to the city of New Orleans. Thank you for listening to me today; are there any questions?”
The room erupted as press raised their hands and shouted out their questions. The moderator of the conference called on individuals to ask questions.
The first question came from a brown haired man with glasses. “How will this community center be funded?”
“Funding won’t be an issue…that is for me to worry about, and me alone.”
“Does that mean you will be funding it yourself?”
Annoyed with his question, I answered curtly. “Yes, next question.”
“Mr. Colby, when do you foresee the community center opening?”
“By the end of the year, hopefully by fall. I’ve been in communication with multiple contractors in the city, making sure they know what kind of priority Lot 17 will be. They are well aware of my time line. I have full confidence we will be seeing a community center soon.”
The moderator called on an elderly gentleman in the front, who had been chewing on his pen for the whole conference.
“Mr. Colby, can you release a statement on the investigation your father is going through?”
That was quick, I thought to myself, as I geared up for the question.
“My father and I have been estranged for years now. He’s conducted business in a way I didn’t want to emulate, so when I was eighteen, I separated myself from him. I believe in the judicial system and know that if the findings in the way my father has conducted business are correct, then I expect for him to be punished appropriately.”
“Did you know about his embezzling and Ponzi scheme?”
“Like I said, my father and I have been estranged since I turned eighteen. I was unaware of his financial status and the inner workings of his business. Next question.”
“Mr. Colby, you are known to have a strangled relationship with a Mr. Rex Titan. Are you happy to see the recent findings of the way he conducted business?”
“I find it improper to talk negatively about relationships I have with other individuals in a public setting.”
A blonde raised her hand and asked, “Is it true you and Miss Keylee Zinc are engaged?” The local gossip magazine. I refrained from rolling my eyes.
“Miss Zinc is a wonderful woman, but we are just friends. Any rumors about Miss Zinc being connected with me romantically are just that, rumors. Our relationship is a strictly platonic one.”
“Are you in a relationship with someone else?” she asked, pressing her luck.
“I don’t believe that is the media’s business. I am a private man and would like to stay that way. If there aren’t any other questions about Lot 17, then I believe I will end this press conference.”
Before I ended, I answered a few more questions about Lot 17, and then thanked the press one more time before taking off. Kace stood on the side of the stage, waiting for me, with his hands in his suit pockets and a smirk on his face.
“Community center?” he asked with a questioning brow. “I thought you were just going to make a park.”
“Plans changed,” I said, while I thanked the assistant who handed me a bottle of water. Both Kace and I walked toward the waiting town car, said our goodbyes to George, and took off.
“When did your plans change?” he asked, once we were settled in the car.
“The moment I lost Goldie. I knew I had to make some changes in the way I conducted business. The Lafayette Club isn’t the same without her, and I need to give the girls other opportunities.”
“What do you mean?” Kace asked, concerned.
“I’m closing the club.”
“What about the girls?”
“They will work at the center, teaching the children and families, while they still pursue their education. I don’t want to expose them any longer. With this new business venture, I can have the members of the Lafayette Club become donors to the center. We will still allow meetings to be conducted in the Toulouse Room, but the girls won’t be performing anymore. Those days are over.”
“I see,” Kace said, while looking out the window. His silence said it all; he was worried about his place in the club.
“Don’t worry, if you accept, I would love for you to manage the center and offer exercise classes to the community, including boxing.”
Kace’s head whipped around and his jaw was slack as he stared at me for a second.
“Are you serious?”
“Very much so. Your talent and services are better used in that capacity. You have so much to offer young teenage boys who might be lost. I have the utmost confidence in the fact that you can make an impact on these boys.”
“Wow,” Kace responded, while rubbing his chin. “I didn’t see that coming. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll take the job.”
“How the hell can I say no to that?” he smiled. Silence fell between us as Kace looked at me seriously. “I have to say, Jett, I couldn’t be more appreciative of your friendship. You’ve been there with me through everything and never once judged me. I would be lost without you.”
“I feel the same,” I admitted. Kace nodded and smirked. I jabbed his shoulder and said, “I can’t believe you were going to cry back there.”
“I wasn’t going to cry,” Kace replied, offended.
“Oh, please, I saw the tears in your eyes.”
“Fuck you,” he laughed. “God, you’re a dick.”
Laughing, I nodded, as I looked out the window. This was my city, the place I was born and raised, the place where I grew into a man, the place I met the love of my life, and now that I’d settled my business affairs, it was time I settled my personal ones, because to hell if I was going to let go of the best thing that ever happened to me.
