Page 37 of Fifty
“Well, sweetheart, it was nice seeing you again. I kinda wish it had been up on that stage, but I’ll take what I can get,” he grins brightly.
And there it is.
The realization of my situation hits me and my stomach sinks. How am I ever going to fully explain my dancing to Fifty. Even if I tell him that it’s in my past, he’ll know. He’ll know that I’ve danced for a man he considers to be his brother. He’ll never look at me the same.
“Goodnight, Shark,” I offer before turning and heading for the door.
“Night. And sweetheart, just remember that there are some of us who already know who you are, and it would never be an issue,” his words follow me as I step outside. The cool air washes over me but I can’t shake the sick feeling now lodged in the pit of my stomach.
???
A hot shower was just what I needed after an afternoon at the club. After drying off and slathering on a thick layer of my sweet vanilla lotion, I wrap myself in my robe and curl up in the center of my bed. Reaching for the remote, I flip on Netflix and start scrolling. I have one more night alone, and it will be filled with ice cream and movies.
I drop the remote to the blanket and hop back up, realizing that I left my phone on the shelf in the bathroom. After retrieving it, I move into the kitchen. I’ve had some free time this week and actually managed to make a trip to the grocery store. I pull on the fridge door and reach in for a can of lime seltzer, cracking it open and taking a small sip as I head back towards the comfort of my bed.
As I walk, I notice a missed call and waiting voicemail message. I must not have heard it ring while I was in the shower. It’s a number I don’t recognize, but Fifty is on the road, so there’s always the chance that he had to call from a different number. But then the area code catches my attention.
It can’t be.
My heart starts to race as I dial into my voicemail and hit play. I collapse against my bed as the familiar voice fills my ear.
“Hi, Jade. It’s…uh…it’s your mother. I know it’s been a long time since we spoke, but your dad and I are in South Carolina for the week and we’d really like to catch up. Please call me back at this number, or you can text me if you’d rather do that. I really hope you can find some time, we…we miss you,” her soft voice cuts off as the message ends and my shaking hand slowly lowers the phone.
Twenty-Four
Fifty
My head is pounding like I’ve got a fucking jack hammer working inside my skull. Time to pop some Tylenol and push through the pain, because I’m not staying away from Jade for another minute. I wanted to go straight to her place as soon as we were back in town, but I didn’t think she’d appreciate a knock on her door at two a.m. Unfortunately, coming back to my own bed resulted in me sleeping most of the fucking day away.
I step into the bathroom and grab the bottle of Tylenol, quickly tossing back three pills before leaning down and filling my palm with cold water to help wash them down. Moving back through my room, I retrieve my Sig, securing it against my body before slipping into my cut. Finally, I reach for my phone, dropping it into my pocket as I step out into the hallway. I thought about texting Jade, but I want to see the look on her face when I show up at her door and surprise her.
Laughter bounces down the hall as I make my way towards the main room. It’s a party night and from the sound of it, a few have started early.
“Well, shit. Look who’s back,” Mickey grins at me from beside the pool tables, the cue gripped in his hand.
A loud clap rings through the room as the balls smack together and Drake stands after taking his shot. His head tips in my direction and I offer an easy nod in return.
“Back home and ready to party,” he smirks and a soft laughter erupts once more.
Glancing to the side, I find two females huddled close together. They’re whispering and giggling, throwing quick glances between the pool table and me. They must be the boys’ company for the night.
“Not tonight,” I turn my attention back towards Drake.
“Shut the fuck up. You just got back and you’re not gonna stick around for the fun?” his eyebrows pinch in confusion.
“I gotta go see my girl,” I answer.
“Fifty,” Ryder’s voice calls from behind me and the room goes silent. I turn, finding a stern look. “I need to talk to you before you leave,” he adds.
“Sure, Pres.,” I nod, turning and following him into the meeting room.
“Take a seat,” he requests as he closes the door with a sharp click.
I pull out a chair and make myself comfortable. I have loved this room since I earned my seat at the table. It’s a sacred place, but in this moment, something feels off. I know Big E. already gave Ryder the report on the trip, and everything went smooth on the road, so I’m not sure what this shit is about.
“I’m gonna cut right to the fucking chase. Cora heard some rumors while you were gone. Some shit about your girl that ain’t pretty, and I wanted you to hear it from me before you start hearing shit around the clubhouse,” he starts and I feel my body tense. Who the fuck would be shit talking on Jade, no one here has even gotten a chance to get to know her?
“Apparently Shark has been fucking around with one of those chicks from the Foxx DDen, and he brought her here last weekend. She mentioned to Cora that she knew Jade…from the club,” Ryder finally spills the rumor.