* * *
The next day, Chloe Bryant arrived. I’d gone to bed early the night before, thinking it best to give Dom and Gabriel some time together without me there. I’d been becoming more comfortable in Gabriel’s home, but now I felt strange and uneasy again—as if I didn’t belong. Technically I didn’t and never would. Despite Gabriel’s best efforts to make me feel otherwise, frankly, I agreed with Dominic. I wasn’t the type of friend Gabriel needed in his life. Me, a stripper who had nothing at all to offer. Me, a girl who had only taken from him, and had no hope of ever offering anything in return. Me.
I’d spent the early morning with Gabriel as usual since apparently Dominic didn’t wake until right before he had to be at work. He left while I was showering, and I was happy I wouldn’t have to see him until later that evening. Maybe I could just avoid him completely until I was well enough to leave.
I was limping out of my bedroom when the doorbell rang. Gabriel came out of the kitchen, shooting me a quick smile before he went to answer the door. He pulled it open and a young woman was standing there. Her smile was instantaneous.
“Gabriel?”
“Yes, hi, Chloe.” When he stepped back to allow her entrance, she practically bounced in, petite and pretty with brown curls and a dimple in one cheek.
“It’s so great to meet you in person.” Her smile—impossibly—widened even more. “God, this area is gorgeous. And your home …” She looked up and around as Gabriel closed the door. “It’s breathtaking.”
As she continued to look around, her eyes caught on me where I was standing, practically behind a lamp. “Oh, hi,” she said brightly, walking toward me. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
I limped forward, trying my best not to look like the pitiful creature I actually was.
“Chloe, this is Ellie,” Gabriel said from behind her.
As she approached, her smile wilted. “Oh my goodness, were you in an accident? You poor thing. What happened? Are you okay?”
I smiled a small smile. This girl was like a whirlwind. “I’m fine, thank you. An accident, yes.” I cleared my throat, hoping she wouldn’t ask any more questions.
Her face crumpled into distress. “Oh, that’s awful. Let me help you to a chair.”
“Oh, I’m okay, really. I’ve been sitting all morning. I know you and Gabriel have some business to get to. I was just going to make lunch and I’ll be out of your way.”
Gabriel came up next to Chloe, his smile relaxed. “Are you going to be okay while we talk?”
“Of course, yes.” There was another knock at the door and we all turned, Gabriel’s brow furrowing slightly.
“I’m not sure who that could be,” he muttered. “Excuse me.” He pulled the door open and Kayla was standing there. She was wearing a tiny pair of booty shorts, a tight, sheer tank top that clearly showed her black bra beneath, and a pair of hot-pink heels. The polar opposite of the sweet, wholesome girl who had just entered Gabriel’s house minutes before wearing a modest yellow sundress and a pair of low-heeled navy sandals.
“Hey, Gabe,” she greeted. I limped forward and her eyes turned to me. “Hey, Crystal.” She smiled, but as I got closer, I saw she looked haggard, and I could clearly see she’d lost some weight.
“Hi, Kay.”
She came in and Gabriel closed the door. “We’ll just go in my room so we don’t disturb you,” I said to Gabriel, taking Kayla’s arm. He nodded and I smiled at Chloe. She had a small, confused look on her face, but returned my smile as we passed her.
I led Kayla to my room, hearing Gabriel ask Chloe if she wanted anything to drink before I closed the door behind us.
I propped my crutches against the wall, taking a seat on the bed. Kayla sat at the end, bringing one leg up underneath her. “Sorry I haven’t been visiting more. Things have been crazy. We’ve all been working extra shifts since you’ve been gone.”
“That’s okay. You’ve been a good friend to me, Kayla, and I appreciate it. How is everything?”
She sighed. “Oh, all right. You know, the usual. Blew a tire out on my car and had to get that fixed.” The mention of her car reminded me that mine was still in the shop, presumably fixed but unpaid for, unclaimed. I should call Ricky, but I’d shut out my real life since I’d been here. I hadn’t wanted to think about it, hadn’t wanted to consider the myriad of dilemmas I was going to face when I was well again.
“At least being extra busy has helped me shed a few pounds,” Kayla said.
“I noticed. You look good, just make sure you’re taking care of yourself, okay?”
She nodded. “I will.”
Out in the living room, I heard the peal of Chloe’s laughter followed by Gabriel’s masculine chuckle. My stomach tightened in discomfort, and I adjusted myself on the bed. Good grief, was I jealous? My God, I was. I was jealous at the easy conversation Gabriel and Chloe were obviously having in the other room. I heard him say something, his voice rising and falling with a sort of vibrant enthusiasm I’d never heard. That’s because being around me was depressing and morose. I provided nothing more than dull, dreary conversation and awkward confessions. Good Lord.
“You all right, honey?” My thoughts must have been reflected on my face because Kayla was looking at me with concern.
I released a loud breath. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just get … you know, pains.” I ran a hand across my ribs as if that were the place causing me hurt.
Kayla nodded in sympathy. “I was so relieved to hear about the arrests. They called Rodney and he told us. Some of the girls were worried they might come back.”
I shook my head. “No, it was personal.”
Kayla tilted her head. “Yeah, I guess. I heard they’re out already, though. You worried?”
I met her eyes. As a courtesy, the detective had called to let me know the three men had made bail. I’d received the news with a numb sort of acceptance, the detective reassuring me that it was in their interest to be on their very best behavior. I’d need to testify at the trial once a date was set, but I wasn’t going to think about that just now. “Am I worried that they’ll try to find me?” I shook my head. “No. I haven’t thought about that.” I chewed at my lip. “I feel …safe here.”
She nodded. “I would, too. It’s real nice. Nicest house I’ve ever seen. And there’d be no way for them to find you here. Even if they wanted to. Which would only make things worse for them.”
“Yeah.” I studied my nails as I heard another ring of laughter from Chloe.
“He’s treating you well, Crys?”
“Yeah. Yeah, he treats me really well. Better than I deserve, Kay.”
She smiled at me. “Nah, I think he’s just what you deserve.” I smiled, even knowing how wrong she was.
Kayla stayed for another hour or so. We chatted about what had been going on at the Platinum Pearl, what had been going on in Kayla’s life, some gossip about the other girls. I had one ear tuned to her and one ear tuned to the other room, where the hum of Gabriel and Chloe’s conversation continued. I wondered what they were talking about, wondered if she’d started interviewing him, or if they were just getting to know each other. From what I could hear, it sounded like they were chatting casually. I was grateful Kayla had arrived when she did. If not for her, I’d surely be standing at the door listening like a stalker.