His Stripper (Dance For Me)

For the longest time, I simply stare at the door, wondering if he was here at all. Maybe I did fall asleep, and it was just a dream. But dreams don’t hurt this bad, do they? There is a distinct ache in my chest, right where my heart used to be.

I stare at that door until I memorize every chip of its ugly dark green paint. The TV is still playing in the background, but the sound is drowned out by a couple in the room above me fighting. They are yelling at each other, reminding me of the many nights I spent as a kid listening to adults fight. Now more than ever do I wish I was back at Myles’s house, the only place I’ve ever felt comfortable.

The thought of the house I called home for a short while reminds me of what Myles said before he left. He said his brother was outside waiting for me to take me somewhere safe. I jump up from the bed and grab the few things I had on me when I got here. The cash I stole from the club feels like a thousand-pound weight in my pocket as I open the door to walk out.

I’m in such a hurry that I almost run into the man standing in front of my door. “Sorry,” I blurt out before actually getting a good look at him. I have to tilt up my head to see his face because he is so tall. One look at his features, and I know he must be Myles’s brother. They have the same dark eyes, same sharp jawline, and even the same frown.

“I was about to come in there and get you,” he tells me. Even his husky voice reminds me of Myles.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize again.

He simply nods and turns away from me. “Let’s go then.” He opens the driver’s side of a black SUV and motions for me to get in on the other side. Not wanting to let him wait even longer, I hurry into the car. Sliding into the front seat, I shut the door and buckle my seat belt.

It isn’t until he pulls out of the parking lot and onto the main road that something occurs to me. What if he is not taking me somewhere safe? Can I trust this man? What if Myles couldn’t kill me himself, so he has his brother do it?

“You’re gonna be fine,” he tells me as if he just read my mind. “The place I’m taking you to is one of our safe houses. We haven’t used it in a long time, but we have someone go check on it once a month. It’s clean and stocked with food and clothes. You can stay as long as you want.”

“Thank you. I’m Hazel, by the way, but I’m sure you already knew that.”

“Yes, I’m Ace,” he introduces himself, and I remember hearing that name before from Holly.

We don’t talk for the rest of the drive. My eyelids become heavier by the second, the low hum of the car enticing me to go to sleep. Just before I doze off, Ace turns onto a dirt road.

“We’re here,” he announces.

I look straight ahead and find a large white house at the end of a long bumpy driveway. Ace parks in front of the garage and cuts the engine. We get out of the car at the same time, and I follow him to the front door like a lost puppy dog.

He pulls out a key and unlocks the door with it before holding it out to me. I open my hand, and he lets the key fall onto my palm.

“When you are ready to leave, just lock the door with the key inside.”

“Okay… but what if—?”

“You’re on your own from here on out.” Biting the inside of my cheek, I concentrate on not crying in front of him. I’ll save that for later. “Goodbye, Hazel.”

“Thank you again.”

He gives me one more nod before heading back to his car. I watch him drive away, the SUV disappearing from my view. Stepping inside the house, I shut and lock the door behind me, then lean my back against it and slide down to sit on the floor.

Everyone leaves me. No one cares enough to stay. All my life, I had the feeling of abandonment lingering inside me. But it never, ever hurt so badly before.

18

Myles

The last week has been hands down the worst of my life. I’ve barely slept, eaten, or showered because every one of those things reminds me of her. I can still smell her floral scent on my pillow, hear her giggling in the shower, and see her sitting at my kitchen table eating the food she cooked for us.

Everything about this place makes me think of what I’ve lost, and I want nothing more than for her to be back. But I can’t.