Reservations

He really needed to get his brothers away from there. He didn’t want them out on the streets. He just didn’t have a lot of options. The idea of quitting medical school made him want to cry. He had wanted to be a doctor his whole life. To give that up, no matter how out of reach it seemed, was more than his heart could take—the dream of becoming a doctor might be the only thing holding him together right now.

Levi arrived just as the bus pulled up. He stood to the side of the bus stop where everyone gathered and waited for his turn to board. He pulled out his phone and opened his contacts, calling Julian before this bad mood got the best of him.

“Hey. You called.” Julian sounded surprised.

“You have a minute?” he asked, walking the length of the bus until he found an empty seat in the back. He tugged the strap of his duffle over his head, tossed the canvas bag in the seat before scooting in himself.

“Sure.”

“I’m interested in that job you were talking about. Is the money really as good as you said?” Levi asked, situating himself closest to the aisle, hoping he could keep the entire seat to himself.

“Probably better,” Julian answered immediately.

“And I wouldn’t have to…” Levi lowered his voice, looking around the crowded bus, knowing there was no way for the other riders not to hear his whole conversation. “You know.”

“Absolutely not. Now, if you get an offer and you decide you want to explore the territory, then go for it, but that’s seriously on your time and away from the club. You should probably know that most of the guys eventually cross over to escorting. The money’s too good.”

No doubt, but just a glance out the window of the bus in this neighborhood was all anyone needed to see to understand why he’d pass on peddling sex for money. “Yeah, I don’t think I will. That’s not gonna be a problem, right?”

“No, no problem at all. Reservations is a safe meeting place that happens to have gorgeous guys and serves phenomenal food and drinks. Where are you? It sounds like a school bus,” Julian asked

“Close. It’s the city bus,” he answered, looking around, spotting several familiar faces focused on him. Of course they were listening. Gossip spread fast in this neighborhood. They probably knew his dad. Levi would be the center of conversation later as they tried to figure out what he’d been talking about.

“You take the bus?” Julian asked incredulously. Levi rolled his eyes, and his shoulders drooped.

“My brothers take the bus to school, but I leave the car for them in case they need it at night,” he explained quietly, covering the receiver with his hand, not wanting to alert the world that his younger brothers were home alone in the evening.

“Oh, Levi. You need me in your life so bad. When are you coming to the club?” Julian asked.

“I’m off on Friday night.”

“Well, that’s days away. Come out before then so we can get you started right away. You’ll bank, but weekends are prime time. You gotta earn those shifts,” Julian encouraged.

“I don’t know if this is for me. I’d have to call in tonight. They don’t have anyone at the coffee shop. If I get fired—”

Julian interrupted his flow of excuses, cutting him off in midsentence. “You’re interested or you wouldn’t have called me. Tell you what, come see me tonight. If you need a ride, I can get you one, but come out. You can talk to some of the guys and watch what goes on. It’s Tuesday. A slow night. I’ll show you all around. And if you decide to take me up on the offer, we can get you on the floor and training as soon as tomorrow.”

There was silence as Levi thought through the offer. He wasn’t sure he had the best personality. He wasn’t flirty or charming like so many guys he knew. He absolutely didn’t like to be touched without permission. He’d been told he was too serious all the time. Could he even pretend he was interesting and fun just to get more money out of lonely old men?

“Seriously, Levi, stop overthinking this. Call in to the coffee shop tonight and shag your ass to the club. Be there about seven. I’ll show you around, then you can hang out and watch. Also, you can fill out your application. I promise you’ll see it’s not what you think,” Julian assured him. “You’ll pass a background check and drug test, right?”

“Of course,” he said, furrowing his brow. Offended that he was even asked that question while wondering about the need for a background report.

“I knew you would. I’ll see you tonight.” Julian disconnected the call. Levi was slower to respond, lowering the phone to his lap but still staring at the screen. He couldn’t believe he was actually considering going through with this. The sound of the air brakes pulled him from his thoughts. He glanced up just in time to see the familiar surroundings out his window. Damn it, he’d almost missed his stop with all the crazy bullshit running through his head.