“Forever and ever, darlin’.”
*
Chapter Twenty
Indiana
“Is this really happening?”
I tipped my head back and looked at the large building. “Uh, I think so.”
Royal rubbed her stomach. “I think you’re living in a fantasy world, Indy. You went from living in shithole Destin to opening your own pole dancing studio.”
“Pole Stars.” The name rolled off my tongue. “I am the lead instructor at Pole Stars Rockton.” Yeah, I was still pretty shocked about it, too. We still had a long way to go, but it was going to happen.
A week ago, King had announced that Meg, Cyn, and Paige’s hair-brained idea was actually going to happen.
Royal was settling in well in the clubhouse. It was good to have my best friend back in my life, and I could easily see her living in Rockton once everything settled back down.
Surveillance at the club had been upped by a hundred, and no one went anywhere unless there was two members with them. Of course, that wasn’t really a hassle because the only places we were allowed to go were the clubhouse and the dance studio.
Reva was also able to go to work, but I think the reason why that was okay was because she literally worked across the street. Hero spent his days at Hair of the Dog while Easy was chasing Luna and Greta around.
Luna and Greta weren’t supposed to be going anywhere, either, but it was just a known fact that Luna was going to do whatever she wanted and Easy better be there watching her.
We walked into the building, and I turned in a slow circle. “This place is huge,” I gasped.
“Isn’t it!” Meg called. “It’s a blank slate, and I can’t wait for Pole Stars to take it over!”
Meg gave us the tour of the space, and I got more and more excited with each idea she threw at us.
“This is really happening,” I cried.
Meg put her arm around my shoulders. “We’ll make you the best studio, and you’ll teach the masses of Rockton how to shake their asses.”
“You need to put that on a billboard,” Royal laughed.
Meg pointed at Royal. “And that’s why you’re in charge of marketing. Can’t really have you whirling around on a pole when you’re nine months pregnant.” Royal planned on being another instructor, but that wasn’t going to happen until she pushed my little niece or nephew out. Until then, she was going to do everything she could to promote the hell out of Pole Stars.
Royal’s phone rang. “It’s Grit. I better take this.”
I rolled my eyes and wandered around with Meg. I had come to terms with the fact that Grit wasn’t ever going to fully be out of my life if Royal was in it, but that didn’t mean I had to stand by and listen to her talk to him.
“We’re gonna put floor-to-ceiling mirrors on these two walls, and there will be enough for twenty-two poles in this studio.” Meg moved to the middle of the building and held her arms out in front of her in a V. “Studio A this way. “She turned to the right. “And Studio B this way. We’ll be able to have—”
Royal’s blood-curdling scream ricocheted off the walls, and she dropped to her knees. “No!”
Meg and I rushed over to her, and I tried to pull the phone from her.
“No, please, no. Don’t do this. He didn’t do anything!” Royal sobbed into the phone.
I snatched the phone from her hand and stabbed the speaker button. “Who is this?” I yelled.
“I’m sorry, Royal. I tried to fix it. I just wanted to make everything right.”
I realized it was Grit. His voice was weak, and his breathing was shallow.
“What’s wrong, Grit? Where are you?” I shouted.