Tempted

“Damn, girl, it really is good to see you.”

My skin crawls as his gaze runs up my body. I feel dirty. I don’t want to think about what’s running through Jet’s mind. None of my memories from the time we spent together are good. They’re the very thing I run from. Just being this close to him makes me cringe. He’s everything from my past I want to forget. He’s the pain I want to forget. But as if being transported back in time, my scar starts to throb, and the need to take a pill fills me.

“Good to see you too,” I say, but I can’t hide the disdain in my voice.

“Where you off to? Any crazy parties to hit up?”

“Nah. I was just taking a walk after work before heading home. I don’t party anymore,” I say, letting him know my days of being reckless are over.

“Where do you work?” I cringe at his question.

Telling him will only make it seem as though I’m back to my old habits. He’s like a parasite. He’ll try to find a way to breach his way into my life. Back in the day, it worked. I’d be doing well only to have him enter my life again, and soon I’d be spiraling out of control.

Looking at him now, he has no control over me.

He raises his brow, and I spit it out.

“Club Silver.”

“Oh shit, I hear that place is hot. I totally need to go. Do you think you can get me and a few of my buddies in? After work, you can come over . . .” He winks.

My palms grow sweaty, and my heart rate accelerates. “Not interested, but thank you,” I reply quickly, my voice shaking as I speak. I knew it. I fucking knew he’d try to worm his way in. Typical fucking Jet.

“But I miss you.”

Nothing about hanging with Jet and his friends sounds appealing right now. I won’t let my guard down, but I actually smile because I truly feel in control for the first time ever where Jet is concerned.

“Nah, sorry, Jet. My boss is strict. He’s very protective of who he allows into his club. If I let you in, and you’re not on the list, I could get fired.”

“Come on, Bae. You owe me.” His voice cuts through me like a knife.

“No, Jet. It’s not happening. Stay away from Silver.”

Without another word, I turn and head toward my place. I’m walking slower than normal as a million thoughts run through my head. The strength I just showed with Jet. The way I just turned my back to him and drowned out the insults he hurled at my back.

I look at my phone to see what time it is, and I notice a missed text from Harper from earlier in the night. I’m nervous to read it.

Harper: I’m sorry it’s taken me so long. I was just hurt that you were keeping stuff from me. I just want you to know I’m proud of you for already being promoted and no longer waitressing. I just want you to be okay.

Harper finally texting feels more like a punch to the gut. She’s finally come around to the idea of me working for Drew in a different capacity—proud even—and here I am, contemplating a way out. All because I gave in and gave him my body.

What the hell was I thinking?

Typical irresponsible Bailey at her finest. I cringe at the low point I find myself in. I’ve come so damn far only to crush it with one slip with Drew. Then add to it the unwanted run-in with Jet, and I know what I need to do.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my old sponsor’s card that I keep in my wallet in case of an emergency and dial quickly, hoping he’s still awake.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

“Hello,” Jeff says, and it’s quickly followed by a yawn.

“Hey, Jeff, it’s me, Bailey. I’m so sorry for waking you.”

“It’s okay. I was just falling asleep. What’s going on? I haven’t heard from you since you moved to New York.”

“I’m freaking out.”

“What happened?” he quizzes.

“I-I fucked up.”

“Shh. Breathe, Bailey. How did you fuck up?” I stay silent even though I called him for help. “Talk to me.”

“I did something stupid. Okay, I did a lot of stupid, actually.”

“Start from the beginning.”

“I got a job at a nightclub.” I cringe as I say it, knowing what he must be thinking.

Idiot.

“Bailey, you know that’s not okay for you. That has trigger written all over it. Why’d you put yourself in a situation with that much temptation? What else happened to set you off?”

“It was a bad move, but I had no choice. I was about to get evicted, and there were no other options for me. But I already got promoted and won’t be working in the actual club anymore,” I try to explain.