She fakes a laugh. “Mad? Why would I be mad? I’m having fun and I know what I said. Everything is great.”
The bartender hands us our drinks, but I can’t let this go. She is mad. “If you aren’t mad, then you wouldn’t keep mentioning the word ‘friend’. C’mon, Jade, we’ve been here all of ten minutes. You aren’t having fun, particularly because I managed to piss you off.”
She kisses my cheek, like that makes everything better. “I’m not mad, Finny. I’m having fun. I promise.”
“And we both know you wouldn’t lie to me.” I give her a pointed look with a smile. “Don’t you want to know why I said what I did or would you rather not know?”
“Why did you then?”
“We hadn’t talked about it, and I’m not going to introduce you as something else without giving you a say, at least.” I feel like I should make sure Jade is okay with being my girlfriend before I blurt it out to people. For God’s sake, she thought that by me helping her out, I expected a free sex pass to fuck her whenever I wanted. Hell, she might not even want to be my girlfriend. I don’t know. Jade can be complicated in this area, and I rather make things clear with intentions because they aren’t always clear to Jade. And because I referred to her as only a friend instead, she’s pissed.
“Finny, its fine. I understand. Let’s have fun.”
I watch her for a moment before giving in. “Okay, let’s make a round. There are more people to meet.”
Chapter Eleven
Jade
I’m sitting on the floor in the middle of the bedroom, staring at the stupid costume. I feel like an idiot for getting them as a joke and even bigger fool for thinking Valo was going to introduce me as his girlfriend.
Who are you kidding, Jade? He’s a guy and you’re a stripper from the hood. I should have known better. For a split second, when we walked in, I felt like a normal girl going to a party with her boyfriend. Then he introduced me, and my heart dropped.
I fold the outfits and put them in the box and set them in the closet. Valo and Gus left this morning for their road trip and will be back at the end of the week.
I go into the kitchen and make a list of the groceries we’ll need. Valo left me his card and told me to use it for whatever I need. I finish up the laundry and put the clothes away. I take a break and flip on the TV. I’ve been watching a lot of Food Network and I realize I have a keen eye for cooking. Well, as long as they don’t get all those fancy meats and cheeses I can’t pronounce, I can do okay. I write down a couple of them and head off to the store.
Driving the Porsche is almost as orgasmic as it is with Valo. Last month, I didn’t eat for days, and now this. But at what price?
I walk into the store and begin to walk up and down the aisles and wondering: aren’t I a different form of a prostitute? I’m giving Valo sex and in return, I’m driving his eighty thousand dollar car, have food and his credit card, and a nice place to live.
Wow, I’m my mother, but with a Pretty Woman twist. My biggest fear is coming true, but in a different form. Shit. Now, I’m stuck because I don’t have any money but what Valo gives me. Maybe when he gives me his card, I’ll get cash back and keep it as my stash.
Great thinking, Jade. Then you’ll go to jail for embezzlement from a pro athlete.
Fuck. I give up.
I pay for the food without getting any cash back and head back to the condo.
~
“You can’t be serious, Valo,” I huff.
“Yes, I am. I know you need clothes. Take my card and grab a few things. Plus, a few outfits to go out in. No arguing about this.” His tone is firm, too.
“Fine, but I’m going to spend a lot of money.”
I lie about spending a lot of money. However, I do go to the mall. I spend the entire day walking through each store and I even have a soft pretzel. I buy three shirts, a couple pairs of jeans, and two cocktail dresses. I splurge on the high heels because the rest of the items are on sale or even off the clearance rank.
I take pictures of everything and send them to Valo, who is very happy about it. Now, I really feel like a high-end hooker.
~
“So, we’re going to a club. Is this like a club I use to work at or the type celebrities go to?” I flip through my clothes.
“I’d say in between, but leaning more toward the celebrity-type place. You can wear one of your new outfits.” He has on navy blue pants and a yellow dress shirt. He tells me he’s going to see if Gus is going and leaves the bedroom.
I pull out a deep purple lace dress. I liked it the moment I tried it on and I think it’ll be okay for tonight. I go into the bathroom and pin half of my hair up and let my natural curls fall down my back. I put my makeup on a little heavier because it’s a club; you always need to step it up a bit.