For the first time since Harper returned in my life, doubt about how I’ve perceived her creeps up on me. I thought she worked here. I was sure she had been dating tons and partied with friends. But really, looking at it now, analyzing the last few days, I guess I was wrong. It’s starting to seem like I did all the partying and fucking while Harper hit the textbooks.
That thought has me asking my next question, “Did Harper date after we broke up?”
“Not that I know of,” she tells me, and I believe her. I don’t think she would lie for Harper, not after the way she treated her. Valerie just cares about herself.
The thing is, even though I’m relieved Harper hasn’t had a boyfriend, she still cheated on me back then. She still gave her virginity to someone else, and that’s completely unforgivable. I told her I would wait for her, but waiting wasn’t what she wanted.
Valerie shifts her weight impatiently back and forth on her feet. “The song is over, either you pay me again, or you get out.”
“I’ll leave. So you can get back to your other customers,” I say, reaching for the door handle.
“Not everyone is born with a golden spoon in their mouth. Don’t look down at people who work for their money. For some of us, this is how we make ends meet.” The thought brings forth a memory that crashes into me like a wave, taking me out at the knees.
A little girl with thick hair, the color of cinnamon and chocolate, comes running through the foyer, a big toothy grin on her face. Daddy doesn’t like it when we run, or play, or smile. I’m pretty sure he hates anything that doesn’t involve being in his office.
He usually tells me that I should only talk when I’m spoken to. Be seen, not heard.
“Harper Mae,” the maid scolds as the girl I now know as Harper almost crashes into me. Harper’s smile falls and turns into a frown a second later, as the maid grabs her by the wrist and tugs her into her side. She’s so pretty, like an angel, and strangely, I want to see her smile again. Clasping my hands together in front of me, I stare at her in awe.
“I’m so sorry, Warren,” Maid Claudia apologizes, her face stricken with worry. I’m sure most of the maids have families and kids, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen another kid my age running around the house.
“It’s okay.” I smile and stare at her for a little longer. I dig deep, building up the courage to ask her if she wants to play with my power rangers with me. This huge house makes me feel alone, so having a friend would be nice.
“Do you… do you want to…” The words don’t even make it past my lips when my father walks into the room. I look up at him, taking note of the sour look on his face.
“Run along, Warren, you need to find some other children to play with. Children of your own status.”
My brow furrows in confusion. I’m not sure what that means. My own status? What does that mean? We’re both kids, and I bet she likes power rangers too, who doesn’t?
“I’m sorry, Mr. Williams. I didn’t have a babysitter. I had to bring her, but she won’t bother anyone, I promise. Isn’t that right, Harper?”
“Yes,” Harper whispers, holding on to her mother’s leg.
“I don’t care if you bring her as long as she doesn’t touch anything. If she breaks something, it’s coming out of your paycheck.” Then he turns his attention back to me. “Warren, run along,” my father says in a stern voice. Even though I don’t want to, I walk away, knowing if I disobey Daddy, nothing good will come from it.
Like a slingshot, my brain propels me back to the present. That was my very first memory of Harper.
I don’t say anything because there isn’t anything else to say. Walking back out to the stage, I find Easton making sex eyes at one of the girls on stage.
“Let’s go, douchebag,” I yell over the music. Of course, he’s too mesmerized by the chick’s tits to pay me any attention. Using my last shred of patience, I walk over to him and slap him upside the head. “I’m leaving, fuckhead.”
“Dude, what the fuck?” he growls, but I’m already walking away. I’m not going to stay in this strip club and babysit him all night long. Not when I have no fucking idea where Harper is. Thousands of thoughts assault me at once. Someone already broke into her apartment. What if something happened? My stomach twists. Or maybe she’s doing this on purpose to hurt me, to push me over the edge because of the way I acted this morning.