Chapter 22
LEXI
It’s been a couple hours since Brett left. I’m growing anxious. I thought I would have gotten a text from him by now. As the club begins to clear out, I can tell that Clarissa can sense my disappointment, “Don’t worry. She pours me the last glass of Dom, “I’m sure that he’s just had a long night.”
After a long disappearance, Laura finally reappears. She sits across from us again, “Sorry ladies, I was called to—”
“Don’t bother.” Clarissa rolls her eyes. “You and Gwen have been working this room during our entire bottle service. Neither of you have checked-in since Brett Brock left. You’ve got some nerve. Tell Gwen I’m not tipping you or her shit.”
“Fine.” Laura turns on her heel. “I’ll go get the bill for you, then.”
I gaze at Clarissa shocked. I had not thought she had cared that Laura and Gwen had neglected us. Wait. Who the hell is paying for this table? And this Dom?! SHIT! As it occurs to me that Brett had ordered the Dom then abandoned us, I also realize that the two of us will need to split the bill. I sigh, “I suppose this is on the two of us, huh?”
“Tsk. Sure, wouldn’t be ordering Dom if I knew I had to pay for it.” We both open our purses and begin to dig deep. I notice my phone is lit up with messages. Shit, I forgot to take my phone off vibrate after the show! I unlock my phone and begin to check the messages, there are several from Brett and strangely one from an unknown number. I click the unknown number first.
UNKNOWN: It’s Izzy. You’d better stay away from Brett. We are still a thing.
I scroll over to Brett’s messages. As I do, Laura approaches us with the bill and lays it on the table.
BRETT: Hey, Driver, sorry for taking off like that. I’m not so comfortable around the fashion industry. I called the club and paid for the drinks over the phone, so they shouldn’t charge you anything. Text me as soon as you get this.
I pass my phone over to Clarissa and she quickly reads it. “What?” She looks up at Laura, “You know this bill has already been covered, right?”
“What do you mean?” Laura asks nervously. It’s obvious that she knows she’s charging us again.
“Get out of here, Laura. Brett Brock already covered the tab,” Clarissa says. Laura quickly takes off before Clarissa can ream her out. Clarissa picks up the bill. “Wow, what a tab! This is over two-thousand dollars.”
“What? I didn’t think much of the food they gave Brett.” I glance down at the scarcely touched plates and continue to read the rest of the messages Brett had sent.
BRETT: Driver, you there?
BRETT: I’m sorry. I didn’t want to take off like I did.
BRETT: Please respond to my messages so I know you’re alright.
I finally text back.
LEXI: Sorry for the late reply. I had left my phone on vibrate in my purse. Totally forgot to switch it after the show. Why did you leave so soon?
I’m hoping he comes clean and tells me that he used to date Izzy, but he doesn’t.
BRETT: I wasn’t feeling so well. Think there might be something in the food. I feel better now. Wanna come over to my place? I’ll send a cab.
My heart is fluttering. He wants me to spend time at his place. But I worry a little. Ballers are notorious for inviting women over to their penthouses at the most ungodly hours, then sending them home at three or four a.m. Their excuse? ‘I have to get up early for practice.’ The idea of going to Brett’s excites and scares the crap out of me. I don’t want to go over to have him push me out the door onto the streets of New York in the early hours of morning. I look over to Clarissa gesturing to the phone. She scans through it, then gives me a serious expression. “You can’t be serious, Lexi. By now he could have taken Izzy home, screwed her, and is now looking for another round.”
My heart sinks. I hadn’t thought of that. But at the same time, I’ve been itching all night to get with him. “I don’t think so,” I say, wanting to give in to the ache of my body to have Brett again. “I’m sure he hates Izzy.”
“Are you saying she’s the reason he left?”
“Yeah. I think they used to date.”
“Oh, that would make sense then. After what I’ve heard about her, I can’t imagine any ex-boyfriend would want to be with her.”
“There is one other concern though. A lot of ballers tend to invite women over, have sex, then say goodnight by four a.m.”
Clarissa is taken aback. “He’s not pushing you out the door like you’re a prostitute! Because if he does that, I will have his ass for taking advantage of you. Tell him straight that you aren’t going unless you can stay for breakfast.”
“This sounds awful Clarissa, but that man plays my pussy like a violin. I can’t bear the thought of going home to nothing at all. I think I’m going over.” My fingers begin to fly across my phone, texting him.
Clarissa covers the screen of my phone, stopping me from texting. “No, Lexi. Brett Brock may be the sexiest thing roaming New York, but that’s not an excuse to treat you like garbage. Text him and ask him what his intentions are.”
I hold my breath. I know she’s right. If I go over just for fun and he kicks me out, I’ll feel like shit about myself later. Fingers shaking, I text him.
LEXI: Are you inviting me to stay for breakfast?
BRETT: Of course, Lexi. I wouldn’t send you out in one of the largest cities in the world at that time of day. I’ve sent a cab for you. Should be at the front entrance in five minutes.
A rush of relief washes over me. “He wants me to stay the night.” I beam.
“Yeah, he’d better. You aren’t some trashy gal, looking to ride on his fame and paycheck at any cost.”
“Wait, what about you?” I ask as I gather my things. “You’ve had too much to drink. Are you going to be okay to drive home?”
“Meh, don’t worry about me. I’ll get a cab. I’m not a cock block. Go have your fun.”
“Thanks.” I give her a hug before I head for the door.