Chapter Ten
“Okay. Spill it.”
“There’s nothing to spill.” Kayla couldn’t help smiling as she closed the door and pushed the buttons to begin the load of wash.
“Bullshit. Are you and Mastema a thing now?”
“Yeah. I think we are.” She liked the sound of that. A lot.
“Didn’t seem like you’d fucked him that many times.”
Kayla started the next washer. “Is there a certain number of times you have to fuck someone before you can be a thing with him?”
Zipper, whose real name was Jennie, laughed as if Kayla had told the funniest joke ever. “No, of course not. But what about everybody else? Did you give them each a fair chance?”
“Was I supposed to?”
She shrugged. “More fun that way.”
“You’ve already assured me how well Mastema stacks up against the other members. What else do I need to know?”
“I’m just saying don’t tie yourself down yet, girl. Plenty of hot men to go around.”
“I like Mastema.”
“I like him, too, but I’m not ready to be owned by any of them.”
“I don’t feel owned by him.” And even if she did, the idea of that wasn’t unappealing. Not in the way it would have once been. These men weren’t like the others she’d met. Not even close.
“Kayla, if he’s looking for you while you’re working, and he turns down sex with a sweetbutt right in front of you, he owns you.”
“Okay then. He owns me.” This was such a moronic conversation, and Kayla no longer wanted to be part of it. She only wanted to finish her work and go find Mastema.
“Well, you could do worse.” Which contradicted all the things Jennie had said about Mastema less than ten minutes ago, when she was singing his praises as a lover. But whatever. Kayla was over it.
Finally, Jennie began to load a washer. Kayla was on the third machine already. There were only five in here. At this rate, they’d be at it all day long. In order not to mix up anyone’s laundry, Kayla did each tagged mesh bag separately, even if the person only had a few items in theirs.
Chloe had explained to Kayla that once she’d been here a while, she would learn which pieces of clothing belonged to which person, and could mix bags in the same load if she wanted. But Kayla wasn’t about to try to memorize every damn thing these people owned and put in their laundry bags, no matter how long she stayed here.
After all five machines were finally going, Jennie picked up her phone and sat down to play games on it while the clothes washed. Kayla picked up her Kindle, but the words on the screen blurred together as she let her thoughts drift to everything that had happened in the past couple of days.
Mastema had been so understanding about the memories being in the private room with him had triggered. Much more than she’d ever expected any man to be. But was he really ready to be exclusive with her?
He wouldn’t have asked you if he wasn’t ready.
The image of Leroy eyeing her breasts rose up in her head. They all stared at her when she was on stage. Why had that moment unnerved her so much? Because she’d been in Mastema’s bed at the time, instead of on stage?
A cold chill ran down Kayla’s spine, and she hugged herself. One quick glance toward Jennie, absorbed in her smart phone, assured Kayla she hadn’t noticed. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where you goin’?”
“To make myself a cup of tea.” She hesitated a second or two. She was supposed to be making more of an effort, after all. “You want one?”
“Yuck. I hate that shit. Don’t know how you drink it.”
At least no one could say she hadn’t asked. Kayla didn’t particularly want tea. She only used it as an excuse to get out of the laundry room for a few minutes. Thinking about how exposed she was on stage three nights a week, and how it didn’t bother her, but having sex in public did, had confused her. It had even frightened her a bit.
How did she explain being comfortable enough to get up on stage and dance, wearing nothing but a G-string by the end of her set, but freaking out when Mastema had wanted to fuck her in front of his Brothers? Or pulling the sheet up when one of the prospects had treated himself to an eyeful? Had it been the suggestion of allowing them to participate? No. She’d been antsy well before he said that.
Sure, she understood the memories it had evoked, but why was she okay with shaking it in front of others on stage? Dancing isn’t sex. No, but she used sex to sell herself when she danced. They all did.
Was it because no one could get to her up there? Was that the only reason? And why had this never left her so unsettled before? Did the feelings she had for Mastema have anything to do with her sudden discomfort? Real feelings, unlike any she’d experienced before?
Chloe and Rai were in the kitchen, and Kayla stopped in the doorway because Chloe was sitting in a chair, leaning over, as Rai knelt beside her. “Are you okay?”
Rai’s head snapped up, and her smile was too quick, in addition to fake. “She’s fine. Just got a bit dizzy when she stood up too fast.”
It looked more like Chloe was sick, but Kayla said nothing as she walked into the room. “I came to make myself a cup of tea. Am I disturbing you?”
“No. Not at all.”
“I’m fine,” said Chloe, lifting her head and giving Kayla a weak, and equally phony, smile.
Bullshit. “All right. But if there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”
The two exchanged a surprised glance, but Kayla couldn’t fault them there. It’s not a comment she would have bothered making three weeks ago.
“How are things going lately?” asked Rai.
“Really well. Thank you.” Kayla put the mug in the microwave to heat up the water.
“You seem happier now,” said Chloe, her voice only a tiny bit stronger than a moment ago.
Kayla faced her. “I am.”
Rai stood, and hovered over Chloe until she stood, too. Her face was still too pale, and small beads of sweat dotted her forehead. The last time Kayla had seen a woman Chloe’s age look like that, she’d been…
Holy fuck!
Using the excuse of having to stir her tea, she kept her gaze down to collect her thoughts. Was Chloe pregnant? Even if she was, surely that was good news. Why hadn’t she told anyone?
“I’m glad things are getting better for you here,” said Chloe.
Kayla finally met her gaze, and she didn’t have to ask. Some things, a person simply knew. “Thanks.” Why were they keeping it a secret? Fear shot through Kayla. Surely Gorgon was the father. She’d never believe anything else. Those two adored each other, and it showed in everything they did, separately and together.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?” she finally asked.
“Positive.”
As Kayla turned to leave, Rai’s voice stopped her. “Kayla, hang on a second.”
She turned around.
“Come closer. I don’t want anyone in the hallway to hear this.”
Why the fuck not? Kayla stopped inches from the pair. Up close, Chloe’s skin had a greenish tint to it that alarmed her.
“I’m pregnant,” said Chloe. “But I’m not spreading the news around yet.”
“Um, congrats?” She wasn’t sure whether that was the desired reaction.
Chloe smiled. “I’m thrilled. Don’t misunderstand me. But I’m really sick from it, and I’m scared.”
“Oh, don’t be. Jesus. Everyone I know who’s been pregnant puked their guts out, but their babies were just fine.”
“I told her the same thing,” said Rai, rolling her eyes. “See? You’re fine. This is normal.”
“Seriously, you had me really scared for a moment there. It’s a happy thing. You should tell everyone.”
“Not yet. Not until the second trimester.”
“Okay. Not a problem. Um, none of my business, but does Gorgon know?”
This time, Chloe’s smile was genuine. “Yes, he knows.”
“Oh good. I’d hate to try to keep anything from him.”
“Yeah, good luck,” said Rai. “I swear that man can read minds.”
“Well, I swear I won’t breathe a word of this until you say I can.” Kayla swallowed hard as the magnitude of what just happened hit her. “Thank you for telling me. I’m really touched.”
“You’ve changed, and it shows.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “Well, I need to get back to the laundry room. I hope you feel better.”
Kayla left in a hurry before she bawled, right there in front of them. Three weeks ago, those two women had barely made eye contact with her, let alone confided a secret like this. Things really had changed for the better, and it was because of Mastema. That, and her taking the initiative to stop acting like an asshole and do her fair share.
She wished she’d asked Chloe if it was all right to tell Mastema, but that might have made them regret saying anything to her. This wasn’t her secret to tell, even to him. Chloe would tell everyone in her own way, and in her own time. And in the meantime, Kayla would work even harder to fit in here, because she really loved it that the women finally trusted her.