Relinquish(32)

“Embrace ya’ stereotypes, baby. These men, they want that taboo feeling of being with a prostitute. The back of cars, dirty motel rooms, that’s what sells around here,” Margo advises, tossing Jayden a pair of stockings.

“Let’s do it then.” Jayden nods, undoing the tangled stockings.

“Rules,” Margo starts, sitting on the bed while Jayden and I dress. “If your trick is fat, you compliment him on his hair. If he took the time to brush his teeth before seeing you, you tell him how sexy he is. If a man reeks of body odor, you ignore it. You don’t ever say anything about it. If a man has greasy hair or dresses lousy, you never say anything. If they say they love you, you tell them you love them back,” Margo rambles, talking as if she’s reading from a handbook.

“Why?” Jayden shrugs.

“Because we’re the trick’s escape from the nagging wife, the bitchy boss, and every other judgmental person in their life. It’s why they keep coming back. You get repeat customers, you get praise from Mick.” Margo looks at Jayden with narrowed brows as she explains. I can tell Margo is head over heels for Mick. He is the sun to her world. “It’s all about acting, really. Make the trick feel like a king.”

“So, what do we do if they smell to the point we can’t—”

“Pretend he smells of roses, hold your breath, and suffer through it,” Margo states matter-of-factly.

I snort, then laugh. I can’t help it.

“That funny?” Margo asks with laughter of her own.

“A little. Especially when I think of Jayden stuck under some smelly guy,” I respond. Margo rolls her eyes at my humor. What a bitch.

“You’ll always wear a Jimmie,” she continues, her tone on the edge of irritated.

“A what?” I question, shifting in my dress. This thing is way too short. If I bend over, my ass will show. It dips between my breasts, and there’s a cut-out right around my belly button. Lots of skin shows, and I can’t help but feel self-conscious. I guess I don’t have to worry about the dress giving me a wedgie, considering I don’t think it has enough material to reach the crack of my ass.

“A Jimmie, you know, a condom. Always use one, and make sure it’s from your stash. I’ve seen some desperate men out there looking for a reason out of marriage.” Margo shakes her head, digging in her purse.

“What do you mean?” Jayden asks, running her hands down her gray dress. It covers her breasts and her crotch with the entire middle and back open.

“Men will poke holes, or say they don’t have one,” Margo responds, lighting a cigarette.

“Jesus,” I mutter, pulling on a stocking, my toes getting caught in the holes.

“No, baby, Jesus isn’t with you. Not in this game.” Margo puffs on her cigarette, looking at me to disagree.

I sigh and sit on the bed to put on some f*ck-me heels.

“What do we do if a guy doesn’t pay? I ask.

Margo lifts a brow. “I suggest you don’t let that happen. Hit the f*cker over the head with a lamp if need be.” I flinch from her harsh tone. “You follow those rules, you’ll be fine, babe,” Margo comforts, rubbing my back.

“Why did Mick split us up?” Jayden asks, sitting next to me.

“Probably because he knows we’re trouble together,” I tease.

“Does it matter? What – you two seeing each other? Because if so, Daddy Mick will charge double for that kind of show.” Margo throws her head back and laughs. Jayden glances my way, her lip curled in disgust.

“No, we aren’t gay,” I spit. “I don’t like being away from her is all,” I continue, my forehead wrinkling with concern.

Margo puffs on her cigarette, squinting with the rolling smoke clouding her face.

“Daddy Mick can tell your girl needs to be broken in slowly.” She points to me, and I roll my eyes and look at the gray curtains in my line of sight.

“I suggest you get your shit together quickly,” Margo snaps.

“Fuck you,” I sneer, standing up. Jayden stands with me, her fists rolled tightly.

“Honey, you better sit your little ass down.” Margo doesn’t even flinch at my harsh tone. “Coming in here acting like you’re too good, that your * is made of gold or some shit.” She licks her bottom lip and levels us with a death glare.

“You don’t know shit about either of us, so shut your mouth, bitch.” I step up to the bed, Margo standing on the other side.

“I suggest you get your emotions under control, because your mommy and daddy aren’t here for you to cry to. This is the real world,” Margo insults, crossing her arms. My nostrils flare and my face burns with rage.

“Like you have room to talk. You’re just being a bitch because you’re jealous of—”

“Jealous of what? You?” She shakes her head and laughs softly.

“Maybe not me, but you’re jealous that Mick took to us so quickly. What – did he give us special treatment that you didn’t get?” I cock my head to the side and watch Margo’s eyes go wide. I hit her soft spot. “Yeah, thought so. Why don’t you get your emotions under control?”

Margo’s upper lip curls, and she slams her half-smoked cigarette in the glass ashtray.

“You better watch it.” Jayden points at Margo with a stare that has me a little nervous.