Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(21)

“It’s not that.” I try to sober up. “It’s your face, you look horrified. I thought you were going to say something like you’re a high paid escort or a hooker, or maybe let labs test products on you.”

“Don’t be daft!” She laughs and slaps my arm.

“Big deal, you’re taking your clothes off for money. Is it in a nice club at least?” I ask, suddenly worried.

“Yes, it’s a nice, classy club, well as classy as a strip club can be.” She takes a bite of a sandwich she made.

“That’s something. Does it make a lot of money?” I ask, curious.

“Yeah, it makes decent money on top of what I earn at the coffee shop. Are you actually curious?” She chuckles.

“Yeah, I’m very nosy when it comes to people’s secret lives.” I shrug, and we move to the couch. “How long have you been doing this?”

“A couple of months now, I’ve been sneaking out every other night. When I told you I was going out with a guy or friends, that’s where I was going.”

“It all makes sense now. I still don’t get why you wouldn’t tell me, especially if you enjoy doing it.”

“I do, I love it. The sense of power you feel to bring a man to his knees by just showing a bit of boob is pretty awesome. And it’s even better when you give them lap dances, unless they are old gross perverts then it’s not fun, but to the younger guys, I love it. I just didn’t want you to think less of me because I’m taking my clothes off for high amounts of money.”

“If anything, you’re making me more intrigued about it all.”

“You should come one night, it’s fun. A lot of girls actually come to the club.”

“I’ll think about it.” I smile and yawn.

“Did you get any sleep?” she asks concerned.

“No,” I groan.

“Again?”

“Yeah, it’s getting frustrating.”

“You need a good f*cking, that’d do you some good.” She teases me.

“Fuck off.” I laugh.

“Try to go sleep for an hour?”

“Nah, it’s pointless, if I do end up falling asleep I’ll be late for work.”

“True. I’m sure Josie will understand if you’re not as cheerful as the other days.”

“The coffee machine better not mess with me today.”

“Good luck with that.” She laughs and goes to her room, leaving me to try and stay awake watching shit TV this early in the morning.

Two hours later I’m standing behind the counter at work, getting frustrated with the coffee machine. Last week, it decided to start playing up. It’s the original coffee machine when Josie first opened, so it might be time for an upgrade. It still works but it has a mind of its own. It either drips just water, or there’s no water, or you get the perfect coffee. It’s a hit or miss which one you’re going to get. Our regular customers understand and sometimes bet which one is going to come out, while new clients sometimes get annoyed with us because it can take a few extra minutes.

As if the coffee machine and my insomnia weren’t enough to mess with my day, my car has started to make weird noises. I took it this morning to drop Elijah off to Suzie’s. It’s the first time it’s making noises, and I’m afraid it’s going to need to be fixed and it’ll be expensive. It’s not that I’m really tight on money, but I definitely can’t just whip out a couple hundred dollars like that.

“What’s got you frowning?” Josie asks, breaking me out of my reverie.

“Coffee machine, insomnia, and my car.” I groan and make myself a hot chocolate.

“The coffee machine will be fixed this week, drink chamomile tea before bed, and I know a garage that isn’t too expensive where you can get your car checked.”

“Are you the genie in the lamp? Here to grant me my three wishes?” I chuckle.

“Obviously, and I even come with red velvet cinnamon rolls. I experimented, and it went down well with Cabe last night. He polished the tray.”

“You’re my favorite, I hope you know that.” I take the roll and take a bite and moan louder than I thought.

“I take it you like it?”

“Like it? This is f*cking amazing. I’ll need a box full to bring home.” I grin.

“If we don’t end up eating them all, you’ve got it.” She passes me my hot chocolate and makes herself a coffee.

“Brilliant! Didn’t you say you knew a garage? Is it close by?” I take another bite and relish in the feeling my taste buds are experiencing.

“It’s at the end of the street. They work fast and have a large crew so you wouldn’t be without a car for too long.”

“That’s something. I’ll just have to take a taxi to Suzie’s to pick up Elijah.”

“How about you ask her to come over with Elijah before your shift is over. They can have a treat here and wait for you until you’re back from the garage. Saves you from having to spend extra money on the taxi.”

“You’re awesome, you know that?”

“I know.” She smirks at me and frowns at her coffee. She throws it in the sink and makes another one before disappearing back in the kitchen. I finish my roll that is perfection and get back to work.