Worth Saving(22)

“Not for me, Austin,” she says, subtly slipping back into her bad mood. “I don’t really have room for BFF’s. But, I appreciate you trying to put a smile on my face.”

“Well, it’s no problem. If we can’t be BFF’s, I can at least popup every now and then and walk you home,” I reply as we make a turn into the parking lot of an apartment complex.

“Sure. That’d be fine,” she says, grinning, but making sure she doesn’t smile too much. “This is my stop. I think I can make it the rest of the way.”

“You sure? I don’t mind walking you all the way up to your doorstep. See, I can BFF like nobody’s business.”

She laughs again as she shakes her head.

“I’m fine, I promise, but I appreciate it. Thanks for the walk home.”

“My pleasure,” I reply. “You know, you still have my number, and if you ever have one of these late nights and you’re out walking alone, you could give me a call. I’ve become somewhat of a night owl these days, so I wouldn’t mind walking with you. I could leave my car in a dark alley somewhere, and hope it doesn’t get stripped for parts while I BFF you all the way to your apartment. I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

She smiles at me again. There’s something in that smile that gives me butterflies. Awesome little butterflies I’ve never felt before.

“Thanks, Austin,” she says, nodding her head like she’s giving me her approval. “I might just have to think about that. Have a good night.”

I smile back at her. “Have a good night, Layla.”

As she walks away, I watch the whole time, hoping she doesn’t turn around and see me. Her walk isn’t as tight and apprehensive as it was earlier. She’s loosened up a bit, and it makes her even more beautiful. I stand there marveling until she goes through the door and I’m alone.

I don’t know this woman, and she doesn’t know me, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy talking to her. It helps that she’s stunningly beautiful, but something about putting that smile on her face hits me right in the feels, if there is such a thing.

I can tell she’s working out some shit, and I’m working out my own demons as well, so for all I know, we’d be a disaster together. But, there’s a part of me that kind of wants to find out.

I make my way back to my car, hoping it’ll still be there when I get there, and I kind of wish I could’ve prolonged this little walk with Layla, because it sucks being alone again. I guess I’ll get back in the car and keep going on my trip to nowhere, hoping tomorrow will be just as bright as tonight was.





Layla

“You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just tired. Ready to go home. These slow nights are awesome, but they’re a drag.”

“I think you’re the only girl in here who thinks slow nights are awesome, seeing as how you don’t get tipped very much on slow nights,” Marlene says, reminding me that I’m supposed to be upset when the club is empty. There’s no tippers on slow nights, but I see it differently. To me, when Red Pony is empty, I don’t have to worry about doing something I don’t want to. I don’t have to deal with men.

“You’re probably right,” I reply as I put on my sweater. The night is over for us. It’s three in the morning—closing time—and David and Damien are in the office wrapping things up. Unfortunately, we can’t leave until they say we can, but I’m okay with it because I know we’re about to be done, and I went through this night without incident.

“So, you’re off tomorrow, huh? Got any plans?” Marlene asks as she shuts off the lights behind the bar.

“Not really,” I answer. “When I’m off from here, I just want to relax. A lot of the time, I just stay in bed eating popcorn, binging on Netflix, and taking unnecessary showers trying to wash off the man-filth from being here all night.”

Marlene giggles. “Man-filth. That’s funny.”

“What about you?”

“Me? I’m not off, honey. I’ll be right back here at seven tomorrow night. I don’t get tips like the rest of you girls. I need the hours.”

“Well, you don’t have to get naked for money either, not to mention the other shit we have to do. So, we’re the ones who envy you, not the other way around.”

“Touché.”

Marlene comes to the other side of the bar and takes a seat on the stool next to me. We continue to chat about nothing for another ten minutes, when we finally see David and Damien come out of the office and approach the small gaggle of girls who are waiting to go home. David is wearing a black suit, while his younger brother is wearing blue sweat pants and an oversized white t-shirt. We all have our jackets and purses on when Damien walks up to me. David walks towards the door and tells all the girls that they’re good to go for the night. I go to get up as they all start to trickle out the door, but Damien stands in my way, scowling.

“Not you, Layla,” he says. “Marlene, you can go.”

Marlene and I look at each other, and I can see the concern on her face, just like I see it on the faces of the girls who are walking out the door, looking back at me.

“I think I’ll stay,” Marlene replies, sitting back down, but Damien isn’t having it.