Blake Kelley

Blake POV

I am not sure what happened with Robert. It is like time stopped when he kissed me. I know he kissed me, but I cannot remember anything after that. The next thing I know, I am in the office, changing back into my bartender clothes. The situation is strange, and if I was not so damn desperate for money, I would not have gone into the private room with him.

There is a knock on the door. "Come in," I say as I fold Alicia's clothes up and lay them on the chair. Thomas comes into the office. I am glad I have my clothes on already. I do not want him looking at me tonight. He is giving me bad vibes. I do not know if it is Robert and the VIPs or what, but they all are creepy.

"Hey, Robert left you a tip and asked to see you again tomorrow night," Thomas says. Thomas is smiling and looking at me in a way that is making me uncomfortable. I do not think I have ever felt this uncomfortable around Thomas. He is different. Something has changed. Has everyone lost their minds in this town?

"Okay, thanks," I say. I do not think it is a good idea, but I need the money to leave town and get away from whatever is going on with everyone.

"So, is that a yes to seeing him tomorrow?" Thomas asks. Thomas is looking at me like I am a piece of meat. I guess to him, I am prime rib, and he is the butcher selling me to the highest bidder.

"Yes, I will see him tomorrow," I say reluctantly.

"Good, I will have to get someone else on the bar. Robert booked you for the entire night," Thomas says.

I walk out of the office without responding. If he paid two thousand dollars to kiss me, imagine what he is paying for the entire night. I can leave Friday morning. I can take a plane instead of a bus. I still have not decided where I am going. Maybe Florida or Louisiana. I want to go somewhere far away, maybe warm with a beach. What if he is expecting me to sleep with him? I am not sleeping with that weird man, no matter how much he pays me.

I go back to the bar. Alicia is passing out beers and shots. "Hey, this is hard work," she says as she hustles to keep up. I do not think anyone realizes how hard I work here, especially Thomas.

I smile at her. "So is a private dance," I say.

"How did it go? Was he nice or a pervert?" Alicia asks, she seems concerned for me. She is the only person who is ever concerned for me in this place.

"He only wanted to talk. He was nice, not a pervert at all. Alicia, he did give me the creeps a little, but I guess that comes with the territory. Thanks for the outfit. I am seeing him again tomorrow night," I say.

"You go, girl. I have a private dance with one of the guys with Robert. Maybe he will be as nice. Most of the guys are a little creepy. Do not let him get to you. Just go in there, be sweet and make your money. I got to get to the private room. Wish me luck," Alicia says. Alicia bounces away from the bar.

The rest of the night is a blur. It goes by quickly. I occasionally see Robert with the men he came in with, and then he disappears for a while. He is friendly but odd. Something about him is intriguing, but at the same time, my mind tells me to run from this place tonight and never look back. I see all the red flags, but I am desperate to relocate and start my life over.

After I close the bar and prep it for tomorrow night, I remember Alica's clothes. I need to put them in the wash before I leave. I can dry them and return them to her tomorrow. I go to Thomas's office and grab her clothes out of the chair. I walk to the back laundry room to put the clothes into the wash when I hear Thomas talking to someone about me. I listen for a moment, but then he goes quiet.

I put Alicia's clothes in the wash and leave the laundry room. One of the strippers walks up to me as I am coming out of the laundry room. "Hey, have you seen Alicia?" I ask.

"No, she did not come back from her private dance," Daria says. She walks away without any explanation. I do not know why I bothered asking Daria anything. Even if she knew where Alicia was she would not tell me. All of the dancers hate me.

I go to the back room to grab my backpack. Alicia's keys and belongings are still at her station. I wait a moment. Should I ask Thomas about her? What if something happened?

I go back toward the laundry room. I hear Thomas talking. "Thomas!" I call out to him. He steps out of a private room with Robert and another man.

"I am looking for Alicia," I say.

Thomas walks toward me. "She is in a private room with a client," Thomas says, almost biting my head off.

"I put her clothes in the wash, and I only wanted to let her know that I would take care of it tomorrow night," I say.

Robert walks toward me. "Blake, I thought we could grab a bite to eat, and I could escort you home," he says. He almost hisses his words. I step back from him.

"I am tired, Robert, and really just want to go home," I say. I look over at Thomas, expecting him to say something, but he steps into the private room.

"Well, let me help you get home," Robert says. I am scared, but then Robert looks into my eyes, and suddenly, I am not afraid anymore.

"Okay," I say.

Robert takes me by the hand and leads me out of the club. I am mesmerized by him. He takes me to his car and opens the passenger side door. "Get in, Blake," he demands.

I get into the car. Robert closes the door. I sit quietly while he talks with someone, and then he gets into the car with me. I start to think about Alicia.

"Is Alicia okay?" I ask him.

Robert laughs. "She is perfectly delicious," Robert says.

Robert starts driving toward my house. "I did not tell you where I live," I say.

"Thomas told me all about you," Robert says.

"He does not know anything about me," I say.

"He told me that you are all alone in this world, and I want to change that for you, Blake," Robert says.

"I am fine, thank you," I say.

"No, Blake, you are not fine. You need my help; you just do not know it yet," Robert says.

Robert pulls up in front of my house. I see Ashley and Anna standing outside of our home. They wave at Robert. "You know my roommates?" I ask him.

"I know their friends," Robert says.

I grab my bag and bolt for the house. I run straight to my room and lock the door. I can hear Robert in the house talking to my roommates. Just a few more days, and I am free from here. I do not know what is going on, but I am not safe.

There is a knock on my bedroom door. "I am sorry I scared you, Blake. I hope we can still be friends," Robert says. I ignore him. I close my eyes and go to sleep.

I wake up to my phone going crazy. I have overslept, and I am late for work. I pick up my phone. It is Thomas. "Where are you?" he screams into the phone.

"I am getting dressed. I am on my way," I say.

"I am sending a car for you. When you get here, go straight to the private room. Robert is waiting on you," Thomas screams.

I get out of bed and grab my bag. I can hear my roommates and those weird guys partying. I do not want to come back here. I pack my work bags with extra clothes. I can start over when I get where I am going. I am leaving tonight. I will have the money I have saved plus the private room money. I am leaving as soon as work is over.