The Arrangement Anthology (60 page)

I type back,
I’d like that.

Then I’ll see you soon. I need to take care of a few things and then I’ll be in touch.

Acid couldn’t wipe the smile off my face after reading that.

When I finish at the restaurant, I pay the tab and then wander through the mall with a goofy look on my face, resisting the urge to skip and tap my heels together. Oh hell, I do it anyway. I skip twice, which is really more of a gallop, before I jump. When I go to tap my heels together, I miss. It’s the most uncoordinated thing I’ve ever done. I come down with my ankle at a strange angle and fall on my ass.

A couple of guys clap loudly and chide, “Nice, honey! Way to stick the landing!” They laugh and walk by me like I’m too stupid to be alive, but I so don’t care.

I jump up and brush off my butt with a huge blush across my face, giggling. The other guy winks at me, like I’m really cute. Who knew my super sucky coordination skills were attractive? I duck my head and scurry away before I manage to trip on my feet.

When I catch up to Mel in the jewelry store, Tiffany is glowering in the corner with her arms folded over her plastic boobs. I bounce up next to Mel. “What are you doing?”

She beams at me. “I figured I needed some stuff while we were here—ya know, some gold hoops, a 3 carat diamond pendant to match. Nothing much. My friend Roger here is ringing me up and I’m going to pay in cash.” Her voice is so loud. If pride had a face, it would be Mel’s. She beams at me as she lays out over $10,000 in cash, slapping it down on the counter, bill by bill, grinning.

Tiffany rolls her eyes. I wave her over and she looks hopeful. “Hey,” I ask, “you got a second?” She nods, hoping that I’m going to spend as much as Mel. Like I’d spend it with her after that? Seriously, someone sniffed too many markers. We both glance at Mel. After a moment, I say, “It’s too bad you went super bitch on her ass, before. On the bright side, you just pushed your friend’s sales quota over the top for the month.”

I beam at her and walk over to Mel, who’s wearing her new jewelry. “Damn, that’s a big diamond.” It’s a princess cut and looks stunning against her dark skin. The chain is white gold and matches the crusted diamond earrings she bought to match it.

Mel flashes her bright smile my way, actually giddy. “I know. I said to myself that I needed to buy myself a present. I work hard and I deserve nice shit, so I came back in here and Roger—this wonderful man—helped me pick out the biggest diamond pendant they had. Now it’s mine!” She squeals and claps her hands together like she’s too excited to breathe. Then, she looks over at Tiffany and waves. “Have a nice day, Bitchy Barbie.”

CHAPTER 4

On the way home that afternoon, I get a call from Black. When I answer the phone, her voice is terse and the epitome of unfriendly. “Where are you?”

“I’m with Mel, why? Is something wrong?” What could go wrong at an illegal brothel? For a second I think the cops are raiding her office, but it’s too quiet.

Black’s teeth click together when she speaks. “You have a client this evening, Avery. You need to stop in here before you go. It’s late, so I reiterate—where are you?”

I’d planned on driving to Jersey tonight to find Sean. Mel glances at me out of the corner of her eye while driving Southern State like a race car driver. She cuts off a pickup truck who blares his horn at us. We’re going to get caught in rush hour if we don’t get back to the dorm soon. I need to pack a bag before I go.

“I didn’t sign up to work tonight. Mel and I are off.”

“You and Mel are both working. There are clients, Avery and—”

Pulling the phone away from my mouth, I whisper to Mel, “Are you working tonight?” She shakes her head. “Turns out we are. Can she do that?” Mel wiggles her fingers, meaning for me to give her the phone. “You can’t drive and talk—” Mel snatches the phone from me. “Okay, so maybe you can…”

Mel’s voice is as hard as Black’s. “Hey, Miss Black. I was out with my home-fry, Avery. What up?” Mel mouths, “I’ll handle this. No reason to go whiter than you already are. We need to get you some color, girl.” Mel jerks the car and changes lanes, leaving my stomach behind us. I hate driving with her in traffic. She bobs and weaves, yanking the steering wheel, changing lanes abruptly, and flying like the car should have wings.

Mel grins, “Well, it’s gonna cost you. We had plans.” Mel presses the phone to her shoulder and cuts across three lanes of traffic to get to our exit. Horns blare, but somehow she still hears what Miss Black says. “Fine, whatever. All I know is that my days off are getting to be fewer and fewer, and overworked and underpaid are two words that are not in my vocabulary, Miss Black. So, if you want me and Avery to work tonight, you’re going to have to fix that underpaid part. Overtime is a 50% increase. We’re both well into it this month and you know it. Uh huh. Well, that’s a risk I’m willing to take. How ‘bout you, Avery?” Mel makes a sound of agreement, and grins as she comes to a stop light. “Avery says, ‘suck it.’ She’s not taking a charity case either. Go ahead. Sic your big thug on us. I’ll cut him up and don’t you doubt that I won’t. Yeah.” She nods for a few seconds and then a smile breaks across her face like sunlight in the dawning sky. “Damn straight, woman. That’s more like it. We’ll be there in an hour. We both need wardrobe, too.” Mel tosses me back the phone.

I’m a little afraid. I put it to my ear like it might bite me, but Black already hung up. “Are you insane? She threatens to beat the shit out of us and you said bring it?”

Mel shrugs. “It’s part of the game, honey. If you can’t play, get out of the sandbox.” I blink at her like she’s lost her mind. Mel rolls her eyes, “This business is just that—a business. If Black wants to work us like this, then she’s gotta compensate us. That’s all there is to it.”

“Has she ever had Gabe or one of the guys rough you up?”

Mel snorts and glances at me. We turn a corner and head back to the Long Island Expressway. “Where are you getting your info on pimping?
Crocodile Dundee?
This isn’t 1980, Avery. The most Black will do is make you uncomfortable.”

“You don’t believe that.”

“It’s all talk. Have you ever seen Gabe beat the shit out of anyone?”

“Yeah. Last week. He beat Henry Thomas—”

“So he slapped him around in front of you, but did you witness the whole asskicking?”

“No.”

“Well, I’ve never seen one either. Odds are that Mr. Dickhead is walking around in the same condition you last saw him in—meaning that Gabe threw a few punches and that was it. If it’s bend over or take a hit, I’d rather get punched in the face. Besides, Black was bluffing this time. She needs us.”

“Yeah, but the key phrase is
this time
, Mel.” What about next time? Or the time after? What happens when we no longer hold the same value to Black? I don’t want to find out.

CHAPTER 5

The life of a call girl agrees with Mel. She likes to make guys fall on their knees. She tells me that Black gives her the guys that want to be tamed, that need a strong woman. “Most women are too demur. Bunch of pussies.” We’re sitting in the office, checking in.

I stifle a laugh because Black is coming back. She already scolded me for being fat again, even though my measurements are exactly the same. “Avery,” Black snaps her fingers at me, motioning to take the lingerie in her hands, “Put these on and hurry up. You’re going to be late.”

“She’s not late and stop snapping at her like she’s a mutt. Show some respect.” Mel folds her arms over her chest. She’s leaning back in a chair, already dressed and ready to go.

“Why are you still here?” Black’s eyes narrow to slits as she stares at Mel.

“I’m waiting for my friend.”

“Your friend has had enough of you for today. Go and have the driver take you downtown before I get tired of seeing you.” Black glares at Mel and Mel stares back. They hate each other. It’s weird, since I thought they had an okay relationship. Guess not.

Mel backs down first, which is weird. She stands and brushes her dress off. “Fine, but if you mess with her—”

“Yes, you’ll personally carve me a new face. I understand your gang speak. Now go on.” Black uses the most condescending tone I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe Mel doesn’t say anything back, but she doesn’t. Instead, there’s a languid smirk on her face that clearly accompanies the word, BITCH.

Black turns back to me and doesn’t notice, or care. “Well, hurry up!”

I dress quickly and pull on the bra and panty set. Another shelf bra. The underwire cuts into my sides because it’s a size too small. My boobs look like popovers in this thing, which isn’t a look I usually go for. It’s not the 60’s, no one likes cone-shaped boobs anymore. I walk out and Black hands me a little charcoal gray dress. “Uh, Miss Black, this doesn’t fit.”

Her eyes flick up from her desk and she looks me over. “It’s fine. This client will enjoy it. Get the dress on and get out of here.”

Gabe is waiting for me downstairs. The ground looks like a sheet of glass. It’s been raining, which makes the city lights sparkle on the ground. I love the city when it rains, especially since I don’t have to try and catch a cab. I duck into the car and lose a boob as I climb in. It falls out of the too-small bra and peeps out the top of my low-cut neckline. Horrified, I tuck it back into the bra as Gabe walks around the car and lets himself in. He doesn’t say anything.

We drive to another hotel, to meet another client. My stomach is twisting ruthlessly as I cross the lobby. It isn’t until I lift my hand to knock on the door that I realize that I never saw this guy’s picture or caught his name. All the bickering between Black and Mel had me distracted. Just as I raise my fist to knock, the door opens and a hotel employee greets me.

“Good evening, Miss. Your husband said he’d be along shortly and asked me to make some preparations to your room. I hope everything is to your liking. There’s a letter on the desk, from Mr. Charles. He asked that you read it immediately and apologized for his delay.” The young man holds the door open for me and I step inside.

For a second my heart is pounding, but when I glance around the room there are roses everywhere. Some of the jitters float away as I stand there. Then it dawns on me to tip the guy. I stuff twenty bucks into his palm and thank him.

When he leaves, it’s clear that I’m alone. “Well, let’s see where Mr. Charles has gone to...” I can’t believe he made a fuss about me being here and then didn’t show up. I still get paid, so whatever.

After finding the letter, I tear it open and read the note. I stare at it for a second longer than I should, not believing what I’m reading.
It can’t be…

My phone chirps and I drop the letter. Grabbing my purse, I yank out my phone and look down at the screen. It’s Sean. A smile softly laces across my face.

There’s a text message.

Avery, are you there?

Yes
, I type back with a stupid smile on my face. He really booked me again? Maybe he doesn’t want to let me go and just can’t say it yet. I cradle the phone to my chest like it’s Sean and giggle.

Do you understand what I want us to do?
He explained it in his letter. Since he can’t be here, Sean wants to be dirty with me from afar.

Heart pounding, I type back,
Sexting, right?

Pretty much. I couldn’t be there, but I had to have you.

Miss Black will have a coronary if she finds out about this. Pictures are discouraged and sexting is strictly forbidden. But it’s Sean... I start to ask him if he cleared it with Black, but erase the message. I want to be with him and if he didn’t, I’d rather not know. As it is, I wonder what Gabe will report since he isn’t going to see Sean walk in or out.

I’m not sure what to do, or what to type. How do we even start something like this? I flat out tell him,
I haven’t done this before…

A few seconds pass and he writes back
, It’s okay. I’ll tell you what to do and you do it. That’s all. It’s not hard, Avery… Stand in front of the mirror and take a picture of yourself. I want to see what you’re wearing.

I walk to the mirror and click the picture. After I hit send, another message appears.

Remove the dress and send another…

My heart flutters. This is weird. There’s no one to talk to, no one to look at, but I do it anyway. This is what he wants. Besides, I’ve never done it before. Maybe it’s not going to be weird the whole time. Slipping the dress off my shoulders, I take another picture showcasing my cleavage and perky nipples, but it doesn’t feel sexy. I’m too nervous. I click send and glance around the room.

There’s wine on the dresser. It’s the kind you like. Go have a glass and then lay down on the bed.

Fine by me. I walk across the room in my heels and find the wine. Someone already removed the cork so the only thing I have to do is pour a glass and chug it. The wine warms me as it floods my stomach. That combined with a lack of dinner makes me calm down. I pour another glass and place it on the nightstand before climbing onto the bed.

There’s another message:

Are you ready?

Yes.

Will you do anything I want, no questions asked?

My stomach twists as giddy excitement rises in my chest.
Yes, if that’s what you want…

Good. Tonight is about me seeing you. I’ll tell you what to do and when. I want you to follow my directions exactly and send pictures or video when I tell you.

Will you send any to me?

No. Tonight’s about your ecstasy, Avery. I want to see you writhing with pleasure and know that I was the man who did it to you…that my words were enough to make you come hard and long.
The message makes my stomach flip. The spot between my legs is already pulsing softly, expectantly. The whole situation is unreal. I thought Sean left me. I thought we’d never see each other again, and here we are.