“Badge?” Skirt laughs. “We’re talking about the same guy who grumbles and hates everything, right?”
“He doesn’t hate everything.” I feel defensive for some reason.
“He doesn’t like kids. He actually called them vermin at one point.” Skirt quirks a red brow at me and strokes his fingers through his beard.
“That’s a lie and we all know it. You’ve seen how he is with Maizey. And last night he managed to get Faith to stop crying, burped her, changed her, and figured out that I wasn’t patting her back hard enough.”
“Ye sure she didn’t get the shit scared out of her?”
“I’m sure. He was great with her.” I don’t want to add more. I want to stow away all the information I can. It’s hard to believe the Badge I saw last night is the same Badge who everyone says hates kids, hates life, hates everything. I don’t think so. I think he hides his sweet soul.
And I want to know why.
“Anyway, I was hoping to go do a little shopping today and I wanted to go get my hair done. I need a day where I feel like a girl again,” I chuckle.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful,” Dawn agrees. “Mind if I tag along?”
“Me too,” Ruby adds.
“Might as well ask all the girls, sweetheart. It’s been a while since everyone went out. It doesn’t say much for us guys,” Dad cringes. “We could do better.”
Oh. I mean, it sounds great. I’d love to hang out with people, but at the same time, I really wanted time to myself, alone. But I can’t say no to them or I’ll feel bad. I’m not used to girl time or having people who want to hang out with me, so maybe it’s something I just need to get used to.
“Yeah, that sounds great, guys.”
“Oh, maybe we can go to The Hall of Lust,” Dawn says with excitement.
“The hell ye are,” Skirt grumbles.
“What’s The Hall of Lust?” I raise a wary eyebrow.
“You aren’t going there,” Dad agrees with Skirt. “Hell no. None of you are going.”
“Why not? You go,” Ruby tosses at him, a playful, knowing smile on her face.
I glance between them as they stare each other down. “Okay, what am I missing?”
“Nothing.” Dad rocks Faith, narrowing his eyes at Ruby.
“It’s a secret, exclusive club for people with certain… tastes,” explains Dawn. “You go, sit in a room, pick what you want the performer to do sexually, and you sit back and relax.”
“Oh,” I say a bit breathlessly. Yeah, that does sound really great.
“The answer is no. Nope. You aren’t allowed to go, and no way is Mateo Moretti getting his dirty hands on you. He’d probably try to recruit you to work there, and over my dead body is that happening.”
“Well, I mean, extra cash…” I say under my breath, teasing him just to get him riled up.
“Don’t even think about it,” Dad grumbles.
“I’m kidding. I’m kidding. I am going to go get my hair and nails done. Away from The Hall of Lust.”
“Swear?”
“Dad, I swear.” I stand on my tiptoes and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to go shower to get ready. Who all is coming?”
“I don’t know. I’ll ask around and see who is available,” Ruby says, bending down to kiss Faith on the cheek before skipping out and heading out of the kitchen and into the main room.
“Anyone know where Badge is?” I ask as I head to my door, pausing as I stand in front of it.
“He left early this morn’. Probably won’t be back for a while. Dinnae ken where he skedaddled,” Skirt explains, then bolts to his feet when he hears the cry of baby Joey.
“Why are you asking about Badge?” Dad asks, curious, his tone a bit bitter.
“Because, I wanted to get him a thank you present for helping me last night while I was out. But since he isn’t here, I won’t worry about it.”
Dad just grunts in response. I roll my eyes at his antics before going into my room and shutting the door. I take a deep breath and take a look around, appreciating the clean room with a queen-size bed and a crib off to the side. The walls are bare and there are no pictures, but I don’t have anything to make this place my own.
One day I will.
Well, there is the album of pictures I keep of Faith, but I’ve only just started that. I guess it’s time I get one of those cameras that can print out a picture. I think they’re called Polaroid? I can make a collage across the wall. I have a little money saved up. I can’t see why I can’t splurge.
I only have money because my dad won’t let me buy anything. I guarantee he is going to give me cash before I walk out of here, but I feel guilty. I don’t want him to think I can’t take care of myself. I want to make him proud.
And I feel like I have such a long way to go.
I get undressed, head to the restroom, and flip on the shower. I throw my hair into a bun while it warms because I know that when I get it cut and colored, they will wash it there anyway.
I squeeze a thick dollop of strawberries and cream body wash onto the baby-blue loofah and wash myself. I get lost in the thoughts of Badge while I scrub my legs. I’ve always noticed him. I have thought for a while now there is more to him than what meets the eye and last night proved as much.
What makes that broken heart tick?
Isn’t that always the case with people who are assholes? They always have something horrible happen to them and they cut themselves off from the world?
I hope that isn’t the case. Something bad enough to change someone forever has to hurt to the point of agony.
I understand and can relate, but the difference between me and Badge is that I don’t want to push people away.
I like people. I like being around them now that I have the chance.
Once I’m finished in the shower, I grab the clean fluffy towel and dry off.
The floor is slick from the steam sticking to it. I throw on a pair of jeans, a bra, and a light pink off-the-shoulder shirt. Deodorant, perfume, and a swish of gloss, and I’m ready. Snagging my purse, I slip on my black flats and head out the door, deciding to wait for everyone in the living room.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Dad is sitting on the couch with Faith, all three dogs sitting at his feet. “Oh, I have something for you.” He digs into his back pocket and gets his wallet out. “How much is it for a girls’ day? Is five hundred enough?” He pulls out five one-hundred-dollar bills and my eyes nearly cross.
“Dad,” I sigh as I sit next to him, taking his hand in mine. “You don’t have to give me money every time I need something. I appreciate it, but I have my own money now. I can do a few things.”
He places the money in my hand anyway. “I know, but I missed out on getting to take care of you when you needed it most. I know you don’t ask for this money, but it makes me feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. Please, take it. For me.”
“It’s a lot of money. I don’t need all of it.”
“Yes, you do. Plus, I want you to save your money. I’ve had all my life to save and now I can take care of you. If you feel bad, just get me something sweet,” he whispers the last few words. “It can be our little secret.”