• 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 •

• 11 •

eneaj

"What happened?" I asked, seeing Damp Braid's red face. "And what's your name," I laughed a little despite the somber mood of her, "because you do not wanna know the nickname I've given you."

"You gave me a nickname?" she asked, taking out another paper towel from the dispenser, her voice filled with hurt, so broken, but so quiet and...sexy?

"Damp Braids," I blushed. I realized how rude that might come off as and quickly said, "Because of your-your-

"Yeah, I get it," she grabbed one braid, squeezing at it. "We got caught out in the rain. Hurricane weather is a bitch. I'm Valerie, but I'm called Val."

"But that's not why you're sad is it?" I felt like a little kid asking that question. "I saw you guys over there arguing," I admitted. "I mean, I wasn't watchin' or nunin but it looked like it was gettin' pretty intense and stuff," I shrugged, trying to play my nervousness off. "And I'm Eneaj...just...Eneaj."

"Yeah, we were," she seemed to get sad again, leaning against the sink.

"You...gonna be able to get home alright? I assume you guys aren't all ridin' back together. You'll be alright in this weather?" I inquired.

"I'll be fine," she waved off my question.

"That's not what I asked," I said seriously, unconsciously taking a step towards her. "I said will you be okay or not?"

"Who you think you are?" she asked, a little bit of amusement on her face as she leaned back against the counter watching me.

I blushed, as she looked me over.

"I've seen you before. On IG."

"I own a club," I shrugged.

"Strapped. In Zinnias," she nodded, seeming to be recalling it all now.

"Yeah," I agreed, standing there awkwardly.

"Do you hire studs?" she questioned.

"I-Well, not before. But I certainly can. I'm sure everyone would appreciate that," I said slowly.

"I can hold a tune, keep a rhythm, work hard. Whatever position you have open, I'll apply for it, even if it's picking up shitty tissues in the restrooms," she said seriously. "I don't think I'll be in much good standing with my friends after this. And, what we do...I can't do on my own."

"What do you guys do, then?" I asked curiously, tilting my head.

"That's for me to know..."

She didn't finish the rest of her statement staring at me as I stared at her. Caught in the way her eyes reflected the light, but reflected her emotions more, no matter how neutral or blank she attempted to keep her pretty face.

"I wanna see you again," I stated, not sure how she would react to that.

I held my breath, afraid if I even moved that she'd say no.

"I'm fine with that," she shrugged, pulling out her phone.

"It didn't...mess up in the rain?" I asked, now able to breathe and attempt at small talk.

"Water proof. But I didn't have it out with me in the rain. I put it in my pocket after we got to McDonald's," she shrugged. She handed me her phone unlocked, leaving me to have to figure out her themed home page and get to her Contacts somehow.

I took advantage of the moment as she turned around and splashed water over her face, focused on that task. All the hell she had been through, I wouldn't even wanna feel water again today. I went to her Messages, and quickly scrolled through, hoping something would catch my eye as she washed her face off. Anything that would give me the excuse to not take her number.

I was like that when I was interested in someone or it was the other way around. Like I was scared to be involved. Ultimately, I always end up backing out of the relationship, for one reason or another.

I didn't see anything on her phone.

Then the word drugs caught my eye in the little group chat she had, with the people out at her table, I'm assuming. Then guns, and stolen money. I went out of her Messages and swiped it away just as she finished with her face, hoping my own face didn't show any surprise.

"I can't find your Contacts and your phone went off," I said smoothly as she turned back around from the sink.

Or, I hope it came off as smooth, at least.

"Here, I got you," she did it for me and I still found myself typing in my name and my digits.

Because bad girls intrigued me.

Our eyes met again as I handed her back the phone.

And Val was most definitely a bad girl.