Their Best Friend

Too Far

Sammi POV

I spent today training again. Jake stayed with me, and it’s clear the women have questions. Yes, he’s my boss, and ideally, this wouldn’t be happening, but he’s nice. He’s kind and is helping me. After practising for hours, I went to the toilets and got changed, ready for the date.

Tonight, I will tell him everything, well, about me being a virgin, anyway. The plan is that we go out for a meal and a few drinks, come back to the club, ensure things are okay, and then close up. As neither Jake nor I were working, he told them he would lock up. We could work; I doubt we will take that long on the date; the club doesn’t shut until two.

Walking out, he smiles and wraps his arm around my waist. “Come on, Doll, let’s go.” Kissing my cheek, he leads me out, and we end up in a fancy restaurant. I don’t care about things like this; money isn’t important to me.

We order, and he looks at me, waiting. “So, you mentioned wanting your own business and said you would consider what sort of business, so how is that going? Have you had any business ideas?”

I’ve considered it a lot, and something I do want to do is art. I’m not sure what I can do around art, though. Then there’s that feeling that I shouldn’t. It’s something I shared with my mum. She’s gone now, so how will it work? It’s making me not want to do it. I had a plan, but that plan was with my mum.

“You’re not speaking?” He chuckles, and I nod.

“I’ve not thought of anything. Only art, but it feels wrong as I did that with my mum, so I’ve no idea.” I shrug slightly.

“Then don’t do art. Think outside that box.”

I’ve thought outside it, but there’s nothing else that really interests me. One of the biggest reasons I am distant from the family business is because I wanted to follow my mum, not my dad. I’ve no idea how to, though, or if I will be good enough. “I’ve still no idea what I want to do.”

“You could invest for now. Find businesses to put money into until you figure out your idea.”

That’s not a bad idea, but then I’m tied to other businesses, and it’s no different from the family business. Groaning, I feel like this is a lost cause. Shouldn’t it be easy, something that I know I would love and enjoy? This week has been weird.

I’ve gone back and forth in my mind over Jake and Grayson. I do like Jake a lot, but somehow, Grayson keeps popping up somewhere. I also feel like I’ve made everything awkward. I’ve put so much distance between me and my brothers that it feels wrong. I miss them.

This job is great, but I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore other than wondering how they are. The meal seems to go painfully slow, but then again, I’m focused on my brothers and want to apologise for how I’ve behaved recently.

Yes, I wanted freedom, a chance to choose things for myself. This, though, I don’t even know. Walking into the small bar, we sit down, and Jake talks about his plans to expand the club. It’s a good idea. I don’t think I’ve seen a club as busy as his. There are always people waiting outside, hoping a spot opens up so they can get in.

“I need to tell you something,” I whisper and look at him, deciding now is the time.

“Go ahead,” he smiles and takes a drink.

“As you know, I live with my brothers. So taking a guy back never would work.” Do I just come out and say it? “It means I’ve never taken a guy back to the house, and because of that, I’ve never slept with anyone.”

His eyes squint slightly. “Is this why you won’t stay at mine? Because you have never spent the night with a guy?” He chuckles. “What do you think I will sleep while we’re sleeping?”

Oh, god, no. My head shakes. “By sleeping with anyone, I mean in any sense, Jake, I’m still a virgin,” I whisper, and he chokes on his drink. His eyes widen.

“You’re funny.” He continues to laugh.

This isn’t a joke. It’s the truth. “Jake, I’m being f*****g honest.”

He stops laughing and stares at me. “How is that possible? I get that you live with your brothers, but you’re twenty-one. You said you dated guys.”

“I have. When I tell them, some guys see me as more stress and work than it’s worth. Many just assume I have this faith thing, where I’m saving myself for marriage and see it as too much work and walk. They don’t give me a chance to explain it’s because I live with my brothers, and it complicates things.”

“Your brothers would still be seen as a complication.” He mutters, and I groan.

“I know, which is why I’m going to die a virgin,” I mock, and he laughs.

“That’s a bit dramatic, Doll,” he chuckles like I’m crazy, but it’s how I feel. “Let’s get back to the club,” he stands, and we walk out. I’m still waiting for him to say something about it, but he doesn’t seem phased by the fact I’m still a virgin.

Getting into the club, he hands me a drink, and we sit and talk more. He keeps me with him and does not work, which I’m fine with. I feel bad for just sitting here while the other’s work, though. I watch as slowly the customers and then the workers begin to clear out.

“This place is amazing, Jake,” I smile at him, and he stops before me, his arms wrapping around my waist.

“Come back to minute tonight,” he looks down at me. I can’t. I don’t know what is stopping me from agreeing, but I can’t. Something feels weird and off. Like now isn’t the right time, but when will be? When I’m thirty?

He grips my chin and raises my head so I look at him. “What’s your fear about s*x? I know now, so why are you still refusing to come back to mine?”

I wish I knew. He leans forward and kisses me. My arms wrap around his neck, and he pushes me back onto the small sofa. I feel his hands run along my body, and I moan. My body freezes as he pushes my skirt up, and I hear his zip.

“Jake, no,” I am not f*****g him here.

“You’re fine, I swear, Doll,” he continues to kiss me, and I struggle against him.

“I’m not having s*x here for my first time!” Is he f*****g crazy?

He laughs, pulling and ripping my shirt open. “You’re acting like it’s something important. It’s not that important, and the issue will be resolved in a minute,” he bites against my neck.

“To me, it’s important; stop!” I won’t do it here. I fight against him, and he pushes closer to me. Screaming, I try to get away from him. “Stop, Jake; I don’t want to lose my virginity in the club!” What the hell? I bite against his lip.

His hand swings, and the back of it hits my face. Screaming, I kick him off me, and I rush for the door. His hand grips my hair, and he drags me back. His hand swings again, and I don’t get time to cover my face. Swinging my knee up, I watch him fall to his knees and groan. I run into the bathroom and lock the door.

“Doll, come on,” Jake bangs on the door. Shaking, I grab out my phone and call Zade. Crying, I wait, and as soon as he answers, I speak.

“Zade!” The word is cried from my lips as I try to stay quiet. “Can you come to get me, please? I’m hiding in the toilets.” I can’t believe he was f*****g right.

“Sammi?”

I freeze hearing Grayson.

“I want Zade!” I panic.

“He’s incapacitated right now. Where the f**k are you and what happened?” Crying, my head shakes.

“No,” I won’t f*****g tell him.

“Sammi. Now, where are you?”

“I’m at Luxe Nights,” I whisper and hear him swearing.

“What happened?”

“I just want to come home!” I cry and ignore Jake shouting through the door.

“Sammi, I can f*****g hear him. What happened?”

Reluctantly, I decide to tell him. “He tried for s*x, and I didn’t want to; he ignored me, so I broke free and locked myself in the toilet.” My body quakes as I talk, and I can hear the car speeding.

“Stay on the phone to me, Angel. Don’t open that f*****g door.”

“I won’t,” I’m not f*****g stupid.

The door thuds and moves slightly.

“Sammi, open the f*****g door; you’re overreacting,” Jake screams, and I hear him kicking the door again. “All f*****g week! All week you have flirted with me, and now you f*****g refuse!” I hear something smash and cling to the phone.

“Speak to me, Angel; I can hear you panicking, so speak to me. Keep yourself calm. He won’t get in. I promise he won’t get in.” He can’t be sure of that. He could be wrong. Then what? I panic more, considering it.