127. Center of attention
Dee was getting all kinds of mixed signals from Rockford. The guy who actually hurt her boyfriend’s feelings when he canceled their sexual rendezvous last minute. Literally.
Rocco would never complain, the man has always looked at life in a sweet positive kind of way. Maybe because he was raised by his hippie parents who always took life in stride. In any kind of circumstances. His parents didn’t even flinch when he introduced Dee to his parents years ago and she told them that she’s a dancer at Babes. At first, she thought they didn’t know what kind of club Babes was. But of course, they knew, cause their only son works as a bartender at a strip club where she works. From there Dee learns that Rocco inherits the easy way of loving from his parents.
Dee always feels a kind of protectiveness towards her boyfriend for his accepting nature. This was why Dee got upset when Rockford canceled on them. And now she got more upset when Rockford acted all caring towards her after the little incident at the private booth. These kinds of incidents didn’t happen a lot at Babes, and when it did happen those men were cut from their membership and weren’t allowed entrance to the club again. Dee had only experienced it twice, tonight was the second time.
“I got you some chocolate bars, Elvis is escorting the guy out of the premises as we speak and I already told Jojo. So he won’t be allowed in the club ever again. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I told you I’m fine, didn’t I?” Dee replied with a harsh tone.
“Why are you being defensive, Dee? I’m just looking out for you.”
“I’m sorry. But you don’t have to. Rocco already checked in on me.”
“Right, and now he’s out there busy with the bar and you’re here still, troubled.” Rockford’s voice was stern, demanding that she listened to her and Dee was getting more furious with each passing minute.
“I said I’m fine!” Dee half yelled from her frustration. The tension was getting to her. She was getting stressed out when all she wanted to do was to get back to their apartment take a nice long bath, and forget about everything. But she couldn’t, because Rocco was still working until closing time.
“Let me drive you back to your place?”
Fuck… it’s like Rockford was reading her mind. She wanted it. But then, she didn’t want to be there alone. Dee still remembered the first time it happened, the pervert followed her car. Back then she didn’t have Rocco and it scared her to death when she looked at the rearview mirror and saw that she was being followed. It took her an hour of driving around town, shaking the guy off her tail, and then she could finally drive to her apartment. By then she was trembling, her legs felt like jelly when she dropped to the floor the second she was inside her place and locked the door behind her.
“I… I don’t want to be alone. I’ll wait for Rocco.” She turned away from him, hated how shaky her voice sounded. It was the stress and she convinced herself that she’d be better in a couple of minutes. But when her eyes were hot from the unsheed tears, she cursed when Rocco turned her around to face him. He softly tilted her chin and kissed her forehead.
“You’re a strong woman Dee. But I don’t think you should be alone. Can I hug you?” Rockford asked gently and when she nodded, Dee felt his strong arms wrap her close to his chest. And when he kissed the top of her hair, that was when she broke down in tears. “Ssh… you’re safe. He won’t ever touch you.”
Dee was engulfed in his warm embrace for longer than it should. It was silly to think that she hadn’t gotten used to sleazy men by now. Dee knew the risk came with the job. She needed to be strong. She needed to let Rockford go. Finally, when her tears subsided, her cheeks blushed and she felt ashamed for breaking into tears in front of him.
“I’m sorry. Thank you. I’ll… I’ll be fine. I’ll wait here for Rocco.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone. Come on, I’ll get you home and stay with you until Rocco gets back.”
“You don’t have to.” Dee was swayed, he might just convinced her to go home with him though she kept on telling herself to wait for Rocco.
“I want to. We can watch a movie or some stupid shows on TV. I’ll keep you company until Rocco gets back. I’m going to help you forget about that bastard. Okay?”
By then, she was swayed again when Rockford was being all sweet and attentive. He hadn’t even let go of his hold on her completely and Dee was liking his protective side.
“Why?” She finally asked.
“Why not? I thought we were friends. I like you Dee, I like Rocco too. And he’s busy behind the bar and I know he wouldn’t want you to be alone. He knows you’re here and that puts his mind at ease, but I’m sure if I asked Rocco, he will let me take you home and accompany you while we wait for him.”Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.
Dee sighed and told Rockford that her boyfriend would say exactly that. “How do you know him so well?” She asked as she rested her hand on his chest while his hands moved down to the small of her back, still not letting her go.
“I watched him and I watched you. Look, I worry about you. Will you let me take care of you? At least until your boyfriend is done with his shift.”
“I guess, it’ll be nice to take a bath.” She stepped back and Rockford finally sighed when she reached for her stuff and put on her sneakers.
“Give me a couple of minutes, I’ll clock us out with Jojo then we’ll tell Rocco,” Rockford said before stepping out of the changing room walking like a man on a mission.
Dee felt flattered, it had been a while since Rocco even treated her this way. They have been together for six years and things between them have been comfortable, sure they love each other but with work and everyday situations things have been a bit of a routine. Up until Rockford slipped into their threesome session. When it happened, something between Dee and Rocco had flared. But when Rockford decided to make a lame excuse for the next one, the couple was disappointed to the point that they didn’t even talk about it.
“Hey, Rocco. I’m taking off early, I got Hector covering for my shift. I’m taking Dee back home. Is that okay with you? I think she could use the rest.”
“Oh… I’m sorry baby, I’ll be home as soon as I’m done here. Okay?” Rocco walked from behind the bar to meet Dee, cupped her cheek, and gave her lips a chaste kiss. Her boyfriend smiled sweetly and her heart fluttered like it always would whenever he stroked her feelings even with the smallest kind of affection.
“Rockford, will you stay with her until I’m there? I know it’s a lot to ask but I…”
“Hey, don’t worry okay? I already told Dee that I’m going to stay until you’re back.” The guy put his hand on Rocco’s arm and that made Dee dart her eyes at her boyfriend. They’ve been together long enough to know what was not being said between them. And at that moment, both were confused about Rockford’s hot and cold situation.
Then, when Rocco nodded and gave Dee a final peck on her cheek, he told her to text him the moment they arrived at their place. With that, Rockford took Dee away with his car to the apartment that she shared with her boyfriend.