It Started With Lake (Book 1)

Chapter 26: Lake

I watched the half-naked stripper twirl around the pole in front of me. Her hazel eyes locked on mine, and she smiled at me. I didn't return it. She wasn't Emani, and I wasn't turned on in the slightest. I can't believe I let Jason drag me to a strip club. I was so torn up about Emani that when he offered, I accepted. He's slowly become a frenemy overnight. When he's not an asshole, he's actually pretty cool.

"Her ass is perfect," Jason said as he took a sip of his Sprite beside me. He threw a five-dollar bill on her backside. "I bet you don't even remember what Emani looks like." I ignored him as the girl got on her knees and crawled towards me. Her box braids hung to her waist, and she flashed me another flirty smile.

Oh, God.

"What's your name, sweetie?" she asked me. "I've never seen you before. I'm Candice."

"Lake."

Candice leaned forward, and I could see her boobs falling out of her bra. "Do you want a private dance?"

"Hey, what about me?" Jason pouted like a four-year-old. "I want a private dance, honey bun."

Candice glared at Jason. "You come here every week, and I always tell you no." Her eyes found mine, and she grinned. "However, your friend can have whatever he wants. I won't bite."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "I have a girlfriend."

Well, I did.

Candice pretended to pout. "She's a lucky girl. If you were my man, you wouldn't be at a dump like this." She returned to the pole and took her bra off. I got up and stormed out of the place. I'd seen enough.

Jason was on my heels within seconds."Ok, maybe a strip club wasn't the answer, but I tried. You've been looking depressed all day. What happened with Emani?"

"Her mom and other stuff, " I muttered, not wanting to go into details. Jason was cool, but I still had my guard up. He hadn't earned my trust completely. "Look, I think I'm going to head home. My brother has been blowing me up."

Jason shrugged. "Alright. I'll see you at school tomorrow, man. Also, you clearly still love Emani. You barely talked to any of the girls inside. Make it right, man, and get her back."

"F off, " I said with a laugh. He was right, though. I couldn't stop thinking about Emani. She messaged me an hour ago, saying she missed me, but I didn't reply. Emani had become my weakness. A weakness I wouldn't allow myself anymore. A lot of things needed to change for us to work. For starters, her mom needs to accept me and stop meddling in our relationship. I doubt that ever happens.

Jordan scowled at me when I walked through the door at 1 in the morning. I forgot to message him my whereabouts, and I knew I was in for a lecture.

"Look, I know you're 18, but I still would like for you to check-in. I was worried about you, Lake," Jordan said as I closed the door. "I was so desperate I went to Emani's house."

I got into his face. "Why would you go there?"

Jordan glared down at me. "Bro, you need to chill. I get you're angry at your girl but don't take it out on me. I'm not Xavier."

The mention of his name made my blood boil. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have come at you like that. I was with Jason."

Jordan blinked twice. "The kid that jumped you months ago?"

I nodded. "We are cool now. I think he's changed. He knows not to fuck with me anymore."

Jordan shrugged and took a sip of his beer. "Well, that's good, I guess. I'm going to bed."