Away from my comfort zone

''What do you think?''

His voice is almost sad, disappointed. I look at my hands also disappointed.

''I was sure she...''

He smiles a painfully fake smile without looking at me.

''It's all right. It's over. When I picked her up from the hospital last night...''

''Wait, the hospital?''

I sound more offended than concerned, and maybe I am. Why didn't she call me?

''Yeah, she fell down some stairs in a bar and hit her head. She's fine; it's just a small cut.''

Noticing my apprehension, she adds.

''I didn't call you because it was too late and I wasn't in the mood for someone to feel sorry for me.''

A little harsh, but understandable...I guess.

''I just hate that you had to do it on your own.''

''I've been doing it on my own for years. What's a few more times, right?''

My heart twists in my chest. There's so much responsibility on your shoulders. Balancing finances, your career, strict diet requirements and intense training, how do you function properly?

''Did you say you're done? What does that mean?''

''It means I refuse to carry her through life as a child for one more second. I contacted a rehab in Chicago last night. The company picked her up this morning.''

I'm waiting a while for her to digest your words. She sent her mother to rehab... halfway across the country?

''Chicago is a long way away, Jake.''

He shrugs.

''I need her as far away from me as possible. Otherwise, she'll beg me to come visit her and then convince me to sign her release. I can't... not this time.''

Not this time? Sent her to rehab before? I look at him. His jaw is clenched tightly, his features forward in a scowl. I don't question it anymore. I can see it's hard for him and so I say the only thing I can say.

''You did the right thing.''

The wrinkle in his brow softens. I said exactly what he wanted to hear. No doubt he's been playing some sort of emotional tug-of-war with his decision and I'm glad I was able to ease him a little.

I practically press my face against the cold glass as I try to get a closer look at him. I've never been out of L.A. Why haven't I traveled? Seeing new places is amazing and fresh. Even though people busily walk the sidewalks to get to important appointments and meetings, I feel like this place is untouched, as I've just discovered. Jake pulls up in front of a very luxurious hotel and a man in a lovely black hat opens my door.

''Good afternoon, miss.''

He greets me, extending a white gloved hand.

I glance awkwardly at Jake who looks at me with a pleased expression. I take the man's hand and he helps me out of the car. Jake pulls me away from the man and tells him about the bags. Happily, the man nods and takes the luggage out of the car. We enter the building through a gold revolving door and Jake keeps his fingers intertwined with mine as we approach his team in the lobby. Darryl, Jackson and the three others whose faces I've gotten used to, but have no idea what their names are, are absolutely delighted to see that Jake and I are on time.

''I'm going to check us in.''

Jake says, kissing the top of my head.

I admire the lobby as Darryl explains the plans for tonight and tomorrow. The lobby is spacious and nicely decorated with marble statues and gold trim. There are no rugs adorning the floor and the heels of shoes clatter against the tiles around me. There is a delicious smell, like vanilla and rosemary, and classical music playing softly through hidden speakers makes me feel light and relaxed. This hotel is without a doubt the best place I have ever stayed. Oh, and imagine what the bathroom will look like, assuming it has one.

''Where are Donny and Red staying?''

Jackson asks Darryl, sitting on top of his own suitcase and running his hands through his jeans

''Red and Donny are across town at the Plaza Hotel. Their management has assured me that we shouldn't have any confrontations before the fight. It's a big city. The chances of us running into them tonight are slim.''

''Tonight?''

I ask as the dream of a long, hot bath fades.

''Yes, we're all going out tonight.''

Jackson replies. Even Jake.

Nonsense. The thought of hitting the puppies in a foreign city scares the hell out of me. The clubs in Los Angeles are always packed, which means Denver will probably be the same or worse. Last time I went out I punched a girl in the face and I'm not looking forward to going through that again. Not to mention I didn't pack anything for a night out.

''We won't be gone long.''

Jake says, coming over to stand beside me. His arm hooks around my waist, pressing my side against his.

''I can't drink and I need as much sleep as I can for tomorrow.''

''Good.''

Jackson laughs.

''We need a designated driver and you can leave once we get to Polariss.''

''What time?''

Jake asks.

''We want to be there by ten or eleven. It really doesn't matter. The good shows don't start until midnight.''

Do nightclubs in Denver do shows? I relax a little. Maybe we'll go to the theater or something. I pray to God that's the case.

That's not the case. Polariss is a strip club. How the hell did I not see this coming? Jake pushes me further into the club as I awkwardly watch the women move around on the poles and the men in the booths. I mean, it's definitely the nicest strip club I've ever seen, correction, gentlemen's club as Darryl says, but that doesn't make me any less uncomfortable. I fumble with the buttonholes of my white silk blouse, nervously as Jake places his hand on my lower back and escorts me to a huge reserved table on the other side of the room. As soon as we sit down, a topless woman with fake breasts casually approaches us. Her skirt is short and plaid, barely covering her ass. Her nipples are hard and pointing straight at my face. I wonder if she's cold. She introduces herself as Lena and bends down to adjust one of her knee-high stockings as her breasts rest on the table.

''Something for you, sweetheart?''

She asks me. Her voice is sharp and sweet.

''No thanks.''

I reply, unable to look her in the face. I'm so far out of my comfort zone it's not even funny.

''That's not funny.''

She replies, pouting her too-bright cherry red lips at me. She reaches over and crouches down. Her sen*s brush against my arm and a pang of nauseating embarrassment runs through my stomach.

''I'll have to show you a good time some other way.''

''Huh?''

Beside me, Jake laughs, causing heat to seep into my cheeks.

''I'm fine.''

His warm, soft thumb brushes my cheek.

''We will, let me know, sweetheart.''

His dark eyes settle on Jake.

''What about you, handsome? Can I get you anything?''

He speaks to her as casually as if she's not topless.

''No. I'm fine.''

With a quick nod, Lena struts over to the bar and I'm suddenly grateful my dad isn't here. That would have made this the most embarrassing moment of my life.

''You've never been to a strip club before?''