L-
I hadn't slept. All damn night. I had walked for miles along the dark beach and then went to my bedroom and paced the floor. A cold shower hadn't helped, either. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those pink panties and heard Jennie's sweet sounds. I had to get her out of my head.
I needed to get laid. I hadn't slept with anyone since the incident with Anya. That wasn't like me. Tonight I had to work this out of my system. Keeping Jennie at a distance was all that would keep her from being hurt. It was only a matter of time before she knew and before she hated me.
I grabbed my phone and scanned the numbers I had saved until I found one that I knew was safe for a one-nighter with no strings. She'd require a dinner and some attention first, but Wendy had been trying to get my attention since she'd come to one of Rosé's parties. I'd taken her number and said I'd call sometime.
Once I had set a date for tonight, I got ready for my day with Rosé. We were playing a round of golf today, her birthday request. I was hoping we would miss Jennie, but if not, I could handle buying a drink from her. I just wouldn't breathe her in when she was near me. Or look at her. And I would not think about her panties. Fuck. I needed another cold shower.
Rosé was standing with her arms crossed over her chest and a pout on her face when I walked up to the clubhouse ten minutes late. "Sorry I'm late," I told her, and bent down to kiss her on the cheek to soften her up a bit.
She shoved at my shoulder. "That's not why I'm upset. I just got here," she said, rolling her eyes at me. "Why did I have to hear from Wendy that you asked her out for tonight and not from you?" she asked me, looking annoyed.
Because tonight was about fucking Jennie out of my head. Nothing more. "Didn't know you cared about who I planned to fuck tonight," I replied with a wink, as I pulled my bag out of my Range Rover and handed it to the caddy, who had rushed over to greet me when I drove up.
"Lisa, really?" Rosé snapped at me.
"When she gave me her number, she knew what she was doing. But if you want to call her and warn her of my plans, then be my guest. I'd much prefer she canceled on me now so I could find a replacement."
Rosé shook her head and let out a sigh. "You are horrible."
"You love me," I told her, then grabbed her hand, tugging her with me toward the golf cart. "I want to drive, and I don't need someone to get my clubs for me. Are you good with just me, or do we need a caddy?" I asked her.
She climbed regally into the passenger seat and shrugged. "As long as you intend to get my clubs and clean them, then I don't mind."
"Diva," I muttered, and handed the caddy a hundred-dollar bill for his time, then climbed in and drove us to the first hole.
"Princess, Lisa. I'm a princess," she reminded me.
"No, sis, you aren't. You're a spoiled diva. Marrying a royal would be the only way you could be accused of being a princess," I teased.
Rosé slapped at my arm and laughed. This was the sister who was easy to deal with. The one who was my friend, who I could be myself with. The one who didn't demand things of me that I couldn't do. "Wendy is really nice. Her daddy is a heart surgeon, and she's designing her own clothing line. I think you'd like her if you gave her more than one night in your bed."
I parked the cart and got out. "She won't be in my bed. I don't ever take them to my bed. My sofa, maybe, possibly my kitchen table. Hell, I may try out the washing machine tonight. Once I figure out where the hell it is. Have you ever washed anything in my house before?" I was trying to change the subject. I didn't want to hear about Wendy and have any guilt over using her body tonight.
"You are impossible!" Rosé walked out to the tee, expecting me to get her club. She had been serious about that. She liked to play, but she had no idea what club to choose for each shot.
"I'm horny, and Wendy has some nice tits," I told her.
Rosé frowned at me. "I'm warning her that you're a dog. She needs to know."
I handed Rosé her driver and smirked. "She knows, sis. She knows, or she wouldn't have given me her number."
Rosé waved her hand at me and took the driver.
I had turned to get my own driver when the golf cart coming our way caught my attention. I noticed Jennie's brown hair. Her eyes were focused on me. Shit. I'd known there was a good chance I would see her, but I had hoped that talking about the sex I intended to have with Wendy tonight would cool me down.
I looked away from her. I wasn't going to let her get to me. I could ignore her. Get a drink and act like she was just an average cart girl.
Jisoo one of the other cart girls, was in the front seat with Jennie. She was staring at Rosé as she talked. I cringed, thinking of what Jisoo might know that she could tell Jennie. I wasn't sure how close the two were. Surely not very close. Jisoo was nothing like Jennie. Innocence had long left Jisoo.
"You're kidding me. Mino hired her?" Rosé hissed. I glanced over at my sister and saw that she had noticed the drinks cart arriving.
"Don't," I warned her, and walked over to stand close enough to her to control her if needed.
"Can I get y'all a drink?" Jennie's sweet voice sent chills all over me.
"At least she knows her place," Rosé said. She was being cruel, and I needed to stop her, but that would only make Jennie think I was nice. I wasn't nice. She had to see that.
"I'll take a Corona. Lime, please," I said instead.
Jennie's gaze swung to mine, but I quickly looked away from her. "Get a drink. It's hot," I told Rosé.
Rosé liked that I was blowing Jennie off like she was someone I didn't know. "Sparkling water. Wipe it off, though, because I hate the way it comes out all wet from the water," Rosé instructed.
Jisoo moved to get the water before Jennie could. That was interesting. She seemed to be protecting Jennie. "Haven't seen you out here lately, Rosé," Jisoo said as she wiped off the bottle with a towel.
"Probably because you're too busy in the bushes with God knows who spreading your legs instead of working," Rosé said.
I could feel the tension rolling off Jennie as she popped the top off my Corona. Her shoulders were straight, and her back was stiff as a board.
"That's enough, Ros," I told her, hoping to end this so they could leave.
Jennie handed me the bottle, and I couldn't ignore her then. She was focusing on anything other than me at the moment, but for just a second, I wanted her to see me. To look at me. Her eyes lifted and met mine, and it hit me hard.
"Thanks," I said, then slipped a bill into her pocket. It was an excuse to touch her and to hide just how much I was tipping her from Rosé.
I stepped away and took my sister's elbow. Time to get her away from them. "Come on and show me how you still can't kick my ass out here," I teased.
She played right into my hands. "You 're going down," she said, and walked away from the girls.
I heard Jisoo whisper to Jennie, and I glanced back and saw her staring at me. A smile touched my lips. I couldn't keep from smiling when I looked at her. I tore my gaze off her and went back to talking to Rosé. She was arguing about the driver I had given her.
I liked a cold drink while I played golf, but for the first time ever, I was hoping the drink cart wouldn't find us again this round.
J-
The house was once again a wreck when I woke up the next morning. This time I left the mess and hurried to work. I didn't want to be late. I needed this job now more than anything else. My dad had yet to call to check on me and I was pretty sure Lisa hadn't spoken with her mother or my father because she hadn't mentioned it. I didn't want to ask her because I didn't want her anger at my father to be directed at me.
There was already a good chance that Lisa would be asking me to leave when I got back to her house today. She hadn't seemed real happy with me when she'd stormed out of my room last night. And I'd kissed her back and sucked on her lip. Oh God what had I been thinking? I hadn't been thinking. That was the problem. Lisa had smelled too good and tasted too good. I hadn't been able to control myself. Now, there was a good chance I would find my bags on the porch when I got home. At least, I had money to stay in a motel.
Dressed in my shorts and polo I made my way up the office steps to the front door. I needed to clock in and get a key to the beverage cart.
Darla was already inside. I was beginning to think she lived here. She was here when I left and when I arrived every day. Her small whirlwind personality was scary though. You almost wanted to salute her when she barked orders at you. She was frowning up at a girl I hadn't seen before. She was pointing her finger and almost yelling.
"You can't consort with the members. That is the first rule. You signed the papers Chu; you know the rules. Mister Mino came in here early this morning letting me know that his father wasn't happy with this turn of events. I only have three cart girls. If I can't trust you to stop sleeping with the members then I have to let you go. This is your last warning. Do you understand me?"
The girl nodded. "Yes, Aunt Darla. I'm sorry," she murmured. Her long purple hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her baby blue polo showcased a very large chest. And she was Darla's niece. Interesting.
Darla's angry gaze shifted to mine and she let out a relieved sigh. "Oh good, Jennie you're here. Maybe you can do something with this niece of mine. She's on probation because she can't seem to stop screwing the members while she's on the clock. We aren't a brothel. We are a country club. I'm going to have her ride with you for the next week and you are to watch her closely. She's going to learn from you. Mister Mino sings your praises. He is very pleased with the job you're doing and asked me to allow you to work in the dining room at least two days a week. I'm now looking for another cart girl, so I can't afford to fire Chu." She said her niece's name with a growl and glared back at her.
The girl hung her head in shame. I felt sorry for her. I was terrified of upsetting Darla. I couldn't imagine being yelled at like that.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied as she held out the cart keys for me. I took them and waited for Chu to move toward me.
"Go on with her now, girl. Don't stand here and pout. I should call your daddy and tell him what you're doing but I don't have it in my to break my brother's heart. So go out there and get some morals." Darla pointed to the door and I didn't wait around any longer. I hurried out the door and down the steps. I'd go get the drink cart ready and wait on Chu there.
"Hey, wait up," the girl called from behind me. I stopped and looked back at her as she ran to catch up. "Sorry, that was brutal in there. I wish you hadn't seen or heard it."
She was… nice. "That's okay," I replied.
"I go by Jisoo by the way. Not Chu. That's just what my dad calls me so my Aunt Darla does too. And you're the infamous Jennie Kim I've heard so much about." The smile in her voice told me she wasn't being mean.
"I'm sorry if your aunt has shoved me down your throat." I cut my eyes over at her and her bright red plump lips curved into a smile.
"Oh, I wasn't talking about my aunt. I was talking about the guys. Mino especially likes you a lot. I hear that you caused a little stir last night at that bitch Rosé's birthday party. Wish I could have seen that but the hired help doesn't get invites to those things."
I loaded the cart while Jisoo stood there watching me. She was twirling a lock of her long purple hair around her finger and smiling at me. "So, you're my only in. Tell me all about it."
There wasn't much to tell. I shrugged and walked over to get into the driver's side once I had the cart loaded. "I went to the party because I'm sleeping under the stairs at Lisa's until I have enough money to move out which should be real soon. It was a mistake. She didn't like me showing up. That's about it."
Jisoo plopped down on the seat beside me and crossed her legs. "That is not at all what I heard. Bobby said that Lisa saw Mino touching you and went ape shit."
"Bobby misunderstood. Trust me. Lisa doesn't care who touches me."
Jisoo sighed, "It sucks being the poor folks, doesn't it? The hotties never look at us seriously. We're just another fuck."
Was that really the way it was for her? Had she just given in and become the girl they tossed aside? She was too pretty for that. Guys back home would drool at her feet. They might not have millions in the bank but they were good guys from good families.
"Aren't there any attractive guys who aren't filthy rich around? The crowd that comes here can't be all there is to choose from. Surely you can find a guy who doesn't cast you aside the next morning."
Jisoo frowned and shrugged. "I don't know. I've always wanted to bag a millionaire, you know? Live the good life. But I'm beginning to see that isn't in the cards for me."
I made my way to the first hole. "Jisoo, you're beautiful. You deserve more than what you're getting. Start shopping for a man somewhere else. Find one that doesn't want you for sex. Find one that wants you. Just you."
"Well hell, I may have just fallen in love with you too," she replied teasingly and laughed. She propped her feet up on the dash as I pulled up to the first golfers of the morning.
I didn't see a younger guy anywhere. They typically weren't early morning risers. For a little while I wouldn't have to worry about keeping Jisoo from doing the nasty in the bushes or wherever it was she was doing it while working.
Four hours later, when we pulled up to the third hole for the third time I recognized Mino and company. Jisoo sat up straight in her seat and the excited expression on her face put me on high alert. She was like a little puppy dog waiting for someone to throw her a bone. If I didn't like her so much I wouldn't even bother helping her keep this job. Being her babysitter wasn't in my job description.
Mino frowned when we pulled up beside them. "Why are you driving Jisoo around?" he asked the moment we came to a complete stop.
"'Cause she's helping me keep from fucking your friends and pissing you off. Why'd you go and tell Aunt Darla?" she pouted, crossing her arms over her bountiful chest. I had no doubt every guy standing around us was zeroed in on those big knockers of hers.
"I didn't ask her to do that. I asked that she promote Jennie not stick her with you," he snapped and pulled his phone from his pocket. What was he doing?
"Who are you calling?" Jisoo asked in a panicked tone sitting up straight.
"Darla," he snarled.
"No wait," Jisoo and I said at the exact same time.
"Don't call her. I'm fine. I like Jisoo. She's good company," I assured him.
He studied me a moment but didn't hang up the phone.
"Darla, it's Mino. I've changed my mind. I want Jennie inside four days a week. You can use her on the course on Fridays and Saturdays since it is so busy and she is the best you have but the rest of the time I want her inside." He didn't wait for a response before ending the call and dropping it back into the pocket of his starched plaid shorts. On anyone else those looked ridiculous but a guy like Mino could pull them off. The white polo shirt he was wearing was also immaculately pressed. I wouldn't be surprised if it was brand new.
"Aunt Darla is gonna be mad. She has Jennie babysitting me for the next couple weeks. Who will keep me in check now?" she asked casting her sultry gaze toward Bobby.
"Please man, if you like me even a little, turn your head and let me take her back to the club house for just a few minutes. Please," Bobby begged as he drank in the sight of Jisoo sitting there with her legs up on the dash slightly open so that her crotch was in full view. The shorts we wore were too short and tight to leave a whole lot to the imagination in a position like that.
"I don't care what the hell you do. Fuck her if you want. But if dad gets wind of it again I'll have to fire her. He's pissed about the complaints."
I knew Bobby wouldn't stand up for her if she was fired. He'd let her go and move on. There was no love in his gaze only lust.
"Jisoo, don't," I pleaded quietly beside her. "On my night off, you and I will go out and we'll find some place where there are guys worth your time. Just don't lose your job over him," I was talking so quietly only Jisoo could hear me. The others knew I was saying something to her but they didn't know what.
Jisoo turned her gaze to me and pulled her knees together. "Really? You'd go out with me and look for guys? On my turf?"
I nodded and a smile broke across her face. "Deal. We're going honky-tonking. I hope you own some boots."
"I'm from Alabama. I own boots, tight jeans and a gun," I replied with a wink.
She cackled with laughter and put her feet down. "Okay boys what do you want to drink? We have another hole to get too," she said stepping out of the cart and walking to the back. I followed her and we handed out drinks and took money.
Bobby tried to grab her butt a few times and whisper in her ear. She finally turned around and smiled at him. "I'm done being your fuck buddy. I'm going out with my girl here this weekend and we're going to find us some real men. The kind that don't have a trust fund but have calluses on their hands from good hard work. I've got a feeling they know how to make a girl feel real special."
I had to swallow the laugh that bubble up inside my chest at Bobby's shocked expression. I turned on the cart as Jisoo jumped back in beside me.
"Damn, that felt good. Where have you been all my life?" she asked clapping her hands as I drove off smiling and waving at Mino as we headed to the next hole.
We made it through the rest of the course then stopped to restock. No more issues. I knew we might see Mino and his friends again but I had faith in Jisoo to stand firm. Jisoo had chatted happily about everything from her hair color to the last pregnancy scare they'd had in town with a worker and a member.
I wasn't paying attention to the members at the first hole. I was driving and trying to concentrate on Jisoo's endless chatter. Jisoo's muttered "crap" caught my attention.
I glanced at her and then followed her gaze to the couple on the first hole. Lisa was instantly recognizable. The tan shorts she wore and snug pale blue polo shirt looked so out of place on her. It didn't fit with the tattoos I knew covered her back. She was a rocker's daughter and that bled through on her even with preppy golfers clothing on her body. She turned her head and her eyes met mine. She didn't smile. She just looked away as if she didn't know me. No acknowledgement. Nothing.
"Bitch alert," Jisoo whispered. I shifted my gaze from her to the girl with her. Roseanne, or Rosé as she referred to her. Her sister. The one she didn't like talking about. She was wearing a tiny white skirt that looked like she was ready to go play tennis. She had on a matching blue polo and a white sun visor sat atop her strawberry blond locks.
"You aren't a fan of Roseanne?" I asked already knowing the answer from her comment.
Jisoo let out a short laugh. "Uh, no. And neither are you. You're enemy number one for her."
What was that supposed to mean? I couldn't ask her because we had stopped just six feet from the tee and the sisters combo.
I didn't try to make eye contact with Lisa again. She apparently didn't want to make small talk.
"You're kidding me. Mino hired her?" Rosé hissed.
"Don't," Lisa replied in a warning tone. I wasn't sure if she was protecting her or me or just trying to stop a scene. Either way it annoyed me.
"Can I get y'all a drink?" I asked with the same smile I bestowed on every other member when I asked this question.
"At least she knows her place," Rosé said with an amused snide tone.
"I'll take a Corona. Lime, please," Lisa said.
I chanced a glance her way and her eyes met mine only briefly before she turned to Rosé. "Get a drink. It's hot," She told her.
Rosé smirked at me and placed a well-manicured hand on her hip. "Sparkling water. Wipe it off though because I hate the way it comes out all wet from the water."
Jisoo reached into the cooler and got out the water. I guess she was afraid I might hurl it at Rosé's head. "Haven't seen you out here lately, Rosé," Jisoo said as she wiped off the bottle with the towel we were supplied for this reason.
"Probably because you're too busy in the bushes with God knows who spreading your legs instead of working," Rosé replied.
I clenched my teeth and popped the top off Lisa's Corona. I wanted to throw the drink in Rosé's smug face.
"That's enough, Ros," Lisa scolded her lightly. What was she Lisa's damn kid? Lisa was acting like Rosé was five. She was an adult for crying out loud.
I handed Lisa the Corona careful not to look at Rosé. I was afraid I might have a moment of weakness. Instead, my eyes met Lisa's as she took the bottle.
"Thanks," she said and slipped a bill into my pocket. I didn't have time to react before she was stepping away taking Rosé by the elbow. "Come on and show me how you still can't kick my ass out here," she said in a teasing tone.
Rosé nudged Lisa's arm with her shoulder. "You're going down." The sincere fondness in her voice as she spoke to Lisa surprised me. I couldn't imagine someone as mean as she appeared, to be nice to anyone.
"Let's go," Jisoo hissed, grabbing my arm. I realized I'd been standing there watching them.
I nodded and started to turn when Lisa glanced back over her shoulder toward me. A small smile touched her lips and then she was looking at Rosé again telling her which club to use. Our moment was over. If that even was a moment.
Once we were out of earshot I looked at Jisoo. "Why did you say that about me being enemy number one?"
Jisoo squirmed in her seat. "Honestly, I don't know exactly. But Rosé is possessive of Lisa. Everyone knows that…" she trailed off and she wouldn't make eye contact with me. She knew something but what did she know? What was I missing?