Walking out of the chapel and heading down the hall for the bar, I get distracted by the partially open doors to the palace. The place isn’t as bad as it could be, but it’s still a fucking mess. A reflective circle shines on the ceiling in the corner of the room. I follow the light down to a mirror that sits on the banquet table at the far end of the room. Fuck. I take two steps into the room, focused on the two lines of white powder that sit on the reflective surface. There was a time when Amber’s being here would have me calling up my guy to get me through her visit, but I can’t do that now. I got nine guys who depend on me to keep them alive. The easiest way for me to fuck up that trust is to fall back into old habits that put them at risk.
A lost girl, Julie, hangs out on one of the chaise lounges. She’s got a cigarette in between her index and middle fingers and a magazine in her hands. She’s hot, been around a damn long time, too, so she knows how it’s always been around here. She’s been there when I’ve fallen apart and Jim’s hauled my ass up to the cabin to detox. She’s seen Amber come in, tear me up, and leave me empty. Julie’s seen it all.
“Hey, babe,” I say with a nod.
She puts the magazine down and takes a pull on the cigarette. The heavy makeup around her blue eyes makes them really shine. She’s a good woman. I’m gonna need her on my side now.
“Mr. President,” she says with a smile. She takes one more drag from her cigarette before putting it out in the ashtray behind her. I head right for her, barely taking note of the tiny little shorts and tank top she’s wearing. She meets me halfway. It used to be that I’d watch the way her legs move, if the shorts ride up or not, and eye her tits as she comes toward me. But in this moment, I keep my eyes on her face.
“Need your help, Jules.” She doesn’t stop until she’s less than a foot away from me. My hands find their way to her hips. “I gotta keep my head right.”
“Your old lady’s back,” she says with a nod. Her smile falls and she says quietly, “With your son. I bet he’s a real lady killer.”
I bite back from saying the first thing that comes to me. I haven’t seen him yet, so I wouldn’t know. Fuck. Does he even ask about me? Does he care? Did Amber tell him about the other day? God, he must be fucked up inside if he knows I know and I haven’t seen him yet.
I’m not prepared for this shit.
“Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about,” I say. “Just help me keep this place clean, yeah? Nothing but bud and booze.”
“She back for good?”
I don’t know.
She says she is, but she’s said that before. Then I went and fucked it up and she’s gone back to Detroit. I should have tried harder, but how long do you chase after someone who doesn’t want you?
“That’s none of your business, bitch.” Amber’s voice, sounding mean as hell, comes from behind me. Jules tenses in my arms but doesn’t move immediately. I take a deep breath, trying to check my temper. At least in front of Jules. I disrespected Amber enough in front of other women in the past, and I won’t do it again.
“We’re still buds,” I say to Jules. My voice is low, but she hears me. Her eyes flash a silent thank you before she steps out of my grasp and walks around me. When I turn around, I find Amber propped in the doorway, hands on either side of the frame. As long as it doesn’t get physical, I’ll allow her this show of strength, and because Jules knows what Amber means to me, she’ll put up with it. Jules comes to Amber, looks her straight in the eye, and says, “Ma’am.”
Something flickers in Amber’s eyes. I can’t tell if it’s anger or not. She’s not one to back down from a fight, though, so there’s no telling what she’s thinking. Even after all these years, I still can’t predict what this crazy bitch is gonna do.
“You don’t ask my old man about me. You don’t look at my old man. You don’t talk to him unless he speaks to you, and you sure as fuck don’t let him touch you. He may be king, but I’m his fucking queen, and I don’t share what’s mine.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jules says firmly.
“Let the others know I’m back and I’m not going anywhere. You don’t know me, but you’re about to get to know me real quick. You’re going to get to know my son, and you’re going to know your place and stay the fuck in it. We clear?”
“Yes.”
Amber moves out of the way and lets Jules pass without another word. I don’t say anything about the exchange. I don’t need to. I stand in place, letting it all sink in.
She’s back.