Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (40 page)
Read Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) Online
Authors: Shayne McClendon
They’d coordinated their rare evening out as a group around the sisters’ play,
Not that Desperate
. The cast and crew wrapped their third successful season the week before and were ready to consider next steps in their personal and professional lives.
Nearest the wall, Gabriella Hernandez shook her head with a smile. She was the only one other than Tawny who was still sober.
Even
never-a-hair-out-of-place
Natalia was giggling girlishly at something Marcy whispered in her ear.
Seeing the blonde fully relax was always worth a stern look from Hudson that he didn’t mean anyway. He loved when they hauled his lifelong friend and fiancée out to play.
“We gotta watch her or she’ll end up ass out in public…again. The guys would kill us this time for sure.” Brie quirked a brow. “I’m shocked they still let her come out with us.”
“All noise complaints and public nudity threats aside, we keep her safe and those two
love
being able to baby her ass the morning after. Don’t let them fool you.”
“Shit.” Brie reached out to stop their friend from working her bra off under her clothes. “Not taking that off.”
“I need to be
free
!” was Riya’s loud proclamation.
Setting another shot in front of a woman who had the alcohol tolerance of a newborn kitten, Tawny grinned. “That’s what I’ve been
saying
. Now, have your shot so I can get video of you trying to get paper towels out of the dispenser in the bathroom. That shit never gets old.”
“Preach.” Brie held up her glass and Tawny clinked it.
Flipping a chair around, Tawny straddled it backwards and crossed her arms on the top. “I’m pretty shocked you’re not on the floor with all the meds you’ve been taking.”
“Alcohol does
nothing
after almost a year of morphine or worse. I was determined to wean myself off that shit slow and careful. Mm, how I have
missed
tequila.”
Tawny inclined her head at the heavy-duty cane leaning against her chair. It was something she’d been able to switch to in recent weeks. “Better?”
“Still sucks. My ninety-year-old grandmother uses a little wooden one. It’s better than the chair or the walker but fuck! I look forward to being on my own steam again.”
“What’s the ETA? Your doctor still pushing it out?”
Brie’s expression was frustrated. “He won’t consider releasing me completely from medical care for a few more months.”
“Think you’ll be mobile for the wedding?”
“I won’t stop until I am and my physical therapist has been warned. I just need to know I can go the entire thing without help.” She pointed at her friend. “It took days of begging to talk those two into setting a date.”
Natalia somehow crossed her arms
noisily
. “I will wait
forever
for you, Brie. No wedding without you and that’s
final
.”
“I know, you sweet drunken woman. I’ll be ready.”
“You’ll be so pretty that Harper and Elijah will drool over you. I picked the
loveliest
dress for you.”
“Thank you, Natalia. You whisper with Marcy and I’ll talk to the only other coherent person at the table.” A wicked expression crossed Brie’s face as she turned back to Tawny. “The doc agreed to upgrade my status based on my PT scores in a few weeks. I want to tag along with Riya in August.”
Tawny’s grin was enormous. “Bullshit. You’ll be cleared to fly?” Brie nodded. “Fuck yeah! I’m going, too.” She leaned close. “You know the club she’s visiting for
business
, right?”
“Lots of kinky fuckery in that club…” Natalia made the announcement in a loud singsong voice. “I love it.” Suddenly, she sat up with her eyes wide. “I want to go! Can I go, too?”
Riya took her by the shoulders and shook her, shaking herself in the process. “Of
course
you can! Let’s all go!”
“Uh uh,” Teddy said as she tried to maneuver herself off the sisters’ laps without any help from them at all. “I have Emma and I know all about that place.
Nau-ghty
. You can tell me the wild stories when you get back!”
Brie’s smile was brilliant as she turned back to Tawny. “They’re seriously shit-faced.” Tawny nodded. “Well played.”
“Why thank you.”
“To answer your question, I know enough about The Playground to know I want to see it for myself. One of my first clients put me in touch with the owner for tweaks to her web design. Riya was thrilled when she found out. A little bit of scandalous is just what I need.”
“Hell yes it is.”
One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I’m still not ready for monkey business but I’m thrilled I get to see the inside. When she says exclusive, KiKi Espinosa doesn’t play around. I can live vicariously through all of you lucky bastards.”
Around the bar, several men in expensive suits watched the women from a discreet distance. Tawny sighed. “Too bad you’re not up to fucking around because Marcy’s security team is seriously hot.”
“Right? I’ve been licking them in my mind.” Brie released a long sigh. “You know I’m scarred from head to toe now…it won’t be the same. It was hard before my surgery but my insecurity was focused in one place.”
Tawny quietly stared at her for a long moment. “Any guy doesn’t find you to be the perfect goddamn package doesn’t deserve to touch you
any
fucking way. They’re scars, girl. Proof that you survived some serious shit. Own them. Against some hard-core odds, you made it.”
“You know, Tawny, I don’t think anyone gets just how badass you are in every possible way.” She lifted her glass and Tawny tapped hers to it with a roll of her eyes.
“Ain’t that the fucking truth?”
“They aren’t
strippers
…?” From across the table, Riya asked the question at top volume about the men keeping them under watch. Despite their best efforts, several of Marcy’s highly trained team were unable to hide their smiles.
Natalia and Marcy lost it entirely, forced to hold one another upright. Teddy finally made it off the twins in time to land on her ass on the floor.
Brie whispered conspiratorially, “Is it irresponsible to get them so drunk and take them home?”
“Fuck no. It’s our
duty
. Every fucking one of them is a princess at home. Out here, we get dirty, we get drunk, and sometimes we get detained.” She shrugged. “We’ll try to avoid the cops this time. We don’t want the local fuzz to get too familiar with our faces.”
With a wink, she instructed Brie quietly, “Get ready for photo ops.” Then she announced loudly, “Ladies…another round!”
© Shayne McClendon
The Barter System by Shayne McClendon
Research might be work…but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.
Riya O’Connell goes straight to the source for her dissertation on male sexuality. She sets out on a journey that will take her all over the country…and deep into her own desires.
*Thirteen thousand applications.
*Eight chosen men.
*One woman’s heart.
They provide information and ensure she reaches her next destination safely. In return, Riya gives them what they want – and helps them discover what they
need.
*Meet the subjects.
*Push your inhibitions.
*Experience the passion.
Sean (37) Internet Entrepreneur – Florida
Victor (31) Fisherman – Georgia
Joshua (22) College Student – Texas
Lucas (42) Rancher – Montana
Ricardo (32) Police Officer – California
Bobby (27) Musician – Massachusetts
Micah & Max (34) Financiers – New York
Step inside Riya’s world…you’re going to love it.
Pushing the Envelope by Shayne McClendon
Tawny Ratliff is a loose cannon. She’s brash, unpredictable, and always ready to fight.
She’s also the best friend a person could hope for, keeps an eye on the people she loves, and takes her desire to do good to the next level.
Brilliant and devious, Tawny takes you behind the scenes of “The Barter System,” to a time when she and her best friend Riya were just kids trying to figure things out like everyone else.
Her perspective is unusual, her language is uncouth, but she is never boring.
Find out why this character in “The Barter System” and “Hudson” won the hearts of so many.
Tawny…a woman with no filter.
Read “Pushing the Envelope” now.
About Shayne McClendon
Shayne McClendon is an indie author most recognized for her premiere novel “
The Barter System
.” Also set in “The Barter System” world are “
Hudson
” (book two) and “
Pushing the Envelope
” (book three).
Other releases include “
Yes to Everything
,” “
Completely Wrecked
,” “
Love of the Game
,” “
The Hermit
,” and the “
Just a Little
” series with writing partner, Alexandra Andersen.
Shayne listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are (almost) always awesome. Those around her don’t question the crazy. Coffee consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words always feel just right.
Stop by her
Author Shayne McClendon
Facebook page or visit her
Always the Good Girl
website and subscribe for your free story!
Shayne McClendon's work is available at major e-book retailers and signed print editions are available through her website.
Table of Contents
The Barter System by Shayne McClendon
