Content warning: this story features a main character who leaves an abusive relationship, and whose ex engages in harassment post breakup. I would characterize it, in terms of storytelling, as "mild", although I realize that no abuse is mild or justified.
Chapter 5
"Are you ready?" Lacey asked as she and Maya walked into Krista's room. Krista was sorting through and rejecting most of her clothes as she tried to dress for the club.
"No. I'll never be ready," Krista said. "I can't stand it. Nothing works."
"Kris, you're overthinking it," said Lacey.
"You have great stuff here," said Maya. "You'd look wonderful in any of it."
"That's sweet, guys, but I can't find anything." Krista sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. "I wish I had curves. That would help."
Lacey sat on the bed. "Why are you so worried anyway? You don't usually get this concerned about what you wear."
"Is it because of that Devlin guy?" Maya asked, and knew she'd hit the mark when Krista's face went bright red.
"Oh ho, Devlin's back in town," Lacey said. "Now I get it."
"No, it's not that. Not all that," Krista said. "I do want to look nice. I mean, this is kind of a business thing for Maya. I just want to make a good impression."
"So, you met the dashing Aaron Devlin?" Lacey turned to Maya. "What did you think? Did he leave you swooning?" Lacey placed a hand over her heart and fluttered her eyelashes.
Maya chuckled and shook her head. "No, although I can see where he would do it for some people."
"You didn't like him," said Krista. She held up two tops for inspection.
"I don't know him," Maya said, although Krista was right. Maya had instinctively been wary of Devlin. Which seemed unfair, since she'd barely exchanged twenty words with the man, but there was just something about him that didn't sit right. After her experience with Dean, Maya was trying hard not to dismiss her instincts. Maybe Devlin was fine, maybe not; it would take time to know for sure.
"That's true," said Krista, "and honest, but you don't like him."
"It doesn't really matter, though, does it?" Maya asked. "It's whether you like him that's important."
"Oh, she likes him," said Lacey with a knowing look.
"Quiet, you," Krista said without any heat. "Oh, goddammit, this shouldn't be so hard. No one's going to be looking at me, so why do I care about my clothes?"
"It's okay to care about clothes, and your appearance," said Maya. "It can do a lot for a person to dress in clothes that they like, and that they like on their body. But we all have our own style and what we're comfortable in. If you're comfortable in black jeans and black shirts, then wear that."
"I wear that all the time." Krista sighed. "I just, I don't know, I thought maybe something different. But then I think I'll look ridiculous." She looked at herself in the mirror. "I am just too big."
"Nonsense," said Lacey. "You look terrific."
Maya nodded in agreement but also felt bad for Krista. Maya knew what it was like to doubt your appearance; pretty much every woman did. She had a thought.
"What if you did something just a little bit different?" Maya asked. She picked up a metallic silver blouse with a cold-shoulder design. "What about this?"
"I don't know." Krista bit her lip. "I bought that on a whim one day and then was never sure about wearing it."
"I can tell." Maya smiled and held up the sleeve, from which the tag dangled. "You didn't even cut the tag off."
"I guess I thought I'd return it," said Krista.
"Wear this, and your jeans are fine, and I'll grab an accent, okay?" She zipped out before Krista could object, and returned with a black shoulder wrap. "Here."
"Okay." Krista looked dubious, but turned to change shirts. After she had the blouse on, Maya helped arrange the wrap.
"Hold on," said Lacey. "Sit and I'll do something with your hair."
"No, Lace, I—"
"Sit." Lacey pointed to the bed and Krista obeyed.
Maya watched as Lacey pulled most of Krista's hair back into a French braid, leaving some loose strands around her face to soften the look.
"Put these on," said Lacey, and handed her friend a pair of hoop earrings. "There, you look fantastic. You'll knock his socks off, and if you don't, he's blind."
"You think so?" Krista looked at her reflection, uncertain. She touched the earrings and a strand of hair as though not sure they were hers.
"Absolutely," said Maya. "You look amazing, Long Cool."
"Wait, what?" Lacey gave her a blank look and Maya explained the nickname from Charles.
"What about shoes?" Krista fretted. "I have these heels I got a while ago, but maybe I should wear flats."
"Which ones do you like?" Lacey asked.
"The heels." Krista pulled them out of her closet. The chunky heels were about three inches high, with silver accents on black straps. "They were on sale and I couldn't resist."
"Then wear them," said Maya. "If you like them, if you like the way they make you feel when you wear them, then wear them."
"Okay, okay." Krista slipped into the heels. "We'd better go before I change my mind."
"Hold on, I just need my sewing kit," Maya said. She darted into her room, found the kit, shoved it in her bag, and caught up to the others as they waited by the door. "Okay, I'm ready."
They piled into Krista's car and drove to the club, lucking into a decent parking spot a couple of blocks away.
"I texted Toby," said Krista. "He and the guys will meet us at the club. Guess Devlin's coming too."
"You okay, Maya?" Lacey asked as they walked.
"I guess so." Maya took a breath and let it out slowly. "My imagination is starting to run away with me. What if the dress falls apart? On stage?"
"Not going to happen." Krista smiled and put an arm around Maya's shoulders. "It was fine at home. You need to think positively."
Maya's stomach was in knots when they met the men outside the club.
"Hey, guys," said Krista.
"Hi." Devlin looked her up and down; her heels made them equal in height. "You're quite the Amazon tonight."
"Thanks," Krista said, sounding uncertain.
Maya frowned to herself; was that a compliment or not? Her feelings on Devlin did not improve.
"How are you doing?" Toby smiled at Maya and the knots in her stomach faded, replaced by a nervous excitement.
"I'm okay. Mostly." She took a deep breath as he caught her hand in his. "Thanks for coming. I'm glad for the backup."
"Wouldn't miss it." He skimmed his knuckles over her cheek.
"So how long do we stand here?" asked Devlin.
Maya thought he looked a little bored, but tried to rein in her judgment. Maybe he was uncomfortable and it came across as curt.
"Are you ready to go in?" Toby asked Maya.
"Yeah." She nodded. "Charles, I mean, Trinity, said I should check in with the hostess and they're saving a table for us."
"Nice," said Jackson. "I don't think I've ever had a table reserved for me like that." He grinned. "I feel like a VIP already." He held out his arm for Lacey. "Shall we?"
She laughed and took his arm. "I'm ready. Let's go."
Maya tried to relax but her hands were trembling a little and she was grateful when Toby squeezed her hand and rubbed his thumb over the back.
Inside, Maya gave her name to the hostess, who took them to a large booth. They all slid in and Maya was amused that they'd divided into couples as though on autopilot.
"You okay?" Toby asked. He leaned down so she could hear him over the club noise, and his voice sent shivers down her spine. Nice shivers.
"Yeah, I'm just nervous. Can't help it." As he had done, Maya moved closer to him so he could hear.
"It'll be great," he said, and kissed her cheek.
They ordered drinks and chatted about the club, their days and general news. Maya mostly listened, not having a lot to contribute as the others segued into discussions about their shared past. She didn't mind. It was interesting to listen to them, she was glad not to have to think of something to say, and Toby's hand on hers was reassuring.
A server brought some appetizers but Maya couldn't take the idea of eating anything. She shook her head when Toby asked if she wanted anything, and was relieved when he didn't press her on it.
The lights went down, the music went up, and the announcer introduced Trinity Rose as the emcee for the evening. Maya grinned as Trinity strolled out on the stage, soaking up the applause.
"Looks incredible!" Toby said, almost shouting to be heard.
Krista and Lacey both gave her a thumbs up, Jackson reached over to give her shoulder a squeeze, and Maya relaxed a bit as the show began and the dress stayed in place. She was about to try some food when a man in jeans and t-shirt with the club logo on it came to the table. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Maya?"
"That's me," she said, feeling self-conscious as everyone looked at her.
"Roxxy asked if you could come backstage. She's having a problem with her costume."
"Um, sure." Maya nodded and made sure she had her repair kit. "Excuse me, guys." She followed the man back to the dressing area, where she found a distraught Roxxy pacing near her station.
"Maya! Thank fuck you're here!" Roxxy hurried over and grabbed her hands. "Sweetie, I saw what you did for Trinity. It's fucking terrific. Please, can you help me?" Roxxy stepped back and turned to reveal a large tear in her dress. "It caught on something and I am low on time."
"Of course." Maya nodded. Much like Krista, Roxxy towered over her and with the huge wig and elaborate dress and she should have been intimidating. Instead, Roxxy's worry took the edge off, and she was just someone who needed some help.
"Thank you, little darlin'," said Roxxy.
Maya smiled at her use of Charles' nickname. "Let's just come over here." She took Roxxy to the side of the room and pulled out her kit.
"My god, look at you," said Roxxy. "Do you travel with that everywhere?"
"The sewing kit? Not everywhere, but a lot of places," Maya said. She glanced up and winked. "Never can tell when you might need it."
Roxxy gave a full-throated laugh. "Ain't that the goddamn truth."
