Running Home by T.A. Hardenbrook Page A

matter!” Cherri snorted, giving me an irritated look.
    I t was nice only sharing the apartment with one other person, and the fact that we had two bedrooms was the biggest perk in the entire world. I knew the moment I meet Cherri that she was going to be a faithful friend; someone I could actually trust in this cold bitter city. And the fact that she kept her clothes on, for the most part, made her even more likable in my book. Living with three other strippers was tough; keeping friends in that industry was even harder. Once I got my boobs done and my dancing career started to pick up, the girls I was living with started to get nasty. It’s all sunshine and rainbows until you are top biller at the club, and the other girls get knocked into second place. Nothing spews hatred like a stripper who’s concerned that she isn’t getting that last dollar she felt entitled to.
    “Well , you know it’s going to be tits tonight, so you better come. I’m sure Ace will be there, and you know he can’t seem to keep his eyes off you,” Cherri smirked
    I rolled my eyes and let out a little snort at my roommate. There was no way I was getting involved with anyone in this industry. The line is super blurry on what constitutes as cheating, and I’m not so sure that getting paid to have sex with someone other than the person you are dating is cheating. Dating in porn is a huge gray area for my mind to try and make sense of; something I was never going to be able to wrap my brain around. I never did relationships anyway. The closest thing I had was Walker. I miss that boy and his perfect life; I would have killed to be a part of it, but I knew what toxic sludge my life would bring to his if I tried to join in. I loved him too much to let my crazy ass bring him down to my level. Besides, that town was way too small for me, anyhow.
     
     
    “Thanks , Sweetheart. Make sure you call the office to get the promotional dates okay?” the photographer commented, as I walked off the set and over to the chair containing my normal clothes.
    “Will do; thanks again,” I replied, as I slipped into my jeans and threw the tank top over my head. 
    The second best thing about having my boobs done was I no longer needed a bra; these puppies weren’t heading south anytime soon.  I grabbed my bag and went to stick my head into the makeup room to let Cherri know I was headed home; I needed a long hot shower if I was going to make it to the wrap party tonight.
    “Hey , I’m going to he…………oh sorry,” I stumbled on my words after seeing Cherri up against the wall with the director. “Um yeah, I’m going to go,” I murmured basically to myself, as neither of them bothered to look over at me. I hope she gets paid big bucks for this movie, because everyone knows the director is not something to look at.
    I quickly made my way out the door and over to my Jeep, and tossed my bag in the back. Taking a deep breath in, I started to cough as the poor air quality smothered my lungs nothing like a little smog to almost make you miss the small town life .  Rolling my eyes at the last thought that went through my head, I tossed on my sunglasses and put the Jeep in reverse. I let the heat of the day warm my body as I took the exit for the freeway. What a difference a year makes in my life.
     
     
    “Carmen! Do yo u still have that blue mini dress you wore for the Down South video release?” Cherri asked, standing in the doorway in a matching bra and panty set. I nodded and smoothed the rest of my lotion on my arms as I walked over to my small closet to grab the dress.
    “So , yeah, I did the director,” Cherri blurted out, as she walked over to my bed and flopped herself down on to it. I pulled the dress out from the back and offered her a small smile while handing it over.
    “I don’t know what I was thinking! I mean , one second he came in the room to talk about future work he wanted to me do, and the next thing I know I’m pulling my skirt