Cameron and Priya’s eyes remained locked for what felt like an eternity. Neither one spoke, resigning themselves to a simple ocular stalemate as a sense of tension fell over the room. Priya, wearing a smile that looked as fake as it was in actuality, shook her head, her dark hair wafting back and forth like waves of black, as she finally built up the courage to speak.

  “W-What do you mean?” She asked, “I’m not allowed to miss someone I had a good time with?”

  Cameron rolled his eyes, “Did I say that?” He shot back, raising an eyebrow, “I don’t know what exactly you’re doing here, but I get the feeling that it’s not because you ‘missed me.’”

  Her smile slowly fell, replaced by a thin pursed line where her pouty full lips used to be. Her brows narrowed, as she tilted her head to the side, staring him down with suspicious curiosity.

  “What do you think I’m here for then, Cam,” She asked, her flirtatious tone replaced by one of bored skepticism, “Tell me.”

  “I don’t know,” Cameron said, shrugging his shoulders, “But I know it’s not because you missed me. It’s not because we didn’t have a good time. If that were true, I’d have heard something from you in what? The past two weeks? What happened instead? Complete silence. So no it’s not because you missed me, it’s because you want something, and you’re gonna tell me what it is.”

  Now it was her turn to roll her eyes, sighing as she did so. She leaned back on the bed, resting her weight on her hands as she crossed one leg over the other.

  “You really want to know?” She asked as if it was a chore to answer.

  “Yes!” He exclaimed, “I do.”

  “I want a job.”

  Now it was his turn to blink.

  “...What?”

  “I. Want. A. Job” She said again, slower, and enunciating every word.

  “Why. The. Fuck. Do. You. Want. A. Job?” Cameron asked, matching her tone and cadence.

  “Because I’m tired of being just a piece of arm candy!” She yelled, voice straining slightly from the volume, taking Cameron aback. His eyes widened slightly, surprised at the break in her usual calm demeanor.

  Priya, for her part, took a moment to compose herself. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she pulled her hair back. After a few minutes, her eyelids opened, only this time, she wasn’t looking at him as before, but down at the floor, avoiding his gaze. When she spoke it was in a soft, quivering whisper that Cameron had to strain his hearing in order to interpret.

  “I’m tired of only having value as long as I look good in leather. I’m tired of waking up every morning to men old enough to be my father. I’m tired of that looming fear that the second a single wrinkle appears on my skin, I’m going to be out of work. I’m tired of the hangovers, and the party drugs, tired of being a professional homewrecker. I’m just… tired, Cam. I’m fucking exhausted.”

  Cameron was stunned into silence, his brain racing to take in her confession. His mouth opened as he tried to respond, but a silent strain was the only thing that left it.

  Priya shook her head, standing up with a huff.

  “This was a mistake,” She said, pushing past him to make her exit, “Forget I ever came here. I’m sorry for bothering you. Won’t happen again.”

  “W-Wait!” Cameron said, running out after her. She had made it halfway down the hallway by the time she stopped, slowly turning to regard him. Looking into her eyes, he could see they were slightly bloodshot from unshed tears, the side of her lip red from where she’d been chewing it. She looked… sorry, pathetic even in this state, and Cameron felt a pang of guilt rocket its way into his heart. Yes, she had hid her true intentions from him, but could he honestly blame her? Beyond all the glitzy parties and high dollar gifts, could he really find fault in her finding shame in her line of work?

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “What?” She snapped, pulling him from his thoughts. He blinked and looked at her to see her hands resting on her hips, as she tapped her foot impatiently.

  “I…” He started, continuing to search for the right words, but, failing once again, simply shrugged, his hands hitting his sides, resulting in a loud clap that echoed down the hallway, “I’m sorry. I didn't know.”

  Her smile returned somewhat then, albeit a half smile, but this time, it was genuine, reaching her eyes that glimmered with a slight warmth.

  “It’s fine,” She said softly, her voice cracking, “You didn’t know, and I wasn’t going to tell you.”

  Cameron sighed, chewing at his lip, looking everywhere but at Priya, as he thought out loud, “I mean, I’m not sure what exactly you can do, but I think we can find something-”

  “Cam, stop,” She said, waving a hand dismissively, “Really it’s fine. I can figure something out. I’m a big girl after all.” She offered him a wink, but as she did so, a sound of pressurized air drew both of their attention as Logan and Marcus entered, flanking a heavily bandaged and smiling Aurora. At least she was smiling until her eyes fell upon Priya’s form, at which point her lips flipped into an impossible to hide grimace.

  “Hey Aurora!” Cameron called, “How you feeling?”

  Aurora ignored his question, instead nodding in the direction of Priya, “Who’s the slutty gym trainer?”

  “Aurora!” Logan hissed.

  “What?!” She said, looking over her shoulder at him, “I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking.”

  Priya visibly cringed, sucking in her teeth, “Alright… wow. Well, my name’s Priya, and I’m a friend of Cam’s. It’s nice to meet you… Aurora right?” She walked over to Aurora and stuck out her hand for her to take.

  Aurora simply looked down at the offered appendage for a moment, before looking back up at Priya, then looked past her, eyeing Cameron.

  “Who the fuck is this and what is she doing on the ship?” She called, “I can barely tolerate one of your girlfriends and that’s only because she’s an EarthGov official.”

  “Girlfriend?!” Cameron shot back.

  “EarthGov Official?” Priya said, looking inquisitively over her shoulder at Cameron.

  “Alright,” Cameron said, holding his hands up, “Everyone just take a breath and shut the hell up for two seconds so I can explain.”

  “About the girlfriend?” Priya asked, “Or about who I am?”

  Cameron sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, as he swept a hand towards Priya’s direction, “Aurora, this is Priya Patel, I met her when me and Marcus left the Fenris. She’s a former…” He looked up at her, raising an eyebrow, hoping to have her answer.

  “Escort,” Priya finished with a nod, “At least that’s the word I’d prefer.”

  “I’m sure it is,” Aurora said under her breath, crossing her arms as she did so.

  “ANYWAYS,” Cameron said, “I did some work for her, and now she's wanting to do some work for us.”

  Aurora gave out a choking cough, wincing in pain as she took a minute to gather herself, “I don’t think that kind of work would be needed here, Cam. I don’t swing that way, neither does Logan, and something tells me Marcus might break a hip.”

  “Ms. Lorentis!” Marcus called out in shock, “How old do you think I am?!”

  “Not THAT kind of work!” Cameron yelled, “Like… actual work… work.”

  “Doing what?!” Aurora and Logan exclaimed in unison.

  Cameron opened his mouth to speak, but swiftly closed it shut. He turned to Priya, looking at her with an inquisitive eyebrow, “Doing what?”

  Priya simply chuckled, and shook her head, “Doing what I do best of course. Making connections.”

  “Annnnd, how does that help us?” Logan asked, his eyes looking between Aurora, then Cameron, and then finally Priya, who simply returned his gaze, offering a wink and a smirk.

  “Perhaps it’d be best if I just showed you.”