I had no idea how much these boys earned, but we weren’t in the most affluent part of town. Despite Danny’s attitude toward subs, I hated asking the boys for their money. He handed over the cash as I wrote in the ledger.
“Why does everyone call me sunshine?” I blurted out.
It was the first time I’d seen him exude anything but confidence, and he seemed embarrassed about telling me. He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, betraying his unease, and finally said, “Danny gave you the nickname, and I guess it kind of stuck with us. You’ll have to ask him why he gave it to you.”
He was lying. Sure, Danny had called me sunshine first, but there was more to it than that. O’Connell had decided not to share, and that disappointed me. There was a sharp knock on the door, and unlike Tommy, the person on the other side knew better than to just barge in. O’Connell seemed a little pissed at the intrusion but got up to answer the door.
“See you later, then?” he asked, and I nodded with a small smile. He smiled back as he opened the door but gave the death stare to the fighter who entered as he left.
By the end of the night, all but one of the boys had paid up, and Danny confirmed that the last fighter had cleared it with him that he could carry his subs over for the week. Danny chuckled throatily as he looked through the ledger. A burned down cigarette hung from his mouth, and I wondered how many he’d smoked since I’d started tonight.
“Looks like more of those eejits paid tonight than usual. Means I don’t have to go chasing any of ‘em. Seems like you’re going to be good for business, Em, even if I only have you collecting subs.”
I sincerely hoped that wasn’t all I’d be doing. I really enjoyed the bookkeeping. In truth, subs collection would have taken half the time tonight, but each of the boys who crossed the threshold seemed inclined to either chat me up or introduce themselves and give me the third degree. I was exhausted. Danny kicked me out, as usual, but to be honest, if he left me to my own devices with the books then I’d have been there all night. Maybe it was because the office had been so warm and cosy, or maybe it was because my jacket felt more threadbare than usual, but the evening chill was bitter. As I stepped out into the night and wondered whether to walk the few miles home or take the bus, I couldn’t help but stuff my hands into the pockets of my jacket whilst trying to wrap it around me. Figuring that the walk would soon warm me up and that I’d need to save my bus fares for winter, I put my head down and started out for home. Mentally calculating the days until payday, I contemplated whether to use the extra in my wages to buy some nice warm gloves or just put it away toward a winter coat. The pounding of feet on the sidewalk grew closer, and I looked around to see who was following me.
“Jesus, you have to be quick on your feet to keep up with you, woman!”
“Maybe I’m running away from you,” I replied with a smile, as O’Connell caught up to me.
“Nah,” he replied cockily, “I’m irresistible.”
“I’m sure,” I answered dryly.
He was irresistible, and he knew it. There was no need to inflate his ego any more. It was better to feign indifference.
“So, where are you headed?” I asked. If he was walking, I figured he lived fairly locally. “Same place as you are,” he replied.
“What do you mean? I’m going home.”
He might be hot, but he was starting to freak me out a little.
“I’m walking you home. Danny was the one who agreed to your hours, so he figured he’s responsible for you getting home safely.”
He said it so matter-of-factly. Like it was common for all female employees to have a personal escort home. I rolled my eyes at Danny’s over protectiveness.
“Look, that’s really nice of you, but honestly, I’m fine. I’ve been walking on my own for a very long time now. I’m a big girl, and I have a rape alarm.” I was probably more conscious of my surroundings than anyone else he’d ever met, and I also protected my own privacy.
“Darlin’, I bench press more than you weigh, and a rape alarm in this neighbourhood won’t do shit, trust me. You want to work for Danny then its his rules. That means that one of us walks you home every night you’re here.”
He seemed amused by the futility of the exchange, like walking me home was a foregone conclusion.
“Again, don’t take this personally, but I just met you a few days ago. I’m not telling you where I live.”
He had the good grace to look sheepish. “I already know, Danny told me.”
I stopped stock still in the middle of the pavement. O’Connell had gone on a few paces before he realised that I wasn’t with him and turned around in surprise. I didn’t say anything. Really, what was the point? My fight wasn’t with O’Connell; it was with Danny. I’d been a doormat for too long. If Danny wanted to walk all over me, I’d be fucked if I’d lie down and take it. Turning on my heel, I stalked back to the gym, threw open the door, and stomped up the stairs, feeling the indignation fuel my rage.
“Why did you tell O’Connell where I lived?”
Danny, who’d been leaning against the ring ropes watching two guys spar, looked over his shoulder at my question. In fact, pretty much the whole gym had stopped to stare at me. I hated being the centre of attention, but right now, I was too buzzed to worry about it.
“How’s he supposed to walk you home if he doesn’t know where you live?” He asked this like I was stupid.
“You had no right, Danny. I don’t need babysitting, and you had no right revealing personal information about me without my permission.”
It was obvious that I was unhappy, but I wasn’t exactly screaming at him. That kind of disrespect in front of his boys just wasn’t me.
“Office,” he barked, and I jumped. Duly summoned, I followed him into the office, and he closed the door gently.
“I know you’re mad, sunshine, but I trust these boys with my life, and as it happens, with yours, too. I was raised in the old way, meaning you don’t allow a lady to walk home alone.”
“You mean well, and I get that, Danny, but I don’t want anyone knowing where I live. If you wanted to know how I was planning to get home, you should have asked me. You had no right to give out my address without my permission.”
I choked back the tears as my voice started to break. The more people who knew where I lived, the easier it would be for Frank to find me. Danny’s voice was gentle when he replied.