Side Show: Lust & Chrome duet

by Gigi Birtie

  “Well I can't say the same. I've…uh…gotta run. Thanks for training and I'll see you Thursday right?” I need to leave. I’m feeling very uncomfortable and know more questions are coming if I don’t leave right now.

  “Yessssss Thursday! Before you go can I ask just one thing?”

  I round my car and open the driver side door. Before I hop in I look Maisely square in the eye and say, “No.”

  I slide into my car relishing the feel of the buttery leather on my skin and close the door as I fire up the engine and peel on out, not even looking to see if anyone is coming around the turn. This part of Alameda is dead quiet after 8pm. The Java Pit is the only thing on Park street open till 10pm besides the two bars.

  With my new place of employment not even a blip in my rear-view mirror, I speed up. The urge to blow off some steam is strong. I know where most of my friends are, and it's not at their houses doing homework on a Tuesday night. They are down at the strip.

  Chapter 2

  With my windows rolled down and wind wiping my hair around, I slow down and pull off to the side in the shadows before barreling onto the strip. I see there's about 60 cars already parked along the road with their lights on waiting for the races to being. There was no one lined up, so they must have been arguing who gets to race who.

  I reach into my back seat where I always have my camera ready to use. As I turn it on, I look through the view finder and I see my two best friends right away. I take a couple of photos of them since the lights from the car illuminate them, making them look so beautiful, Mona is a spoiled rich kid, but you'd never know by the way she acts so down to earth, with caramel skin and long black hair this month, a true African Puerto Rican mix beauty. She has amazingly long legs that lead up to her thin figure. She has a dancers’ body, toned everywhere without an ounce of fat on her. That wasn't what put asses in the seats though, it was her eyes. Half of the time I didn't know what she was talking about, because I too would get lost in them. They are the most brilliant hazel green eyes that literally sparkle. I couldn't be more thankful that she is my friend. Mona isn't too friendly to new people. That was her flaw to carry though.

  Now, Tala was the other part to our trio, cutest Filipino girl. Guys couldn't resist her long black brown hair and her big brown doe eyes, that exudes so much sex appeal that you could literally fall in love with her on the spot. Her SoCal style made for some interesting outfits through the years. It could be freezing out and this girl would show up in short shorts a tank top and a flannel with some crazy boots on, claiming that's what kept her warm. I could only roll my eyes most of the time and laugh about her always of being a slave to fashion. I'm more than certain she just enjoys having a guy wrapped around her for warmth. Though it was only one guy these days.

  It's funny how the three of us became friends in the first place. We all were placed into an after-school dance program. I've always been one to hold my head high but the shyness in me was always present. I smiled at them both and they smiled back waving me over to join them. It was just that simple then, and that's when dancing was fun. Not this strict and very disciplined activity that is now. Yes, we all still take dance, Mona plans on making dance more her life goal, after we graduate.

  While Tala and I are good, we are not Mona good.

  As I move my eyes around the crowd where my girls are the center of attention I notice of someone new, I find myself squinting down like that would help for me to gawk any better. I've never seen him before, but his style was unlike any of the other guys from around here. His head was shaved with his hat on backwards wasn't enough to make you look at him, his menacing stance made him standout. He was wearing some baggy pant with a wide belt hanging low on his hips, a tight white concert T-shirt of sorts and a flannel. He was also wearing some Adidas which really stood out in the sea of vans and chucks everyone else was wearing.

  I decided to grab a couple of pictures of him, as he leans against some car. He may have stood out, but he was so fuckin hot. As I took a few more pictures, it was like he was looking right at me. I shook my head to regain some sense and put my camera away.

  So, I fluff my hair, started up my car and peeled out announcing my presence. The closer I got the faster I sped up and just when I was close, yet had just enough distance, I started to do a donut, not just one either this one was going to go for a minute. Once the smoke clouded up the area I stopped. I put my car in park and hopped out my car and found Mona and Tala.

  As I was about to yell in their direction I noticed the new guy was now pretty close to where I was, with his mouth hanging wide open. I wink at him and turned back to call to Mona and Tala.

  “Hey Mona, Tala, what are we getting into tonight?”

  Immediately, they both cat call and rushed to where I was now standing.

  Mona says loud enough so everyone close enough can hear.

  “We’re coming with you, this meet up blows! I can't believe the only highlight was your weak ass donut.” She starts to laugh hysterically, because we all know there was nothing weak about it. So, I just laugh as she tries to break my balls in front of the crowd.

  As Mona, Tala and I get closer to my Olds, so does the hot guy. I can feel his eyes raking my body up and down. As I turn to him, I see closer how bright blue his eyes are, he's tall too, at least 6’3 with a muscular build but then I see how red and juicy his lips are, then he smiles this heart crushing crooked grin and I instantly become a puddle on the spot.

  Fuck, I curse under my breathe. I could get lost in that man easily, but I tear my gaze away and scoot back into the driver seat as my girls were closing the door behind them.

  “Buckle up girls, let's blow the doors off this shit show and go party.” I say loud enough for hot guy to hear too.

  Everyone knows where we go and I'm sure he'll end up there without a doubt.

  I pull forward enough to where I'm all clear and do a figure eight as well as spinning brodies perfectly before pulling out and ripping down the road! My girls were laughing the whole time and I knew they weren't scared.

  After we are a couple of miles down the road, where I was no longer visible to the crowd, I slowed down a bit and ask Mona and Tala what they really wanted to do.

  Tala surprisingly spoke up first.

  “Sloane, I was wondering if you could drop me off at Rylan’s by any chance?”

  I look in my rear-view mirror and see her cringe with her hand in the praying position.

  “Please, please, pleeeeeease Sloane!! I'll be one of your best friends.” She says, as she starts to bounce up and down.

  Rylan lives all the way up in the Oakland hills by the time we drop her off everything will be closing.

  I frown at her as Mona pipes in saving me from saying no way.

  “Fuck, Tala, tell your boyfriend to stop being such a loser and have him pick you up, we want to go out not be your Uber service.”

  That was a bit harsher than what I would have said, but Mona was spot on not wanting to be an Uber for the night.

  Tala purses her lips into a fine line with clear indecisiveness across her face.

  “Okay I have a plan. Text, Rylan, ask if he can pick you up in front of Blake's bar in Berkeley, that's like 15 mins from his house and Mona and I can get in on last call and bust a move or two!! If he says no, then we'll just take you there and Mona,” I look at her for a brief second giving her my we’ll have a good time no matter what we get into eyes; “we can always go dancing out at the Marina. I heard there will be some DJ’s out there till 6am.”

  “Okay, but I'd rather go to Blake's than dance on the grassy sand dunes in the fog, so Tala, tell Rylan he better pick you up.” Mona whines.

  I see Tala giving me a smile as she knows I didn't even want to go to Blake's bar, but I was compromising for her. Plus, I knew that the new hot guy tonight wouldn't be able to find me at Blake's as everyone knows we go to the Fat Lady bar most nights. Oh well, eye candy for a minute is better than nothing at all.

  It's
not like I would have any opportunity with that hottie anyway, but he would be worth drooling over from across the bar. I felt my stomach sink at the realization that again nothing could happen anyway, due to my brothers over protective ways.

  As we pull up to Blake's bar people were standing outside smoking cigarettes and talking loudly, Blake's was a college bar close to Cals campus, two blocks to be exact, but this place always had the best bands, the most sought out local brewery's beer on tap, and some crazy good food but at this hour, I know the kitchen is closed.

  The real party was always down in the basement which was like a second bar/club area. Luckily for Tala, Rylan said he would meet her out front.

  Mona hated to go to parties held outside, she always felt people couldn't see her fabulousness in the dark. She always made me laugh when she pointed that out. Though I felt even if you were blind you could feel how beautiful she truly is.

  As we got out of my car, Rylan came running up to Tala, picking her up, slinging her over his shoulder, while walking away as she squealed in his arms. She waved to us and yelled, “I'll text you in the morning before school bitches.”

  I laughed at how ridiculous they looked, but Rylan couldn't get enough of Tala. That's all that mattered even though I found myself being jealous at the same time. Not that I was crushing on Rylan, more that I wanted someone to share my nights with.

  I knew once I went off to college, away from my brother’s standing order of stay away, that I'll meet someone who will worship every inch of my body while being my soul mate. I was just like any other girl who dreamed of being more to the man of her dreams.

  As of right here and now though, it was all about having a good time with my other best friend.

  Mona

  As we approached the front door we showed our fake ID’s, some of the best you possibly could have made, and went right in as usual no questions asked.

  The main level was relaxed, and people were talking and sharing laughs over the loud beats that were rising from the basement. It was as if the music was summoning Mona and me.

  We linked arms and giggling as we made our way down the stairs. As soon as we were halfway down you could feel the sweat in the air. It was almost stifling. Once we made it to the bottom, bodies were moving all over the place feeling the beats. Mona slid her hand into mine, so I could follow her to her favorite spot on the dance floor. That's right dead center, where else would it be. Mona started swaying her body in a very sensual way as I mirrored most of her movements. She truly was an amazing dancer, and one day I knew she would be doing something huge with her talents.

  We weren't on the floor too long, before we had a circle of people around us. I was there just getting my moves on, but I knew they were all watching Mona. Who wouldn't. Out of nowhere a man came up behind Mona and placed his hands on her hips. She wiped around with anger on her face with her hand moving back ready to slap the man who dared to touch her. Once she saw it was her boyfriend, Mona jumped up into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist.

  I just laughed at River’s face in how it went from completely scared to relived, in a matter of seconds.

  Riv was perfect for Mona not only was he sweet and caring he was ridiculously good looking, with the most beautiful rich brown hair that was worn short and his eyes stood out likes pools of chocolate, he too was very muscular and was playing football with my brother at Cal.

  Of course, that means if Riv was here, my brother was too.

  Shit.

  I turned to go to the bar, leaving these two to dance or dry hump, I needed to get a drink.

  As I made my way through the crowd I saw my brother in the corner with a hot blonde with big boobs draped over him. I knew he wouldn't know I was there for a little bit, so I made my way to the other side of the bar to go further unnoticed.

  As I squeezed through the crowd and bellied up to the bar I was asked what I wanted right away.

  The bartender came back with my beer, I threw him a twenty and called it good.

  He smiled at me with a wink and I knew I was blushing, so I took a big gulp of my Pilsner.

  Just as I was looking for Mona, I saw him.

  He looked even better up close, as I was only a few feet away now, than earlier tonight at the strip. He was staring at me with those amazing green eyes.

  I felt frozen in place and couldn't move. I couldn't look away either. All I did was stand there and stare like an idiot with a stupid grin on my face, I'm sure!

  How mortifying.

  The one time, I see a man that I find remotely gorgeous, and I start to act like an idiot, but he seems to be getting closer so that means he's coming my way. I know I'm not moving as I've never been more rooted in place in all my life.

  “Hey, I saw you earlier tonight in that kick ass 442 right?” He says as he leans into me, since it's so loud with the music blaring.

  I'm completely blank out, all I can do is smell how wonderful he is and take in his features as he leans back from me.

  He puts his hand on my hip and leans in again.

  “Are you alright? Have you been roofied? Blink if you've been brought here against your will.” He smirks at me with the lopsided smile.

  I shake my head snapping out of the fog he put me in and laugh at my stupidity.

  “Yes, that was me in the Olds, and no I have not been brought here against my will.” I say with a half laugh.

  Could I look more like a lame stain right now. It just goes to show you that I'm inept with flirting or attention coming from a man that I find attractive.

  “You know you're really skilled at spinning brodies! To my surprise it was a chick doing it too!”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I glare at him.

  Like girls don't know how to spin donuts.

  “It's not bad, I'm just not use to seeing that.” He gives me his full blinding white smile.

  I couldn't help but smile back.

  “So, is that your boyfriend’s car?”

  I laughed as soon as he said that. Being a woman that owns a classic car, you will get asked that every time you meet someone new. Like it's impossible that a woman would have interest in the classics all on her own. I try not to ever get mad when it happens, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood, but tonight I'm in the mood to keep this conversation going.

  “No, it's my car. I've been fixing it up for the last five years; which started with just my pops, brother, and me; then it was just my brother and me, then the last two years just me.” Why was I rambling on like this? I never gave up information to strangers so freely.

  It was sad how both my pops and brother became too busy to finish our family build, leaving it to me to finish. It would still be sitting in our garage if it wasn't for me taking the initiative to finish it up.

  “I'm Dane Price, by the way.”

  “Oh yeah, I'm Sloane Cates.”

  As soon as I say my name his smile vanished, and he takes a step back from me like I burned him.

  Right when he does that I feel the heat coming from behind me.

  I turn around and see my brother staring at me with anger radiating off him.

  Shit every time, Reese has to swoop in and cock block me. It's like I should have known, this was going too well.

  Chapter 3

  “Hey Reese, what are you doing out? Don't you have practice tomorrow morning?” I ask trying to sound unfazed by his big brother approach.

  He looks at me with softer eyes. “I do Sloane, but I wanted to blow off some steam before this Saturday's game. I see you met my roommate.” He smirks at me and I know any chance I possibly could have had with Dane is gone before it even started. I hang my head in defeat while just staring at my boots and thinking it was time to go home.

  “This is your sister you were telling me about?” Dane asks my brother with utter surprise.

  Reese just nods with a warning look.

  “I think the bigger question Sloane is what are you doing here? Why aren't you home?�
�� Reese asks.

  My eyes met his, giving him that knowing look, since he damn well knows I hate being in our house all by myself. Just then, I see by the looks of it I was going home by myself, since Mona and Riv are all tangled up on the dance floor, grinding against each other in the most provocative way.

  Reese follows my eyes to Mona and Riv and sees that I'll be leaving alone.

  “Do you want me to go home with you Sloane? I know you don't like being alone.” Reese says with a soft tone, yet loud enough that everyone around us heard. Uugghhh, could I just die on the spot please? I purse my lips ready to tell him no way.

  However, just then the blonde that was draped all over my brother earlier, comes bouncing up. She clings to his side and he wraps his arm around her waist.

  The thought of Reese bringing her home, would be worse than being home alone. She looks like a screamer.

  “No, I'm good Reese. Have a good time tonight and I'll catch up with you later this week before your game.” I lean in and give him a kiss on the cheek, but he grabs my hand and holds me in place as he leans toward Dane, talking for a minute.

  “Hey Dane, is going to walk you to your car, to make sure you're safe, and that you're not walking alone. Don't worry he's a good guy and plays on the team too, so he'll make sure nothing happens to you, and I told him no funny business.” He gives us both a stern look.

  If only I could disappear right here, right now! I turn to half smile at Dane, but his eyes were still alive with curiosity.

  “I just have to make sure Mona is going with Riv, and then I'm off.” I tell Reese and Dane.

  They both nod and I turn to make my way through the crowd towards Mona. As I approach, I feel someone matching my every step, I look over my shoulder and it’s Dane. Poor guy has been assigned to be my babysitter. How mortifying!

  I continue, so I can get out of here without further embarrassment. After talking with Mona, she is going home with Riv, so much for having both my friends over for the night, I kiss and hug her goodbye as I see her looking Dane up and down with her hazel green eyes.