by Nikki Ash
Now don’t get me wrong, is this place upscale and classy? Hell no. The guys are sleazy and there are no real rules other than not being allowed to touch the dancer on stage, and that’s only because it would cause fights to break out. But in Las Vegas you need to know what you’re doing because otherwise every girl who has seen Showgirls will think they can just show up here, grind on a pole, and have tons of money thrown at them. The truth is, if you can’t dance properly, the men and other women will eat you alive, so you better know what the hell you’re doing.
After switching on Body Party by Ciara, I walk into the room using the backdoor which leads to the mini stage. The lights are turned down and the low light above the stage is just bright enough to focus on the dancer and allow me to dance without seeing who is watching. It helps me pretend I’m dancing in one of my classes for fun as opposed to dancing in front of a bunch of horny men for money. The only difference is, here my clothes end up coming off, whereas in my class, they stay on.
I make my way to the pole, and after walking once around it, hook the inside of my arm around it. Then I hook the inside of my leg around the front and, with a little hop, begin my routine with a front hook spin. I slowly come down and shift into a knee bridge, which is what it sounds like—my knees are both on the ground while my back arches into a bridge. Pretending the men aren’t looking at my thong covered lady parts, I push back into a shoulder bridge by lifting my ass up into the air and bringing my shoulders down. From there, I roll backward and end up back on the bar.
As I continue my choreographed moves on and around the pole, little by little my clothing is removed. First, it’s my top, then my bra. Finally, the last article of clothing removed is my shorts. While many strippers choose to remove all their clothes, including their panties, I’ve made the choice not to. I’m sure if I did, it would earn me more money, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Only one man has seen that private area of my body and it’s Tristan’s father. The next man to see it will hopefully be making love to me. I just can’t bring myself to let some horny strangers see me completely vulnerable like that.
When the song ends, along with the routine, I gather up my bra and put it back on, leaving the dress off. Then I walk down the steps leading to the tables situated in front of the small stage. There are several men in their thirties sitting together and clapping. I make sure to add an extra sway to my hips as I approach the men.
“And who is the man of the hour?” I ask, attempting to add an extra little bit of sexiness to my voice.
One guy raises his hand. “It’s my birthday, darling.”
I walk over to him, sit down on his lap sideways, and give him a wink. “Happy Birthday, handsome. What can I get you gentleman to drink, tonight?” They each give me their order one by one and when I get to the last guy, I notice he’s assessing me harsher than the others, like he’s confused about something.
“What can I get for you?”
“Do you teach at Old Creek Elementary?”
My pen falls out of my hand as I scramble off the gentleman’s lap, so I’m standing.
“You’re my son’s teacher,” he adds.
“Yes, I do,” I say softly. He stands and, taking me gently by my arm, walks me to the corner of the room.
“I’m thinking, by the look of shock you gave me, the school district doesn’t know one of their teachers is a stripper.”
“I don’t usually strip. I’m filling in for someone tonight, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“Absolutely, on one condition… you give me a private show.”
Is this guy serious right now? Of course, it would be my luck I would run into a father of one of my students on the one night I’m doing more than waitressing.
“Okay, let me get everybody their drinks and I’ll see which private room is available.”
I put my order into the bar and then seek out Eddie. He is the bouncer tonight and oversees the rooms.
“Hey Eddie, do you have a private room available? I only need it for like ten minutes.”
He gives me a questioning look. He’s known me for years and not once have I ever asked for a private room.
“Room four is available.”
“Thanks.”
After going back to the bar to grab the guys’ drinks, I let the guy who asked for the private dance know he can meet me in room four in five minutes, I just need to check on my other tables.
Once I walk into the room, I spot him sitting on the couch ready for me. I put Here I am by Rick Ross on the speakers and begin the lap dance without saying a word. My moves are robotic and stiff, yet still sexual as I circle around the couch dancing. Once I get back in front of him, I rub against his body then sit on his lap finishing the dance. He doesn’t once try to touch me, which kind of surprises me, but makes it more bearable. When the song is over, the room goes silent as I climb off him.
“My name is Eric, Chris’s dad.” I think for a moment and know I have met Chris’s mom. I also know she is married to Chris’s dad.
“Nice to meet you. I appreciate you not saying anything about my working here.”
I flick the switch to the iPod dock off. “You ready to head back to your friends?”
“Who said we were done here?”
“You asked for a private show and I gave you one.”
“Did you really think when I said private show I meant you dancing for me? I meant I want to fuck you.”
I let out a soft gasp. “I don’t do that. I’m sorry.”
I walk to the door and open it, silently making it clear he needs to leave.
“You sure about that?” The question sounds more like a threat.
“Yes, I am.”
He nods once, stands, and walks out the door. When he gets to the room where his friends are, he says, “I suggest you rethink your stance on my offer before the end of the night. You might regret it if you don’t.”
I don’t rethink his offer, and as their party comes to a close, I see the silent threat Eric gives me. I have to hope it’s an empty threat.
* * *
It’s two in the morning and I’m more than ready to go home. After changing out of Scarlett’s borrowed outfit and giving it back to her, I count my money. I’ve made almost enough to pay Giovanni this month’s payment.
My house is dark when I walk through the door, aside from the faint light glowing under the microwave. I see Kaden on the couch, sleeping with the remote in his hand. The TV is still on and it casts a light on him. He looks beautiful. But what makes him beautiful isn’t just his looks. He’s beautiful on the inside and out. Black hair that is just long enough you can run your fingers through it and mess it up, and his hair always looks like it’s a perfect mess. His eyes are currently closed, but when they’re open, they are the most amazing shade of bright green. They remind me of my birthstone—emerald. They pop against his lightly tanned skin. His body is ripped; I am talking six pack of abs, ripped. Not overly muscular, but healthy and fit. And he’s my best friend. He’s been there for me this last year, providing me a shoulder to cry on, as well as an ear to listen without judgement. He can be a total goof, but he can also be downright sweet and serious when he needs to be. Him and Tristan have grown close these last several months, and I’m thankful Kaden can provide a good, male role model for my son.
“Hey there.” I softly touch his cheek, causing him to stir awake.
“Hey,” he answers groggily, stretching out. His voice is raspy from sleep and I can imagine him saying my name in that same voice…
Abort! Abort! No thinking about how my name sounds coming out of Kaden’s mouth.
“I’m home. Thank you for watching Tristan. Was he good?”
Kaden grabs my arm and pulls me into his side, giving my temple a quick kiss. “He’s always good. Although, he did kick my ass in the UFC fighter game on his PlayStation. How was work?”
“It was good.” I lean in closer to Kaden, enjoying for a second the sa
fety I feel when I’m close to him.
“Are you getting the extra hours you were hoping for?”
“No, I’m not, but a girl called out, so I got to take over her tables. I made some extra money. It was a good night.”
“That’s good, Ash.” Kaden stands, then taking my hands in his, pulls me into a standing position as well.
“You spending the night?”
He gives me a look that tells me I’m an idiot for even asking. “Of course, I am. Don’t I always?”
“Well, I don’t know what you had planned. Maybe you had to put off plans with one of your black book girls to babysit Tristan for me last minute.”
He just shakes his head and laughs, as he guides me down my hallway. We stop at Tristan’s room and I walk in to give him a quick kiss and pull up his blanket. “Love you, little man.”
After changing into my pajamas, we get into bed, and within minutes, Kaden is back to sleep. I watch him for a little while, thanking God for him being in my life. He and Tristan are without a doubt the bright lights in the darkness I’m surrounded by these days. I don’t know what I would do without Kaden in our life, and I don’t ever want to find out.
Chapter Three
Kaden
It’s Sunday afternoon and everybody is over at Bentley and Kayla’s house hanging by the pool. While Bentley and Caleb are manning the grill, everybody else either has a drink in their hand lounging in a chair or are swimming with the kids. I’m one of the people swimming with the kids along with Cooper, Alex, and Alex’s new girlfriend, Jessica. All the other women are laying out in the lounge chairs holding babies with fruity drinks within reaching distance. I look over and see Ashley in her skimpy fucking little yellow bikini, holding Kayla’s daughter Chloe in her lap while she laughs at whatever Hayley is saying.
It’s times like this I think about how different my life would have been if Gabby was still in my life. How much I miss her and wish she and our son were both here with me. I look around and guilt overcomes me for the happiness I feel surrounded by my friends. It feels wrong to be happy while my wife and son aren’t here to experience even an ounce of the happiness I feel.
“Kaden!” Bella shouts, waving her arms in the air to get my attention. I’m on one end of the pool, while Tristan and Bella are on the opposite end trying to explain some game to me they’re insisting I play with them.
“Explain this game to me again. And please tell me why the heck it’s called Toothpaste.”
Bella and Tristan both laugh. “I don’t know why it’s called Toothpaste. It just is! Focus Uncle Kaden!” Bella glares at me and Tristan shakes his head in amusement at her.
“You name a category like favorite color or favorite food. Once one of us guesses correctly, we race from one end of the pool to the other and the first person to touch the wall and yell ‘Toothpaste’ wins.”
“Thank you, Tristan, for patiently explaining the game to me once again.”
Bella huffs and rolls her eyes. “Can we play now?”
“Okay, the category is…” I tap my chin, thinking, and take an extra-long time just to aggravate Bella, who acts like she’s six going on sixteen. Marco comes from inside the house and sits on the edge of the pool, laughing, knowing exactly what I’m doing.
“Can I play?” he asks.
“Sure! You can be on my team.” He jumps into the pool and swims over to join me.
“Oh, my God! Can you please pick a category?” Bella screeches.
“Bella Cooper!” Cooper yells out in his dad voice, pointing the spatula in her direction. “Don’t be rude.”
“I’m not, but Uncle Kaden is purposely not picking a category. I need to beat these boys!”
She looks back over at me and glares once again, causing me to chuckle.
“Okay, okay! The category is favorite food.”
“Pizza.”
“Chicken nuggets.”
“Grilled cheese.”
“Spaghetti and Meatballs.”
When Tristan says, “Lasagna,” I confirm he’s correct and the four of us take off across the pool. When I get to the middle and see Bella about to pass me, I scoop her up, causing her to shriek. With both hands, I throw her into the air, and her body hits the water with a splash.
“Throw me, too!” Tristan yells. So, I pick him up and throw him into the deep end as well.
Bella swims to the end of the pool and steps out wiping the hair out of her eyes. “I give up,” she says before running and jumping into the water cannonball-style right next to me to get my face soaked.
“Kaden,” Ashley calls to me. “Your phone just went off with a text from your mom asking if you booked your plane tickets yet. Do you want me to respond?”
I grab Bella and chuck her across the pool once again. “Yeah, just tell her I’ll do it tonight.”
“Okay... Oh, you just got another text. It’s Sabrina. She said she thought she saw you last night at Club Eleven.”
Tristan swims over to me, lifting his arms up, so I throw him again. Then I swim to the edge of the pool and get out. “Just text her back, ‘I’m sorry I missed you.”
“Okay.”
I get over to the chairs and look over her shoulder, dripping water all over her. I watch the droplets of water run down her chest and get lost between her tits before taking a look at what my cell phone says.
Me: I’m Sorry. I missed you.
“Ashley! You can’t put a damn period in there! You just changed the entire sentence! And you put a smiley face emoji at the end. Jesus, woman! She is going to think I actually missed her!”
“What?” She looks down at the phone as it dings.
Sabrina: Aww
“See? That’s just great!”
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to…”
Suddenly my phone is ringing and, before I can stop her, Ashley hits answer to the FaceTime call.
“Hey Kaden, what are you up to?” Sabrina’s annoying voice comes over the speaker.
“Nice, Kaden! You gonna hit that?” Bentley laughs, earning him a hit to the chest courtesy of his wife.
“Oh! She’s live! Like on the phone right now.” Ashley’s eyes bug out, not realizing she was answering a video call.
“Hey, Sabrina. It’s Ashley, Kaden’s friend. I didn’t mean to answer the call… or is this a video? Sorry! I don’t have one of those techy phones.”
“Excuse me, I was trying to reach Kaden. He just texted me.”
“Oh! That was actually me… Sorry!” Everyone around us is laughing while Ashley looks confused as shit and Sabrina looks like she wants to reach through the phone and rip Ashley’s head from her body.
“Can you just give the phone to Kaden?” Sabrina spits out.
After drying my hands, I grab the phone and quickly tell Sabrina I’ll call her later before ending the video chat and putting my phone on silent. I throw it onto the table and pick Ashley up, sitting her on my lap to get her all wet.
“Kaden!” she shrieks, batting me away. I hold her to me, shaking my hair like a dog and getting her soaked.
“Let me up! I’m getting all wet!”
“You deserve it! You just made some annoying chick think I want to hook up with her. You’re lucky I don’t throw your ass in the pool.”
She stops fighting me and turns around. “You wouldn’t dare. And mistakenly telling one of your many floozies you missed her is hardly a crime bad enough to be thrown into the water.”
“Oh, it’s definitely enough to throw your ass in the water. And just because you told me I wouldn’t, I’m going to.”
I pick her up bridal style and carry her toward the deep end, hanging her over the water. Everybody starts chanting to throw her in.
“Don’t freaking do it, Kaden,” Ashley demands.
But I do it anyway. Only I jump in with her. We both sink to the bottom of the pool and when we come up to the surface everyone is laughing and cheering.
“I can’t believe you did that!” Ashley laughs, wiping the water out of her eyes then splashing water at me. Her hair is all over her face and she looks breathtakingly gorgeous. She’s bobbing in the deep end, so I swim to her and grab her sides, bringing her body to mine to hold her up. She wraps her legs around my waist, so she can use her hands to move her hair out of her face.
“Thank you,” she says softly. “I must look like a drowned cat.”
“You definitely don’t look like a drowned cat. You look beautiful.”
“Burgers are ready!” Cooper announces. I swim us to the shallow end, then reluctantly let her go.
“Just not beautiful enough for you,” she says under her breath.
She walks away and I know exactly what she’s talking about—the night when we almost hooked up and I put a stop to it. She thinks it’s because she isn’t good enough or pretty enough for me. I know I should correct her and tell her she’s completely wrong, but then I would have to explain why I’m not capable of giving a woman anything more than one night. Ashley is my best friend and I can’t imagine my life without her, but I can’t be with anyone. If she remains my best friend, I never have to let her go. It’s selfish of me, but I need her in my life, even if it’s only as a friend.
Chapter Four
Ashley
Three Months Ago
“Oh my goodness! I swear every single time I drink those Bahama Breeze’s I get drunk. They are so fruity and delicious and I always forget they are filled with alcohol. It just sneaks up on me.”
I plop onto my couch and Kaden sits next to me. He takes my feet into his lap and, after throwing my heels onto the floor, begins massaging one foot and then the other.
