Me: What do I wear tonight? I haven’t been to a club in ages. Bars, yes. Clubs, not for a couple years. I don’t want to look like an idiot.
Hayley: LOL. Think strip club but not strip club.
Me: Well, what the hell's that supposed to mean?
Hayley: Jeans, heels, and a cute top. Just wear something cute that you can dance in. It’s not about what you’re wearing. It's about having fun and letting loose. See you in a little bit!
Okay, so that’s easy enough. Searching through my closet, I pick out a blue v-cut tank and my dark denim skinny jeans. I have a million pairs of shoes but haven’t been able to wear them in a long time, so I know the exact pair I want for tonight. Digging in the back of my closet, I grab out the black spiked heels. “Hello beautiful.” Throwing everything on the bed, I hop in the shower and quickly shave and wash myself. I want to doll myself up tonight for Justin in hopes that we can reignite our flame. Once I’m dried off, I blow dry my hair and style it with beach wave curls to add a little extra oomph. I do my make-up a little heavier than normal, with smokey eyes and a plum based lipstick. Once I'm dressed in my outfit, I walk out of the bathroom and find Justin sitting on the bed playing on his phone. His eyes open wide when he looks up.
“Wow,” he stands walking over to me. “You look gorgeous.” Pulling me into him, he kisses me gently being careful not to mess up my lipstick.
“Really? You don’t think my makeup is too much?” I start to doubt myself, feeling a little insecure.
“No, I’m getting a stiffy just looking at you, and you’re clothes aren’t even off yet.” Laughing I smack his chest. Grabbing my ID off the dresser, I place it in my small clutch with my lipstick. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, and I should say, you look great, too.” And he does. He's wearing a baby blue polo shirt that brings out his blue eyes and dark denim jeans with a pair of black shoes. His blonde hair is styled in his fauxhawk cut which is a change since he usually leaves it down. He smiles grabbing my hand as we walk to Klaus and Hayley’s. Since we live right next to each other Klaus insisted on us driving together, saying there is no sense in taking two cars. As we walk up to the door, the sound of music comes drifting through and as I’m about to ring the bell the door opens.
“Hey, guys, right on time. Come on in. We’re just going to have a quick drink before we head out.” Klaus greets us and moves aside so we can enter. Walking in, Hayley is walking towards us with two glasses in her hands and passes them to us. She is dressed to the nines and looks incredible. She’s wearing a short, skintight black dress that dips low in the back with red heels.
“You look amazing. Should I go home and change?” Suddenly feeling underdressed I look at Klaus, who is dressed like Justin.
“Oh no, dear. You’re dressed perfectly. Our main announcer called in sick tonight, so I’m going to fill in.” She smiles at me, obviously trying to ease my nerves.
“We can go another night if we’re going to be a distraction.” I suddenly feel bad that they will have to entertain us while they are working.
“Oh no, I won’t be long. We do a bunch of different things. I basically just get the party started and welcome everyone. Not much to it. As long as you have an open mind, you will have a great time. Trust me.” An open mind? I think to myself as I look to Justin, who shrugs. He’s smiling, and I haven’t seen him this excited in a long time, so I don’t dwell on her comment.
“A toast.” Hayley holds her glass in the air, and we all follow her lead. “To new friends and new experiences.” Klaus’s head turns to Hayley as his eyebrows shoot up. She smirks and winks at him, and he grins back, placing a kiss on her cheek. It makes me blush seeing their intimate interaction after what I walked in on earlier. Justin slides his arm around my waist, and we clink our glasses together before turning and doing the same with Klaus and Hayley.
“I’m ready to let my hair down,” I say as I down the rest of the extremely strong drink.
Hayley claps before linking her arm with mine, and we take off toward the garage with the guys following. Klaus gets in the driver’s seat, and Hayley gets in next to him. Justin surprises me by opening my door before getting in himself. I get a little brave with the darkness and reach over to Justin’s leg, putting my hand on his leg. I place it high up on his thigh, slowly moving my hand up further. I’m just about ready to slide my hand into his pants when Hayley looks back to us. I freeze when she catches us, and Justin stops my hand immediately. I’m taken back when she looks down at his lap and licks her lips before winking at me. Justin quickly shakes his head at me when she turns around and removes my hand. I feel defeated but try to let it go. I’m not letting him get me down tonight.
We only live about fifteen minutes from downtown, so it doesn’t take long to get there. We pull into a new development where there are lots of empty buildings and construction sites in all stages of development. There’s a big building across the parking lot, but it doesn’t have a sign. There’s just a black door with a blue infinity sign on it. We pull around the back of the building and park in the back lot reserved for the employees.
“I hope you don’t mind if we go through the back. It’s where the office is. It’s easier for us to drop our stuff there and get settled before heading out into the club.”
“Of course not. It makes complete sense.” Justin says as we get out of the car and follow the Arrington’s into the club. Klaus’s office is right inside the door, and we make a quick stop there. I can’t see too much because we are at the end of a long gray hallway.
“If you want you can keep your bag in here. No one can get in my office unless it’s Hayley or myself. I’m the only one with a key.” He pulls open a drawer in his desk and pulls out two bracelets. I pass my clutch over to Hayley who deposits it along with the wallet that she stealthily removed from Justin’s pocket.
“You won’t want to have anything on you later when the party gets started, so I’ll put this in here, too.” She brushes up against Justin making him step a little closer to me. I try to hold my chuckle at his shock at her forwardness.
Klaus walks over to us, “Go ahead and put these on. Everyone will know you’re my guests. Hayley’s right, you won’t want to worry about carrying anything around and with these you won’t need your IDs or anything for the bar.”
“What about paying for the drinks?” Justin asks not sure about leaving his wallet.
“You won’t have to pay for your drinks either.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. We don’t mind paying.” I insist, feeling like they’ve already done too much.
“Well, I have a feeling you’re going to be drinking a lot so when the night is over you can thank me.” She gives him a wink before she shuts the drawer with our belongings inside.
Justin laughs nervously, and I’m not really sure what that’s supposed to mean or why Justin is laughing.
“If that’s the case, I think I won’t like you in the morning with the way my head is going to feel.” I remember this morning’s hangover and promise myself I won’t drink too much tonight.
“I’ll make you another hangover cure.” Hayley winks. I must be getting used to her winking because it doesn’t make me feel shocked this time.
Just as we are about to walk out to the hallway Klaus stops, “Oh, Hay, make sure their phones aren’t on them.”
“Oh yeah! Rules. Can’t have any phones in the club.” She turns abruptly and holds out her hand to us.
“Really?” I ask. Shit maybe I should be nervous now. What kind of club doesn’t allow phones?
“Trust us,” Klaus says, letting his hand run down my arm. It sends a shiver through my body, and I'm shocked at the response.
Justin hands over his phone and takes my hand as we are lead down the hall. When we get to a red door, Klaus stops and makes a little chuckle deep in his throat before opening it.
Stepping through the door, I’m hit with the amazing smell of cinnamon and spice. It’s a calming scent.
The employees, I assume, are rushing around getting things ready for the night to begin. There are flashing lights, disco balls, and poles strewn around the dance floor that has an elevated DJ booth. There are cages, which I assume, are for dancers, no one is in there, but I’ve seen pictures of other clubs with them. We begin walking toward the large bar. There are a few doors off to my left that are shut right now, so I’m guessing they are other offices or closets, but the strange windows covered with blinds make me raise an eyebrow. To my right, there are a few freestanding booths and even a few leather couches that look comfortable.
“Baby, it looks amazing.” Hayley slides up to her husband. “I haven’t seen it since he did the finishing touches a few days ago,” She informs us.
“Roxy, Hayden, these two are my VIP guests so anything they want tonight, got it?” Klaus tells the bartenders. They nod and serve Klaus and Hayley before turning toward Justin and me.
“What can we get for you guys?” Hayden asks but his eyes are on me. The way he’s looking at me makes me a little uneasy, so I slide a little closer to Justin, who wraps his arm around me.
“I’ll take an Angryball, please.”
“And for you handsome?” Roxy asks Justin.
“A vodka gimlet please.” I know bartenders are supposed to be nice and chat you up, but these two seem a little too nice. They make our drinks, and I suggest grabbing a table to sit at before they start letting everyone in. Walking over to a booth, Justin lets me slide in first, and he sits closely by me, our legs touching.
“I’m glad we came out tonight. We haven’t done anything like this in a while.” He speaks quietly into my ear, his breath over my neck giving me goosebumps.
Smiling in agreement, I kiss his cheek. “Me, too. Please tell me I'm not the only one here wondering what this is?” I wave my hand around the club. “I mean, don’t get me wrong the place is beautiful, but everyone seems to be awfully flirty. Even Hayley and Klaus.”
“I think they are just trying to be good hosts. I wouldn’t read too much into it.” It’s his turn to lean in, but he kisses me on the lips.
“Into what?” Hayley asks, sliding into the seat across from us.
“Oh, nothing.” Justin quickly answers. “So what time are you guys going to open the doors?”
“Klaus is out there getting ready to unlock the door. I just wanted to come by real quick and make sure you guys are okay and don’t need anything.” She is trying to make us feel relaxed, and I appreciate the gesture from her.
“We’re good so far. Don’t worry about us. We will be okay. Just do what you have to do and we will see you when you have a free minute.” She smiles at us and gets out of the booth but stops at the table.
“If at any point you feel uncomfortable and want to leave, just let us know.”
“Why on earth would you think that? You invited us, and we accepted we are excited to hang out. Don't worry about us. We will be fine.”
She hesitates and shifts her weight onto her other leg popping her hip out. “Okay then. I should warn you, though, we have theme parties every weekend and tonight is an ABC party.”
“ABC?” Justin asks just as confused as I am. Hayley laughs and walks off and grabs a microphone from the DJ before stepping on the stage next to his booth. She says something to the DJ, and the music starts to fill the room. Justin Timberlake’s Sexy Back starts to play, and people start coming through the door that Klaus has opened.
My jaw practically hits the floor as I watch each and every single person walk into the club. They might as well be naked with the clothes they’re wearing, well I should say their lack of clothes. I feel like I’m at a Lady Gaga concert as I see a man walk past me covered in nothing but caution tape. I turn to Justin whose eyebrows are raised and looks just as shocked as I am. I’m about to say something to him when Roxy comes over with two shot glasses.
“I figured you guys might need these. I could tell your first timers. These will help take the edge off.” She places the glasses on the table, and I grab a hold of her arm.
“Roxy, what is an ABC party?” She throws her head back, laughing hysterically.
“Anything but clothes. The members use their creativity and come dressed in…well,” looking around the room, “Whatever they can find to cover themselves up.”
Picking up the glass I down the shot and slam it on the table. “Roxy, I’m going to need you to keep these coming.” I look at her in the eye, so she knows I'm being very serious.
“Will do.” She laughs as she walks off.
“Anything but clothes?” Justin says in disbelief. “What kind of club is this?” He asks as a woman whose boobs are covered with duct tape walks past us.
“Hello everyone and welcome to Club Infinity. Looking around I see a lot of familiar faces, and Klaus and I would like to thank you for following us to our new location. I also see some new faces in here. Now you all have been reminded of the rules so remember to follow them or else we will have no choice but to revoke your membership. Don’t forget the newbies have glow in the dark bracelets so go easy on them and try not to scare them off! For those of you who are wondering why Skye badass isn’t up here MC’ing tonight, don’t worry she didn’t quit. She’s just sick and is super sad she’s missing the opening but sends her love. Now let’s get this party started and remember to have fun!” Everyone cheers and claps as she steps down off the stage and heads to our table grabbing a seat.
“How’d I do?” She talks loudly to be heard over the music.
“Good but I have to ask. What kind of club is this and what are the rules?” Hayden comes over and hands Hayley a drink.
“It’s a swingers club.” She says nonchalantly as she lifts the glass to her lips and drinks her cocktail.
“I’m sorry a what?” There is no way I heard her right.
“A swingers club. Haven’t you ever heard of them?” She acts like she’s talking about a bingo hall.
“No, I mean I know about swingers, and I knew it was a thing, but I didn’t know they have clubs for them.” I'm still trying to get over the shock of…well, all of this.
“Oh yeah, they are all over. There’s a very large community in fact. You’d be surprised how many people are in the lifestyle.” I’m at a loss for words and stare blankly at her. Justin is no help either as he just looks around at everyone in the club observing. “If it makes you uncomfortable I can call a cab and get you guys a ride home.”
“No,” holding my hand up I hope I didn’t offend her. “I just didn’t realize this was going to be a swingers club that’s all. I don’t mind staying.”
“You don’t?” Justin is surprised by my words.
“No, well as long as you don’t mind.” Drawing my lip into my mouth, I hope he wants to stay. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the least bit curious as to what goes on here. I give him a pleading look with my eyes hoping he will at least do this one thing for me.
“I’m okay staying if you are.”
“See, I knew I was right about you two! I liked you from the minute I saw you. Now come on lets drink and get our dance on.” Hayley smiles and holds her glass up to cheers. Levels by Nick Jonas starts to play, and she jumps up and down before shaking her hips as she drags me to the dance floor with her. Right on cue, Hayden brings me a shot and I down it as I start to move with the music. As the alcohol flows through me, I hand over control of my body to the beat pulsing through the speakers. Hayley is singing to me and pulls me into her, as she starts to move our bodies together. I look over to Justin, who is grinning and gives me a thumbs up. I throw my head back laughing. I join in with Hayley singing along. She turns her back to me and lowers herself, her body brushing along mine as she drops almost to the floor and rises back up. Turning back around to face me as the song ends and a woman’s voice takes over the PA system announcing that the men need to clear the floor. This next song is strictly for the women to show off their moves. Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body comes on, and the dance floor fills
with female bodies, I’m about to run off the dance floor, but Hayley grabs my arm. “Oh no you don’t… Dance it up sister, all eyes are on you.” Looking around Justin is laughing knowing that I desperately want to get off the dance floor, so I focus my attention on him and pretend he is the only one here watching me. I’m having such a great time dancing I can honestly say I totally forget I’m even at a swingers club, and I realize this isn’t so bad. I start to get more comfortable shaking what my mama gave me, letting my body move more freely. Before the song can come to an end, I gasp as I’m being pulled back into a strong chest. I turn my head and see that Justin ignored the woman and joined me on the dance floor.
His actions don’t go unnoticed as the girl calls him out. “I see we have someone who just couldn’t resist. But seeing his bracelet, I know he’s a guest of Klaus, so we will let this one slide. What do you say, Klaus?” She looks to him, and he nods and walks over to Hayley and the song switches to Love Stoned. It doesn’t take long until everyone is back on the dance floor having a great time. There’s a sudden change of music, and the tempo slows down as Charlie Puth comes on, and I wrap my arms around Justin. I pull him close to me and sway together to the music. Some of the other couples around the room start making out, and there are some other activities going on in the booth next to where we were sitting. This is one of the craziest experiences that I’ve ever had and having Justin here with me makes it amazing.
There’s a light tap on my shoulder, and I turn my head to see Klaus and Hayley. “Mind if we switch?” Klaus asks. I look to Justin, and he shrugs.
“As long as it’s okay with Katrina, I’m good,” He says, so I release my arms and take Klaus’s hand. He spins me before pulling me into his chest swaying me to the music. My eyes are looking everywhere except Klaus. I don’t know what to expect because I have so many questions but feel like it would be rude to ask them. Looking to Justin and Hayley, I’m a little jealous at how easy the conversation is flowing between them.
Levels (The Swingtown Series Book 1) Page 5
