Eric scrubbed a hand over his hard stubble. “It’s Tommy,” he said. “He wants me to come to his show.”
Patrick frowned. “That arrogant prick think you want him now?”
“She’s supposed to come,” he said quietly and looked away.
It was stupid. Going on a whim with the hope that he might see her. And if she did go, he couldn’t say he’d be thrilled to see her there surrounded by Tommy and the guys.
“That doesn’t really sound like her,” Patrick said. “You sure he isn’t just saying it so you come back?”
He wasn’t sure of anything when it came to Tommy. He’d changed over the years. Grown distant from just about everyone. Crystal was the only one from their group that saw him regularly, and Eric was pretty sure things were just physical.
“I’m not sure of anything anymore,” Eric groaned.
Patrick sighed and turned in his stool.
“You have to go,” he said finally. “As much as I think you’re better off avoiding that dick, you can’t just leave her at his mercy.”
Eric glanced over to Crystal. She wouldn’t be happy if she knew Tommy had invited Jennifer.
“She’s visiting her mother tonight,” he said quietly. “I’ll take her when we finish.”
Crystal didn’t talk about her visits with her mother. The Alzheimer’s had come on quickly, and now she was left dealing with the pieces. It wasn’t something she liked talking about, and most of the time, she dealt with it all on her own.
Eric nodded to Pat. Crystal needed his support, even if she didn’t want to admit it to anyone, including herself.
“Go,” Patrick said.
He turned and stared at him for a moment.
“If you don’t go, she’s going to be all alone with them.”
Eric could feel his blood pumping hard in his chest. That couldn’t happen. He wouldn’t let it.
* * *
Jennifer carefully chewed the shrimp from her pasta. It was good, but, at the moment, she was having trouble focusing. It was the second night in a row where she’d been forced to eat at the crime scene of the end of her relationship.
At first, she thought her parents might be trying to punish her. Like if she relived the same dinner over and over, somehow she’d repent. But that didn’t seem to be the case. Actually, if anything, they seemed happy.
It was creeping her out.
The waiter came by to fill her glass with wine, and she winced. Surely that would kill their good mood. She picked it up, fully expecting the worst.
“It’s a good year, isn’t it, dear?” her mother said.
Jennifer stopped mid-gulp.
She sat her glass down and stared at her parents. Her father was missing his usual scowl, and her mother was actually flushed with color.
Her mouth fell open as everything clicked into place.
“You invited him, didn’t you?” She stared at her stunned parents.
Her father pressed his lips together, and the scowl reappeared.
“If you would just talk with him,” her mother said quietly.
Jennifer frowned.
“I don’t want to talk with him,” she said firmly. “I thought I was making that clear by not answering his calls.”
“You’re being childish, Jennifer,” her father said. “Not answering calls is something children do.”
“What about fucking? Is that something children do?” she nearly shouted.
A hushed murmur floated around the room, and Jennifer knew she’d been a bit loud.
“Young lady,” her father fumed. His face turned red, and she wondered if he might stroke out.
She shook her head. That was enough for her. She rose from her seat.
“Where are you going?” her mother said. Her voice was panicked, and Jennifer wondered what sort of deal she’d made with Charles.
“Home,” she said and grabbed her coat and purse.
“Wait,” her mother said, looking from her father to her. “Charles has something important he wants to talk with you about.”
Jennifer clenched her fist. “I’m not interested.”
She turned and hurried for the door. As she stepped outside, she felt her mother’s hand on her arm.
“This is a big day for you,” she said. Her voice was pinched and hurried.
“No,” she said quietly. “It’s not.”
Her mother stepped in front of her when she made her way to the sidewalk in order to call a cab.
“Jennifer,” her mother nearly shouted.
She turned and stared at the frazzled woman before her. This was not how her mother normally behaved.
“The ring is amazing,” she said, and Jennifer shook her head. This was not how this was supposed to go at all.
“Stop,” Jennifer said, holding up her hand.
“You’ll love it,” her mother continued. “I picked it out. It’s worth a fortune.”
She felt the world spin. Picked it out? Yes, earlier at the mall.
“You picked it out?” she said quietly.
The roads were mostly empty, and her words kicked up into the clear air.
Her mother frowned slightly, clearly confused as to why Jennifer was even mad.
“Well, of course, dear. Someone like Charles is very busy,” she said. “You’ll need to learn how to be more supportive of him.”
Her cheeks flamed. More supportive?
“I tell you what, Mother,” she said, her eye catching an oncoming taxi. Jennifer waved her arm and smiled when the car pulled to the curb. She opened the door and turned. “You seem to be so happy with Charles, so maybe you should marry him.”
Her mother frowned. “That’s ridiculous.”
Jennifer got in and slammed the door. She rolled down the window.
“Not nearly as ridiculous as my mother picking out my engagement ring for my ex-boyfriend.”
She rolled the window up and tapped the seat for the driver to go.
After giving the driver her address, she leaned back in the seat with a sigh. She didn’t even know where to go with this or if there even was a place to go with this.
It was bad enough they were trying to push her back together with Charles, let alone picking out her engagement ring.
Jennifer frowned and reached blindly into her purse. She pulled out her phone and scrolled to a number.
The phone rang only once.
“Thought you were at dinner,” Candice said over the line.
“Dinner is finished. How do you feel about seeing some hot naked men?” She grinned.
“I’m sorry, did you really need to ask?”
Jennifer laughed. It was good to cut loose.
“Meet me at my house in ten,” she said and watched as they pulled up outside her place.
Jennifer climbed out and sighed. There was no way she was going to let the crap from earlier ruin her night. She was having fun, even if it killed her.
Chapter Ten
Jennifer shifted from foot to foot as they waited outside. The crisp air slapped against her bare legs, and she was starting to regret the shirt she had picked. Candice had convinced her that she needed to be a little more daring, but somehow this didn’t seem like the time she should be trying. The tank she was wearing dipped low and exposed more cleavage than she was used to.
Of course, that was why she bought it. Showing a little skin while waiting tables made the tips a bit better.
She pulled her jacket hard over the exposed area and moved forward as the line inched on. The club had been far more packed than she expected.
“Would you stop?” her friend said.
Her eyes landed on her little blond friend, and she smiled. Candice might look like she was made to teach kindergarten, but she was not quite the sweet little darling she seemed. There were moments where she could be downright dirty. Although Jennifer had never really known her to be that way in public. For the most part, she kept those kinds of comments under wraps.
“I can’t help it
,” Jennifer whined. “It’s cold, and this shirt is showing far more than I’m used to.”
Candice gave a wide grin.
“I’ll admit, I was a little surprise to see you’d picked it out,” she said and turned her twinkling eyes toward Jennifer. “Are you sure you didn’t get this and that sexy lingerie for a certain boss? Little bit of skin couldn’t hurt there.”
Her face flamed. She wished she’d never mentioned Eric. Just the thought of him made her body heat. Was it possible to want to smack someone upside the head and then strip naked? The way he talked to her sometimes set off every sense she had. But then there were those times when it was like he was talking right through her. Jennifer didn’t know what to think about him. He was so hot and cold.
She followed again as the line moved forward. Her heart kicked up a bit as they neared the large red doors. Music thumped loudly from inside and only got louder the closer they moved.
She swallowed the nerves that had crept up on her. Not only had she never been to a place like this, she’d never even thought that something like this would be so packed. Women of all ages had turned out to see the show.
A group of women behind them giggled. One was wearing a shirt that read BRIDE in shiny pink rhinestones. The necklaces she wore flashed and made the shirt sparkle even more. Jennifer smiled at the young woman, who beamed happily at anyone near.
“I’m getting married!” the pretty young woman shouted. Her friends hooted in response, and she let out a small laugh.
“Congratulations,” Jennifer said.
“Here.” She giggled and tore off one of the many flashing necklaces around her neck. Before she or Candice could even protest, they were on. Jennifer looked down at the flashing penis she was now wearing.
“Nice,” Candice said and smirked at Jennifer. “Looks good on you.”
Ignoring her, Jennifer turned back to the still happy bride. “Thanks,” she said with a small smile.
Candice nudged her as the people in front of them disappeared behind the red doors. A large man waited at the doors, and she swallowed. What kind of place was this if they needed bouncers?
The large tanned-skinned man looked up from the lock box he had in front of him.
“Two?” His voice was low and just as menacing as he looked.
“Um,” she stumbled over her words. “We’re here to see Tommy.”
He gave a harsh chuckle. “You and everyone else, sweetheart. Ten a head.” He stuck out his meaty hand and waited.
She looked to Candice, who nudged her again.
“Well, he actually told us to come,” Jennifer said quietly. “Said we should mention him at the door.”
“Name,” the man said. It was clear he didn’t believe her.
“Jennifer,” she said.
He turned and talked quietly into the walkie-talkie he held. She could hear the women further in the line complaining about how long it was taking. Jennifer twisted her hands and just hoped that this would go quickly.
The man turned back around and set the walkie-talkie down.
“Wait,” he said firmly.
She glanced around and could see several women shooting her daggers. Maybe having a bouncer like this was a good ide after all.
Jennifer jumped when the red doors burst open, and Tommy stepped out.
“You came!” he said and pulled her past the red tape barrier.
“I hope that’s okay,” she said and smiled.
He looked to her left and smiled wide.
“And who’s your friend?”
“This is Candice. Candice, this is Tommy.”
Her arms were crossed as she stared him up and down. “Not really the kind of dancer I was expecting,” she said.
Jennifer felt her cheeks flame.
She turned to apologize but found Tommy grinning.
“Well, I’ll just have to make sure to impress you,” he said with a wink.
Jennifer frowned when a commotion behind caught her attention.
“I’m sorry, ladies,” the large bouncer said. “That’s it for tonight.”
The bride and her friends pleaded with the bouncer.
“I’m getting married tomorrow,” she said.
Jennifer looked down at her necklace and then to Tommy. He sighed and stepped forward.
“Sorry, Rico.” Tommy smiled warmly at the ladies. “They are with my friend.”
Rico looked at Jennifer and frowned. He had to know it was a lie. His gaze moved down to her chest where the flashing penis hung around her neck.
“I’m going over the count,” Rico said.
Tommy waved his hand and ushered the women to stand with Jennifer and Candice.
“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll take the heat for it.”
Rico cursed under his breath and waved a hand.
“Whatever.”
Tommy walked between them and opened the red door. Jennifer let the bride and her crew push through first. Her eyes adjusted to the dark lighting. Blinding blue and red lights streaked across the room as they made their way in. She found herself staring at the stage and runway that protruded into the crowd. It wasn’t totally unexpected, and yet she found herself sweating with all the half-naked men dancing there.
She gasped as her vision was suddenly filled with brown hair and a tiara.
“I’d totally kiss you right now if I was into girls,” the bride said as she leaned back to look at Jennifer. The bride giggled. “I guess I wouldn’t be here if I swung that way.”
Jennifer grinned back. “Probably not.”
She let go and stepped back. Two of her friends held out some sort of slushy red drink, a penis straw protruding from the top.
“Strawberry margarita,” one friend said, handing Candice and her the drinks.
Candice took hers, sucked on the straw and winked at Jennifer who frowned. She wasn’t a prude. It was just a straw after all. Jennifer smiled and took the drink.
“Thanks,” she said and took a small sip off of it.
The women hooted and grinned.
Tommy stepped forward and looped an easy arm around the bride.
“Now we’ve got a nice table set up for you,” he said and pulled the women to the front section that read VIP.
Jennifer started to step forward but stopped when he held up a hand at her.
“Well,” Candice said and moved closer to her. “It’s certainly been an interesting night so far.”
She turned and couldn’t help the smile that came. “What can I say? I’m an interesting girl.”
“Just what I like to hear.”
A man stepped up near her, and she jumped.
“I, uh,” she stumbled back.
“Hands off, Riley,” Tommy said firmly and walked over to stand next to her. “She’s Eric’s.”
Her head snapped to the side. Had she really just heard him say that? Jennifer opened her mouth to say something but stopped.
“And her friend?” Riley gave a charming smile to Candice, who didn’t seem to mind much. She had to admit Riley was pretty amazing looking. Thick black hair, tanned skin and the jaw of a god. Looking between the two men, she wasn’t at all surprised that so many women wanted to come and see them take off their clothes. Hell, a small part of her wanted to see it.
Tommy placed a hand on Candice’s waist and steered them to the side of the room.
“Find your own,” he tossed over his shoulder to Riley.
Jennifer followed with Riley close behind.
“Sweetheart, you just let me know if you need anything tonight,” Riley said and laughed when Tommy tensed.
Candice glanced over her shoulder as they rounded the corner and ducked behind a curtain that led into a hall.
“I’ll be sure to do that,” she said with a sly smile.
Jennifer shook her head. Candice might be acting the part, but she knew better. Her friend wasn’t nearly as experienced as she let on, and there was no way either of them would get much past second base.
They came to the end of the hall. To the left were stairs that she could only assume led to the stage. Tommy turned with Candice to the right, and Jennifer followed them into a large room. A few couches lined the walls. There was a mix of smells filling the air, and she nearly choked on them.
A few men, who were wearing very little, stopped to stare at them. She was starting to wonder how many women got to go into the dressing rooms.
“This is Jennifer and Candice,” Tommy said, pointing to the two of them. “Jennifer works for Eric.”
“Wow,” someone from the back said.
Riley passed by them and opened a locker to the right.
“Dead ringer, isn’t she?” he said quietly.
Jennifer frowned. Did they think she’d done this before?
“Get ready,” Tommy said to the men.
They glanced around before going back to their dressing.
She swallowed hard as several pulled off their shirts and started oiling themselves up. Jennifer turned to Candice, who was watching Tommy with a close eye.
Her face heated, and she took a long drink off the margarita in her hand. It was strong, and the buzz from it zapped her brain a little.
“Maybe we should—”
She had turned to talk with Tommy, but the words fell away as her feet slipped out from under her.
One second she was standing. The next she was landing hard on the floor.
The cold spray of her margarita landed squarely on her chest as she hit the floor. She cursed as the hard impact was sure to leave bruises.
“Shit, Jennifer,” Candice shouted.
“I’m fine.” She winced and tried to stand. The ground was too slick. Her hands were coated with the oil.
Firm hands slipped under her arms and pulled her to her feet. She turned around and found the angry bouncer from before.
“Thank you, Rico,” she said quietly.
He grunted and walked to the back of the lockers. She was surprised to see he was one of the dancers. It was clear that he was all muscle, but she’d be surprised to see someone like that dance.
“Are you okay?” Tommy asked. He studied her face and she could tell he was worried.
Second Shot Page 3
