“Piper. What are you thinking about?” Brody asked.
I had realized they had stopped speaking and were staring at me. “My mother. She said she wants to make up with me.”
“That’s good,” he said.
I ate a few bites and then asked Brody. “So how is the bike sale coming along?”
“We have a couple of people interested,” he answered.
“Public or private sale?”
“Semi-public to bike enthusiasts.” He rubbed the puckered skin at my brow. “Don’t worry. I have it covered.”
“He’s the best at what he does,” Cole assured, and Seren smiled.
“Alright.” I plastered on a smile for the three of them and went back to eating.
Chapter Sixteen
Piper
“GIVE ME A P.A.R.T.Y!” I did a cartwheel into Seren’s bedroom.
Seren threw her arms in the air and repeated the calls back to me. Tonight were the Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties. And we had dressed up as cheerleaders—Biker Babes style, pink and black cheerleading costumes. Seren was identified by her bright pink wig with pigtails and a tiara.
We giggled and collapsed back on the bed. I felt something poke my back and sat up. “Oh sorry.” Seren said and picked up a tattered notebook.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“This is my official bucket list that started it all.” She handed it to me. It was covered with stickers and photos of everyone, including one of the two of us in a prominent place on the front. “I’ve done so much more than I ever thought I’d do.” She laughed a little.
I squeezed her hand. “And will do many more things. What’s on the list for tonight?”
She pointed to her list. “Get a lap dance from a Magic Mike lookalike.”
“Is the male revue going to be that good?” I asked.
“Riley checked them out and said they were so hot she attacked Zack. Though, I doubt they will be better than what we’ve got back at home. Cole’s got some moves.”
I grinned. “So does Brody. We’re two lucky ladies.”
“We are,” Seren said. “They are the best, Piper. Once they let you in, they won’t let go. When you have doubts, remember that, okay.”
I fixed my top. “I have no doubts. Brody and I have been good, and Cole has been good too. He’s different than I thought.”
“He’s a tiger for his enemies, but for us, he’s all heart, just like Brody. Now, we’ll take some photos for my book. Oh, and I have a new fulfilled experience to cross off.” She picked up the book and pointed to a line. “Have a soul sister.”
“We fell into a close friendship so quickly and easily. It was as if we had met before and even when stuff happened that could have ended our friendship; it stayed intact. Does that make sense?”
My heart swelled too big for my chest, and I hugged her tight. I did understand. We were only a couple of years apart, and the sentiment wasn’t lost on me. She had become not only a close, special friend. Her acceptance and love were there from the very start. And even with what happened with Brody. Seren was all I could ever imagine a sister would be. “God. I love you so much!”
“No crying, Goldie,” she said and sprung to her feet. “Let’s get some photos together before we join the group.”
I did as she requested. I took a couple of photos of her and selfies of us together. Some silly, and some of us hugging each other. We had sat down to look at them when the noise of motorcycles cut through the quiet of the area. The biker babes group had arrived for the night and wedding. We were on our feet and running down the stairs to greet them.
Brody and Cole had drinks and snacks out on the table for everyone. They were sitting down chatting but stopped mid-sentence and stared at us.
“Hmmm. I don’t know Cole. Those tops and skirts are too short and tight,” Brody said.
“Agreed,” Cole said and frowned. “I’d rather you put on tights instead of thigh highs, pumpkin.”
“But you saw me in it this morning,” Seren said.
“Yeah, but—” Cole said.
The front door chimed and in walked Doc and Fiona first. Doc’s mustache was back and trimmed, and he was in a tight shirt and slacks. Fiona was dressed in her cheerleading outfit with knee-high socks. Her red hair tied in a ponytail.
“See Cole?” Seren pointed out after hugging her.
“Is everything alright?” Fiona asked.
“Yes. Cole and Brody are getting cold feet about the bachelorette party,” Seren said.
“Too late.” Doc said and chuckled. He opened his arms and approached me. “You alright with my buyer?”
I giggled and gave him a hug. “Yeah, I am.”
Fiona was next and squeezed my waist. “I told him he should tell you, but he made me keep it secret. God, you two look so pretty.”
“So do you, Fiona,” I said hugging her back.
“How did the cooking work out?” she asked.
I groaned. “They tricked me.”
Cole, Seren and Brody laughed. Doc sat down next to Brody and Cole and picked up a beer from the ice bucket.
“Shame on you three,” Fiona said with a smile. “Oh wait, I left the little quiches I made, in the car. I’ll be right back.” She ran over to the door. She didn’t get too far through it before Zack and Riley crossed her path. Zack was dressed in a fitted shirt that showed off his tattoo sleeves, and slacks, like Doc, Brody, and Cole. Guess they had a theme too. His blonde crewcut had grown out a bit making his hair stand out though slightly gelled back. He hugged Fiona first. Then Riley got her hug in. Her tattoos covered her arms and sides of her legs making her look like one of the cheerleaders in that “Smells like Teen Spirit” video. Actually, I was the only one naked of ink. Her undercut, platinum blonde hair was also freshly cut. Seren screamed out their names, and they each picked her up and swirled her around. Before coming on in to greet the rest of us.
“You cut your hair,” Riley said first, then hugged me. “Looks cute.”
“Cute, she looks hot, like all you ladies tonight,” Zack said and sizzle-gestured my butt before giving me a hug. “Cole, you ready for some steroids enhanced G-stringed man to rub his junk all over your bride?”
I slapped his arm, and he laughed.
“They will be fine.” A familiar voice said from the door. I turned and found my Aunt Luna walking in and ran over to hug her. She hadn’t put on the cheerleading outfit, but she looked good in a skirt and fitted shirt—camouflaged one I might add. I could only smile. She was followed by Jay. His sun bleached blonde hair brushing his shoulders. He was the odd one out in a button down dress shirt and pressed pants. He was also wheeling her trolley bag.
My mouth dropped open. “You met up with my Aunt?” I said hugging Jay.
His wide mouth was turned up in a grin. “She was lost outside, and we found we were both headed to the same place.
“You should have told me you were coming. We would have come and picked you up.” I told Aunt Luna.
“No. I’m fine. I wasn’t sure I would make it here in time for the bachelorette party. It’s not my scene,” she said.
I thanked Jay and introduced her around. Brody got up and hugged her. Seren hugged her the longest. “I’m so happy to finally meet you in person.”
“I am too. I have some more things for you to look at later,” she said. Brody took her bag to her room.
The doorbell rang again, and someone walked in, all I could describe him as was a silver fox. He looked like that hot military guy from Avatar minus the cool scar. Cole got up. “This is Miles.”
Seren leaned over my ear. “Check out the GILF. Cole came through for Luna, eh?”
“Hell, yeah he did,” I whispered back. I beamed over at Cole, and he winked at me. Miles went right over to Luna, and they fell into easy conversation. Knowing my Aunt, she’d probably brushed up on every bit of military lingo she could muster. Jay was also giving her some attention. I liked him for that. When Brody returned, he came ove
r and reached his hand under my skirt and ran his hand over my lace covered butt cheek. “I thought we agreed on shorts for tonight.”
“I’m not going on stage, and I’m not getting a lap dance,” I said.
“She most certainly is,” Riley said cutting in.
“You haven’t put a ring on it. So you just have to deal,” Zack told him.
“Neither have you,” Riley said.
“Hey, I’m not fussing over the outfit,” Zack said. “You look beautiful.”
Jay took out a roll of bills. “They do. Hey, ladies. We can practice here.”
Zack twerked in front of him then snatched the bills away.
“Hey, give that back,” Jay complained.
“Nope, Jay. That serves you right,” Doc said.
“I won’t learn a lesson,” Jay said to him and he laughed. Brody went and got a bottle of champagne, and I got the glasses to hand out to everyone. Once they were all filled, we all toasted to Seren and Cole.
“Brody and Cole have been quiet about where they are going tonight,” I said. “Will the rest of you tell us?”
“Nice try,” Brody said and kissed my cheek.
“He’ll be covered in glitter. The rest you don’t want to know,” Zack teased.
“Nope. Brody promised us a place with no tattle-tale tinsel,” Jay said stirring the pot. “Oh look at her. Brody, Piper’s the jealous type.”
“You joke, but I bet you are jealous too,” Luna said.
“It’s a normal reaction,” Miles added to which Luna grinned at him.
“Damned straight I am. She’s all mine.” Zack grabbed Riley and kissed her hard on the mouth, and they laughed.
“She’s all mine too,” Doc said and kissed Fiona tenderly on the lips. We all sighed loudly.
“Leave us alone.” Fiona said, and we did.
“Hey, why are we not picking on Cole and Seren,” I said.
“Because we know they won’t get all worked up about it,” Riley answered.
“Yeah. She’s my love, and I’m hers. That’s all I need,” Cole said, and they kissed. I swooned, and Brody cuddled and kissed me.
“We need to head out. The club is an hour away from here minus the traffic,” Riley announced. We ate the remainder of our snacks and finished off our drinks before getting up and taking a couple of group pictures together.
I went up and changed into shorts under my skirt and came down with a jacket, to which everyone groaned.
“It gets cold at night,” Brody said. “Shut up.” He said to Jay and Zack before they could say anything, and then he turned back to me. “You got our phone numbers and if anything happens?”
“I call for medical assistance first and then call you and Cole. You’ll check your phone, and I’ll check mine. I promise you and Cole that I will keep you both informed. She will stay hydrated, and she won’t be out of our sight.”
“I’m sorry to be so—”
I cut him off with a kiss. “You’re perfect, Brody.”
Zack let out a groan behind us. “Piper, what’s happened to you?”
What could I say other than I was absolutely crazy about Brody? I went over to Luna, who was still chatting with Miles. “Are you sure you don’t want to come out?”
“I’m not up for hangovers. I have too much to do tomorrow to prepare for the wedding,” she said. “The flight and everything was exhausting.”
“It was tiring for me too,” Miles said. “Where did you travel from?”
“California,” she said.
“Me too,” he said. Right answer. I had another reason to hug Cole tonight, and went over and did just that. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he said grinning. “Miles is a good guy. He’s a widower. A quiet man.”
“Luna can do enough talking for the both of them,” I joked.
“I see that,” he said. “Maybe you’ll owe me a dinner too.”
I shook my head, and he pulled my pigtails. We laughed and hugged. Cole was a good man. We broke away and got the group together for one more picture. One with us girls in a cheer, another with the guys flexing. When we were done, Seren leapt into Cole’s arms.
“Don’t wait up,” she said.
“And don’t miss your ride back,” Cole said and kissed her.
She jerked her finger at us. “With them around I doubt I’ll get to go to the restroom by myself.”
“Sounds good to me,” Cole said.
Brody kissed me deeply. However, no one was willing to let us get our long goodbye. We were separated and practically pushed over to the hired limos that were taking us out for the evening.
Once we settled inside, Riley popped the cork on the pink champagne and poured out drinks for a toast for the night. “To our sister, Seren. We can wish you happiness, but when are you not happy? Cole is one lucky son of a bitch to get you. We love you.” We all cheered, and drank to that.
“So where are we going again?” Fiona asked.
“All male revue in Denver,” Riley replied. “These guys are smoking hot. This will be good. Have you ever been to a strip club before?” she asked me.
I shrugged. “I saw some movies.”
“You haven’t been to one? I would have taken you somewhere before tonight,” Seren said.
“It’s not like you need to prepare for anything,” Riley said. “Drink, scream, put the money in his G-string. You’re all good.”
“We arranged for Seren to get the solo stage dance,” Riley said. “They will pull up a few more ladies too and come out and dance with us too.”
“Some women get really wild,” Fiona said. “But they won’t do anything you don’t want them to.”
“We need to get Piper a lap dance,” Seren said.
I shook my head. “I don’t want one.”
“She’s in love,” Riley said. “She can’t see past Brody now. Let her ride out the magic.”
I flushed. She was right. All I wanted was Brody and couldn’t wait to be back with him.
“You’re fine, Piper,” Fiona said. “And I can vouch that the magic never stops. Even after our anniversary bucket experience in Chicago. We don’t regret it, and it was fun, but that was a one-time thing.”
“Yeah. I couldn’t imagine you without Doc. You’re perfect together,” Seren said. “As for tonight’s activities, we are all going to clubs for the night,” Seren said.
“Tonight is your send off. No more men, but Cole and Brody,” Riley said and winked at me.
“I’m not having sex with Brody,” Seren snipped. “Stop antagonizing her.”
I lifted my chin. “I’m alright, and I’m alright with Brody and Cole being a part of Seren’s life.”
Riley smirked. “Alright.”
“Let’s all let loose and have fun,” Fiona said.
With that, my glass was doubled up. And when Ginuwine’s “Pony” came on for the third time, I was singing along and dancing in my seat along with them.
The drive to downtown Denver took a little over an hour. And by the time we reached the black and steel building of club named, The Scene, it was fully dark outside. The place had the typical line and velvet rope of most dance clubs complete with a beefy bodyguard out front. What was different was the group of women waiting to get inside. Some were dressed up in costumes like us. Others, in a variety of fashions and ages. All buzzed with an energy that comes with any evening out, getting groped by a group of well-groomed muscular males. And from the pictures in the display case by the front door, they were all that and more. As it was, Riley sauntered up to the guard and got our entry. She answered my look with, “My mom has a friend who knows a friend. We’ll be treated well tonight.”
I recalled her telling me during the bucket list trip that her mother was a working Hollywood actress, so that explained enough. Still I couldn’t help but feel weird cutting in front of the other women waiting.
We went through the purple and black velvet room and their security before stepping up to their cashier to exchan
ge money for club money to tip the dancers for the night. I didn’t have much and blushed when I went to exchange the little money I had to spend. Luckily the place was dark. None of the women said anything about it either. However, what I found once we were escorted into the main hall, it didn’t matter. I fell right into the excitement of all the women crowding the tables waiting for the show to start. The main hall was u-shaped with a central raised platform in front. The catwalk reached midway down the middle with dark, lacquered tables and chairs along the sides. A hostess came and took our drink orders, and Riley and Seren grouped to the restroom while I sent a quick update message to Brody and Cole to let them know we arrived okay.
“How is Seren doing?” Fiona asked. I could see the worry on her face. I told her what I knew, and she gave a small smile. “We were touched when she asked Doc to give her away. We love her like a daughter. She could get Doc to talk when no one else could during my surgery. She kept him going. We want to keep her going if she.…” She blinked back tears. “I’m sorry. It’s just when I heard her cancer came back … I know this isn’t the time or the place. I just don’t have anyone to talk that would understand just how special she is. Doc completely refuses to discuss any of my worries.”
“I understand. You can call me anytime you want to talk, Fiona,” I said and squeezed her hand.
“You too,” Fiona said taking a sip of the drink they brought back. “I’m happy to hear about you being able to continue your education. If you ever need anything, really, just call.”
“Thank you,” I said. “And thank you for the cooking advice.”
“I’ve got more planned for you. I’ve a package and books I brought so you can continue.”
Piper Dreams: Make It Happen (Dream Series Book 2) Page 16
