by Sadie Grubor
Everyone trying not to lose it, erupts into full fits of hilarity.
"How are you?" Bethany asks, grabbing me into a hug before I can even set my bag on the floor.
"I'm okay." I return the embrace with one arm. "It wasn't easy getting in here tonight."
She pulls away, but keeps her hands on my biceps.
"Yeah, they've been waiting all day for you to show up." She rolls her eyes. "They stopped just about everyone who came in through the front doors. Red won't send them away since it’s free publicity." She gives an apologetic shrug.
"It's fine, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for someone else to draw their scandal-obsessed attention. There has to be some affair going public soon, right?" I give her a hopeful glance.
She doesn't say anything else about the cameras or gossip writers blocking the entrance to Lux. Instead, she looks down my body and back up to my face.
"You look good." She nods her approval. "Jackson does a body good, I guess." Her brows wiggle over her eyes.
"Shut up," I laugh. She grins, releasing my arms.
I drop my bag to the floor and sit down to take out my things. Once my make-up, hair things, and paper towels are set up, I push out of my chair to peruse the costume rack.
"What costumes are needed tonight?"
"You don't honestly think you're working the kick-line," Red's voice startles me, "do you?" Walking straight to Bethany, he plants a quick kiss on the top of her head to avoid messing up her make-up.
"I don't know the set." I furrow my brow. "I'm sure I can improvise in the background."
Red shakes his head, settling into the worn couch like it's a throne.
"No fucking way, Liza. The crowd is going to be clamoring—and they’re clamoring for you." He points a thick finger at me.
I rub my forehead, suddenly not so sure I want to face the masses tonight.
"Don't even try it," Red's order brings my attention back to him. "You aren't a quitter. I saw what you did on that show."
"I'm no longer on the show," I say with a sigh. "And, to be honest, I was walking away regardless."
Red just shrugs.
"Doesn't matter. You went out there and showed them all what I've caught a glimpse of every time I watch you perform." Pushing up from the loveseat, he closes the distance, leaving two feet between us. "You've been Miz Liz and now you've performed as Eliza Campbell."
He clasps my shoulder with one large hand.
"Now, it's time to show them Liza." Red drops his hand away. "Girl, you have so much awesome inside you. It's the reason you're my damn headliner."
Taking a deep breath, I will away the tears threatening to drown my eyes and straighten my spine.
"What's the set?"
A smile breaks the seriousness lining his face.
"That's my girl." Red nudges my arm with his fist.
Bethany squeals, clapping in her seat.
I spend the next hour letting Bethany and Nikki do my hair and make-up while I read lyrics and listen to recordings through headphones.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jackson
"You sure you don't want to join us?" I ask Dr. J one more time.
He nods, grinning. "Perhaps another time."
"Your loss." My cheeks ache from smiling.
"It's good to see you again," Dr. J says, turning serious.
"You just saw me a couple weeks ago." I furrow my brow.
He shakes his head.
"No, that wasn't you." He lifts his chin toward me. "This is you."
I rub the back of my head, feeling heat crawl up my neck.
"Don't fall for his sappy bullshit." Chris barges into the room.
"Sure, Christopher, come right in," Dr. J deadpans.
"I know I'm still your favorite." Chris settles into the chair where I sat talking with Dr. J moments before. Putting his hands behind his head, he forces a large, sarcastic smile. "Quit trying to make me jealous through Jack."
"And why would I want to make you jealous?" Dr. J inquires.
Oh, here we fucking go.
Chris scoffs, dropping his arms. "Why wouldn't you want to? Obviously you feel like you aren't getting the attention you deserve from me." Sitting up straight, he tilts his head, his expression turning serious. "Do you have abandonment issues, Dr. J?"
Groaning, I turn for the door.
"I'll wait out here."
"This won't take long," Chris assures. "Dr. J just needs to get a couple things off his chest and then I can get back to my regularly scheduled program."
"God, help me," Dr. J sighs. "Why do I put myself through this?"
"Because you want me," is the last thing I hear before closing the sitting room door of the hotel suit Doc is utilizing today.
While I wait for Chris, I go through emails and messages on my phone. Julia sent an updated schedule for Hidden Talent. Curling my lip, I almost wish they would've removed me from the show. Reminding myself it's good for the band, I save the updates to my calendar and confirm with Julia.
Thirty minutes later, my emails aren't even halfway resolved. For a moment, I consider making Julia take care of them, then my mind drifts to Liza's dominating alpha female behavior with the girl.
Fuck. It was so hot.
The door opens and Chris exits, a scowl marring his face.
"What the hell's wrong with you?" I stand, slipping my phone into my pocket.
"Nothing," he growls, stomping out of the hotel suite.
"Well, alright then," I say to the empty room, following after the moody fucker.
On the elevator, Chris stays silent.
"Either drop the attitude or tell me what the hell is going on," I say impatiently.
"The doc doesn't approve of my wedding planning," he grumbles like a little kid.
Jesus, how does Mia put up with his ass?
"I didn't know you guys started planning," I say, keeping my tone light, hoping to improve the atmosphere.
The elevator pings its arrival and the doors slide open to the parking garage. A sleek black car waits.
"We didn't." He steps off the elevator and walks toward the car.
A driver slips out, coming around and opening the door.
"Wait, you just said—”
"Mia wants to wait. Said too much is going on and we need to let things settle down." He waves off the statement and slips into the car.
Crawling in behind him, I press for more information.
"And?"
He gives me an incredulous look.
"And, that's bullshit! Our daughter needs her parents married," he barks. "So, I put a deposit down on a private island."
"Without talking to Mia about it?" I really, really try to give him my best are-you-fucking-insane look.
"She loves the beach." He throws his arms up. "I'll tell her about it and then we can just get this shit moving along as it should." He crosses his arms over his chest.
"Did you pick the date without her, too?"
"Of course not," he scoffs. "She can pick a date within the week I've reserved the island."
"How very thoughtful of you." I suck on my lip ring to prevent myself from laughing.
"I know." He nods, putting his head back on the seat.
RIP Christopher Mason. You are so fucking dead.
After watching Hush rehearse on the theater stage for their Hidden Talent appearance, we spent some time chatting with Gemma, Big Kam, and Zarek. With the tension between Gemma and Zarek still at level nuclear, I tried my best to keep them separated. And she wouldn't elaborate further on the reason.
Noticing the time, I stand to go.
"I'm going to get over to the club," I announce.
"I thought we all were going?" Elliott looks around the room.
"Seriously? You're all coming?" I knew Elliott was on board, but that didn't mean everyone else was.
"What club?" Big Kam raises his brow.
"Lux Hedonica," I explain.
"Oh, shit, that's where your gir
l performs, right?"
"Yeah." I can't keep the smile off my face.
My girl. That's right, my fucking girl.
"Damn, boy, I'm so down." Kam rubs his hands together.
"Raise hands if you're going," Elliott states, raising his hand.
"We aren't in fucking school." Chris rolls his eyes before turning to Mia. "You wanna go?"
She nods. "I've never seen a burlesque show and this sounds pretty epic."
Looks like everyone is going. I pull out my phone and place a call to Red, hoping he has room for all of us.
The club is surrounded by cameras and reporters, as expected. The minute we step out of the cars, the lights flash and questions start.
"Jackson, are you here to see Liza?"
"Mia, when's your wedding?"
And before Serena climbs out of the car. "Elliott, does Serena know you're out watching girls strip?"
"I made him come," she announces after Ell helps her from the car.
The crowd roars with laughter, snapping picture after picture.
"Laney, are you trying to get Jackson back?"
The question makes my step falter. I look back over my shoulder for her answer.
All she does is grin, and say, "I'm here to watch Liza perform."
At that moment, things click together in my chest like I just figured out the jigsaw puzzle of life. Things are good, very good. And this is so fucking right, it's scary.
Inside the club, the guys and girls have the same reaction I had the first time I entered the place.
Red meets us by the bar, Sid sitting on a barstool next to him.
"Look at you little fuckers," Red boasts, pulling Chris and Elliott each under an arm.
"Who you calling little?" Elliott flexes.
"It's a good start." He returns a flex, out-muscling Ell.
"You have to be using steroids, old man," he taunts.
Red laughs, shaking his head.
"It's good to have you guys here."
Keeping an arm over Chris, he guides us to the back wall of VIP booths.
"Holy shit!" Xavier exclaims, sliding out of the booth.
"Xave," Chris greets.
Xavier brushes by him, sidling up to Mia.
"I've been dying to meet you in person." He takes her hand and kisses the back just before putting the tip of his tongue to her knuckle.
"That's not funny, fucker." Chris takes Mia's hand out of Xavier's.
The two of them go back and forth while Red seats everyone in the large VIP booth and a table he's set up in front of it.
As Sid passes me, I grab her arm.
She looks back at me in confusion.
"Who's with the boys?"
The confusion melts away into a smile of approval.
"You'll do after all," she says, winking, before answering my question. "Kel and Julia are with them at your place."
"Hey, scary lady." Xavier slides up behind Sid.
She twists and looks up at him.
"And I know you…how?" She takes a drink from the bottle in her hand.
He grins wide. "Admit it, you haven't been able to stop thinking about me."
"Oh, ginger beard man, I see you've started a strict regimen of erectile dysfunction meds."
Xavier's mouth drops open in surprise.
"'Cause you're a bigger dick than the last time."
Squeezing by him, Xave stands with a dumbfounded look on his face.
His eyes snap to mine, and he grins.
"I might be in love, brother." He looks back at Sid and then back to me. "I'm at least going to experience that attitude naked." Spinning on his heels, he follows after her.
Shaking my head, I find a seat and prepare for my girl to own the stage.
Everyone in a seat and drinks served, we settle into casual conversation.
"So, what should we expect tonight?" Big Kam asks, his excitement filled eyes on Red.
"Miz Bette will be the first on stage to warm things up. Then you will all get to see Miz Liz make my stage her bitch." His grin is full of as much pride as my chest currently holds.
The lights dim and the spotlight floods Bethany. The black and white pinstripe corset and micro skirt contrasts against her pale white skin and bright red hair. The matching hat on her head shadows her face until she raises it to the white light and sings her opening verse.
"I was five and he was six." Her voice caresses the words.
At "bang, bang", she gives the crowd her back and shakes a large red bow.
The backup dancers appear, gliding around her in slow, sensual movements. Bethany makes her way to the end of the stage, sits, and uses her thumb and finger to imitate a gun while removing piece after piece of clothing.
She's gorgeous and amazing, but I chew the inside of my lip in anticipation for Liza.
Bethany finishes her sensual performance of Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang, and the stage goes dark. The crowd applauses.
Next, a dark-haired woman in a pinup swimsuit and hula hoops struts to the catwalk and performs a bump and grind in one of the most creative hula hoop performances I've ever seen. When she finishes, she steps off the stage, weaving through the crowd.
In a sudden burst, lights fill the stage, revealing three red doorways with silver glitter beads hanging in them. The strands sway from either vents or fans, and then the beat kicks in. A backlight shines behind her, revealing Liza's silhouette in the center door. The beat kicks in and her voice—sexy, gravelly, and seductive—fills the room. Two dancers fill the doorways on either side of her dressed in tuxedo styled lingerie.
Pushing the beads aside, she steps center stage, wrapped in white silk, the material knotted at her right side. Her hair's curled on top of her head, loose ringlets framing her face. This time, there are no gloves, stockings, or shoes. Her bare feet move across the black floor like she's walking on air.
She purrs the line, "I'll be your pussycat, licking your milk," and my cock stands to attention. The invisible lust she wraps around me tightens—the familiar call of my snake charmer.
Strutting on stage, she swivels her hips. Stopping to bump and grind when the beat kicks in, she charms and ensnares the audience when she interacts with them. At the end of the catwalk, she turns, wraps her arms around her body, and gyrates, all while singing, "Seduce me, nibble, and bite."
The fingers of her left hand untie one knot and the material falls away from her chest, leaving her in only a silky skirt barely covering her ass.
Keeping an arm over her breasts, she struts back to the doorway, disappearing behind the beads.
A couple people inch to the edge of their seats, wanting to follow her.
Let one of those fuckers try.
The beat kicks again and she slaps dangling beads open with one hand. Wrapping a thick group of them around her chest, she sings. She drops the beads, her silver glitter cat-shaped pasties on display before she pulls back, vanishing with the end of the song.
The audience roars, clapping and whistling.
The lights return to their normal dim. And without looking, I reach out, grab my bottle of water, and gulp. Closing my eyes, I will my body to calm the fuck down. Someone may need to strap me to the booth.
Fuck, that wasn't water.
"Fuck me," Kat exclaims, getting my attention. "She's like a different fucking person up there." Her wide eyes lock on mine. "My nipples are hard." Kat cups her boobs.
"Are you sure?" Elliott asks. "I should check."
He reaches across Serena, the grin falling into to a frown when she doesn't react.
"Babe? You okay?" His hands go to her stomach instead of Kat's chest.
"Do you think Miz Liz is into pregnant women?" Serena ignores Elliott and looks at me.
"What?" Elliott chokes on the question.
"I would do her in a second." She looks to her husband, unapologetic. "I would do her so hard, regardless of our marriage."
Laney spits her drink on the table. Mia and Chris burst into laughter.
"We're out of here." Elliott slips out of the booth, pulling Serena with him.
I catch Serena looking back at Mia, grinning.
"Tell your girl I said thank you." Elliott points at me.
"For what?" I laugh the question.
"'Cause it's been weeks, and I'm so getting laid tonight."
Serena starts laughing at his confession.
Wrapping his arm around his wife, Ell's hand drops to her ass, guiding her to the exit.
"Cheers." Xavier lifts his drink to the departing couple.
"Seriously, my nipples are hard," Kat reminds everyone. "Jack, is she into girls?" She waggles her brows.
"No," I state as the sound of music fills the room.
A drumming begins, followed by chimes. Dancers move in synchronized movements to the stage, each of them in leopard tops and fringed panties. The back curtain parts, revealing Liza in a harem girl outfit.
"Trust in me," she sings and the dancers stop.
Liza continues singing and the dancers kneel to the floor in levels while two others help Liza descend their backs like they are steps. Her bare feet hit the stage and she flows toward the edge, going into the crowd. The dancers follow like they're in a trance
Welcome to my fucking life.
"Shut your mouth," she purrs, using her fingers to lift one guy's chin. "And trust in me." Her hand slips over his shoulders and she's on to the next person. This time, it's a woman.
"You said she isn't into women," Kat accuses in a hush.
Dancers flow around her, pulling at scarves dangling from her waist and a hoop around her neck.
Ignoring Kat, I watch Liza stride toward our table.
Her eyes meet mine and she curls her lip, moving toward me.
The dancers continue to pull away material until she stands in a barely there, diamond studded bra top and thong.
My throat goes dry, making it difficult to swallow, and my dick throbs uncomfortably, wanting to follow her and maybe just fuck her in front of the crowd.
That will show all the fuckers staring at her bare ass thinking they can have her.
Reaching the table, Liza walks right by to the hidden stairs behind me. In the booth, I turn to follow her movements. She twists her body back and around, putting her face in mine. Winking, she straightens and continues leading her followers up the stairs and behind the mirror on the wall.
