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I fell asleep that night full of worry and self-doubt. I knew I was strong but even the mightiest of spirits had moments of weakness.
Chapter Five
7 days and counting...
“Yee-haw! Atta boy!” I shouted as the customer threw back his shot of Jack. The night's theme was Wild West. Donnie had given me a tray of signature shots he’d named ‘six shooters’ and sent me into the crowd. While the short-shorts, pigtails, and a cowgirl hat were required costume attire for the night, all I wanted to do was throw on my big t-shirt and crawl into bed. It was taking everything I had to not let worry consume me. I was trying my damnedest to be optimistic, but it was hard.
I’d been on my feet since ten in the morning when the club opened. I came in early and begged a few of the daytime acts to go home as well as the evening cocktail waitress. Even with all the effort, I hadn’t made anything close to my goal. It turned out Wild West wasn’t all that popular. In fact, it was dead for a Saturday night. With only a few more hours left I was trying my best to work the generosity of the regular customers a little harder.
“What do you mean, you can’t make it?” Donnie shouted as I passed by his office in search of more six-shooter shots. “Your set starts in thirty minutes! You’d better find a replacement fast or you’re permanently off the lineup, Lacey.” Then he slammed down the receiver and called out, “Annette? Annette, was that you?” I paused and took two steps back until I was standing in his doorway.
“Yeah?” I replied hesitantly. The way his gazed traveled over me and rested on my midriff which was left exposed by the plaid shirt I tied above my waist had me feeling a little uncomfortable. I swear I could see the wheels turning in his head and a thought bubble forming.
“I need a dancer to cover for Lacey. Any suggestions?” The look he gave me made it clear that he was hoping I would suggest myself. Could I get on that stage? I thought about the money I desperately needed to make. Maybe that might be my chance.
I opened my mouth to speak when H entered the room beside me and cut me off. “Try Misty. She’d asked for extra time this week anyway.” His gaze remained focused on Donnie as I stood there unconsciously admiring his chiseled jaw and the way it twitched just a little. Donnie didn’t seem pleased at all with this idea but nodded his head in compliance anyway.
“Right. Yeah, I’ll give Misty a try.” Then he pulled out a piece of paper from his desk and started dialing. H grabbed my elbow and gently guided me away.
“Don’t go down that road.” He said in a low voice.
“What? What do you mean?”
“Dancing.”
“What makes you think I…”
“Come on. I saw you thinking about it. I’m not sure why, but I get a sense that you aren’t built for that kind of life.”
“You…I…w-what?” I sputtered, feeling insulted for absolutely no reason. “You know nothing about me and what I’m built to do! I don’t need you or anybody else telling me a damn thing.” When I tried to step away, I realized that he still had a grip on the back of my upper arm.
“Annette. I didn’t mean…”
“I don’t give a shit what you meant but I do want you to let me go.” I interrupted while glaring at him icily.
“Fine.” H raised both hands in the air and stepped back, allowing me to pass but not before mumbling, “All I’m saying is you’re better than that.”
I turned around and replied, “Sometimes we don’t have a choice.”
His brows snapped together quickly and his lips parted to respond but I took off toward the bar before he had time to speak.
****
Normally I didn’t allow men to get too touchy feely with me but after sneaking a couple of tequila shots when nobody was looking, my capacity to give a shit was on low. I had no idea how I was going to come up with the money I needed nor did I have the energy to pry the guy’s fingers off my ass. What was worse, in this position I could also feel his erection against my backside.
Yeah, enough of that.
When I tried to step away, he sucked in a sharp breath and tighten his hands around me. His deep voice was husky and slightly breathless against my ear.
“Careful, baby cakes.” Oh, God. I needed to get away from this guy. I caught sight of H sitting at the corner table and before I could say anything, he was moving in my direction and relief washed over me. When H was within arm’s length, his large hand grabbed mine and with a gentle tug, I was free.
When we'd made it around the corner and into the empty hallway, he finally spoke, “You don’t have to do that, you know.”
“Do what?” I stopped walking and he turned to face me.
“Let those guys put their hands all over you.”
“I’m just bein' social. It’s my job.” I replied as I tilted my head way up to look at him. Even as the explanation left my mouth, I didn’t believe it.
