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I grabbed my bag and headed towards the door.
"You did really good tonight," one of the other dancers said to me as she stood stretching at the bottom of the stairs. "Although I'm glad they didn't start you on Friday night or I fear I would lose out on a lot of my tips."
Despite my usual confidence, a blush heated my cheeks. I hoped this wasn't the part where the old guard warned the new guard to watch their step. "Uhh. Thanks."
The woman laughed and held out her hand. "The name’s Parker. I was the newbie until tonight."
I shook her hand. "Okay, cool." I mean what else was I supposed to say. Glad you aren't the noob anymore since that's my title now?
"It's a great place to work. The club is fair with the girls and there are no expectations, if you know what I mean. Not like the other club outside of town."
I grimaced. "Uhh, okay. Good to know." I wasn't stupid and could guess what she'd meant. Although for the amount of money they were offering me here, plus tips, if there were other requirements I might have still said yes. As much as I was ready to be done fucking for a living, I also had a strong desire to do whatever it took to get my life started.
I'd been in a—for lack of a better term—rut.
Parker looked like she wanted to say more but her name was announced by the DJ and she jumped up the stairs as well as the heels she wore allowed and disappeared behind the curtain.
Cute. However, before I could attempt to analyze our interaction, my stomach growled again.
"Okay. Okay."
When I emerged into the main area of the club I hesitated for a moment to let my eyes adjust. When the dancers were on stage, most of the light was directed there. I glanced at Parker swinging around the pole with an agility I envied, before setting my sights on the bar and idea of something good to eat. I really was starved.
There were still a couple of people nursing drinks so hopefully that was a good sign.
The bartender walked up. "Sorry. Bar's closed. Last call was ten minutes ago."
I winced. "Kitchen too? I was hoping to get something to eat."
"Sorry. Kitchen closes an hour before closing." He wandered off after that and I was left with no options.
I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and examined the clock. Dang. It was already almost two in the morning. How had that happened? There wasn't going to be anything open until morning. Small town life meant nothing stayed open all night. Not even the gas station. Maybe I could get a bottle of water and make that suffice.
"When was the last time you ate?"
I started at the question from behind me, immediately recognizing the voice. "I don't know," I said, reluctantly turning to face my new boss.
"You don't know?"
I shook my head, because I knew from experience what a shit liar I was and it was always easier to accomplish without speaking. I knew exactly the last time I'd eaten. About thirty or so hours ago when I visited my landlord for a free meal.
"Lunch?" he asked.
"No. Didn't have time. I have been here most of the day and it's been busy." That was the truth. Although, if he asked about breakfast I'd have to come up with something...
"C'mon," he said, turning away without waiting for an answer and I guess assuming I would follow. I did.
He led me into the kitchen and I admired the view the entire time. I couldn't remember a time when I found leather and denim quite this hot. But my boss made a pair of jeans look damned good. I tried shaking those thoughts from my head, but between the hunger and the fatigue it was the only other thing I could think about.
"Sit." He pointed at a counter with some stools and continued on to the refrigerator. "Didn't you get a dinner break tonight?"
"Uhh…No.”
“I guess Bruce would have given you a run-down of your hours and what breaks you would take, but he had to leave due to an emergency. Turkey and ham okay?" He walked over to my counter with what looked like the fixings for a sandwich.
"Uhm, yeah. But you don't have to do anything special for me. I wasn't on stage all night. I guess I should have asked about dinner."
"My fault. I volunteered to fill in for my manager so it fell on me to take care of you."
