AllFreeNovel
Share Us
What am I getting myself into?
“Somehow, I feel like this could have been explained.” I look at her once we’re seated in the large, U-shaped booth. “With one word even,” I deadpan. “One. Single. Word. The word being…stripper.”
“What fun would that have been?” she calls over the music. “Also, we don’t like to be called strippers. That’s so…old school and degrading. We’re exotic dancers.”
“I feel like that’s theexactsame thing. What’s the difference?”
“Difference is, I’m not sucking anyone’s dick in a back room!” She raises her eyebrows. “We dance. We get paid. That’s it.”
“Why does everyone have a mask on?” I nod toward the dancers, all wearing delicate masquerade-ball-like masks over their eyes. “Is that something y’all always wear? Or is tonight a special occasion? Like someFifty Shades of Greytype of shit?”
“Most of the dancers here are students at Brooks, seeing as it’s only a half hour away from campus. The owner is a woman who likes to protect her girls. Because of that, it was decided a while back that every dancer would wear a mask. A…disguise, if you will.”
In a strip club called Peaches, I stare as the women flaunt around the different stages, wrapping their bodies around the poles in the most seductive way. I’ve never danced like this before. Actually, I’ve never evenconsidereddancing like this. But let’s face it; since getting cut off…I’m broke. And not only that, but if I earned money from doing this, it would give my mother a coronary. Something this scandalous and forbidden would make her clutch her pearls and point her nose to the sky. God, I’m grinning, just thinking about it. Especially since it was her decision to cut me off from the family.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this…but I’m in.” I nod, keeping my eyes on the dancers. “I’ll try it anyway.”
“Bitch, you don’t need to try. You’re a dancer.”
“Not a strip—”
“Exotic dancer,” she corrects me. “Exoticdancer. You gotta get that right, or you’ll be meeting a fist from one of these chicks in here. And trust me, you’re going to do great.”
“I don’t know,” I mutter, looking around at my new job. “I’ve danced my entire life. But not likethis.Why’d you choose me anyway? Looking at me, what made you think,Yep, that bitch will totally get onstage, strip, and shake her ass?”
“Well, for starters, we’re short-staffed. We lost five girls last spring because they graduated.” She sits back in her seat, completely relaxed while being in a strip club. “Apparently, being a doctor, RN, business major, or teacher was more appealing than this.”
“What? Noooo.” I laugh. “Does Poppy or Lana know you work here?” I widen my eyes. “Dotheywork here?”
“Fuck no, they don’t work here.” She snorts. “Lana knows I work here. She has a boyfriend; he gets jealous, or she’d probably dance here too. As for Poppy, she knows, but she doesn’t ask questions. She probably thinks it’s beneath her to speak about it.” She snorts.
“So, when do I start?”
“As soon as the boss lady says so,” she tosses back instantly. “Ready or not.”
“Ready or not,” I mimic.
Punching my arm lightly, she squeals. “Annnnd the best part is, we can ride together to work!” She scowls. “But, like, where’s your car? I figured you’d have a Mercedes or something.”
“Nope. I used to have an Audi.” I point to my feet. “Now, these are my means of transportation.”
“Shit, really?” She frowns. “Where’d the car go?”
I relax in my seat. “When you drop out of a school your parents made you work so hard to get into…sometimes, life changes.” I tilt my head to the side. “Fuck ’em, right?”
Nodding, she pats my knee. “Yep. Fuck ’em. You and I, we’re going to have us some fun, and we’re going to make some money.”
As I turn my attention back to the dancers, my eyes widen, and I swallow—hard.I guess I’m really doing this.
Hunter
“For the past month, I’ve told you guys that this season will be hard and that I need one hundred ten percent from everyone. I’m still not seeing it, and it’s starting to piss me off. We’ve got our work cut out for us, and I really hope you all know that.” Coach LaConte speaks to the team, looking around at each and every one of us.
“Last season, we lost O’Brien and Hardy, along with others. And Cam Hardy was a damn good captain and center. He also led us to a Frozen Four and helped us win. So, if you think I’m being too hard on you, guess what. Tough shit. We still have a lot of work to do to get ready for our opening game.”
Nodding toward Link Sterns, he leans against a locker. “Despite securing a spot in the pros, Sterns decided to stay at Brooks for his senior year. He is experienced. He’s a hard worker. He leaves everything on the ice when he plays. And most of all, he’s a stupid-talented winger with a good attitude. Which is why he’s your team captain this season.” His gaze sweeps around the room again. “Respect him. Respect me. Respect the assistant coaches. Respect the staff. And for the love of fuck, respect each other.” Nodding, he claps his hands together. “Understood?”
“Yes, Coach!” we all cheer before he sends us out onto the ice for yet another practice.
