“Goodbye, Bull. I’d say it was fun, but that’s a total lie. Your clumsy groping is already forgotten.”
I don’t give him time to get a word in edgewise because when I push past him, he moves this time. Walking from the club with my head held high, I don’t look back. And it feels good.
“There she is. My beauty.” Carlos opens his arms, laying on the charm, while I roll my eyes.
“Stop it with that shit.” I smack his arms away from me, not interested in hugging my new boss.
He laughs in response. “Let me show you to your dressing room and then you can sign your contract.”
The thought of a contract scares me, but it was the only way Carlos would agree to what I wanted.
Blue Bloods is like being upgraded from coach to first class. I can see why the place is notorious among the pervs of Detroit and abroad. The Pink Oyster was more your stereotypical dark and seedy strip club, but Blue Bloods is anything but that.
This place looks like a country club where they’ve just added a stage with a stripper pole. There are tables scattered throughout the club with stripper poles attached in the center. This means more than one dancer is on the floor at a time.
Elegant paintings adorn the walls, and a chandelier hangs above the main stage. The stylish décor gives off a prestigious, upper-class vibe. I can imagine this allows the clientele justification for coming here.
There is no stigma associated with this place because it’s not a strip club—it’s a ‘gentlemen’s club.’ But I doubt any of the patrons are that.
Following Carlos down the red carpeted hallway, I see quite a few private rooms. I don’t know how many girls work here, but judging by the size, I dare say a lot. I really should have done my homework, but the truth is, it wouldn’t have made a difference.
I’m here for a reason, and that reason is to make cash fast.
“This is your room.” When he opens a door and I see a room decked out in the finest furniture and my own private bathroom, I laugh because surely, he’s joking. But when he gestures for me to enter, I realize he’s not.
“This is my dressing room? Like no one else’s but mine?” I ask, stepping past him and peering around the room in awe.
“Yes, of course it is. I told you, nothing but the best for you.”
Holy shit.
Gaping at the small chandelier and plush velvet couch, I see that he wasn’t joking. The vanity makeup table has a large mirror attached. There are light bulbs around the edge. It’s fit for any performer.
There is an alcove in the wall where I can hang my clothes. As well as shelving. The bathroom door is open, and when I see it’s fitted with a shower, I can’t help but yelp in excitement. “This is incredible. Thank you,” I say, unable to believe this is my room.
I’ve only dreamed of something like this. Yes, the room was in a theater where I would perform ballet, but this is an impressive runner-up.
Carlos comes up behind me and grasps my biceps. I allow him to touch me because I can’t sense any seediness for now. “You’re welcome. I’ll let you get settled. You sure you’re okay to work tonight?”
“Yes.” There isn’t a moment to waste.
Jordy is spending the night at Patrick’s. I wanted to make sure he was okay with staying at Erika’s again. When he practically shoved me out the door, I realized it was more than okay. I explained I would be working extra shifts for the next couple of months, but promised it was only temporary, and it is.
When I get enough money together, I am done with this life. Buying the academy is not only for Avery, it’s for me as well. I didn’t realize how much I wanted it until I was presented with the opportunity.
It’s a career I don’t have to lie about. For the first time in a long time, I have hope.
I will ensure Avery is well looked after and won’t endure her illness alone. She doesn’t have much time, which means I will work around the clock to make every single moment she has left precious.
Carlos turns me, so I’m facing the mirror, and we both look at my reflection. “Do you know what I see?”
I shake my head slowly.
“A star,” he reveals. “Welcome home.”
Smiling, I appreciate the welcoming committee but subtly shrug from his hold. For this to work, he needs to keep his hands to himself because nothing will ever happen between us.
He reads my retreat, but something about his demeanor is almost cocky. Maybe he thinks he’s won? But there are no winners here. Only people trying to survive.
He leaves me alone, allowing me to take this all in. I have my outfits in my bag, but when I walk over to the rack of clothes, I realize my outfits look like rags compared to the ones Carlos wants me to wear. They are slutty but still classy enough to keep the patrons guessing what I look like underneath them.
I made it clear to Carlos that I won’t go full nude, and he agreed—for now. I really don’t know why he’s been so accommodating, but I suppose there’s only one way to find out. Moving the coat hangers along the rail, I choose an outfit, ready to shine.
I called Jordy to make sure he was all right. He was fine. I was the one who wasn’t fine. I can’t help but feel like a bad mom. Working all these extra hours takes time away from him. But I remind myself it’s only temporary.
A knock on the door interrupts my pity party, and I quickly wipe the tears from my eyes. “Come in.”
The door opens, and a young woman pokes her head in. “Hi. I’m Kath, but my stage name is Dallas.”
“Hi, Kath,” I say, coming to a stand.
When she sees the outfit I’ve opted for, she whistles. “Holy crap. I can see why Carlos has been bragging about you.”
I smile, adjusting the small black dress that looks like it was designed by Freddy Kruger. There are slashes all over it, revealing a lot of skin, but the magic of double-sided tape ensures no mishaps. “Let’s hope he doesn’t change his mind when he sees me dance. What’s it like out there?”
Kath closes the door, which leads me to believe she wants privacy. “The place may look fancy, but believe me, the moment any man steps into a place where half-naked women are, he turns into a fraternity pledge.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Carlos has put you on table three to learn the ropes. I’m dancing across from you. If you have any trouble, just let me know. You’ll be dancing the main stage in no time.” I instantly like Kath. She seems genuine, and in this industry, that’s hard to find.
“Are you ready?”
Nodding, I spray myself one final time with my favorite perfume and slip into my monster heels.
“We’ve got a couple of minutes to spare. But Bossman doesn’t like anyone to be late.”
“Tell Carlos to take a chill pill,” I tease, but when Kath shakes her head, I realize there is a lot more to the story.
“Carlos is the manager, the face of the club, but he isn’t the boss or the money behind this place.”
This is news to me.
Kath fans her blushing cheeks dramatically. “No one knows his name, but Bossman suits him perfectly.”
I think of another man whose name suited him perfectly too. Bull…Bull was full of bullshit. But I refuse to taint my new future with thoughts of him.