"Aurei."She nods back."Your bachelor party guests are already seated and having a grand time.Follow me."
She takes us to the table at the end of the main runway."Best seats in the house."
"Yes.They are."I smile and have to take a drink.Seary's Hot Seat is already on stage.Heavy chains lay on the floor around it and hang from the ceiling to it.
Steve stands and takes my hand, pumps it hard, and tells me."Best damn time of my life!Thank you!"
"Don't thank me yet," I tell him as I shake it."You haven't survived that chair."
He turns and looks at it.His grin is so filled with lust, I want to punch his damn lights out, but instead, I clear my throat and introduce him."Steve, this is my Army buddy, Dirk Sam, and his wife, Piper."
Steve clasps Dirk's hand and says."Dirk, nice to meet you."Then turns to Piper."I'm sorry.I missed your name?"
Before Piper can answer, Dirk opens his mouth, but Piper stomps his foot, gives him a 'go-to hell' look, and sweetly smiles at Steve."Piper."
Everyone takes a seat, and Steve looks at me, a little shell shocked.I shrug."Those two have been going at each other all night."
"Damn."
"Where's Gaby?"
"She went to the little girls' room and must have fallen in."
A dancer slides down the pole in front of us, and he's lost again in Sin City.
I glance around and log in where everyone is.Antonio and Angelo are sitting away from the crew at a table behind us.They are eating an entree and wave when we make eye contact.Scarlet and Paul are huddled together as usual.They are sitting with Kip and Bianca.Birds of a feather flock together.I laugh when Quintus walks up, nods to Kip, leans over, kisses Bianca's cheek, then sits down next to her.She lays her hand possessively on his thigh.Looks like I'm forgiven.
Then....
Well.Well.What do we have here?Cat walks up to Quintus, runs her hand possessively through his hair, pulling his big curls straight, then leans down and kisses him full and deep.His hand slides up her ass, and he grips a handful.When she walks away, he slaps her on it, then turns and smiles at Bianca, who smiles back.
THUMP!
The whole place falls into darkness.
The strobe lights flash.
Quiet fills the air.
I reach for my drink.
THUMP, THUMP.THUMP, THUMP.
The moment of truth is here.
I throw it back and slam it down.
Breathe.Control.Keep calm and be cool, not a fool.
* * *
Siri
* * *
As I waitbehind the curtains to go on, a slow procession of dancers and production workers come by to give me quick hugs.Some tell me good luck, some tell me they adore me, some tell me they are excited for me and some tell me they will miss me, but I think every last one comes over.
The whole place thumps once.Under the curtains, the strobe lights flash.
