Once those were finished, I went backstage and found that I’d danced more than my allotted five hours.
“Looks like you got the rush,” Desiree said, swiping on more mascara.
I grimaced. “Not exactly, but I much prefer private lap dances to those on the floor.”
Lucy’s dry laugh filled the room. “You say that now. Private lap dances on Friday or Saturday nights are not much better than being on the floor.”
“But there’s security,” I said.
Lucy dipped her chin. “There’s supposed to be security - and there normally is - but things are crazier on the weekends, and for bachelor parties, the brothers sometimes let shit slide.”
“Oh,” I muttered and pressed my lips together.
Desiree swiveled on her stool to me. “Don’t let her scare you. Worst case, the assholes get away with grabbing your ass, maybe copping a feel of your breasts. But if they do, they tip more - or are forced to pay more for the dance.”
I nodded, trying not to feel sleezy.
Lucy chuckled. “Now she doesn’t look like she’s got the rush, she looks like she needs a shower.”
My eyes widened. “A shower would be fantastic right about now. Otherwise, my car upholstery is going to shimmer from all the glitter.”
Swinging her arm out like a game show host, Lucy said, “Right there, Ava. Be quick. I got two more songs before I’m done, and I will shove you outta that shower.”
Even though I could have put my clothes on in the dressing room, I took care of that in the cramped shower-bathroom combo. None of the other dancers were around when I came out, but it was closing in on six o’clock, so no doubt business was picking up.
I grabbed my wristlet and keys, then went upstairs to let Turk or Yak know I was leaving.
“Ava,” Turk said, when I knocked on the open door.
“Yes, sir. I’m heading out.”
He gave a single nod. “Heard you had five requests for lap dances. That’s a good start for your second day.”
“Thanks. I’m on again tomorrow and then Sunday. Is there any chance—”
He held up a hand while understanding filled his eyes. “You want me to get you on Saturday or Friday for better tips, right?”
I nodded.
He shook his head. “Sorry, Ava. No can do. At least not right now. We brought on quite a few new dancers. Some of them from a competing club in town. I’ve gotta see how they work out in the mix before I can start messing with the schedule. But you’re doin’ great from everything I’ve heard and what little I’ve seen. If you keep it up, you might be right up there with Amethyst - or you probably know her as Lucy.”
I tucked my phone into my wristlet. “Right. Thanks for hearing me out. Have a great evening.”
“Not so fast,” Turk said, his tone suddenly stern.
I glanced over my shoulder.
“Who’s walking you out?”
“Oh, yeah. Um, I’ll see if I can—”
Turk shook his head. “I’ll get Punc to do it. He had to fill in for a few hours, but he’s off the clock now. Head downstairs, I’m texting him now.”
My heart fluttered at that idea.
I needed my heart tonotflutter at that idea.
My heart insisted it knew what I needed better than I did.
