“Everything. I’m an ER doctor.”
While I barely resisted the urge to cough “bullshit,” Addison laid it on thick.
“Wow. You’re probably the smartest person in here, aren’t you?”
He took a sip of his drink and gave her a shrug of fake humility. “I don’t know about that.”
“Well, you’re probably the best paid.”
He gave her a conspiratorial smile.“Are you trying to get more free drinks out of me?”
She laughed. “Depends. Is it working?”
He patted the bar to get the bartender’s attention. “Keep those drinks coming.”
Before Addison could respond, a balding man with bloodshot eyes came marching around the bar, tugging at his tie like it was strangling the calm out of him. His gaze landed on us and recognition lit up his expression. Fearinghe’d seen the camera, I slipped it into my purse and drew closer to Addison.
“There you two are,” the man said, releasing a deep breath as he raked a hand over the cul-de-sac he had on his dome. “Come on. I’ll show you to the dressing room.”
Confused, I started to ask, “Dressing r—”
Addison grabbed my hand and squeezed, cutting me off. “I’m sorry, who are you?”
“Marvin Bates. The manager.And I expected you two ten minutes ago.”
“You’re a stripper?” Greg asked, his eyes widening, giving me the impression of a creepy leprechaun staring at a pot of gold.
“Of course they are,” Marvin snapped. “Come on girls.”
I probably would have stayed frozen in place if Addison hadn’t tugged me along behind her. We followed Marvin through the employee only entrance as he muttered about somegirl named Lisa and how he was never using her agency again if her girls couldn’t even be on time. We stepped into a room with four mirrored makeup stations, several racks of obscene scraps of fabric that were no doubt supposed to be costumes, and a thin girl who looked barely legal and was applying some sort of tassels to her bare nipples.
“Candy, these are the temps covering for Jade and Destiny.Finally fuckin’ made it. Show ’em the ropes, will ya?” Marvin asked.
“Sure thing, boss.” Candy’s dark, chin-length bob of hair bounced as she looked up from her boobs long enough to give us a bolstering smile. Marvin stormed out. When the door slammed behind him, Candy said, “Don’t mind Marvin. He’s always wound tight and snaps at everything, which is probably why we can’t keep house girls andneed to bring in agency girls in the first place.” She finished with her tassels and looked up at us. “What are your stage names so I can tell the DJ?”
Addison stepped forward. “I’m Cinnamon, and this is...” She looked at me, but I had no suggestions to offer. “Scarlet,” she improvised.
“Great,” Candy replied, slipping a thin, short Egyptian-themed dress over her head. “I like the office girllook, but it might be a bit much for both of you to use. Feel free to change it up with anything in here.” She pointed at the racks of scandalous clothing. “Cinnamon, you’ll go on after me. I’m gonna go let Aaron know before my set starts. What are your songs?”
“How about...“Cherry Pie,” Warrant, “Let’s Talk About Sex,” Salt-N-Pepa, um...and I’m “Too Sexy,” Right Said Fred.”
I bit back a groanas she listed off the three songs she’d turn up to eleven and sing at the top of her lungs whenever they came on. I’d never realized what perfect stripper songs they were before, but now I’d never forget.
“Got it,” Candy replied. “What about you, Scarlet?”
My heart felt like it was about to pound out of my chest. Songs? That meant I’d be dancing. With the pole. Wearing nothing but one of thesestraps of fabric. And the girl out there was naked. Did they expect me to go full on nude?
“She’s still trying to decide between a few,” Addison said, stepping in to save me. “I’ll be sure to let Aaron know her selections before I go on stage.”
“Okay,” Candy said with a shrug. “Make yourselves at home. The stage is right out that door and to the left. You’ll see the curtain. Aaron’s just pastthe curtain.”
“Thanks,” Addison replied.
“No problem.” Candy headed out the door she’d mentioned on plastic heels that had to be at least six inches high. “Break a leg, bitches.”
Which was exactly what would happen if I had to dance in heels like that. Naked. As soon as the door closed behind Candy, I turned on Addison. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Breathe.” Addison patted my back reassuringly.“It’s all going to be okay. I’ll get out there, dance to my three songs, put my tatas in Greg’s face so you can get the footage, and then we’ll bail. You won’t even have to go out on the stage.”
