I told myself not to think about Colson and just have fun. To go wherever the night takes me, and if that’s this man next to me, then what’s wrong with that? It’s time I live for myself. To let loose and sayfuck youto anything that makes me feel like shit.
It doesn’t hurt that Olive keeps shoving drinks in my direction. I happily accept them all because I’m a changed person. I don’t run for the hills when Bret, the guy who’s sitting next to me, leans close and tells me how beautiful I am. Nor do I ignore the way his eyes glisten with a suggestiveness that tells me he’s looking for a one-night stand. Not that I’m about to follow him out of The Landing Strip or sneak back into one of the private rooms. I take it more as a compliment than anything.
He’s cute in his own way with the stature of a man who works with his hands for a living. Sexy as hell forearms with the perfect amount of muscle that reminds me of my ex. Biceps that could haul me out of this chair just as easily as he could strip me of my tight-fitting clothes. Shoulders that are stalky and wide. A thick neck with stubble that waterfalls over a very pronounced Adam’s apple.
But right now, it’s not him who I’m focused on. It’s my sister, the one who just told me that she signed me up for Amateur Night.
“Stop fucking with me.” My words come out in a slow slur, but I enjoy the way the curse comes out so effortlessly.
Her smile is full of trouble. “I’m not. At all.”
“I’m not getting up there.” I blink, still feeling the bite of the alcohol at the back of my throat from my last shot.
“You definitely are.”
“When did you have time to sign me up, anyway?”
We haven’t left each other’s sides except for…
“When I went to the bathroom,” she confirms.
She raced across the club before she peed her pants while I giggled until my cheeks hurt. Bret stole my attention after that, so I didn’t see when she came out of the bathroom. When she dropped back in the seat next to me a few minutes later, I didn’t think much of it because, honestly, this place isn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.
She shoves another shot at me as the bartender slides two her way. The man next to her pushes the money over the bar top. I don’t miss the mouthedthank youOlive gives him or the twinkle that sets into his eyes.
This shot goes down easier than the last two or three or four. My head is a little fuzzy at this point, my body a lot less tense. I flag the bartender back over. Because you know what?
Fuck it.
We’re not at Lucy’s where I attend college with a bunch of the patrons. We’re not at home. I’m at The Landing Strip for a reason. For a little fun. For a night away from a hopeless reality.
If it weren’t for Olive, I’d be in my bed, rereading text messages that no longer hold meaning while crying my eyes out over a guy who doesn’t want me.
But the hand that gently rests on my lower back? The man it belongs todoeswant me, and hell, what would it matter if I climbed on the stage right now and gave everyone a little entertainment?
I’ve seenCoyote Ugly. I might not be able to hold a note to save my life, but I sure as hell can sway my hips. I can push my boobs together and be all seductive. I can laugh and smile and enjoy every minute of it.
I slap my hand down on the bar. “You know what, let's do it.”
One of the bartenders cups her hands around her mouth and shouts that it’s show time. The ladies currently working the stage slowly shift out of their very revealing positions and saunter off the stage, the man guarding the staircase off to the side assisting them down.
The music changes to something a little more upbeat and a few spotlights hovering above the stage change into a mix of light blue and purple while the booths and tables surrounding it remain shadowed. Then, the music cuts off altogether as a voice comes through the speakers to go over rules.
No touching or pulling girls off the stage.
Two participants on the stage at a time.
Girlsmustremove their bras at some point during their dance.
I clap like a madwoman, ready to take the stage and show everyone what I’m made of. Showing off my boobs will be easy peasy. Like, who cares if these people see my puckered nipples? It’s not like anyone else is looking at them. Well, maybe aside from Bret.
A hand presses to my back, and the warmth from whispered words steam against my ear. “You sure you want to do this, beautiful?”
I look into Bret’s green eyes. “Of course.”
They drop to my top, and he licks his lips. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”
I pat his beefy bicep and lean into his space as I scoot off my stool. I don’t doubt that he’ll be right where he is now since a bunch of stunning naked women will be front and center, tits out, nipples stretched against their bras until the fabric is pulled off them.God, am I glad I wore a matching panty and bra set tonight.“I’m sure you will be.”
