I start to apply my own, getting myself ready for my hoop debut, as a knock comes from the door. Riley is standing there, a smug smile on his face. He tips his head to the side wordlessly. I follow his movement to find my best friend bouncing up and down next to him.
“Sara!” I squeal and throw myself in her arms. “What are you doing here?”
“This big oaf asked if I wanted to come and watch my girl. How could I say no?” She beams. Squeezing me tight before releasing me. “You know I’d never miss this for the world. I am so jealous!”
“Not as jealous as I am of you.” I grin back. “I can’t believe you’re here. I’m so nervous.”
“Don’t be.” Riley chimes in. “From what Suzy told me, you’re gonna do amazing.”
I lean over to give him a quick hug before shooing them off.
“Right, go and get the best seats and prepare to be amazed. I need to go and get myself glam.”
“Good luck, Sugarplum. You’ve got this,” she says before taking his hand.
I study them as they walk away. Is this what I think it is? It actually makes so much sense if it is. I couldn’t think of a more perfect man for Sara. Maybe she will have the chance to work in one of his clubs after all, I giggle as I head back to my seat.
I get ready in record speed, needing the extra time to warm up and stretch it out. If I weren’t curled up in Max’s arms today, I would have been in my studio, putting the work in as much as I can for this. Guilt swirls deep in the pit of mystomach that I haven’t told Max what I’m up to. But this is something I need to do, not even for the money. It’s for me.
It could go one of two ways. He will either love it or completely hate it. Maybe in a few weeks I will tell him, just not yet. Not when I’m this nervous. Having him in the audience would only make me ten times worse.
I’m on the floor in the splits when my name gets called. Time has gone by way too quickly for my liking. I jump up and shake off the nerves before heading to the side stage. Suzy is just finishing her set, and from where I’m standing, I can see the men are just as hooked as I was when I watched her. She looks phenomenal. I wish I had come down a little earlier so I could watch some more of the girls before my turn. Apparently, we all do something different, with mine being the most unique. They did have someone who did the hoop, but she didn’t last very long.
The lights dim and the curtain comes down, signalling the end of her dance and the beginning of mine. Without any words, she gives me a tight squeeze and a kiss on the cheek as she leaves the stage, and I enter. The hoop is lowered, ready for me to climb in, so I take my starting position. The professional mask I have worked on for so long slips into place.
I can do this.
As soon as the music starts to play, the curtain begins to move. The sound of ‘Crazy in Love’ from the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ soundtrack booms through the room. No one makes a noise; it’s eerily quiet. I don’t move, holding the position for a beat before my cue starts. A hint of a smile plays on my lips, knowing the drama has them all in the trance I was hoping for.
I’m so lost in the music, moving fluidly through the air as I stretch and fold myself into all the positions needed. I’m wearing next to nothing, which isn’t foreign to me. But I have never worn something this seductive on stage before. Myoutfit is all black lace and glitter, making me shine under the spotlights.
By the time the music fades, I’m panting, but I hold the end position perfectly. A few seconds more of silence pass before the room erupts into applause. Cheers and whoops bounce off the walls as the curtain finally closes.
I all but bolt from the stage once the hoop lowers enough for me to climb out. Suzy is waiting for me, mouth slack and eyes wide. She takes my hand and pulls me through to the backstage area.
“Was I okay? Do you think it was good enough for here?” I ask, worried that she still hasn’t said anything.
“Okay? Okay!” She exclaims. “You were un-fucking-believable! I have never seen anything like that! And you just made that up whilst you were up there?” She asks, clearly in shock.
“Yeah. Well, I knew a lot of it anyway, but just did what felt right in the moment.” I say, colour flushing my cheeks.
“That was the best fucking thing I have ever seen. You looked so hot up there! Every man was salivating in their seat. Riley is never gonna want to let you go.”
I loved it that much, I don’t think I’d want him to.
