Page 65 of The Bitter Rival

“There is a way. You’re a rock star, Isabella. You’re going to strut down that catwalk like you own the place. Every guy in there is going to be yelling for you and throwing money your way. Just soak up the admiration. If you get nervous, you look at us. But you’re going to own that fucking stage. Then, you’ll own him. Mark my words, B. He’ll be putty in your dirty little hands.”

It’s showtime. I’m a hot mess. I’ve had a few drinks, but not so many I can’t manage these black stilettos. My hair is blown out, with soft dark waves cascading over my shoulders. I’m wearing this mesh bodysuit that literally only covers about four inches of space around my nipples. Sure, they’re shaped like stars, so there’s the illusion of coverage. The black leather jacket and black hot pants make me feel a little better. I guess I could’ve been dancing in a thong.

Katarina is sitting in the backseat of her SUV with me, trying to calm my nerves while Rachel drives. We hit a pothole in the road, and I nearly jump out of my seat.

“Holy hell, please don’t get us pulled over on the way there. I’ll never be able to explain this getup.”

“Just relax, B. You look hot,” Bailey says with a wide grin. “I’m so proud of you. Hell, I want to dance for someone now.”

“It’s not someone. It’s someones!” I bellow.

“You’re going to be great. If you get nervous, try and focus on one person. Tease them a little. It’ll only further your cause with Sebastian,” Kat encourages.

“How do you know he’ll be there?”

“Oh, he’ll be there. Trust me. Nick will make sure of it. He’s rooting for the two of you.”

About that time, I feel the car turn and look up to see a dingy gray building with a neon hot pink sign overhead that reads Daddy Rabbits.Oh, good lord, what am I doing here?

We exit the vehicle, and I can’t help but look around, feeling completely conspicuous. Kat grabs my hand and rubs my back as we head for the door. I’m so anxious it feels like an out-of-body experience. I’m not really listening to the conversations around me, just trying to convince myself it’s one night and no one is going to get hurt. Ifthisdoesn’t dispel the whole good girl image Sebastian has for me, nothing will. And if I dance my ass off, and he’s still not willing to put himself out there, then screw him!

I follow along behind Katarina and a staff member as they show us to the back room. Rachel and Bailey wave goodbye and look for seats. As we enter the back room, I quickly turn to Kat.

“I feel like I’m going to be sick. I don’t think I can do this.”

“You’re going to be fine, B.”

Before I have a chance to say anything more, a platinum blonde with her hair teased wildly upon her head approaches. Her breasts are quite large for her slender frame.

“Isabella, this is Crystal. We go way back.” Kat smiles at the girl who’s only looking at me.

“Honey, you’re beautiful. Tiny little thing. They’re going to love you.”

“Wow, you think so?”

“I’ve worked here a long time. You need to just enjoy yourself out there. If you don’t let your nerves get you, they’re going to be eating out of your hand.”

I take a deep breath and follow along behind them as we enter a very small area with multiple mirrors, clothing, and props everywhere. Several women are milling about. Most are wearing next to nothing. Heck, compared to these girls, I look like I’m going to a church picnic.

“Okay, you’ll be up in about twenty minutes. They’ll come to get you, and you’ll climb up those stairs to the curtained area. We have your music cued and ready to go.”

“Holy shit. This is really happening,” I mutter.

“I’ll stay here with you until you head up the stairs, then I’ll make my way out front, so the first thing you see when the curtain goes up is your girl tribe.” Kat beams.

“Okay. I’d say thank you for checking this off of my bucket list, but I’m pretty sure in a million years this wouldn’t have been on there.”

“Too bad,” Crystal answers quickly. “ ‘Cause once you do it, you’ll wonder why you never thought to do it before. It’s electric. Having that many men worshipping you.”

Yeah, whatever. Let’s just get this over with.

“You’re up,” a voice says from behind me, and I notice Kat’s nervous expression as she pulls me in for a hug.

“You got this, B. I’m so proud of you. Try to have fun out there,” she says, placing a kiss on my cheek before turning to dart out of the room.

I start to make my way up the narrow, metal stairway and pray my stomach contents will not be the headliner this evening. As I get to the top of the steps, I note an X on the floor constructed of white tape and assume that’s where I need to stand. Assuming the position we rehearsed at Kat’s house, I try to calm my shaking limbs. How the hell is this going to look sexy? I’m going to look like I’m having a seizure if this trembling keeps up.

There is no time to contemplate this any longer, as the familiar notes of “Confident” by Demi Lovato begin to play and the makeshift black curtain begins to rise. I can see in my periphery, the room is dimmer than when we entered. There are flashing lights swirling overhead to the beat of the music.Focus, Isabella. Focus.

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