Page 20 of Damaged Prince
“How are you doing, big guy?” the bartender asks with amusement as she hands me my fourth drink.
I’m starting to get a little bit tipsy, but I need something to do to pass the time.
With each song that goes by and each dancer that goes on stage, I count to see how much longer I’ll have to wait until it’s my turn to go into the back rooms, guessing by the length of songs would be similar.
“What spot on the list did you say I was?” I grumble, taking another large swig of my drink.
“Seventh.” Her lip twitches.
“Kill me now,” I curse, growing impatient. Because I’ve only counted four songs, two more to go until I get to go into the back room.
Shit. That's sooner than I thought. I’ve been so focused on the idea of him back there with other people that I didn’t even think about what I was going to say to him when it finally became my turn.
“Ben is a very popular guy. But the good news is, you're the last one he’s taking on for the night, so if you pay a little extra, I’m sure he could do an extra song or two.”
“Yeah?” That brightens my mood. “How much?”
“It’s three hundred per song.”
Shit. I didn’t even think about the price. Standing, I sway a bit and reach into my pocket, pulling out my wallet. I count three hundred in cash. “You don’t take cards by any chance, do you?”
She shakes her head. “Cash only. But we have an ATM over there.” She points to the other side of the room.
“I’ll be back,” I sigh. “This is for the first dance, put me down for two more after.”
“You got it.” She takes the money, looking all too entertained with herself. Either she’s playing me, or she’s making fun of me for how much of a simp I’m being right now.
As I make my way over to the ATM, my phone vibrates.
I pull it out to check and see that it’s a text from Laney asking me what I’m up to and telling me she was able to convince Owen to go, but Logan is thinking about it and will let us know tomorrow.
Since I wanted to steal Laney away for some alone time, I asked one of my buddies to borrow his private plane. She was excited when I told her, and even made a joke about joining the Mile High Club.
Little does she know, I plan on making us full-fledged members by the time we’re back home.
After I use two cards to take cash out because the limit is only four hundred on each card, I text Laney back.
Now I could lie and tell her I’m at home. But that's not like me.
Me: I’m at the club.
Sweetheart: Club? What club?
Me: The one you were at last night.
Sweetheart: Okay.... And why are you there?
Me: Doing what you told me to do and talking to Eli.
Sweetheart: Oh! And how’s that going?
Me: Haven’t talked to him yet. He’s working.
Sweetheart: Are you going to wait around until he’s done?
Me: Nope. I’m doing something that I’m starting to think might be very stupid.
Sweetheart: Like what...?
