Page 2 of Rum & Coke
I grinned. “Meet you in five.”
After I finished the lap dance for Brent, I was in the dressing room, changing into my clothes to go home, when Honey, one of our managers, came into the room.
“Ladies, listen up.” Honey closed the door behind her, and all seven of us turned and looked at her. She kind of reminded me of Dolly Parton in a way. She didn’t have the southern drawl, but her rack and blonde hair were both huge. “Anyone up for making a little extra tonight? I got a call from a friend, and there’s a bachelor party that needs a girl.”
There were groans all around. After hours of being on display, all we wanted to do was go home and sleep. Most of the girls were married and wanted to get home to their husbands and family, and I wanted to get home to Colton. No one wanted to work more than what we needed to (even if the money was good), but given all the therapy bills on top of the standard living bills, I needed the extra cash. I decided to take the extra money because I’d make more in an hour stripping than I’d owe the sitter to stay extra.
“I’ll take it.”
Honey smiled and walked toward me. She handed me a small piece of white paper. “Here’s the address.”
I sighed as I took the paper. Bachelor parties were the worst. All the guys assumed we wanted to sleep with them as though it was written in the rules or something.
Her grin widened, and I started to think she didn’t have our best interest in mind after all. “It’s not your typical bachelor party, Scarlett,” she stated, using my stage name and the one I used around the club. “It’s for a male escort.”
I balked then blinked. Then blinked again. “A male escort?”
“One of the guys from Saddles & Racks is gettin’ married.”
“One of the guys from Saddles & Racks is getting married?” I repeated, not believing I’d heard her correctly. I’d heard of S&R around the club because women talked. Some wanted to join the company, and I’d thought about it too, but everyone knew what really went on behind closed doors and that wasn’t for me.
“A male escort is settling down?” Sommer asked from across the room.
“I don’t know all the details except they need a girl to dance for about thirty minutes. It’s a surprise party.”
“Why would a guy want to see tits at his bachelor party when he sees them as his job?” Crystal asked. Crystal, aka Melony, was my neighbor, the one who got me the job. She was also my best friend. And she had a point.
“I didn’t ask questions,” Honey stated. “It’s a job, and it pays five hundred.” She turned back to me. “Do you want it or not?”
“Yes. Of course.” At least this way I didn’t think the guys would be horny and looking to score since they didthatevery day—despite what they said in public.
“Perfect. Be at the address by eight.” Honey patted me on the shoulder and then left to check the floor.
The moment I stepped up to my apartment door, I heard the episode ofPAW Patrol. It was the same episode that had been on repeat for the last month. That was my life. Every day. All day. The only break fromPAW Patrolwas when there was a San Francisco Giants baseball game on. Colton was obsessed with the team and the game itself. He would watch the same game over and over until he knew what the next play would be inside and out. That was one obsession I enjoyed. Growing up in San Francisco, I was a diehard fan, going back to their Candlestick days. Now that I lived in Vegas, I only watched them on TV. That was how Colton became obsessed.
But the current season hadn’t started yet, so it wasPAW Patroland nothing else.
After unlocking the door, I opened it to see my son sitting on the floor in front of the TV, a baseball in his hands as he stared at the cartoon. My gaze moved to the couch where my sitter and neighbor, Sophia, sat reading. I entered, and we smiled at each other.
“Good day?” I asked, closing the door behind me.
Sophia was a sweet old lady who I’d first turned to when I moved into the apartment complex. I’d run out of milk the first week I lived here. It was before I found the job at Red Diamond and I had no money to my name because it went to our first month’s rent. She took me under her wing, cooking dinner for Colton and me each night. She was the one who suggested I talk to our other neighbor, Melony, because she worked as a stripper and made a lot of money. When I worked at RD, Sophia took care of Colton. She didn’t mind that I had to work Friday and Saturday nights until early the following mornings. She was amazing. I loved her and would be lost without her.
“It was.” She smiled.
“Does he still have a fever?” I asked as I put my keys and purse on the table near the door.
“No. Broke a few hours ago, and I think he’s feeling better.”
“That’s good to hear.” I bent down beside him, but he didn’t turn, so I moved in front of him and compressed his ears with both hands until he looked up at me with his steel-blue eyes. “Hey, Slugger. Want pizza for dinner?” It was generally pretty difficult to get Colton’s attention, and eye contact was out of the question, but when I used the gentle compressions, it always brought his attention to me.
He hummed in agreement and rocked back a little as he flapped his hands in excitement.
I smiled. “I’ll make sure it’s cheese, your favorite.”
My gaze met Sophia’s again as I stood. “I hate to ask, but I was offered an extra gig for tonight.”
“Oh, sweetie. I don’t mind.”
