CHAPTER 5
JETTE
Maybe it was just the buzz from the alcohol, the music, or the dark crowded bar, but Jette couldn’t help feeling intensely aware of how closely Reese sat next to her.
Every time the performers would strut down the center aisle, she could feel Reese’s knee brush against her own as they turned to watch.
She fought the urge to lean back, to keep their knees pressed together longer.
It didn’t take much for Jette’s mind to wander.
And it really didn’t help that due to the theme, each number became increasingly lewder and more provocative as the night went on and the crowd—and performers—became more drunk.
Jette stole sidelong glances when she could, but nothing prepared her for the way her stomach flipped when she caught Reese glancing back at her. God, she was cute.
Emery’s performance was, in a word, stunning.
Jette grinned as he perfectly lip-synced every word and shamelessly flirted with the crowd.
He really was mesmerizing on stage. She only tore her eyes away when Reese nudged her elbow, too firmly to be an accident.
Jette’s breath caught in her throat as Reese’s eyes flashed under the pulsing stage lights.
She gestured toward her with a five dollar bill and leaned close to ask, “Can you give this to him from me?” Her lips brushed the edge of Jette’s ear as Jette nodded.
She slid the bill out of Reese’s hands, brushing their fingers together as she pulled away.
The brief contact left her cheeks feeling flushed, and Jette couldn’t solely blame it on the whiskey in her glass this time.
Emery began his sultry walk down the aisle.
He broke into a massive grin as he made eye contact with Jette.
She grinned back and smugly gestured up with her chin as if to say ‘Come here’.
He put on a serious sex-kitten expression as he prowled towards her.
Jette turned to Reese and raised an eyebrow before turning back to Emery.
Impulsively, she folded the bill in half and stuck it gingerly between her teeth as Emery approached.
His mouth opened in surprise and he gently bit the other end of the bill, taking it from her.
As he tucked the bill into his black latex thigh high boot, he leaned over and mouthed the word ‘Hot’ before fanning himself.
Jette laughed and swatted him away playfully as he continued down the aisle.
Though she could feel Reese’s eyes boring into her, she didn’t risk another glance.
By the end of the show, Jette was slightly buzzed.
It was becoming increasingly harder to not relive the feeling of Reese’s lips accidentally brushing her skin.
Her head absentmindedly swayed to the music as she tried to shake the thought away.
When the lights came back on and the music faded out, her eyes flicked to Reese.
Those green eyes were already trained on her and it was hard to tell if the thumping in her chest was from the distant music pouring from the next room over.
Jette cleared her throat as a swarm of people around them began leaving their seats. “So,” she paused, “What’d you think?”
Reese shook her head incredulously. “Holy shit,” she said breathlessly. “That was fucking amazing.”
“Right?” Jette added.
“I didn’t even know what some of those kinks were,” Reese said between giggles.
Jette playfully elbowed Reese in the ribs as she let out a giggle of her own.
Compared to her rigid posture from before, Reese was significantly more relaxed.
She leaned back in her chair with ease with a leg crossed over her knee, her elbow just barely resting on the back of Jette’s chair.
Jette once again fought the urge to lean back and accidentally bump into her.
“Seriously, I feel like I learned something about myself,” Reese chuckled.
Jette watched Reese’s cheeks flood with color at the admission.
“Oh really?” Jette said carefully, drawing out each vowel. The look in her eyes left Jette wanting to know more. Reese laughed and covered her face with her hands, clearly embarrassed. “Like what?” she teased.
Reese scoffed and immediately answered, “No way. Nope, I regret sharing.” The knowledge that Reese had been thinking about her own kinks while sitting next to her made the heat in Jette’s chest sink lower.
Sure, Jette had kinks of her own that she entertained, but her pulse spiked with Reese’s admission.
God, she was curious about what Reese had been thinking.
They leaned into each other without a thought and Jette realized the night was undeniably moving into flirting territory, and she tried not to feel excited at the thought.
Jette opened her mouth to speak when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
She turned around to see Emery standing in the aisle.
His makeup was slightly smudged and his skin was glistening with a mixture of sweat and glitter.
He precariously held three shot glasses in his hands and he offered one to each of them.
“Drink up bitches,” he said, leaning in close enough that Jette could smell the musky cologne lingering on his damp skin. His blue eyes winked as he tossed a look to Jette.
Reese exclaimed, “Oh my god, Emery. That was fucking amazing. Seriously, you were so great.” Her cheeks were still flushed an adorable shade of pink and her red hair was mussed. The artfully disheveled wavy locks just barely brushed her shoulders.
“Thank you!” Emery cheered appreciatively. “And oh my god, Jette, that tip you gave me? That was hot,” he added animatedly. “Fucking dirty, but hot.”
Jette shrugged, “I’ve been dirtier.” The words slipped out before she had a chance to think.
Emery clapped his hands and cackled loudly.
Jette watched Reese cover her cheeks with a hand as she burst out laughing.
Her other arm was now fully extended and draped along the back of Jette’s chair.
Her button-down shirt was rolled to the elbows and her tan forearms looked toned.
Reese caught her staring and coyly raised an eyebrow.
A hint of a smile ghosted across her lips and Jette wanted nothing more than to erase the space between them.
Turning to Emery, Jette leaned back confidently, letting Reese’s arm rest against her bare shoulders.
Her heart thumped when Reese made no effort to move away.
Emery looked between Reese and Jette, his eyes lingering on Reese’s arm behind her and Jette could feel her own cheeks flush now. She grinned and affectionately ran a hand over his arm.
Reese looked past Jette and asked, “So do you have to pack up or can you hang out with us now?”
Emery’s eyes flicked to Jette before answering, “Sorry gals, I have to clean up first.” He looked around the room, only stopping to shamelessly check out a burly looking lumberjack in the back corner.
Mischief twinkled in his eyes as he waved hello.
He winked at the pair of them and added, “Plus I think I have some fans that I have to meet.”
Jette watched the lumberjack nod appreciatively, beckoning Emery over. She shook her head and said, “Go get ‘em, babe.” Emery grinned.
“We’ll meet up in a little bit, okay?” He said it more as a statement than a question as he started towards the back corner.
Reese quickly changed the subject they’d been on before Emery interrupted and Jette swallowed with difficulty.
It was definitely for the best. Jette had been focused on Reese so intently that she forgot they were in public.
She finally glanced around and noticed that almost all of the folding chairs around the room had been packed up after the show.
Reese’s arm remained on the back of Jette’s chair and her knees were shifted towards Jette but she seemed to be carefully keeping her distance.
Jette felt like they had been sitting there talking for hours but decided she could listen to Reese talk about anything.
Her favorite foods, funny roller derby stories, weird commercials she loved. Jette wanted to hear everything.
“Thanks for inviting me out tonight,” Reese said appreciatively as her gaze drifted around the crowded room.
“Hell yeah,” Jette replied, “I’m glad you came out with us.” She adjusted her ponytail before adding, “It’s a good thing you did, too. I probably would’ve just sat alone all night if you weren’t here.”
Reese smiled and tilted her head. “Oh yeah,” she began,” I’m sure none of the women here would’ve flirted with you the moment you were alone,” she teased.
Jette’s jaw dropped slightly. “Seriously,” Reese continued, “Leah’s been looking over here every few minutes since the show ended.
” She gestured towards a group hovering by the door.
Reese glanced at Leah again, giving her a slow once over.
Her green eyes trailed down and back up in a way that made Jette wish she was in Leah’s place instead.
“She’s beautiful,” Reese pressed. Jette casually hummed in agreement.
“Is she your type?” She asked more directly this time.
Her tone felt deliberately nonchalant, but the indifference seemed superficial.
Was she…jealous? An amused smirk settled on Jette’s lips.
“Not really,” Jette answered while gesturing towards the hallway with her chin, but Reese didn’t move an inch. Instead she stood resolute and looked at her doubtfully.