Chapter Twenty-Three
Lucy
“You were fucking phenomenal, again!” I shriek as I run into Saras' arms. “I am so happy I got to see you in this, doing your thing!”
“I swear I nearly threw my back out with that last flip. I was too busy nosing at you and Mister Hot and Heavy over there.” She winks, pointing towards Riley.
When Riley heard I was in the city, he made sure Sara booked us both tickets together for tonight, and I definitely wouldn’t miss an opportunity to watch Sara again. I wish I had taken a picture of her face when she saw me the first day I went to watch. It was priceless.
If I weren’t so madly in love with Max, I know Riley is the one I could have eventually fallen for.
Our friendship is so easy. I think there is something in his past that helps him to understand me and the way I am.
I have never wanted to intrude on his personal space and ask him, and he has never offered it up freely.
So we’re happy as friends in our own little bubble.
I turn to look at him and find he is already busy chatting up another beautiful dancer. I laugh and roll my eyes along with Sara. He is such a tease, and no woman could deny him. All except me.
“You do know they’re looking for a swing for the dance rolls? Why don’t you audition? Then we can be back together again.” She pleads. She even pops out her bottom lip.
Drama queen.
A swing is kind of like an understudy, but most are prepared for multiple parts in the show.
So, one night you could be doing one part, then a different one the next.
Honestly, I would love it. Never knowing what you were going to do and not having to do the same performance day after day. And in most cases, two times a day.
I’m still so young in the dance world, and I am more than jealous of her new role.
But something is niggling at me to go back home to Bewdley.
I don’t know if it’s everything that is going on with my family, or if it’s more the fact that I can’t bear to be away from Max.
Even though the week before I left, I had barely seen him anyway.
“I will think about it.” Is all I say back and smile wide hoping she doesn’t push it more.
“Yay! Please tell me we’re going for food now. I am starved after all of that.”
“Yes, me too! Also, I’m not surprised after the moves you did on that stage. You would think that you were getting paid for each gasp you received from the crowd.” I laugh.
“Well, I gotta work it if they’re gonna keep me on.” She winks and tosses her hair. “I love it here. I think the West End is where I was always meant to be, Sugar. I really don’t want to mess it up.” Her brows droop a little at that.
I have never, in all the years I’ve known Sara, seen her like this. She is possibly the most confident person I have ever come across. Even more so than Max! But when it comes to this job, she’s different.
“You really do love it, don’t you?” I ask.
“More than I can even explain.” She whispers.
“Well, we'd better get you fed so you can be on top form for two more shows tomorrow!” I smile brightly, tucking her arm around mine. “Let’s get Riley and get out of here.”
“I haven’t laughed this much in such a long time.” I choke out, gasping for breath at something rude Sara said.
“That, my dear friend, is because you haven’t spent enough time around me.” She sings out.
“How have you even got this much energy after performing a show like that?” Riley asks, wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye.
“Stamina. Ask your bestie, Leon. He knows all about how much stamina I have.” She winks, causing us to howl with laughter some more.
Jesus Christ. I knew I was missing her, but wow, I forgot how on form she could be.
Tonight has felt like the good old days, before everything went tits up back up North.
Even having Riley here has been amazing.
For the first time in a long time, I have really let go and lived in the moment.
It has also helped that Riley knows the owner of this restaurant.
The drinks haven’t stopped flowing since we got here, and the food has been unbelievable.
We have had what the Spanish call Tapas, but we Brits call them picky bits.
Basically, a bunch of random dishes to share in the middle.
Definitely too much for what three people should eat, but that hasn’t stopped us from clearing every plate.
“So… have you heard from Max this week?” Sara asks, and the table suddenly goes quiet.
Sara knows everything that’s happened whilst I’ve been away. She made sure I spilled the tea on everything possible. Riley leans forward in his seat, clearly intrigued by my answer.
“No, I haven’t. Not even a simple text to check in.” I reply with a shrug of my shoulder. “I know he’s extra busy with the new place, doing two jobs, as well as watching after Tommy. But come on, who doesn’t have the time to send a little, teeny-weeny message?”
Before Sara gets the chance to chime in, Riley beats her to it.
“Well, have you messaged him, and he hasn’t responded? Or have you both not messaged each other?” He quips, raising a brow. “Because he could be sitting at home thinking, why the hell hasn’t she messaged me?”
I stare at him for a second. Why does he have to be so damn logical?
“I don’t know how I feel about having a man in our inner circle conversations. He knows too much. We simply can’t plot against men whilst he’s here being all rational and shit.” Sara huffs out a breath before laughing.
“It is true, though. You women always think men have to put the effort in first. When maybe, just maybe, he’s wanting a little effort from you, too.”
“Ugh. He’s wrecking our vibes now. How can we hate on men after hearing that?” I ask, slumping down onto my folded arms resting on the table. “So, what do I do? Should I message him?”
“Maybe not right now. We're having too much fun.” Sara says.
“And you have had one too many Sambuca shots,” Riley adds.
“Both very good points. I have to agree.” I laugh, loving this night far too much.
“What are your plans now, Sugar? Are you still looking for work closer to home? Or are you going to dance again?” Sara asks, leaning over the table on her elbows.
Ugh, I knew she wouldn’t let this drop. She knows how tight money is right now. If only there were auditions closer to home.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I need a job, but something that’s easy money to tide me over until I can leave again.” I say, my body sagging at the thought.
“You could easily get a job anywhere! You’re amazing!” Sara scolds.
“How come you’re struggling to find work?” Riley wonders, gazing at me with concern in his eyes.
“It’s not that I can’t get work. More that I don’t want to leave my family right now, and all the jobs I’m trained for are in big cities.” I say with a shrug.
He continues to stare at me, frowning slightly as if deep in thought.
“Come and work for me.” He states.
“Ooh, doing what?” Sara asks, but I know exactly what it would be doing.
“Ah, I don’t know if I could. Also, isn’t your place in London?” I wonder, but also not completely put off by the thought of it. It is something I’ve always loved the thought of.
“Hellooooo. What’s the job?” Sara complains, waving her hands in front of our faces.
“A strip club.” I say at the same time Riley says, “Exotic dancers.”
“Holy shit! You would be amazing at that and think of how much money you’d make. Especially with a body like yours!” Sara exclaims, jumping up and down in her seat.
“You really should think about it. I own a bar on the outside of Worcester city centre. That’s close to you, isn’t it?” He asks.
Yeah, maybe a little too close. Especially since I have been staying at Tommy's place.
“Can I think about it?” I ask, worrying my bottom lip.
“Of course you can, I will always have a spot for you, even if it's just a few weeks to bring some money in until you find what you want to do.”
“Ah, Riley. You are the best.” Sara beams. You would think she was the one offered the job, not me.
“You really are,” I say, leaning my head on his shoulder in thanks.
“Right, come on, you two. Let’s take some photos to remember such a good night.” Sara says.
We take turns posing, pulling funny faces and laughing nonstop as we pass the phone around. There’s even a gross one of Riley licking my face! What you didn’t see in the photo was me stamping on his foot to get him to stop.
“I don’t think I could eat or drink another thing,” Sara complains, rubbing her stomach. “I think I have a food baby.”
“Me too,” I say, flopping back on my seat. “Thank you for such a good night tonight,” I say to both of them, the smile still never leaving my lips.
“No, thank you, my lovely ladies. I really needed a night like this.” Riley says as he pulls me in for a side hug. “You two are like the little stepsisters I never had.”
“Be careful.” Sara giggles. “She likes to do bad things with her stepbrother.”