Chapter Eight #2
Then last night he brought home takeout, and we watched re-runs of Vampire Diaries together. I’ve never seen it before, but he confessed it was a favorite and if I told anyone he would never speak to me again.
That was nice. Apart from the threat, which I know he didn’t mean but I won’t tell anyone. Even if we didn’t chat a lot, it was just nice having company. He is fun to be around, laid back and likes to crack jokes.
I can’t forget that I’ve seen him angry though, how he can switch from the guy eating pizza on the floor talking about who his favorite vampire is, and the one who threatens to kill people. And they listen because they know he means it.
After a week of staying in his house, and while driving to work in his BMW, I’m shocked to realize not only have I got used to this, I haven’t looked for anywhere else to live.
When I get to work, Ellie is sitting in a booth and the dancers are all gathered around. Jealousy sweeps over me and I curse not getting a fake ID when I first came here. I didn’t think they wouldn’t allow me to dance because I’m a few months younger than the legal age.
“Charley!”
I stop on my way to the staff room and look at Ellie. She waves me over to join everyone. Whatever has happened, it’s put everyone in a somber mood.
“Thanks everyone, I’ll arrange for some flowers and figure things out. Extra shifts are going to be paid at double time, just for a short period.”
The girls all thank her and head off. What the hell is going on?
“Jessica was in a car accident last night.”
My throat starts to tighten and white flashes behind my eyelids when I shut them. Stop it. Be normal. “Is she okay?”
Ellie is watching me, trying to figure out that reaction. I’m not exactly close to Jessica, she is nice enough, but she keeps to herself.
“She’s going to be fine, but she broke a couple of ribs, her collarbone and ankle.”
“That’s awful, I’ll chip in for flowers.”
“This isn’t about putting towards her gift. Karin also quit this morning.”
“Oh my God.”
“We could have coped with losing Jessica for a few months, Karin going as well is a problem. There is only going to be so long the girls we have can cover all of those extra hours. For reasons I won’t go into Beast isn’t going to be around much.”
“What are you going to do?”
“We’ve advertised for dancers so will wait and see what comes of it, but it takes time.”
My heart starts to pound. They’ve been adamant about keeping me off the stage but they’re in dire straits right now.
“You’re two months away from turning twenty-one, right?”
“Yes.” It’s the only thing I can muster up because I might puke. This is what I’ve wanted since I got here.
“I’m not sure you’re ready. You’ll need to be able to dance in front of people, Charley, on stage. Not just in front of the mirror in an empty room. We have a private party on Saturday night, the whole club has been bought out for this. You’ve seen the girls doing their routine.”
I have, I didn’t know it was for a private party but I’ve seen them all dancing, even stopped to watch.
“This wouldn’t be happening if Beast was around but I’m in charge of the dancers and I know that getting someone new in and having them learn this routine is going to be a disaster. The routine needs eight girls.”
“What about the other spot?”
“I’m going to do it.”
My eyes widen. Ellie doesn’t dance anymore, at least, not out on the main floor.
“It’s a big deal that we can’t afford to fuck up. Do you think you can do it?”
“If I spend time working with the girls to get it right, I’ll be able to do the dance.”
“You have to take off your clothes, Charley. There will be twenty plus men here that night. Important men. If you’re going to flake, I can’t put you up there.”
“I won’t.”
“Maybe we should practice another routine,” Ellie shakes her head, the frustration clear.
“Ellie, I promise I can do this. I’m not going to let you down. You and Beast and everyone else here have been amazing to me. You can trust me.”
“We have four days.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Rehearsals are every morning from now until Saturday, ten till twelve.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Between now and then, dance for someone. Have the girls watch, anything to get you used to being on stage in nothing but a G-string and heels. I don’t often do this, Charley but I’m putting my trust in you.”
All I can do is nod. I’m not going to let her down. I’ve spent the last two weeks getting ready for this, without even knowing it was going to happen. But she is right, I need an audience.
My attention is dragged away from those thoughts by male laughter and I turn to see Max walking in with two of the Disciples I don’t recognize. Could I ask them?
Shit, just watching the three giant men scares me. Panic starts to set in. How am I going to do this? I’m going to let Ellie and the girls and everyone else at Elegance down.
“Charley? You okay?”
The sound of his voice snaps me out of it and I look up into his beautiful hazel eyes. The concern is written all over his face. He might not have been around much but I trust him.
Is this something I can ask him to do for me? He’ll say no, and then I’ll feel like an idiot. I should just ask the girls.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asks.
The other men have all disappeared into the back, so it’s just me and him. I’m not going to let anyone down.
Squaring my shoulders I tilt my chin so I can look him in the eye.
“I need a favor.”