Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Mike tipped his head and cracked his neck before adjusting his stance and grip on a golf club. He drew back the five iron and drove through the ball.
“Oh yeah,” he murmured as it sailed down the fairway and bounced toward the green. “You see that?” He turned to where Axe was lying on the grass chewing a bone. “Nailed it.” The dog paid him no attention. “Yeah, I thought as much.”
He returned the club to his bag and grabbed the handle. “OK, buddy. Let’s roll.”
Axe picked up his bone and trotted down the fairway alongside him. Mike checked his watch and smiled. He had enough time for a few more holes before meeting Ali at the villa. His thoughts turned to the wedding and how simple Ali was making the whole process. He had literally been to a coffee date, the engagement dinner and a suit fitting. In fact, everyone including his SEAL squad were being super helpful. Hell, he was getting married next week and here he was strolling along a fairway at a five-star resort with his best friend; life was good.
He reached his ball, selected a pitching wedge and lined up. The green was beyond a small rise. He could barely see the top of the flag. Chipping high he watched with satisfaction as the shot sailed toward the pin.
Axe chewed his bone as Mike scanned the green for the ball. There was no sign of it. Hoping for a birdie, he checked the hole; no ball. “You’re kidding me,” he mumbled, searching the grass at the edge of the green. He made his way into the undergrowth. Axe joined him as he poked in the pine needles.
The dog gave a bark and disappeared into the bushes with his tail wagging. “You found it?” he asked, following.
“Looking for this?” Ernie’s voice startled him as he pushed through branches and saw his teammate holding the ball. Axe jumped up and licked the Latino’s face.
Mike frowned. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m here for the party.”
There was a rustle to Mike’s flank and TJ appeared holding a pair of plasticuffs. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
There was another noise to his right and Dean emerged clutching a black hood.
Mike glanced down at Axe who was sitting with his tongue lolling from his mouth. “Are you kidding me? You’re not even going to try and protect me?”
The dog cocked his head and his ear flopped forward.
“Does Ali know about this?” Mike asked as he handed his club to Ernie and held his wrists together.
Dean slid the hood over his head as TJ cuffed him.
“By now she’s got problems of her own,” TJ replied with a laugh.
“Seriously, if this involves cartel hit men I’m going to be pissed.”
* * *
Ali felt amazing. Her skin had never felt smoother in her life. Three hours of pampering at the day spa had been exactly what she needed. The planning for the wedding hadn’t been particularly stressful. Leonie and TJ had taken care of most of the details, but it was still good to relax in the hands of a talented masseuse.
She strolled along the path to the villa enjoying the sunshine and the warm breeze on her face. Stepping onto the porch, she spotted Mike’s golf clubs and smiled. He would have enough time to enjoy her smooth body before dinner.
Axe greeted her at the stairs and she stopped to pat him. Her smile widened as she spotted the drawn curtains. It looked as if Mike had something similar in mind.
Pushing open the doors she ducked through the gossamer material. “Mike, babe, I feel fantastic!”
“Surprise!” The screams of six female voices nearly sent her diving back outside. Leonie stood at the front of the pack with a huge cocktail glass in her hand. She thrust the beverage and its penis-shaped straw toward Ali.
“Welcome to your bachelorette party, little sister.”
She gave the villa an uneasy scan, noting the phallic-themed decorations strung across the ceiling. Rows of alcohol bottles and cocktail glasses filled the kitchen bench top. Then it dawned on her. The resort and the day spa were all an elaborate plan.
She smiled, took a slurp from the cocktail and winced at the taste of tequila. “You are so devious.”
The girls circled her lifting their glasses in the air. Axe joined them jumping up and down with excitement as they whooped and hollered.
“So what’s the plan?” asked Ali. “What happened to Mike? I’m guessing the boys grabbed him?”
Leonie topped up her cocktail. “Correct, we’re meeting up with them tomorrow afternoon. However, till then we’re going to party like it’s 1999.”
Maria, Ernie’s wife, joined them. The short buxom Mexican hugged Ali and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Tonight we’ve got a beautiful dinner. Then your sister can continue with her depraved plans.”
Leonie shrugged. “She insisted.”
Ali smiled. “Maria, I am so glad you’re here to add a touch of class.”
Her sister laughed. “Class? Sweetheart, we’re drinking from cock straws.”
The villa filled with laughter and Ali grinned. Maybe a bachelorette party wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
* * *
Mike felt the van come to a halt and heard the door slide open. He was bundled outside and then the hood was ripped off. He’d guessed they were on their way to TJ’s cabin and he was correct.
The Chief released the cuffs from Mike’s wrists. “Welcome to paradise.”
“TJ, this is great,” he exclaimed, examining the rough-hewn log building.
“Yeah, been in the family a long time.”
At that moment the cabin door swung open and Rick appeared on the deck with a glass in each hand. “Mikey boy, welcome to the last day of your FREEEEEEDOM!”
Mike laughed. “Rick, are you already wasted?”
The African American embraced him in a hug. “Not yet, but the night is young. Fellas, come inside, I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
“Here we go,” said TJ as Dean and Ernie followed him into the cabin.
In the few hours that they’d been gone Rick had made some minor adjustments to the interior layout. The kitchen table had been moved to the far end of the room and served as a well-stocked bar. The couches had been shoved into each corner and the open space was now occupied by what looked like half a dozen stripper poles.
In front of the fireplace Mike spotted a tall woman dressed in leggings and a crop top. She had the body of a dancer and a girl next door face that was painted with a broad smile.
She waved at them. “Hi guys, my name’s Jenny. Are you ready to get started?”
TJ turned to Rick. “What the hell’s going on here?”
Rick shrugged. “It would seem that pole dancing is not the same as stripping.” He downed one of his drinks and gestured to the bar. “Let’s give it a go.”
Mike doubled over with laughter. “Rick, you’re a champion.” He poured himself a bourbon and downed it. “Come on boys, let’s get into it.” He moved across and grabbed a pole. “Right, Jenny, I’m Mike. Exactly how do we do this?”
* * *
The staff at the Country Club had set aside a private dining area for the girls. The room was decorated with bouquets of white flowers, the tables laid with crisp linen and fine silver cutlery. Classical music played from a stereo in the corner as the women enjoyed an exceptional dining experience.
Ali, dressed in an elegant lace dress sat at the head of the table with a plastic tiara perched on her head. The other women, equally as resplendent, sat around her.
As dessert was served Leonie interrupted the conversation by striking her champagne glass with the back of the knife. It subsequently shattered unleashing its contents on the table. “Oh, fuck.”
The girls broke into laughter as Maria used her napkin to abate the tidal wave of sparkling white.
Leonie tapped the stem of the shattered glass. “OK ladies, calm down. As usual, Maria has it under control.” She paused as the girls clapped. “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank her for organizing this beautiful dinner.”
The girls all cheered.
“Now, we all know that my baby sister is the reason we’re here. Next week she marries a guy who may well be the sweetest dreamboat in the history of single men. And God knows after the dick weeds she’s dated, she deserves him.”
Ali smiled. “Thanks, sis.”
“But, married is next week. Tonight she’s going to party hard.” Leonie nodded to a girl positioned next to the stereo system. “So ladies, I hope you’ve left enough room for another round of dessert, because here come the sweetest treats you’ve ever seen.”
Classical music was suddenly replaced by a thumping beat and the doors to the dining room burst open. At first, no one appeared. Then, as the music peaked, two handsome twenty-something men dressed as a fireman and police officer strutted into view.
“Woo, hoo. Happy bachelorette Ali!” screamed Leonie as the strippers danced their way into the room and circled the ladies like hungry sharks.
Ali blushed as they made their way to the head of the table and danced suggestively on either side of her. The fireman was the first to disrobe, letting his jacket fall to reveal a rock hard body.
The girls whooped and cheered as the police officer followed his cue and ripped open his shirt. The scantily clad men took it in turns to rub their sculpted torsos on either side of Ali. She giggled, trying hard not to burst into laughter as they took her hands and traced them over their abs.
“Leonie, you’re so dead,” she mouthed.
Her sister raised a fresh glass. “Live it up baby, this is your night.”
* * *
Meanwhile, less than twenty miles away the boy’s night was progressing somewhat differently. Mike, TJ, Dean and Ernie had abandoned their attempts at pole dancing and had resorted to drinking as they watched an inebriated Rick try to follow Jenny’s instructions.
“OK, Rick. Let’s move to something more advanced.” Jenny hauled herself up the pole, flipped upside down, wrapped her legs around it, released her hands and slowly spun around the pole to the ground.
Perched on a stool, TJ poured himself another bourbon. “You’re pushing shit uphill, Jenny. That big ox will never be able to do that.” He turned to Mike and winked.
“What the hell, granddad. I don’t see any other motherfucker out here trying this pole shit.” Rick stripped to his briefs revealing muscles that would put a professional athlete to shame.
“And the fish takes the bait,” said Ernie.
Mike laughed. “Every time.”
Rick hauled himself effortlessly up the pole, flipped upside down and wrapped his legs around it.
“I just realized why you’re so good at this,” said TJ.
“Because I’m strong,” yelled Rick as he contemplated releasing his hands.
“No, because you’re the only one who shaves his legs. It’s a matter of friction.”
Mike snickered into his drink and bourbon shot from his nose. He hunched over coughing as the others burst into laughter.
“Serves you right, bachelor boy. Should be you up this damn pole,” yelled Rick from where he was hanging.
Standing in the corner, Jenny suppressed a smirk. “Come on Rick, they all gave up. You can do this.”
“Damn straight I can. I’m a frogman.” He released the pole and slowly spun around it toward the ground.
“He’s actually doing it,” yelled Dean. “He’s actually doing it.”
Ernie started the chant. “Rick, Rick, Rick.”
In a matter of seconds everyone, including Jenny was yelling the pole dancing Navy SEAL’s name.
Then, as he got closer to the ground he started gathering speed. Then he lost traction and dropped like a rock, landing on his head with a thump. His legs unlatched from the pole and he collapsed into a motionless heap.
The room fell silent.
Suddenly Rick jumped to his feet. “Nailed it!” He sprinted across to Mike, snatched his drink, downed it and grabbed the bachelor in a bear hug. “I did it for you, Mikey, because soon you’re going to be locked in the prison of monogamy.”
TJ slapped him on the shoulder. “Way to go, bud.”
Jenny joined them at the makeshift bar. “That was pretty good. I’ve got girls I’ve been training for months who can’t pull off that move.”
Rick turned to face her. “That’s because they’re not SEALs.”
She met his gaze and then lowered her eyes slowly over his body. “No, they’re most definitely not.” Then she looked away. “OK, well things look like they’re going to get pretty messy here. So, I’m going to leave you to it.”
Rick frowned. “You sure we can’t convince you to take off–”
Jenny silenced him with a raised finger. “You were doing so good, pretty boy. Now help me pack these poles.”
Mike suppressed a grin as Rick helped her pack the equipment.
“Well I’ll be damned,” said TJ. “I ain’t ever seen a lady put that boy in his place.”
“Must have been the bump to the head. He’s gone all loco,” added Ernie.
“Right, show’s over.” Dean took a pack of cards from his pocket. “Do you guys know how to play asshole?”
Mike snorted. “Hell yeah, we do. We’re the guys it’s named after.”
TJ pulled a box of cigars from a drawer. “Dean, you smoke?”
“Cubans or reefers?”
The Chief’s eyes narrowed.
“I was joking. Cubans are cool.”
As Dean dealt the cards Rick carried the bags containing Jenny’s poles out of the cabin. He placed them at the back of her car and quickly ducked into the bushes to pee while she went in to say goodbye to the team.
As he relieved himself he heard something rustling in the bushes. Squinting he tried to identify the source. There was a loud growl and he caught a glimpse of long white fangs in the moonlight. Zipping his fly, he backed away then turned and ran. As he burst from the bushes he almost collided with Jenny.
“Bear! There’s a bear,” he whispered.
She smiled. “Really, where?”
Rick turned and pointed. The animal lumbered out of the bushes, saw Jenny and rocked back on its haunches. In the glow of the cabin’s lights he could see its teeth. It seemed to be eyeing him hungrily.
Jenny fumbled in her bag and pulled out a flashlight. She shone it on the bear’s face. The animal let out a low growl.
“Don’t do that. You’re making it angry.”
She shook her head. “She’s tagged. I know this bear.” Jenny put the flashlight away, clapped her hands and took a step toward the beast. It reared up to its full height. “Off you go, Nancy. Stop being a little trash pig.”
The bear let out a grumble then turned and disappeared into the bushes.
Jenny unlocked her car. “If she comes around again make some loud noises and chase her off. This time of year they’re looking for easy food. Trust me, she’s more scared than you.”
Rick managed a weak nod.
“Was nice meeting you all. I might see you around the park.” She climbed inside, started the car and drove off, leaving Rick standing in the dark.
“Hey pole dancer,” bellowed Ernie. “You going to stay out there moping or you going to join the party?”
“Yeah, coming.” Rick climbed the stairs and took the drink Ernie offered him. “What did I miss?”
“We’re playing asshole and Mike’s winning.”
Rick cracked his knuckles. “Well, it’s time to turn that around. Let’s get this pretty boy bachelor messed up.”