Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Sophie
“Let’s do it one more time,” Anjannette said.
I held in a groan and stepped up to my pole.
We’ve worked through our routine more times than I can count tonight. This is a fast-paced dance, and I’m exhausted. I’m more than a decade older than both Anjannette and Keera and it’s showing in my energy level right now. But I think I have one more in me.
As the beginning strains of “Crazy Bitch” by Buckcherry blared through the speakers, we went into a reverse spin, a one-armed hold, then climbed to the top of the pole. The moves aren’t especially difficult, but since we’re transitioning into climbing without touching the floor, it’s a little more challenging.
I held on at the top and watched in the mirror as Anjannette, then Keera executed a flawless ball drop to the floor, before I did the same. Sexy floor work followed, which included a backward shoulder roll that had taken me forever to master without killing my neck.
That moved us to the back poles, which were set to spin. After a sexy climb, I settled into a pole sit, followed by a Remi sit and layback. I focused on counting spins, and after the third, transitioned into an angel spin and slid slowly back down to the floor.
After some crawls, slides, and thrusts, I grabbed onto the pole and spun up to my feet. We skipped over to the static poles, giving some sassy high fives as we passed each other. I ran into a reverse grab, then dropped onto my knees, fell forward to my elbows, and sat back with a sexy hair flip as the song ended.
My heart pounded as I flopped onto my side and tried to catch my breath.
Anjannette hopped up and grabbed her phone to stop the recording. Keera joined her and they both sat cross-legged waiting for me. I crawled over and rested back on my elbows to watch the video.
“I love the staggered ball drops,” Keera said.
“Me too.”
I crinkled my nose at my backward shoulder roll. It’s still not perfect, but it’ll have to do.
“It looks good,” Anjannette said. “We’re mostly in sync and seem like we’re having fun.” She chuckled. “And if we can have such high energy after doing this a gazillion times, we’ll be good for Saturday night.”
We went over Anjannette’s last-minute checklist for the recital. We’re staying tomorrow night after open pole to set up the tables and chairs. I’ll pick up snacks and drinks and meet them here Saturday afternoon before the students start arriving.
Anjannette’s phone buzzed.
“When are Leo and Tyler going to be here?” I asked.
“In a couple minutes,” she said, then frowned. “How did you know the text was from Leo?”
“Because he’s the only one who puts that smile on your face,” I said.
“True statement,” Keera said.
“Don’t you talk,” I said. “All I have to do is mention Simon’s name and you get all gooey.”
She chuckled.
“Guilty.”
“It’s really sweet actually. And your sappiness is great inspiration for my books.”
“You could have your own inspiration if you gave Jamie a call,” Anjannette said.
“I can be inspired by my memories,” I said. “In fact, the book I just finished might be a tad spicier than my others.”
“Nice,” Keera said.
“Tell me something,” Anjannette said. “What would you do if he called or texted? Would you answer?”
“Of course. I don’t hate the guy, I just don’t have time for a long-distance relationship right now. And trying to squeeze something in between everything else would just end in heartbreak.”
“What if he walked through that door?”
She gestured toward the item in question.
“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “But I’d never have to worry about that.”
“Never say never.”
Anjannette and Keera shared a look, but Leo and Tyler walked through the door before I could think about it too much.
“How’d it go?” I asked.
My knees cracked as I stood.
“He did great,” Leo said. “His command is impressive, and I’ve seen an improvement in his curveball in the past few weeks.”
“That’s amazing.” I fought the urge to hug Tyler. Those days have passed and now he just gets embarrassed when I show affection in front of other people. “Thank you so much for working with him.”
“It’s been my pleasure.”
Before I could turn into a gushing mom, I decided it was time to leave.
“You ready to head home?” I asked Tyler.
“Yeah. I still have homework to finish,” he said.
“I didn’t cook so we can grab Pancheros on the way home.”
“Yes!”
“Let me get dressed and we can head out.”
On my way to the dressing room, I texted the girls to see if they wanted anything from Pancheros. I slipped out of my pole shorts and into my leggings and pulled my sweatshirt on. As I stepped into my shoes, my phone buzzed.
Logically I know it’s probably one of the girls answering me. But with Anjannette’s question about Jamie in the back of my mind, my stomach fluttered at the possibility of it being him. Despite the fact that I gave him all my reasons for not pursuing a relationship, part of me wishes he’d text or call. But I honestly don’t know what the next steps would be if he actually did.
I picked up my phone and read Emily’s dinner order, telling myself I wasn’t disappointed the text wasn’t from a certain sexy, dark-haired man instead.
Jamie
“This is crazy.” My knuckles turned white as I gripped the wheel. “What are we doing?”
When Elliott didn’t immediately answer, I glanced over and was annoyed to see him focused on his phone.
“El, if you’re gonna ignore me the whole ride, I’m turning around.”
“You sound like my father on every road trip,” he said. “Cut it out or I’m turning this car around.”
I couldn’t hold back my chuckle at his perfect impersonation of Ed.
“We were pains in the ass.”
“Yet he never actually turned around,” he said with a sigh.
We passed another exit, reminding me of why I’d wanted to get his attention in the first place.
“Maybe we shouldn’t go.”
I felt Elliott’s eyeroll as he shifted sideways to face me.
“Okay, I’ll play. Why shouldn’t we go?”
“Because Sophie and I agreed we wouldn’t pursue anything.”
“You’re not pursuing anything. We’re just going to watch a pole recital.”
“You’re splitting hairs.”
He shrugged.
“Why is it that you’re so decisive with every single aspect of your life, but when it comes to women, you’re a mess?”
“Why am I a mess for respecting the boundary Sophie set?”
This time I saw his eyeroll.
“Did you even try to go for it?”
“I mentioned staying in touch,” I said.
“Well that’s romantic. I can’t imagine why she didn’t jump at the chance to stay in touch .”
“Go back to your phone.”
Surprisingly, he listened to me and was quiet until we pulled into the hotel parking lot.
“This place is pretty cool.”
The Lackawanna Station Hotel served as a train station in the early twentieth century and the building is amazing. The exterior is quite impressive, as is the lobby, with its mosaic tile floor, marble walls, and a Tiffany stained-glass ceiling. According to what I saw online, there are also thirty-six unique tile murals that depict scenes along the main line of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. But we don’t have a lot of time to grab a bite to eat and get to the recital, so I’ll have to check those out later.
After checking in, we went to our rooms to stash our bags then headed back downstairs to Trax Bar for a late lunch.
I worked on Janet Guzman’s kitchen with Ed this morning and didn’t eat so I’m starving.
“What are you getting?” Elliott asked.
“A burger.” I set the menu aside. “You?”
“I’m not sure.” He looked over at me. “Are you getting a drink?”
“Maybe. I could go for a beer.”
Despite the fact it’s an odd time of day, there are quite a few tables full. One with what I’m assuming is a wedding party. I watched the waitress deftly carry two pitchers of beer in one hand and six stacked glasses in the other. Once she set those down, she headed in our direction.
“Thanks for waiting guys,” she said. “My name is Macie and I’ll be your server. Can I start you off with some drinks?” she asked.
“I’ll have a Yuengling lager draft,” I said and glanced at Elliott. “And I think we’re ready to order.”
He looked at me, then her, and nodded.
“I’ll have a cucumber cooler, French onion soup, and the signature misto salad,” he said.
“And I’ll have an American classic.”
“Perfect,” she said. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“You do realize we’re just here to watch a pole dance recital at my friend’s studio, right?”
“Yeah.”
I raised my voice at the end, turning the short word into a question.
“You’re acting like you’re coming to propose or something.”
“I am not.”
Macie returned with our drinks and assured us our meals would be out shortly.
I took a long drink of the cold beer. I’m thirsty and it’s really hitting the spot. After another quick sip, I set my glass down. I’m only having one, so I need to pace myself.
“Well you’re acting like something other than a man going to watch a show.”
He’s not wrong. This road trip to Sophie’s pole recital has my stomach in knots. I’m thrilled at the chance to see her again, but unsure of how she’ll react to my being there.
“I know.” I dragged my hands down my face, then leaned forward and rested my elbows on the table. “But we agreed we weren’t going to pursue anything.”
Between her kids and career, Sophie has a busy life. I get that fitting in a long-distance relationship would be challenging, but in my opinion, it would be worth the effort.
“Look, it’s obvious you’re bonkers for this woman. And since you’re not a guy who falls easily, I think you should pursue her.” Elliott shifted forward and mirrored my position. “We’re here to watch a recital. Worst case scenario, we get to see the show and head home tomorrow. Best case is we didn’t get two rooms for no reason and Sophie spends the night with you, then you figure out how to see each other on the regular. There’s really no bad outcome to this.”
“Sophie could freak out at me for showing up.”
“She doesn’t seem like the type to do that, but if she does, so what?” He shrugged and sat back. “You just don’t see her again. You weren’t seeing her anyway.”
Macie returned with our meals and we dug in. I thought about what he said as I chewed my burger. He’s not wrong.
The worst thing that can happen is she rejects me. I’ll be disappointed, but I’ll definitely survive.