Chapter 54

Bentley

After meeting briefly with James earlier that day, I had no idea what I was going to do about my career. Being offered a promotion should make me happy, but I was beginning to think it was time for a career change. This certainly hadn’t been my dream job. Tonight, I wasn’t going to think about my job. I was just going to enjoy myself, at The Frisky Beaver.

After my sister and her coworker bought the club, they decided one Friday a month should be devoted to the ladies. They had a group of male strippers perform for two hours before it turned into a dance club with single guys hoping to get lucky with the female patrons.

I’d gone once but discovered strippers weren’t for me. My sister was to blame for my aversion to strippers. She’d mentioned to all of them I was her sister, and each one had wanted to show me special attention. Who doesn’t like a little attention from a hot guy who can dance? Things had been going great until three particularly sweaty strippers performed. I get that they’re dancing under hot lights. I’d be sweating, too. Still, I didn’t enjoy having a strange man’s sweat all over my clothes as much as many women in the crowd did. For that reason, I’d suggested we meet after the show. Cami agreed with me, while Harley and Delaney both thought I was crazy.

As soon as I walked in the door with Cami by my side, I spotted Delaney, Harley, and Mercy sitting at a table. The herd of single guys had already been allowed into the club. A guy in black leather looked like he was about to drop to his knees in front of Harley as he tried to work up the nerve to say something.

Harley put him out of his misery by speaking first. “You look like a man on a mission.”

It was too dark to see, but I was certain his cheeks were flushed. “First, I want to tell you that you are my favorite member of Reckless Release,” he said nervously.

“Thank you,” she told him. “That’s really sweet of you.”

“I would love to serve you,” he blurted out.

“Oh!” Delaney interrupted. “The baby kicked. That was a big one. Do you feel that?” She grabbed Harley’s hand and put it on her belly. It seemed they were getting along well.

The young man grinned and shook his head. His gaze moved to Delaney. “Sorry, I didn’t know she was with you. I just assumed since you were here that you were looking for someone. Can I get your autograph?” he asked Harley.

“Absolutely,” she told him, grabbing a napkin and signing it with a pen Delaney produced from her bag.

“Does he think we’re a couple?” Delaney asked after he walked away, having caught up with the conversation. She’d been too engrossed with what was going on in her womb.

“He definitely thinks you and Harley are having a baby,” Cami replied as she took a seat beside Mercy.

I sat beside Harley.

“This has the potential to end up all over social media,” Harley muttered before looking over at Delaney. “Sorry.”

Delaney grinned. “It’s not a problem for me. Sebastian will think it’s hot, and this will be great publicity for me. I’ll bet people will buy my books because they think we’re sleeping together. Not to mention, you’re gorgeous.”

“You are a mess, Laney,” Mercy accused with a laugh.

“She sounds like a woman who knows how to utilize social media,” Harley added. “If you’re trying to get attention, this sort of thing is a great way to do it. It’s easily disproved, so it will only last a short time, but she’s right about it helping her sell books.”

“Why did you decide to have your ladies’ night here?” Mercy asked me. “I heard this was your idea.”

“I figured it was the only way to get you to hang out with us,” I replied. “You’re almost as bad as Lex.”

“Lies!” Mercy insisted.

“It’s true,” Delaney agreed. “You spend way too much time in a strip club.”

“You’ve said that twice already,” Mercy told her.

“It’s not the sort of thing one gets to say often,” Harley pointed out.

“Exactly!” Delaney agreed. “Not only is my girlfriend pretty, she’s also smart. Would it be weird if I asked you to take a picture of me kissing Harley so I can send it to Sebastian?”

“Yes,” we all replied before laughing.

Delaney shrugged and said, “You should have been here for the strippers.”

“They were great,” Harley agreed. “You are a brilliant business woman, Mercy.”

“Thank you,” Mercy replied happily. My sister was proud of her club. “How’s work going, Bennie?”

I shrugged. “Things are finally slowing down. I was offered a promotion.”

“That’s great news,” Harley stated.

My response was a shrug.

“I thought you’d be more excited about this,” Cami remarked. “Has something changed at work?”

“This last year has been incredibly stressful,” I admitted. “Until recently, I hadn’t realized how much of a toll it’s taking on me.”

“Your bosses have definitely taken advantage of you recently,” Mercy muttered. “Mom is forever complaining about how they don’t appreciate you.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I began. “While I may not have a fancy title, I’m making good money. I’m just not sure I should take the promotion. When I started working for James, I expected it to be temporary.”

Cami nodded. “It was just supposed to be a college job.”

“Have you decided to put your degree to use?” Delaney asked.

“Maybe,” I replied. “I definitely don’t want to council children anymore.” That had been my original plan, but I’d come to realize I couldn’t handle the stress.

“Does this mean you’re going to quit?” Mercy asked.

“I still have bills to pay,” I reminded her. “While I have a good nest egg, I’d rather not go through it while I try to find myself.”

“I could use help around here,” Mercy remarked.

“Bennie wouldn’t like being a stripper,” Delaney insisted.

“I’ve seen her dance,” Harley began. “She can definitely shake her ass like a stripper. It would be fun seeing Gage’s reaction.”

“Actually, I was offering something in the office,” Mercy clarified. “I could also train you to work the bar.”

“I’m not sure I’m bartender material,” I insisted.

“Don’t tell me you don’t think you have what it takes to be a Frisky Beaver girl,” Delaney teased.

“A Frisky Beaver girl?” Cami asked around a giggle. “Is that really what you call your employees, Mercy?”

“No,” Mercy replied. “I know this isn’t your dream job, Bennie. This would just give you something until you find out what you want to do.”

“I know,” I told her, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “You are a great sister.”

“Yes, I am,” Mercy agreed. “Since you all dragged me away from my paperwork, we may as well dance. I haven’t seen Bennie shake her ass in years.”