Chapter Fifteen
Dwayne
When I was out on leave, I couldn’t go to the bars. Alcohol was illegal in Afghanistan, and I rarely got a chance to get out when I was in the States, so I didn’t know what to expect when we got downtown and started wading through the bar crowd to get into the club.
It was dark, save for red and blue lights that spun around the dance floor in time with the pop beat. I was out of place, stuck in a world of shallow drugs and debauchery, surrounded mostly by twenty-somethings looking to get high and find somebody to go home with.
Michael led me straight to the bar so we could get some drinks while Gillian found a table. “Man, look at all these chicks, ugh.” Michael thrust his hips forward. “You’re going home with someone tonight. I can tell you that much.”
“Yeah?” I glanced around, hoping to see Gillian, but the crowd was too thick.
“Fuck yeah, man. Look at this place. All them hot little girls. I’m gonna dive in.”
The bartender came up. “What can I get you guys?”
“A sex on the beach and two Red Moons,” Michael said. “My sister always drinks the fruity shit. Take a shot with me.”
“Nah, I got to drive. I’ll probably just have the one, but go crazy. I’ll get you back.”
“Suit yourself.”
The bartender gave us our drinks, and we walked out back where Gillian was sitting, staring at the ground.
“Here you are.” Michael handed her a drink.
“Thanks,” she said as she took it and glanced up at me.
I sat down next to her and leaned in to whisper. “You’re all quiet.”
“I want to dance with you, but I don’t want him to see.”
Michael pounded his beer. “Whoo,” he cried as he shook his head out. “You guys want shots?”
“No, thank you.” Gillian said.
Michael disappeared towards the bar.
“He’s been pretty clear about how he feels about all this,” I said. “We should probably just play it cool for now until he gets drunk.”
“That won’t take long.” She pointed at the bar where he was already taking a shot. He took it quick and turned around. A blonde girl passed by him wearing a tight white dress. She gave him a wink, and he followed her back to her table to talk to her.
“Maybe he’ll get distracted,” I said.
“We should’ve waited till tomorrow. If he finds out, after how much he’s been drinking, we’re totally screwed. He might even fight you if he keeps taking shots.”
“He’s going to have to get over it.”
“That’s what I was thinking, but it’s going to take time, and we’re going to have to sit him down and talk to him. We can’t just spring this on him.”
“You’re right.” Michael looked my way and motioned for me to come over. “I guess I’ll have to pretend for now.”
“I’m sorry, Dwayne.”
“No, it’s fine.” I walked over to the table where the girl and her friend were talking to Michael.
“Yeah, this is the guy I told you about. Dwayne, this is Christy,” he pointed at the blonde’s friend. She was tall and model-esque with long brown hair — beautiful, but she wasn’t Gillian. “Christy’s a dancer,” he winked.
She blushed.
“We wanted to go down to the dance floor,” he went on, “but Tiffany here doesn’t want to go without her friend, so I thought maybe you could show her a good time.”
If it weren’t for Gillian, I’d have absolutely no reason to turn the girl down. Michael was already suspicious. If I told him no, he could get upset and accuse me of trying to get with his sister. “Would you like to dance?” I offered the girl my hand, my back to Gillian. I didn’t want her to have to see this.
“Of course.” She let me help her up and lead her out to the dance floor.
“So you’re a dancer?” I asked, keeping a safe distance away.
“A stripper,” she said. “I give great lap dances.” She raised her hands in the air and moved her hips slowly, rotating so I could see her butt shaking. She backed up in to my crotch, and I jumped back, certain Gillian had seen. “What’s wrong? Don’t like girls?”
“I gotta run to the bathroom. Sorry.” I turned around and disappeared into the crowd. I couldn’t go back to the table, so I went to the bathroom line, trying to get my thoughts in order. How was I going to get out of this? If I didn’t show any interest in these women, Michael would notice. If I showed interest in them, I could end up pissing Gillian off and ruining my chances with her.
A pair of flower-scented arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind. “I don’t care what my brother does. I want you now.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the empty VIP room.