CHAPTER 9
DAINE
I was almost late to work because I’d overslept. After nursing a hangover all morning, I took a late afternoon nap and slept through my alarm. If Fox hadn’t woken me up, I’d have missed my set completely.
Running through the lobby of the club towards the dressing room, I told myself I wouldn’t make the same mistake tonight. I’d gotten entirely too fucked up last night, never mind how much fun I had, or how amazing the guy I’d ended up sleeping with was. Hell, I couldn’t even remember his name.
The dressing room looked like a bomb had gone off. Besides Fox, Blaze and myself, we’d hired several other dancers and were looking for more. I let the others handle the management of the place, instead opting for the freedom of just showing up and performing my act, making some money, and leaving. I didn’t feel the need to take the time to get to know the other guys. Call me shallow, but I wasn’t interested in forming new friendships. I was all good in that department.
I wasn’t rude to them, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t take the effort. Maybe that makes me an asshole, I don’t know. But between work and play, I just didn’t have the time for all that.
Since I had a strict rule of keeping work and play separate, I didn’t look at any of the other dancers as a source of play. I did suspect at least one of them might be gay, but I continued to keep my distance.
I’d learned the hard way back in Vegas not to shit where I ate. I’d gotten involved with another dancer years ago and once it ended, going to work was pure fucking torture until he finally quit. It’s hard to escape obsessed stalker ex-lovers when you have to work with them.
I’d learned my lesson and now, when I came to work, I kept to myself. As long as nobody touched my things or tried to get involved in my business, we were all good and friendly.
That’s why, when I saw some guy I didn’t recognize wearing my fireman’s outfit that I planned to wear during my first act, I blew up.
Everyone knows that Fox and Blaze and I are the featured dancers, and we get first pick of all the costumes. And there was only one fireman allowed per night, and that was me. I’m a fucking ginger, for fuck’s sake, it only makes sense.
I walked up to the guy and shook my head.
“What?” he asked, his wide-eyes blinking stupidly at me.
“I don’t know who the fuck you are, or who you think you are, but you need to take that costume off right now.”
“I’m Finn —.”
“I said, I didn’t give a shit who you are. Now, take it off, before I take it off for you.”
“Blaze said I could wear anything I wanted,” he said, lifting his chin defiantly.
“Well, he was wrong.”
“Can’t you wear something else?” he asked.
“What?” I asked, my voice raising an octave. “Are you for real?”
“I got it first,” he insisted. He looked up at me, his strawberry blonde hair falling across his forehead.
I shook my head, leaning in close and peering into his eyes.
“I said, take it the fuck off! And you fucking look like you’re twelve. Did Blaze check your ID?”
“No, but I’m twenty-one,” he said, lifting his chin.
I groaned, shaking my head as I looked him over. He was tall and lean, almost as tall as me. And he was in great shape, I had to admit. No doubt the customers would love him. But something about him rubbed me the wrong way.
“Find another costume,” I said. “And hurry the fuck up, I go on in ten minutes.”
“But —.”
“But nothing!” I shouted. “Take it off before I kick your ass!”
“Fine!” he replied, his voice slightly trembling. His eyes met mine, as he began undressing in front of me.
“Dude, go somewhere else and bring the costume back.”
“Right,” he said, scampering off like a frightened rat. I rolled my eyes and sat down on the bench in front of the mirror. Grabbing a brush, I ran it through my thick red hair, eyeing the bags under my eyes.
“God, I need a fucking drink,” I murmured to myself.
“Didn’t get enough last night?” Fox said, calling out from the corner. I didn’t even realize he was there.
“Apparently not,” I replied, as I began smearing concealer under my eyes.
“You were kinda hard on the new guy,” he said.
“Whatever,” I mumbled.
“He’s wholesome, I bet he’ll be a hit,” he replied. “The ladies like that babyface.”
“He’s just a kid,” I said. “Shouldn’t even be here.”
“We started early,” Fox reminded me.
“Was I that much of a smart-ass back then?”
He burst out laughing. I shook my head.
“Shut the hell up,” I said.