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Colt says something to me. In that split second before I shift my attention to him, the dancer’s eyes and mine connect.
It’s a charged moment that brings everything to a standstill.
The dancer freezes.
The next thing I know, she has turned around and is almost rushing off stage, much to my disappointment. Everyone else seems to have the same sentiment, and a few guys even boo, including Gavin. The fucker.
“You go up there!” I shout over to him.
He just laughs. “I should.”
The MC announces a new dancer without missing a beat, and the men around me immediately forget about the abrupt ending to the last dance.
When I look back at Colt and Jorge, they also seem perplexed.
“That happen often?” I ask, gesturing to the empty stage.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” Colt says. “Poor girl probably got nervous about the competition.”
“Owner of this place said the girls up there got more balls than all of us combined,” Jorge says. “He’s right. Hundreds of horny eyes staring at you. Can’t blame her for losing her shit.”
It’s a logical conclusion. I let the strange occurrence go when I see that Gavin and his buddies have moved their chairs back to face the table. It seems their attention has shifted from the scantily clad women to a new conversation. In fact, they all stand and grab their coats.
“You guys done already?” I ask. Not that I’m complaining.
Gavin claps a hand on my shoulder. “Yeah, we’re good. Also, the guys want to see your bike. I bragged about it. They want to check out your work.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say before downing the rest of my drink. “Colt, Jorge, you guys wanna join?”
“Nah, we’re gonna stay here,” Jorge says. “But hey, nice meeting you.”
We bro-fist. “Yeah, likewise.”
With Gavin and the guys surrounding me, I leave the club. Overall, the evening wasn’t too bad.
14
LIZZIE
Ibarely make it to the bathroom in time. The second after I lock the door, I’m puking into the toilet. What little I managed to eat earlier comes up as my stomach twists angrily. Each time I think I’m done, another wave comes, until I’m left shaking and dry heaving.
It’s some time before I’m able to stumble over to the sink and rinse my mouth out.
My mind races with every emotion imaginable. For the most part, I’m furious. I can’t believe I had to run off the stage. I absolutely blew my chance.
I’m definitely snagging the title of last place given I couldn’t even finish the dance.
It’s all Dillan’s fault.
If his appearance hadn’t caught me off guard, I wouldn’t have been so thrown off. How had he figured out where I worked? I hadn’t even told him I was a burlesque dancer.
I have to shut my eyes and breathe heavily through my nose as another wave of nausea washes over me. What the hell is going on? I hardly ever get sick, and when I do, my stomach isn’t usually affected. Pippa used to joke when we were younger that I had an iron stomach because I could eat anything without it bothering me. Am I really so worked up about Dillan that my anxiety has started to have physical side effects?
There’s a soft knock on the door. “Lizzie? Are you okay?” Alexis’s gentle voice comes through.
“I’m fine.” My voice is shaky, even when I try to clear my throat and speak again. “I just need a few minutes.”
“Okay. Do you want me to get Marlene?”
