AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After seeing their show on that spring day, Avery’s bitch side resurfaced before we’d even got up from our seats to leave. She complained about the “way” that I watched the women. I didn’t watch them any differently than anybody else, including Avery. We were all fucking impressed but she just couldn’t allow me to have that little bit of enjoyment.
Not in the mood to listen to another word come from Avery’s toxic mouth, I left her sitting in her seat with her arms crossed and her jaw cocked to the side, then went to the tavern around the corner to buy another pint of cold beer. After getting one, I walked around the festival grounds for the next hour by myself while enjoying every sip of beer that I took and also enjoying looking at every belly dancer, bar wench, and Lady of the Court that I came across.
Watching my own personal belly dancer now, I smiled. It was like I was getting a redo of that day at the ren-festival but it was happening inside the walls of Candleroom. Here I was in a place of merriment with a good crowd, good drinks and good music. And the best part? I was going to be taking that beautiful blond belly dancer to bed later tonight.
As she continued making her sexy moves, Bash started trying to mimic her, and then the two of them busted out laughing and hugged each other. I laughed too and so did Brooke and Ian. When I looked over my shoulder at them, Brooke smiled and winked at me. I returned her smile and when I looked back at Stevie and Bash, they’d just stepped off the dance floor and were heading back to the table. They dropped down into their seats—both of them breathless and sweating. Little beads of it were sprinkled across Stevie’s nose and cheeks, and also across her chest.
“Well, I have to say that was the best dance I’ve ever had with a woman,” Bash said, holding out his hand toward Stevie. “Doll, I do believe you could make me go straight if I spent a little more time with you.”
We all started laughing again.
“Oh, I’m just kidding,” Bash continued. “But Stevie, you are something else. Where did you learn to belly dance?”
The rest of Brooke’s birthday party group was returning to the table from doing their own dancing and as soon as they sat down, Stevie looked back at Bash and answered his question.
“My mom taught me.”
“Seriously?”
I was just as surprised as Bash and was reminded that I still had so much to learn about Stevie.
“Seriously,” she chuckled. “My mom took lessons when I was a teenager and whenever she practiced at home, I practiced with her. I still practice, too, because it’s such great exercise.”
“Did your mom ever perform anywhere?”
“Only for my dad and me. I don’t know if you’re aware of this but my dad, Steven Sinclair, is a Methodist pastor, so my mom was a closet belly dancer. She kept her wild side a secret because she—we all knew how church members would’ve frowned upon it had they found out.”
Bash nodded in agreement. “So tell me this… Does your mom still belly dance?”
Stevie looked over at me and then turned her attention back to Bash.
“No. She passed away last year from breast cancer at the age of fifty-five.”
“I-I am so sorry, Stevie. Damn.”
Bash’s facial expression had grown as serious as Brooke’s, Ian’s, and everyone else’s sitting at our table. Then Brooke reached over and patted Stevie’s arm.
“Guys, listen,” Stevie said, waving off our concerns. “It’s fine. I’m fine and my dad is fine. It’s part of life. Besides, my mom is still with my dad and me. He and I get signs from her all the time. I don’t know how any of you feel about that but I know it’s real.”
“It is real,” Brooke added. “My mother visits me in my dreams and she also leaves pennies laying in the oddest places to be sure she gets my attention. And her name was Penny, so there you go.”
“That’s amazing!” Stevie said, and then she and Brooke hugged each other.
“Well, I haven’t lost anyone close to me but I do believe spirits can visit us,” Bash said, reaching across the table for Stevie’s hand. She gave it to him and the two of them smiled—one friend to another. “So your dad is who you were named after?” Bash went on to ask.
“Yes. My dad and also Stevie Nicks.”
“I knew it!” Bash said, pointing at my Stevie.
“You knew what?”
“That the queen of rock and roll had to be at least part of the reason behind your name.”
“How long have you been wondering about that?”
“Since the day I met you.”
“Then why didn’t you just ask me?”
