“Sure, when do you want to go?” Vinnie asked as he licked along the glue of the rolling paper to seal his work closed.
“Tomorrow. Today we can get what we need, the cut, scale, sifter, and papers,” Michael answered absently. His mind was in motion, having already moved on to the next step. He turned to Vinnie, “Are you ok with that?”
For Michael, it was a natural progression relying on Vinnie, they worked smoothly together, with never any conflicts. They seemed to always be in sync, picking up where the other left off.
“That’s cool, I wanted to buy some new clothes anyway, now I can kill two birds with one stone,” Vinnie replied in his carefree way.
“I don’t think I’ve told you before, bro, I really appreciate everything you’re doing for us. Which is why I need to tell you something. Just listen to everything I’ve got to say. If you need to change how we, um, hang-out, I would completely understand. A lot of people could be affected.”
It was time for Michael to tell him about the robbery.
“If it’s about the job Paul did, I already know,” Vinnie said casually as he lit the joint and held a deep breath. He leaned back against the antique red velvet couch Sylvia refinished, and held it out for Michael to take.
Michael physically pulled back from the blow of Vinnie’s words. But was even more shocked at the offhanded way he’d said them.
“You know?!” Michael sputtered out.
“Yeah, I know.” Vinnie replied casually. He turned to look at him, “Do you want a hit or not?” Vinnie asked still holding the joint for him.
Michael laughed, “Hell yeah I want it, especially after that.”
Michael took it from him and drew in deeply.
“How did you find out?” Michael asked, holding his breath to keep the smoke from escaping his lungs.
Vinnie let out a long exhale, then answered simply, “Paul told Sylvia, and she told me.”
“I should have known,” Michael said, letting out the smoke he’d been holding.
“Apparently he had the money spread out on the bed when she got home from work one day, and they had sex on it,” Vinnie continued as he took another hit.
The distinct sound of Michael’s chuckle escaped him. Maybe because he was starting to feel the effects of the weed, or maybe it was the visual he had in his mind of Paul, the big kid, playing with his toy, the money.
“And I’ve been thinking,” Michael continued. “We don’t need to do this here. Your family has been good to us, I don’t want to bring anything else around to put them at risk,” as he thought, ‘and because my dick is a fucking beast.’
“You’re right. My parents like you and would never turn you in if they found out. But my mom would give you an ass kicking you’d never forget,” Vinnie smiled that signature boyish way he had when he was up to no good.
“No fucking doubt, I’m afraid of that little fireball,” Michael chuckled.
“Hah! You should be,” Vinnie laughed.
Vinnie’s mom was a passionate Puerto Rican woman. She loved her family fiercely, and would do anything to protect them. She once beat a man with a milk crate who threatened to molest Sylvia. He died a few days later in the hospital.
“Thanks, bro,” Michael returned his laugh, picturing the 5’ woman beating his ass with a wooden spoon.
“No problem, hehe.” Vinnie sat quietly for a few seconds. “Maybe there’s an apartment available in New Paltz at the Colonial Arms. That would be a good place, it’s in the middle of town, and close to everything.”
Michael instantly knew the place Vinnie referred to. He’d gone home with a girl who was visiting there, all the guys had been there one time or another. It was large and always had a lot of people coming and going. They wouldn’t attract attention with visitors. It was perfect.
Sylvia and Paul were fighting a lot more lately. She had every right to. He was in love with his enormous penis, and was an exhibitionist as well. He gave it to anyone who wanted it. But any man would be the same way, given the opportunity.
It would be better for everyone if they moved out.
***
The long, frozen winter was beginning to thaw. The icicles that hung from the trees and houses dripped their long-awaited good-byes, as patches of grass began to peek through the mounds of snow along the roadsides. Spring was coming, bringing with it promises of new beginnings.
“Hey, Natalie, want to take a trip to the city this weekend and go to Studio 54?” Lisa asked her.
They were sitting at their usual table in the lunchroom. Natalie had become even more miserable than she had been pre-Michael. She hated that she was still young, angry at life for taking too long to let her get on with it. She’d attempted to live without Michael, and had even dated a couple of guys. But every night her heart ached for him, and she cried herself to sleep.
“That’s sounds like a great idea,” Natalie answered, actually excited about the idea, excited for something for once in some time.
She’d finally gotten her driver’s license. When Natalie’s dad had taken her to the car lot, he told her, “Go pick one out, any one you want.” She was depressed and in mourning over Michael, and didn’t really care what he got her. She was just happy to be getting the freedom that came along with a vehicle. She would have lied if she didn’t say that fantasies of picking Michael up filled her head, the two of them riding off into the sunset leaving all the shit behind. Natalie walked through the rows of hundreds of cars and settled on a little grey Sunbird. Her father looked at her, surprised that she hadn’t picked out something more extravagant. He wasn’t happy with it. He was afraid that it wasn’t safe enough, and big enough, to protect her if she was ever in an accident. So he walked her over to the Firebirds. They left the lot with a black one, one of the fancy first models that the headlights rose up. Her dad made her buy a bad-ass car. She loved him for that later on.
Although she was still broken-hearted over the loss of what could have been with Michael, a part of her still held tightly to the hope that things would go back to the way it had been between them.
But you can never go back. Too much pain had embedded in her heart, the image of him kissing that woman was as fresh as the morning she’d seen them. He and Paul had moved out, but she still saw him once in a while. When she did, he still acted affectionately towards her, but there was something missing. The undercurrent of longing was gone, replaced by flirtation, and residual pain of that image with the woman. She never told him what she’d seen. She couldn’t. Because she knew that once she said it, it would make it real. It would drop a huge boulder between them that could never be removed, and would drive him away from her completely. She couldn’t lose him, not all the way. She still loved him too much.
“I’ll pick you up,” Natalie told Lisa, the excitement for something new brightening her spirits.
Natalie arrived at Lisa’s house about 9:00 p.m.. They were dressed to kill. After seeing Michael with that slut, Natalie had gone shopping and had bought a new wardrobe. She had on the most provocative little black dress she owned, with the sexiest heels she could stand wearing, Lucite platforms that wrapped around her ankles. She knew she looked good. She’d made up her mind that she was going to have a good time tonight, mostly to get back at Michael. She secretly hoped that Vinnie would tell Michael where she was going. She’d made such a big deal out of it all day, no one could shut her up. Natalie thought he was even a little jealous. Who wouldn’t be? It was Studio freakin’ 54!
There was a line at the door when they arrived at 11:00, but it moved quickly. The infamous bouncers at Studio 54 were true to their reputation, big and intimidating. They didn’t ask for their ID’s, they probably didn’t give a shit. When they walked in, they were overwhelmed. There was the crescent moon that hung over the stage, famous for celebrities like Grace Jones who’d swung from it when she’d performed. The dancefloor was massive, encompassing most of the lower floor. And it was filled with a lot of beautiful people. Natalie and Li
sa found a small bar upstairs. Their jaws dropped when they saw all the bartenders, waiters, and barbacks. All male. All shirtless. All of them cut.
“What can I get you gorgeous ladies,” the bartender crooned to the two young ladies.
There was life after Michael, and Natalie had found it.
“A Screwdriver, please,” Natalie asked almost quietly.
“How about let me give you Sex On The Beach, beautiful,” he asked, smiling at her.
“That sounds good,” Lisa answered him, not affected by him like Natalie was.
Lisa was used to the city.
Heat spread through Natalie with his words. Sex. Memories of what she’d experienced with Michael exploded in her brain and she blushed. The bartender chuckled at her as she nodded, knowing exactly what was going on in her head.
He didn’t make a drink. He performed, while tossing and spinning the bottles around, as he mixed the different liquids in an incredible display. The show was magnificent as his body rippled with his movements. He was hot, but Natalie wasn’t knocked on her ass by him. When he finished the drinks, he placed two glasses in front of them and said, “That will be $18, beautiful.”
That floored Natalie, but she pulled out a $20 and a few ones and set them on the bar, grabbed their drinks, thanked him, and they walked away.
One thing hanging out with Sylvia and Vinnie had taught Natalie, ‘Treat the bartenders good, you never know when you’ll need them.’
“This place is incredible,” Lisa said, as she took the little bar straw between her lips.
“You’ve never been here?” Natalie asked surprised.
“No, I was too young when I left. And none of the people I hung out with came to places like this. We had block parties in my neighborhood. THOSE are a lot of fun, I’ll have to take you to one sometime, Nat, you’ll love it!” she said as her face lit up.
All the sadness Natalie’d been living with the past few weeks began to melt, pushed aside by hope. New possibilities began to bloom inside her. And she was beginning to feel a new sense of excitement. Natalie was sure Lisa had sensed the gloom that had surrounded her, but she couldn’t talk to her about it. Natalie was too ashamed of herself to tell anyone.
The music was a womb, and they were inside it, wrapped in its warmth and energy. They danced, and danced, and didn’t stop.
That’s when Natalie saw him.
He was tall, sinewy, sexy, and he danced as smoothly as he breathed. He went to her, slid his arms around her, and took her into his world. She lost herself in his arms, and everything that had been holding her prisoner. She felt alive again. She felt beautiful and wanted.
Finally, he took her hand and led her off the dancefloor, then leaned her against the wall. His lips lowered to Natalie’s softly, teasing her with his tongue, stroking her lips with it, until he felt her body relax into his, and melt, as her mouth opened to him, welcoming him in. His velvet tongue stroked her as he intoxicated her. When he released her, she was breathless.
“I’m Joe,” he said, his voice a dark caress over her senses.
“Natalie,” she whispered. He had to lean in close to hear as her lips fluttered against the soft skin of his neck and ear.
“Don’t disappear on me, Natalie, I have to see you again.”
He was the remedy that would help heal Natalie’s broken soul.
The crew was at Havanna’s while Natalie and Lisa were indulging themselves in Studio 54.
They were worlds apart.
***
Tonight the guys had pockets full of white magic powder. And everyone was getting sprinkled. Paul made a special trip with Silvio into his office, the same one Michael had fucked Gina’s tits in, and gave him a packet as a present. What else went on behind those closed doors between them, only a fly on the wall knew.
Gina was following Michael around like a lovesick puppy. It was starting to annoy the crap out of him, but a part of him loved it. It was empowering knowing all he had to do was say the words ‘suck it’, and she would drop to her knees and take his cock in her mouth, anywhere and anytime.
Joey was a wild man, he stayed on the floor performing. This was his stage and he was the star. Caught up in the music and attention, he pulled his shirt over his head and threw it across the room. The ladies went wild. This fueled his bawdy display even more, and spurred him on. He unbuttoned his pants and yanked them down, then spun them over his head, before throwing them directly at a woman. Joey laughed raucously, like a man on fire. The crowd pushed back from the dancefloor, packing along the outer perimeters, leaving him alone in the spotlight the DJ had focused on him. It’s Raining Men blared through the sound system, and the ladies shouted for more. Blood raged through Joey’s body, igniting him with a passion he’d never known before. He grabbed the arm of the closest woman, and pulled her onto the dancefloor, then proceeded to dry hump her with his underwear on in every imaginable way possible. The only thing keeping him from getting arrested was the white fabric covering his erection.
This was the first of Joey’s strip-teases.
Michael, Paul, and Vinnie were standing on the sidelines cheering their friend on.
“Can you believe that crazy son-of-a-bitch?!” Michael laughed.
“Yeah, I can, this is exactly who he wants to be,” Vinnie shouted over the clapping of the crowd.
“He’s bouncing around out there like rooster,” Paul joked.
“A damn cock you mean,” Michael added.
“All you beautiful boys should be out there doing the same thing,” Silvio pleaded, coming up behind them and running a hand down each of their backs.
“Are you crazy, Silvio, my ass is not stripping!” Michael laughed incredulously.
“Then just take your shirts off,” he begged playfully.
“Not me,” Michael said, shaking his head.
Paul and Vinnie were already moving to the center of the floor to join Joey, as their hands tore the shirts from their bodies. Women immediately pounced on them, running their greedy hands over their exposed flesh.
“Go get ‘em, boys, The Rooster Club is coming!” Michael shouted.
Joey changed partners. He was pulling Pamela to him, thrusting his pelvis provocatively at her, and teasing her with his hard-on. She clamped it with a solid grip and began grinding herself against him. Joey pumped into her hand as he grabbed hold of her hips and pulled her closer.
Michael looked around the crowd worriedly.
Pamela was married.
He spotted the person he was looking for; her husband, Scott. What he saw almost shocked him, but nothing surprised him anymore. There was a look of lust in Scott’s eyes. He was getting off watching his wife with another man. Michael’s gaze moved down and noticed the bulge in the front of his pants, confirming the look in his eyes.
“Holy shit,” Michael laughed out loud.
Michael was happy for his friends, they were stars, they were wanted, and they thought they were invincible.
***
“What a crazy ass night!” Joey was still blown away from being on stage and performing, exactly where he wanted to be.
They were at the apartment at Colonial Arms sitting on the couch, the only piece of furniture in the room, as the small TV babbled on unnoticed. There were no kitchen table and chairs, no end tables, no lamps to give mood lighting. It was just a box they slept, showered, had sex, and ate in. And cut-up and measured out the drugs.
They had these few pieces of furniture thanks to the sweet old lady upstairs, Mrs. Murphy, who’d immediately taken them under her wing. They had playfully flirted with her, and she adored them instantly.
The door to the only bedroom opened and Paul walked out. Naked.
“Man, put some clothes on,” Michael told him. “That freakin’ anaconda might eat somebody whole.”
“It’s just us, and I like walking around naked, it feels good,” Paul announced, strutting like a peacock in front of them, with his one lone feather proudly on display.
“You guys were the damn The Rooster Club last night,” Michael said, feigning admiration for his boys.
Michael may have been physically present, laughing and joking with his friends on the outside. But inside he was hollow, empty, and aching. He tried to fill the void within him, but it only left him aching even more. So he indulged, trying to forget it. He’d never been a drinker, and he didn’t do drugs, except for the occasional times out with his friends, or smoking a joint at home with someone. But now, at times, he was consumed with the crushing weight of everything happening in his life, he needed it to blot it out. But the sex, the sex was something he couldn’t control. But it was never enough. His friends were relying on him more and more, pulling him further away from that place of peace. He was happy for them, they were getting exactly what they wanted, and he felt responsible for it. Paul felt safe, Joey felt important, but Michael thought Vinnie was being brought along for the ride, kind of like him. Michael and Vinnie were a lot alike in many ways.
“Damn right, do you like my cock?” Paul said in a sing-song voice, waving his penis and gyrating his hips.
He came up to the side of the couch, twisted his hips, and slapped Joey in the face with his thick, long appendage.
The guys burst out laughing at the loud thwacking noise it made when it hit him, almost landing in his eye. Except Joey. He jumped up and stood in front of Paul, his face beet-red.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t do that shit, man!”
“Come on, I was just playing,” Paul said, trying not to laugh.
Michael was trying to control his laughter as well, “Don’t do that shit, bro,” he started, but was losing it again. “Hey Joey, do you know Pamela, one of the chicks you danced with?” he asked, remembering the two of them on the floor.
The color was starting to even out on Joey’s face as he took his seat again. Paul walked into the kitchen, swinging his dick side-to-side as he went. It was so long, the head would poke out on each side as he did.
“Vinnie introduced us,” Joey answered him, still mad.
“How do you know Pam and her husband, Vin?” Michael turned to him.
The Rooster Club Page 12