Begging for Hale

by Marie James

  I have just enough time to run home and shower before I’m needed at the club. Fridays are always busy, but there are preparations that have to be made for tomorrow tonight and those are my concerns. The Bangarang set tomorrow will be the first time we’ve had a live band come in and play since we opened. They don’t start until ten, but the groupies will arrive hours before then and they have a huge following thanks to social media. I anticipate a line around the block before the band even starts. One of my tasks tonight is making sure the bouncers are up to speed on head count and procedure so we don’t get shut down by the fire marshal.

  ***

  The club looks amazingly different with the house lights on. The third party cleaning crew I hired has been doing an outstanding job keeping everything clean and polished. They also have spending privileges to fix anything they find is not up to par. Some clubbers can be complete destructive assholes when they drink, and I’ll be damned if graffiti and broken shit keep people from having the highest opinion of my club.

  Johnny, the lead bartender, is already behind the bar doing a quick inventory and checking the numbers against what the bartender had last night. Check and double check. It seems to keep people honest and on their toes. We have a lot of fun here but we also work our asses off. I nod at Johnny and he waves a tatted arm my direction and continues his work.

  I make my way back to my office to go over emails before I hit the floor. I wonder if Ian was thinking about all of this love he’s so fond of talking about when he fucked Lorali on my goddamned desk two months ago. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say no. Fucker.

  By the time I’m finished responding to a million emails and paying a handful of invoices I can hear the pounding of the music and from the sound of it, DJ Chavez has already done sound check and is getting the night started. I wouldn’t change my job for anything in the world but I’m well aware I’ll have hearing aids before too long; the constant pounding of the music is still in my head long after I leave for the night.

  I exit my office and make my way around the club, keeping an eye on party goers as well as staff. We had a problem a few weeks back with on-duty staff drinking, something I’ll not tolerate. My policy is: if you’re on the clock, you better be as sober as a church mouse. Everybody got a warning when the issue came to my attention, and the problem has all but stopped. One certain female thought she had job security simply because she thought she was hotter than everyone else, and continued to drink and I made an example of her. I haven’t observed any more misconduct since she was terminated. I guess they understand now that each every one of them is replaceable.

  The lounge areas are starting to fill up and there are a few brave souls on the dance floor. I’m always grateful for those who dance like no one is watching, because they help the others loosen up and loose people buy drinks, which is where the money is!

  I walk past the bar and Johnny gives me a thumb up to let me know that the numbers from last night match the ones from his count. Excellent! I really lucked out with the staff I’ve hired. Seems that headhunter I hired is actually worth the small fortune I paid for him, as the only problem I’ve had was with Waitress Barbie, and that issue has been resolved.

  I slide in to the DJ booth and make sure Chavez has intentions of playing the new Ed Sheeran single, the girls seem to love that British ginger for some reason, and happy clubbers spend more money. He must have been observing the female club goers reactions to his songs because he already has several scheduled to play over the course of the night. Like I said, that head hunter was worth his weight in gold. At this rate I may be able to start heading out before closing a few nights a week.

  Next, I head to the VIP lounges, we have 3 different ones and they each have a glass wall that separates the group from the rest of the club. It’s still early in the night and only one of the lounges is occupied, the three thousand dollar minimum bottle service has not deterred business in the least, but your high spends don’t show up until the night is in full swing. I greet and shake hands with the semipro baseball player in the lounge, thank him for spending his time with us tonight and move on. I’ve discovered connections in this business are made fast and without much provocation. I’ll remember him and he’ll remember me without me monopolizing his time while here in the club, and from the way the blond on his lap was already rocking her hips against his crotch I didn’t figure he’d be here much longer anyways.

  And so my night goes, making the loop over and over, stopping to talk to patrons and people I’ve met over the years in the club industry. This is my second club, my first club Luminosity sold last year for twice what it was worth on paper because of the clientele that frequented there. I established that club in LA, but was ready to move back home after life in the ultra-fast lane for the past decade. I’m not some nineteen year old punk anymore and I realize the importance of real friends and family.

  I keep looking around for anyone enticing and have yet to find someone worth losing a few hours of sleep over. I’m not conceited, but in this line of work people, men and women alike, practically throw themselves at you, whether it be honest attraction or some model looking for recognition, or even people just too drunk to walk past someone without offering to fuck them. We make sure those people get a cab quickly because the last thing we need is a sexual assault allegation because someone was over-served and made a bad choice. My point is there’s no shortage of willing women in this line of work. Lately though, it seems no one is up to snuff. Oh well maybe tomorrow night.

  Tomorrow night. Fuck. Alexa will be here tomorrow night. I know Ian said go ahead but he doesn’t mean to go ahead and do what I want to do to her, he means give her a shot and see where it leads, which in turn means he’s really saying “no”, that I should leave her alone unless I have more noble intentions. I don’t. My intentions aren’t bad, they just don’t include a happily ever after like his does with Lorali. I sure do miss his “que sera sera” attitude. He was much easier to be around a few months ago when he had the same viewpoint as I do.

  Love. That shit will ruin a bastard quick! No thanks. I’ll stick to my mutually satisfying one night stands, thank you very much!

  I close down the club just like every night since we’ve opened. The routine of it is comforting. Work, home, shower, bed and repeat. Perfect.

  Chapter 3

  Alexa

  I’m actually excited about going to Ampere this evening and not just because Garrett will be there. It’s been ages since I’ve listened to live music and it takes me back to college and all of the bands we used to see at the bar near campus. I don’t know much about Bangarang, I’m not a fan girl or anything but I do know they’re quickly growing in popularity. I’ve heard a few songs of theirs on local stations and I’m excited to see them live before they blow up worldwide.

  My social life has kind of been on hiatus for the past few weeks. Other than stalking Garrett a few times at Ampere I’ve pretty much been at home. I’m leaving out tomorrow for a conference in Los Angeles, so getting out tonight before I spend four days in meetings and in an unfamiliar bed will be just what I need.

  As I’m trying to pick my outfit for tonight, Garrett’s words keep ringing in my ear, Wear something slutty….well, yes sir!

  I opt for a super short black leather skirt and a turquoise, wispy halter top, paired up with sky high stilettos. Maybe this look will turn his head and jump start him into action. The color of the top pops against my natural red hair and adds an edge of mystery to my vibrant green eyes. If this doesn’t work, I may have to just give up.

  I’m contemplating what kind of trouble I want to get into in LA, when I get a text from Lorali saying they’re downstairs.

  “Josie!” I yell grabbing my ID and wallet. “They’re here!”

  Josie comes bounding out of her room in jeans, heels, and a cute top, a smile on her face. I can never get over how excited she gets when we’re going out, something she never does on her own.

  “You excited?�
�� I ask as I slide my coat on. March in Denver is no joke!

  “Yes! I read about a drink online that I want to try tonight!” She’s practically skipping. Only she’d get excited about a new drink rather than the potential to hook up with a fine ass man.

  Which reminds me, “Have you called that hot cop Lorali told me about?” I can see her blush; someone has a crush. About time!

  “No.” She whispers as she walks past to the door.

  We make our way downstairs and into the back of Ian’s SUV. I’m thankful they had to drive across town as it gave the inside time to warm up. Looking slutty at the club is always less fun when you show up with frost bite.

  Ian pulls up to the valet. There’s a long line out front full of shivering people desperately waiting to get inside and the strobe lights are flashing in the sky, drawing even more people in. The sidewalk is pulsing with the beat of the music playing inside. We walk to the bouncer and are immediately let in. I grin when I hear the groan of the other people in line. I know exactly how they feel, not too long ago I also was in the same place as them, waiting and praying I caught the attention of the bouncer and he let me in, but that wasn’t always the case. I’ve had to go back home one hundred percent sober, feet throbbing, never having even seen the inside of the club.

  We step inside and immediately give our coats to the coat check. The atmosphere is addictive and I can’t help but smile and sway my hips, the energy of hundreds of people having fun flowing over me, igniting my own need for a good time.

  We’re quickly ushered to a VIP room, with a great view of the stage. Bangarang is just about to start and the crowd on the dance floor seems to be moving as one unit rather than over a hundred people. The DJ here is phenomenal and pays very close attention to the mood of the room and feeds them what they need. It makes for an excellent club experience, and it’s not a fluke. It’s been amazing each and every time I’ve been here.

  “What can I get for you guys?” The tall, svelte blond waitress asks; her attention more focused on Ian than us three women. Man does she have it all wrong. I can’t help but giggle, Ian does turn heads.

  “You ladies want to start with some shots?” Josie asks. “There are a few I’ve wanted to try!” We nod our heads; we’re down with pretty much whatever. “Please bring us three Alabama Slammers and three Snake Bites!” She requests with more enthusiasm than any one person should about trying new drinks.

  “I’ll have a bottle of water please.” Ian says as he runs his hand down Lorali’s back and grips her ass.

  Here we go again! Cue a night of PDAs.

  We chit chat at the table while waiting for the drinks.

  “You go back to work tomorrow?” I ask Lorali as my eyes scan the bar area below for Garrett.

  “Yep!” She smiles really big “Two weeks away means my desk will be piled high! I’m not looking forward to it all.” Her words contradict the smile on her face as Ian trails his finger up the exposed flesh of her thigh.

  “Sorry,” I respond, knowing she could care less right now what her desk will look like tomorrow.

  She pulls her attention from Ian momentarily. “It really won’t be that bad but it’s always crazy after a long break, and then dealing with my boss who seems to think my personal life is his business!” She rolls her eyes and cuts a glance at Ian, who’s paying no attention to us women while he looks at something on his cell phone.

  Lorali told me about the conversation she had with her boss last month. He’s sure that Ian will ask Lorali to marry him sooner rather than later. From the look on her face and the way she cut her eyes to Ian, I can tell it’s a conversation she’s not had with him. I smirk at her, loving the fact that we’re still close enough to have secrets.

  The waitress shows up with our shots and all three of us take them both almost back to back. I shake my head after the Alabama slammer, never having been a huge fan of Southern Comfort. Ugh. What was Josie thinking?

  I’m gently dancing to the music and talking with Lorali, my back to the VIP entrance. I hear Garrett’s voice and I freeze, a cold wave of shivers run up my spine. “How are you this evening, ladies?” God, his voice is the epitome of sex. I just want to wrap it around me and roll all over in it, like a dog scratching its back on fresh cut grass.

  Even though he startled me, I’m able to regain most of my composure before turning towards him. He’s dressed in a gray suit with a black shirt and bright red tie. I have a quick thought of tugging on his tie and forcing my mouth on his; it passes, just not very quickly. Okay. I always have the urge to kiss him, throw him on the floor, and fuck his brains out; but tonight, I manage a smile.

  “The club is super packed,” Josie says, stating the obvious.

  Garrett nods and reaches around and shakes Ian’s hand.

  “You just making the rounds or do you have the chance to hang out for a bit?” Ian asks, taking a sip of his water.

  “I can hang for a while. The club seems to be running itself these days.” He flags down the waitress and requests a bottle of water.

  Why am I so shy all of a sudden? I’m sure it’s in large part due to the audience we have, but it also has to do with the flirting Garrett and I did yesterday. We had never been so brazen about it before and I thought I felt a shift in him. For some reason, I can’t even look at him, and it has me feeling like a damn school girl with a crush. I don’t get shy, but in this moment it’s exactly what I’m feeling.

  “Ok ladies,” Garrett says to Josie and I. “I hope you guys will make it out in two weeks for the breast cancer benefit and help us raise some money.”

  “Of course we will!” Josie loves to raise money to help others, but she’s naive and never asks questions first.

  I on the other hand have been in this business for a while and this is a club after all and I notice he didn’t direct his energy to Lorali. “And just what does raising money for breast cancer at Ampere entail, Garrett?” I give him a smirk, letting him know he isn’t fooling me.

  He clears his throat, indicating that I caught him. “Well, it’s sort of a competition.” He answers, giving nothing more away.

  “Go on.” My face is more serious now. “What does this competition include?”

  “Well, patrons have the opportunity to place bids.”

  “Just say it Garrett!” We’ll be at this all night if I let him continue on like this.

  He smiles at me, with a challenging look on his face. “It’s a wet t-shirt contest.”

  Josie turns pale as a ghost. “Ummm…I don’t think I can do that.” We all giggle at the look of trepidation on her face.

  “I understand,” Garrett says letting her off the hook. He then turns his gaze to me, daring me to say I won’t.

  I’ll be honest, I have no body issues, no problems with self esteem, I have great tits and I love to help raise money, but the look on Garrett’s face right now makes me want to slap him. If he thinks for one moment that I’d forgo a way to raise money to fight the battle against breast cancer, he has another thing coming.

  I shrug my shoulders. “Sure.”

  “Really?” I think he’s surprised I gave in so fast.

  The shocked look on his face causes my shyness to disappear as fast as it showed up. “Yes, and if you want to see my tits Garrett all you have to do is ask.” I wink at him. “In fact,” I reach down and grab his phone from the table, “I’m going to program my number in your phone, so when you get the urge to see them you can call.”

  I proceed to enter my cell phone number into his phone, all the while enjoying the look of astonishment on his face. He has never met another woman like me!

  The waitress walks up to us. “Is there anything I can get for you guys?” She’s the consummate professional now that Garrett is around, which means she has to be smarter than I had originally thought.

  I grin at her. “Yes! I’d like two Screaming Orgasms. Garrett how about you? A Blow Job maybe?”

  He clears his throat, shifts on his feet, and lea
ns into the table attempting to hide the erection he no doubt just got. “Just a bottle of water for me please.” He gives me a sly smile and shakes his head at me.

  The rest of the night is spent bantering playfully with Garrett and just enjoying being around the whole group. Josie and I were both extremely glad Ian had offered to drive us, because we’re in no condition to drive once we decided to call it a night.

  ***

  I blamed the Southern Comfort in the Alabama Slammers for the horrendous headache I had when I woke up this morning. Packing was turning out to be more of a chore than a prelude to a week out of town in a luxury hotel. The Captain America TSA agent at the airport fed my bad mood, and the icing on the cake was getting to the hotel and discovering that my expensive face cream had ruptured on the plane. Of course I put it in the little plastic bag, so it didn’t make a mess but I can’t use it. I wasn’t going to cut my face up with microscopic shards of glass. Ugh! This is how wrinkles start! I would’ve just turned around and went back home had I not been afraid the plane would fall out of the sky as the big finale to my shit day.

  Meetings start tomorrow morning at nine and I decide to put myself out of my misery and go to bed early, which is exactly what I did after a quick room service meal and an even faster shower.

  ***

  A text alert startles me awake. I thought I put that on silent! It’s after midnight!

  Unknown caller: I can’t wait to see your tits.

  Some random sicko texting me is annoying; texting me and waking me up just pisses me the fuck off!

  Me: You will never see my tits, sicko! Fuck off!

  I roll back over in bed and snuggle back down into the plush comforter. Another alert sounds. I’m going to have to block the number if I plan to get anymore sleep tonight it seems.

  Unknown caller: Ginger Tits?

  There’s only one time in my whole life I’ve ever come across those words before.

  Me: Garrett?

  I programmed my number in his phone and used “Ginger Tits” as my name.