Goodbye, Good Girl

by Renee Blossom

  When the song ended, he wanted her to sit on his lap and Kandace complied, but then he started rubbing her legs in all the wrong ways, and his hands navigated to her hips, her ass as Kandace realized he needed education. Fast.

  “Gentle. It hurts if you press,” she told him.

  “Oh, I like it rough,” he said. “It’s fun like that.”

  Kandace got to her feet and put her foot on his balls and pressed—she’d seen April do this before and followed her mentor’s technique. He groaned at first and squirmed, but then he spread his legs out, his expression changed to a pleasurable pain.

  “Would you like me to spank you?” Kandace asked.

  He got excited in a disturbing way. “Oh, would you?”

  “It would be my pleasure,” Kandace said, and she meant that. Popping her head out from behind the curtain, she got the attention of the host, Carmen, and slipped him a twenty from her thigh strap. “I need a whip.”

  He grinned back in a snarky way. “Fresh out.”

  “Chain? Handcuffs?”

  He shook his head. “All in use. Maybe five minutes?”

  “Brass knuckles?”

  He made a face, then laughed. “Good one.”

  A manager appeared and handed a black leather flogger to Kandace, then he turned his attention to Carmen in passing. “Do your fucking job in the future. She tipped you, bitch,” he said, walking away.

  Kandace thanked him, then returned to her customer, who had now stripped down to his white briefs.

  She spanked him, aiming for flabby flesh until he begged her to stop. Did he want something else? No. She felt ready to move on. He got dressed, and she watched. Pushing aside the curtain, she handed the whip to Carmen, and he told her the total cost for the room use. Kandace stood in the doorway, waiting for her customer to fork over the money. He patted his pockets for a pathetic moment, then said, “I must have forgot my wallet in the car. I’ll be right back.”

  Kandace wasn’t about to wait on him, but she didn’t have much choice. “Okay, I’ll wait here.”

  And she did. She waited for two minutes outside the room, while it was in use by dancers and a customer having a lovely time by the sound of things.

  Concluding she wouldn’t see her customer again, she went backstage and sat, staring at herself in the mirror and unsure what she should have done differently.

  April had said to get paid first, but how did that apply to a private room?

  It was too late now.

  Or was it?

  Jay, the only manager’s name she could remember, darted past and Kandace got to her feet and jogged the best she could on three-inch heels. She caught up with him near the stairs to the second floor.

  “Jay… I have an issue.”

  His face contorted, his eyes shifting away. “What’s up?”

  “Customer didn’t pay. He just took off.”

  Jay seemed incredulous. “How many dances?”

  “Ninety minutes in a private room.”

  “You gotta be shitting me. Ninety minutes and you didn’t collect up front?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize,” she said.

  Jay lifted his wrist and spoke. “Carmen, which booth was Autumn in with the non-pay?… Four? Security, find the guy that was in booth four… couple minutes ago… is he in the parking lot? Well, fucking catch him… don’t let him get out.” Jay waited, listening. “Good work. Bring him to the office. I’ll settle up with him.”

  Jay turned toward Kandace. “They caught him,” he said and walked toward the club’s main doors, near the front office location.

  Kandace didn’t know what to do. Should she go back to the floor? She didn’t feel like it. Maybe stick with the stage where she felt comfortable. On returning to backstage, she sat and hoped to occupy her mind elsewhere. 11:30 pm.

  Her thighs and calves were cramping, so she bought a power shake from the vending machine and chugged it, then two bottles of water. She soaked a towel in the bathroom sink and wiped herself down, trying to clear her mind from thinking about fifty things at once. Thoughts and worries felt like mosquitos; uninvited, painful and impossible to get rid of.

  Those pills did wonders and their sudden absence was felt—she hadn’t worried about a thing while dancing on prior nights. She’d only had fun, as though the entire night was a new emotional peak—the top of the rollercoaster again and again.

  Kandace returned to a chair and waited, amusing herself by watching two dancers count cash while rocking out to Becky G’s Break A Sweat with their own spin. It was easy to see these girls were a sisterhood.

  “Autumn.” Jay arrived quick and bent forward, hands on his knees, so his face was close. He tossed a receipt on her leg. “I got you a tip to go with it. Rookie mistake. Just keep in mind, most guys want a half hour, so collect and go for it. If he wants more, then collect before you continue. It protects you and keeps us from having to fight with a customer for your pay.”

  Pulse pounding, sweat seeping, Kandace didn’t know why she felt so strongly.

  Great. Now I’ve done it.

  On her feet, she went back to Curt, on the chance she could get another time slot. She felt she had the stamina to do one more set and end the night on a positive. Curt shook his head as he was directing girls to the main stage. “Go find your guardian stripper. She’s on the second floor, in the VIP rooms.”

  “Thanks,” Kandace said, walking toward the stairs. On the second floor, she danced the glass catwalk—for fun more than anything else, as leering eyes found her from below.

  The host for the VIP rooms, a man Kandace didn’t recognize, stood by the long hallway’s entrance, like an old hotel. She asked him for April.

  The big wooden double doors at number three were closed, but Kandace could hear the chorus behind them when she got close. She pushed the left door open, and April was accompanied by three other dancers, entertaining two men on a sofa in a dimly lit setting. The dancers looked drunk, naked and their guys were mostly shirtless and wearing lipstick.

  Loud rock music played which Kandace didn’t recognize, and that was grating enough. She didn’t feel it. Four girls made her the fifth wheel.

  She turned and walked out, pulling the door closed as she left.

  20

  Kandace arrived at the hotel just after one, two thousand eight hundred twelve dollars better off.

  She got one thing right to fix her mistake: she tipped the DJ one hundred, even though he didn’t always play her music. She tipped Jay and that other manager she couldn’t remember one hundred each. She even went back to Carmen and gave him another one hundred, just for remembering what booth she had been in so she could get paid. And she found the bouncer who chased her non-pay customer in the parking lot, tipping him one hundred as well.

  She turned on the television and ordered food from room service, but didn’t feel right. Shouldn’t she be ecstatic?

  What was wrong with her?

  She had her father’s address. She’d see him tomorrow, right? Clayton was still in Seattle as far as she knew, so she didn’t need to feel like she had to get there now. And while the club was far from perfect, she liked dancing there.

  April swung the hotel door open. “Well, you look… worried. You okay?”

  “I’ll be fine,” Kandace said.

  “Sorry about tonight. I was looking for you when I was heading up to the VIP room. Totally off the hook. But I hear you got to spank a fat tech geek’s ass. Those chances don’t come by every night.”

  Kandace managed a short laugh. “I wouldn’t say he was fat, though.”

  “Kimi said he’d had one too many Big Macs.”

  “Kimi is also anorexic. So, compared to her, yeah, you could say he’s fat. The whip, though, it’s seriously kinky.”

  April dove head first on the opposite bed. “I know! It’s crazy when men pay us to beat the shit out of them. We’d do that for free!”

  When Kandace finished laughing, she said, “I asked Carmen for bra
ss knuckles when he told me I couldn’t have a whip.”

  April slapped the bed. “Now that I’d have paid to watch. For real.”

  Kandace stretched out on the bed, feeling better with April’s company. “So, you survived without our blue friends from home.”

  “Yeah. It’s way less fun though. I can’t flirt with guys that remind me of my lewd uncle Bernie unless I’m high. But hey, did you have the munchies or did you have a group thing going on after work? Because all this looks like the eating disorder special.”

  “Sorry I didn’t order more. Here’s the menu,” Kandace said, tossing the three-ring binder to April. “Did Teddy ever call you back?”

  “Yeah, the Jag’s fleet is all booked. Soonest car is Sunday.”

  “Oh.” Kandace sighed. “Shit, I was afraid of that. Now what?”

  “Have a pity party and throw a tantrum with an expensive bottle of champagne and then go buy a sweet car in the morning?”

  Kandace’s face contorted on its own. “I read that in Cosmopolitan, cheater!”

  “I can’t be all original over here.”

  “Uh huh. So… what car could I buy?”

  April smirked. “Whatever you want. It’s your gift to you.”

  “What do you drive?” Kandace asked.

  “I’ve got an Audi. But that was before I knew I had to pay taxes.”

  Kandace sat there, processing. “Why do you take the bus?”

  “My license is suspended.”

  Kandace grinned. “Worked out, though. That’s how you met me.”

  “True dat,” April said and smiled back.

  Kandace switched off the TV. “Okay, so how fast were you going?”

  “For real or on the ticket?”

  “On the ticket.”

  “Eighty-nine.”

  Kandace’s eyes widened. “Okay, for real?”

  “Maybe one hundred eight.”

  “No wonder. How did you get away with that?”

  April tightened her lips. “Uh. My lawyer. That’s how. Oh, and my car is badass. Audi S5. I can’t fucking afford the insurance, but it’s fast.”

  “I’ve no idea what that is, but it sounds expensive. I was thinking a Jetta.”

  “I can totally see you in a Jetta. Crusin’. Rockin’ it. It’s all you.”

  “Me too. Car dealers aren’t open at two in the morning, though.”

  “You should call Teddy and make arrangements. He can set you up.”

  “I’d better figure this out soon,” Kandace said, grabbing her phone off the bed and starting her Internet search. “Maybe a Jeep? Kyle loves Jeeps.”

  “Girlfriend, get what you want. It’s your car. Thank god the café is open.”

  “Yes. More food. Better be some carbs and chocolate. Or carbs that are deep fried and smothered in chocolate. Or pizza.”

  “Should the pizza be dipped in chocolate?” April asked, tittering while she had the phone to her ear.

  “Just order the entire menu. I’ll eat until morning. Is the club paying for our food too?” Kandace asked.

  “Hey, before you feel overwhelmed with guilt, I’ll spell it out for you. The Palace in a decent month pulls in six hundred fifty thousand in revenue. The margin is thirty-five percent or better.”

  “I like Teddy again. At least he’s taking care of me.”

  “He’s a business man. A good month is north of one million bucks. Out here, Jay would put bodies in the street if they didn’t pull a million every month. So, don’t feel sorry for the club.”

  “That is big,” Kandace said, scrolling through Volkswagen pictures. “There’s a dealership not far. I should just call Teddy and tell him what I want?”

  “Pretty much. Figure out your options, too.”

  “I’m pretty basic. A new car on its own would be so awesome! I can’t wait!”

  “Pretty sexy, I’ll admit.” There was a knock at the door. April opened it for room service. “I am so happy to see you. You have no idea,” she said, letting the server in.

  He smiled and did his job, said thanks when April tipped him.

  “You had a big night, huh?” Kandace asked, biting into a chicken wing.

  “Yeah, I needed it. That VIP party was ass salad. Seriously. Those guys had the girls and me for two hours and tipped us the whole time.” April bit into a turkey burger. “I think we got like four grand in tips, plus the room charge. How’d you make out?”

  Kandace shrugged. “It was a decent night, I guess. Not as good as my others. Strange though, it’s already my fourth night dancing.”

  “For the money, how can you stop? It’s gonna pay for a new car. And it can pay for college. Where else are you gonna find that action?”

  “I know, I know. I just can’t think of myself a stripper. And I can’t imagine telling my family or friends. Ever. But if dancing pays for college, then I won’t be able to keep it a secret forever.”

  “You’ll find it’s way easier to tell other people what you do when you’re in your new car, paid in full.”

  “Can’t believe it, right?” Kandace said, dialing The Palace on her phone. It rang twice before someone answered and she asked for Teddy. She had to leave a message.

  “He’ll call me back soon, I hope. I’m too wired. Too excited,” Kandace said, kicking the bed. “I can’t believe I’m going! Finally!”

  April grinned back. “I’m happy for you.”

  “You’re coming with me, right?”

  Her brow creased. “Where else would I go?”

  “I don’t know. St. Louis?”

  April shook her head. “This time of year, I’ll take LA. Come to think, if you want to visit with your dad awhile, I’m down with that. Hot days on the beach, hot nights at the club!”

  “You are all about the sun.”

  “I get depressed and pouty without it.”

  “Living in Pittsburgh all my life. Total cabin fever.”

  April picked at her food. “I got a question for you.”

  “Okay.”“Why do you worry so much about telling others you’re a dancer?”

  Kandace chewed slowly. “I’m afraid of judgment. Stereotypes.”

  “I guess you don’t have to tell people, but people are bound to notice a difference in you.”

  “I told my mom because I had to and she accepted, but I hated it. And I’ve not seen Dad in almost two years. I don’t think he’ll know my hair is any different, or my tan. He hasn’t seen my clothes.”

  “Okay, but I’ll speak from experience. Girls that keep dancing a secret don’t make it long, because they tend to get paranoid family will find out. Or family does find out and it’s a big problem, serious fall out. Shit goes down.”

  “I know. I should. I’m not ready. And I’m kinda telling myself I won’t dance long, but then, college is four years, so I don’t see how I can possibly pay for school without dancing.” Kandace pushed an empty dish aside.

  “I’m just worried for you, that’s all. Your heart is all in your dad.”

  Kandace nodded. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’d like to say I’m gonna get drunk and have multiple orgasms in a row, but I’ll probably just sleep.”

  Kandace snorted. “I met plenty of guys tonight that would have helped you out.”

  “Yeah. I bet.”

  Teddy’s call woke Kandace at 4:30. In the two-minute conversation, Teddy agreed to wire transfer the money to the car dealership when the bank opened.

  Kandace slept hard, then she showered and slipped on her new print dress. The fit was even better than she remembered. She slipped on her flats and fixed her hair in the bathroom mirror, being extra diligent doing her makeup.

  Her future felt very bright; new car, California, her father, the beach, all in that order.

  And maybe the best part was the element of surprise, because her dad had no idea she was coming to his door.

  Today.

  April was packed and waiting. “We gotta come back. Seriously. Dancing here wil
l get me out of debt.”

  “It’s such a different club than The Palace, though. Is it worth it?”

  “Put it this way… if a bad night out here is twelve hundred… it’s like zip back at home.”

  “Zip? As in nothing?” Kandace asked.

  “Yeah. It happens. There are nights… after tipping out and house fees, hair and makeup, I made pretty much nothing.”

  “I should say thanks more often,” Kandace said, answering the door for the bellboy.

  “Yeah. You can start by tipping him.”

  Kandace smiled when she handed off a twenty and he carried their bags to the ride April had requested.

  “You talked to Teddy, right?” April asked.

  “Yeah. He sent the dealership a payment under my name. I had to convince him that I’ve got the money. I’m hoping for an easy deal,” Kandace said as they pulled away from the strip. Minutes later, they arrived at the Volkswagen dealership. A guy who seemed fresh on Red Bull and out of high school stood at the showroom doors. He held one glass and metal frame open for the girls.

  “Must be nice, having a sugar daddy,” Chad said. He hadn’t introduced himself. The sideways golden name tag stuck to his blue button down gave him away.

  April gave Kandace a sidelong expression—she was holding her tongue and Kandace wished she hadn’t.

  “What do you mean?” Kandace asked.

  “Oh, nothing. Sorry. Talking out my butt,” he said, waving a dismissive hand at the air. “We’ve received full payment for this particular car. Did you have the VIN so we can confirm the vehicle?”

  Kandace showed her phone to him, which had the specs for the car. He typed at the computer several moments, then nodded. His printer whirred to life and produced a stack of papers.

  “It’s nice when things go smoothly.” He slid forms at Kandace, one after the other to sign. Odometer reading. Emissions certification. Warranty disclosure. Temporary tag. DRS report. He explained very briefly what each form had on it and why she had to sign it.

  Kandace felt confused and grown up at the same time, scribbling her signature.

  Chad sat back, bright eyed. “Now that’s done, are you ready to check out your car?”