by Jaxon, Lynn
“It is time to get our party on! Gage is with his grandparents for the weekend, so I’m going to let loose and have fun.”
Fun has been such a foreign concept for me for the past several years. The first three, while we were dating, weren’t so bad, but the last five have been horrible. I deserve to let my hair down and be a carefree twenty-eight-year-old woman. Hanging out with Katy, Amy, and Jill is always a blast. Frankie hated me spending time with them. As a result, we haven’t had any quality time together since college. Katy had warned me back then that Frankie was not right for me. Boy, was she right.
After much protesting, they drag me into the Show Me Bar, where the main attraction is male dancers. Jill, Amy, and I walk off to find a table, while Katy goes to the bar. When she finally makes her way to our table, she holds a tray loaded with shots.
She hands them out, then shouts, “To freedom and sexy men!”
We all laugh and down the shot, which burns in the best way.
When they told me we were going to watch male dancers, I about died, but now that we’re here, I’m having a blast. The first group of dancers exit the stage to whoops and hollers. They were okay, but didn’t really do anything for me.
When I hear the thrumming of “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi, I jump to my feet and head toward the stage like a woman possessed. This is one of my favorite songs. During college, all four of us used to dance our asses off to it when we’d go clubbing with our fake ID’s. By the time I could legally drink, I was already being controlled by Frankie, but I just hadn’t realized it yet.
“To freedom and sexy men,” we all yell in unison as we dance to the music.
“Holy shit,” I hear Amy say as she nods toward the stage, grabbing my arm. “Look at that sexy specimen staring right at you, Meredith.”
I snort, thinking she’s joking…until I glance to the stage and lock eyes with an Adonis. All I can see is his hard, ripped chest, damp, dark hair peeking out from under a cowboy hat, and emerald green eyes shining from behind the mask covering his face.
“Oh, my god, Meredith. He’s pointing to you,” says Jill. “You need to get that man’s number. Just look what he is packing.” She fans herself. “Those leather pants leave nothing to the imagination. If you don’t go for it, I sure will.”
Katy hands me another shot. “Liquid courage. Don’t let a sister down. He looks like he wants to eat you for dinner.”
“Stop it,” I say, slapping her on the shoulder. “He does not. He’s probably looking at someone behind us.”
I look around, seeing nobody standing behind us. Can he really be looking at me? I feel so exposed, but I’ve never felt more alive or more wanted in my life. His eyes drink me in, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Not once has he broken eye contact. My head spins, but it’s probably from all the drinks the girls have given me.
My heart falls when I hear the MC say, “Get those bills ready, ladies. This is the final dance. Show our cowboys how much you love them. Remember, no touching their masks, but feel free to stick the bills wherever they will fit.”
Amy leans toward my ear so she doesn’t have to shout. “Put your number on some money and slip it into his G-string.”
I suck in a breath. Can I do that? I’ve never been so bold, but there’s something about that man that makes me want to do something wild and crazy. Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab a hundred from my purse and write my number on it.
One by one, the dancers work their way to the front of the stage, giving the ladies time to ogle and place bills in all kinds of places. One woman placed a bill in her cleavage, and the dancer pulled it out with his teeth.
Gross!
He starts strutting my way, not even giving the other women a second glance as they stuff bills into his G-string as he saunters by. When he stops in front of me and leans toward my ear, my heart stops.
“You are gorgeous. I was dancing just for you.”
In my drunken stupor I have a hard time forming words, so I try to swallow past the lump in my throat. “Th… Th… Thank you,” I finally manage to stutter as I shove the bill into his large hands. The zap of electricity that passes between us when our skin touches almost steals my breath. I’m such an idiot. Who places the money into the dancer’s hands? Me, that’s who. Why must I always be so stupid?!
“You did it!” yells Katy as he walks away. “You really did it. I didn’t think you had the lady balls to go through with it.”
“Me, either,” Amy and Jill laugh.
“Ready for the next club?” shouts Amy.
“Hell no! My head is pounding, and I feel like something died in my mouth. I’m never letting you girls take me out drinking again. I’m too old for this shit. I need to go home and sleep this off. I can call an Uber so you three can continue the party without me.”
“But this is to celebrate your freedom from that sleaze. What fun will it be without you?” pouts Jill.
“You don’t need me to celebrate. It’s always a party when you three are around. Have fun. I’m beat. My parents will be bringing Gage home early tomorrow afternoon. I want to sleep in.” I take my phone out to order an Uber.
Looking back at the stage one last time, I see his piercing eyes, full of desire, staring back at me before he walks off. It almost stops me in my tracks. This night feels like a dream.
Several minutes later, my phone alerts me that my Uber has arrived. I say goodbye to the girls and make my way out of the building, wishing this night didn’t have to end, but knowing it must.
The Uber drops me off at home and I walk through the door. It’s so quiet, which is a good thing considering my head feels like there’s a rock band in it. That was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. You only read about things like that happening in a romance novel. In my universe, no sexy man would pick me out of a crowd full of beautiful women, then tell me he was dancing just for me. What the hell was I thinking giving a stranger my number? The truth is, I wasn’t. I was feeling, and he made me feel wanted. This is one memory that will keep me company on all the lonely nights Gage isn’t here to fill the house with laughter.
I send a group text to the girls, letting them know I made it home. Then I stumble up the stairs to my room and fall onto the bed without even changing out of my clothes or removing my makeup. I’m too exhausted to care.
Chapter 3
~Nash~
I will never admit this to Evan, but that was fun, especially when the stunning blonde locked eyes with me. I can’t get her off my mind. I almost fell off the stage when I realized she wrote her phone number on a hundred. She was so cute, blushing when she put it into my hands. She wasn’t like the other women, trying to touch me all over, making me feel like a piece of meat. She made me feel…special. I don’t know how to explain the look in her eyes or the feeling that zapped through me when our hands touched.
I’m startled out of my thoughts when my phone rings. I know who it is even before I pull the phone out of my pocket. “Hi, Evan. How are you feeling?”
“I’ll be feeling a shit ton better if you tell me you made enough for me to pay my tuition this month.”
“I did okay,” I say, smirking.
I hear him growl. “Okay? What do you mean by okay? Did you suck it up? Am I going to lose my job? You better not have fucked this up.”
“Hold your ass. One, I did you a favor. Two, I’m only messing with you. I made more than enough to cover your payment.”
“Spill! How much?”
“How does four hundred and ninety-two dollars sound?”
I hear him suck in a breath. “What the hell? I’ve never made that much in one night. What did you do?”
“I shook my much sexier ass, just like you told me to. Oh, man, there was this one woman who gave me a one hundred dollar tip…along with her phone number. You aren’t getting that, so don’t even ask. I’ll give you some twenties out of my own pocket. She is way too much woman for you.”
“Are you serio
us, asshole? She thinks you are me. I should get her number.”
“She doesn’t know who either of us are. Mask, remember?”
“Are you going to call her?”
“I’m thinking about it. It’s been a long time since someone has made me feel the way she did when our hands touched.”
“Your hands touched?”
“It was so cute. She turned red and put the money into my hands instead of my G-string. The zap of electricity that passed between us almost knocked me on my ass.”
“Wow, Nash. I’ve never heard you so animated about a woman you don’t even know.”
“I’ve never felt this kind of connection before. It was wild. That, alone, made it worth risking my job.”
* * *
I stare at the number written on the bill, contemplating what I want to say.
You are one sexy woman. Let me take you out. That’s lame.
I can’t get you off my mind. Go out with me. Still lame.
I sit and stare at my phone, until it rings in my hand and scares the crap out of me.
“Hello.”
“Nash, you okay?”
“I’m fine, Sean. What’s up?”
“I ran into your brother at the pharmacy this morning. He looked like shit. He told me you danced for him last night. That takes some guts, man. How’d you do it? You’re no spring chicken.”
I chuckle. “Hey, this chicken still has the moves. Those ladies were all over me. It was a night I won’t forget anytime soon.”
“So I hear. Evan mentioned a certain one hundred dollar bill that had one fine blonde attached to it. What’s up with that?”
Sean is my best friend, but I’m not ready to fill him in on Blue Eyes. I don’t need to hear his shit just yet.
“It’s nothing. Just a good tip with a number to go along with it.”
“Well, did you tap that? I mean, come on. She all but gave you an invite by writing her number on the money.”
I don’t even know this girl, but hearing my best friend talk shit has me seeing red. She brings out an unexplained protective streak in me like nothing I’ve ever experienced. “Shut the fuck up, man. When would I have time to tap anything anyway? I have to get ready for kindergarten orientation Monday.
So… Was there a reason you called, or was it just to razz me about dancing last night?”
“It’s Saturday night. I thought you might want to hit up the clubs with me. That new one, Club Electric, opened last week and is all anyone is talking about. Let’s go check it out. I have two VIP passes from one of the partners at my firm who did the legal work for them. It’s his wedding anniversary, and there was no way his wife was going to let him take her to a place like that. He gave the passes to me, and I want to share them with you.”
“I really don’t want to go out. I’m tired. Isn’t there anyone else you can take?”
“You’re my best friend. Who else would I ask? Don’t be a pussy. I’ll be there in an hour to pick you up. Your ass better be dressed and ready to go.”
The line goes dead before I can protest. I’d normally be all about going to a new club, but for some reason, it just doesn’t appeal to me tonight. The thought of strange women hitting on me and trying to get me to take them home just doesn’t sound appealing. I just keep picturing blonde hair, eyes the color of the ocean.
Before I can stop myself, I pull out my phone and her number, sending her a text.
You took my breath away last night, and I’d like to take you out. It’s the least I can do after the more than generous tip you left me.
Who is this?
Shit. She must have been so drunk that she doesn’t remember leaving me her number. Now I feel like a total loser. I look at my phone, seeing the dots of her typing.
OMG! It’s you. The dancer from last night. I’m so embarrassed. I forgot I wrote my number on the money. Please don’t think I do things like that all the time. I’ve never been out to watch male dancers before. I’m so sorry.
Please, don’t apologize. You made my night. What are you doing tonight?
Watching PJ Mask with my son and eating popcorn.
You have a son?
I do. He’s five.
Well, crap. I had hoped I could talk you into meeting me at Club Electric in Biloxi. I’d really like to get to know you.
As much as I’d love to, I can’t. But my son spends Wednesday nights with his father. How about I meet you somewhere for dinner or drinks next Wednesday?
Sounds great. I can’t wait to see you again. By the way, what is your name? :)
Meredith :) Yours?
Nash. My parents love Nashville, so they named me after their favorite city. Can I pick you up, or would you rather meet me somewhere?
Call or text later this week and we can pick a place.
Sounds good. Enjoy the rest of your night.
You, too, Nash.
I can’t wipe the goofy smile off my face. It’s still plastered there even after my shower, when Sean busts into my house without knocking.
“Why aren’t you ready, man? It’s been over an hour.” He looks me up and down. “You’re still ugly, so all that primping did you no good.”
I throw my wet towel at him. “Shut the fuck up. I’ve been busy doing other things. Let me throw on some clothes and we can go.”
Chapter 4
~Meredith~
“Who were you texting that made you smile, Momma? I like it when you smile.”
“It was just a friend. And I like it when you smile, too, baby. You make me smile more than anything else in this world. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Momma. Can we watch one more before I have to take a bath. I promise, I will be good and go right to sleep.”
How can I say no, especially when he bats his big blue eyes. “Just one more, then you will brush your teeth and take a bath. Afterward, we’ll read a bedtime story before lights out.”
Gage jumps into my arms. “You’re the bestest momma in the whole wide world.”
Once Gage is engrossed in the TV, I zone out, thinking about the text conversation, second-guessing myself. Should I meet him for dinner? I don’t know him. What if he’s a psychopath?
Nash… Even his name is sexy. I wonder what his last name is. I forgot to ask him. I purposefully didn’t tell him mine. It’s been all over the news since the divorce. The media sure loves to throw out all the gossip about the casino princess and her philanderer husband. I’d rather he not have any preconceived notions before we meet for the first time. The other night doesn’t count, since he was wearing a mask and I was totally shit-faced. I hate having to drop Gage off at his dad’s house, so this date will be exactly what I need to help take my mind off it.
“Mom… Mom… Mommy!” When I jump, Gage points to the TV. “The show’s over.”
“I’m sorry, baby. Mommy was just thinking. Are you ready for that bath?”
“Yes! Can I take a bubble bath? Nanna got me some more last weekend when I stayed with her and Pop.”
“Of course. Head upstairs and get ready. I will meet you in the bathroom after I turn off the TV and the lights.”
“Don’t forget to lock the doors, Momma.”
“I won’t, sweetheart.” I smile. “Now, go on upstairs and get undressed.”
I hate that he worries about the house being unlocked. His father barged in uninvited one night, drunk, and begged me to take him back. He almost seemed sincere…until he didn’t get his way. Then his ugly side came out. He got loud and shoved me against the wall, while Gage watched from the stairs. I hate that he had to see that. I’ve tried so hard to shield him from the violence. I had thought he was asleep, but his father’s loud voice must have woken him up.
After bathing Gage, tucking him into bed, and reading him a story, I walk into my room, deciding to take my own bath. There’s nothing better than a soak in a tub. Bath bombs are the greatest inventions ever. I slide into the tub and open the Kindle app on my phone, Trust the Push by Kay
lee Ryan coming onto the screen. Only a few more chapters to go. Blaine is one sexy man! He’d sure make my engine purr!
A text message pops up while I’m reading. I smile when I see it’s from Nash.
I wanted to tell you that I’m looking forward to next Wednesday night.
Me, too. Did you end up going to the club?
I’m here now with my best friend, Sean. Even with the music thumping, the floors shaking, and wall-to-wall people, I can’t seem to stop thinking about you. I hope my saying that doesn’t scare you off or anything.
Not at all :) In fact, you’ve made my night.
It’s the truth. Have you thought about where you want to go for dinner? What is your favorite kind of food?
I’m really a simple, cheap date. I love pasta and pizza. My family always went to the fanciest restaurants, and my ex wanted to be seen at the fanciest restaurants, so I rarely, if ever, got to eat pizza. Gage and I are making up for lost time now. Leo’s Wood-Fired Pizza, right here in Ocean Springs, is my favorite. Their ravioli fritti is to die for.
Leo’s it is then. How about seven o’clock? Does that give you enough time to get your son to his dad’s house?
Seven is perfect. I will see you there.
Excellent. Good night, Meredith.
Good night, Nash.
I blow out a breath. I’m in so much trouble. This man is going to make me melt into a pile of goo before we even officially meet. What is it about him that has me feeling so at ease and open?
Nash and I text all week and over the weekend. He is so sweet and funny. I can’t wait to finally meet him in person. We did try to talk on the phone, but he has a summer cold and was coughing so violently, his voice was almost non-existent. I kind of like getting to know him by text. It’s been fun. I think I’m much more open and honest when I text. I don’t feel as self-conscious. Nash is such a stark contrast to Frankie.