“Maybe in redneck Georgia where you are from, but this is Reno. There are some very classy clubs in the area. They may not hire anyone that walks in the door, but you should definitely look at some other options.” He leaned closer and I got the feeling that he didn’t want anyone to hear what he was about to say. “You are aware that most lap dances don’t end with people cumming on you, right?”
“Mr. Carson said that was part of it...” I looked up at the stage as Melinda started her routine. “All of the girls here act like it is perfectly normal.”
“Because they’re not good enough to get hired anywhere else. Look, I love taking that girl behind the curtain.” He motioned to Melinda. “This place is barely a step over actual prostitution. Sometimes it is actual prostitution.”
I looked down at my drink and didn’t respond to what he said. I started feeling rather foolish. It figured that I would be the one person to get stripping wrong. I came in with my naiveté on display and it seemed that I had been taken advantage of. I couldn’t fault Mr. Carson for my mistake, but it definitely wasn’t one I was proud to make. I felt the alcohol really starting to kick in once I finished my second drink. The first one had been so good that I thought a second one was a great idea, but I was realizing that it was another mistake. The happy feeling wore off and I started to feel my eyes getting heavier, although it didn’t feel like I could actually sleep. They were just
heavy in the sockets.
“Are you okay?” He tilted the beer I had abandoned up and drained it.
“No, I don’t think so.” I shook my head back and forth. “I probably should have stopped after the first drink.”
“When was the last time you ate?” He put his empty beer bottle on the counter.
“Breakfast?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise when I realized I had went the entire day without food because I was so nervous about doing my routine on the stage.
“There’s a diner across the street. They have the best greasy food in Reno. Let’s go.” It was more of a command than a request, and I started questioning if it was a good idea to leave with him, but he was halfway to the door before I could react.
“Wait.” My feet felt heavier as well when I started walking.
I had to either follow him out of the club or go back to the dressing room and wait for it to wear off. Cody seemed like a nice enough guy, but I didn’t really know him. I was definitely hungry though, and his mention of food had started making my stomach turn flips. I decided that I was going to have to take a chance, because I didn’t really want to go back to the dressing room after hearing what he said about the club. Everyone had treated me well except the guy I went into the booth with, but after what Cody told me, I was starting to get very angry about the audition I had to do for Mr. Carson.
Chapter 4: Cody
Johanna was an interesting girl. I wanted her in my bed before the end of the night, but I wasn’t sure I could get her there. Based on what she said about the guy she almost married and the small town she grew up in, I was fairly certain she was a virgin. I laughed mentally at the thought of a virgin stripper and then paused when I was outside the club to light a cigarette. It didn’t appear that she had followed me, so I peered back through the door and saw her trying to catch up. She finally made it outside and stumbled slightly when her heel hit an uneven part of the pavement.
“Careful.” I grabbed her by the hips and held her until she got her footing again.
“Thank you. I’m not having much luck with heels lately.” She pulled away and starting walking towards the parking lot. “So where is this diner?”
“Over there.” I pointed across the street as I caught up and passed her. “We can walk if you want, or we can ride.”
“Ride?” She kept pace behind me as I walked.
“Yeah, you ever been on one of these?” I walked up to my motorcycle and threw a leg over the seat.
“Um, no.” She stared at it and her eyes widened.
“Hop on and hold tight.” I reached into the saddle bag and pulled out a second helmet.
“There is no way I would be doing this if I wasn’t drunk.” She took the helmet and awkwardly climbed on the motorcycle behind me.
“All good stories start that way.” I tossed my cigarette, put on my helmet, and let the engine roar before pulling out of my parking space.
It was a quick ride and I didn’t get much speed before we were across the street and in the diner parking lot. She still clung to me like we were going eighty on the freeway, which I found to be rather amusing. I parked and helped her off before we walked into the diner. It wasn’t much to look at, but the food was pretty good. I rarely ate when I wasn’t at home or work, so it had been a while since I had been inside the diner. The last time I was there, it was after one of the few nights when I drank too much and didn’t have anyone to take home with me. We took a table near the window and the waitress brought over coffee. I ordered a burger and fries. She ordered a grilled cheese and tater tots.
“This place reminds me of Waffle House.” She sipped her coffee and immediately added more sugar.
“I can’t say I’ve ever been inside one of those.” I shrugged and lifted my coffee to my lips.
“Think of this place, but with a lot more grease.” She smiled and took another sip of her coffee, which appeared to finally have enough sugar. “You can’t go more than a few miles without seeing one where I’m from.”
We continued to make small talk as we waited on the food to arrive. Johanna started to sober up and she lost the glow of happiness that had been present since her first drink. She also stopped being as conversational as she was, shortening her answers, and appeared to be nervous. Normally, that would have been the point where I realized there was no chance of getting my target spread eagle on my bed. I didn’t want to give up on Johanna, though. She was so beautiful and interesting that she captivated my attention, even when she wasn’t actively involved in the conversation.
“Finally!” Johanna smiled as the food arrived. “This smells delicious.”
“Yes, it has a certain appeal.” I nodded and picked up my burger.