Page 99 of Fighting the Odds

“Have you mentioned these fears to—” She looks around to make sure we’re alone—“your uncle?”

I shake my head.

“This is the dressing room.” I open the door and step inside, heading to my table and set my bag down.. Rummaging through it, I pull out my first outfit, before stepping over to my locker, putting my bag inside. None of the other dancers are in here right now, but I already know how they’re going to be when they see Arizona.

They can be catty when a new girl starts. I experienced it firsthand. Some are still salty toward me, but most of them have warmed up.

“It’s nice, kind of reminds me of the one back at Hell’s Desire. Do you have any extra costumes here?”

“Yeah. Check my locker. So you’re serious about dancing?”

She gives me a wicked grin and winks before moving toward my locker. She opens the door and begins to look through what I have. Arizona stands there for a moment and I watch her in the vanity mirror as I put on my makeup. She holds each item up to her body as she quirks her lip and angles her head from side to side. Finally, she puts everything back, but a plaid skirt and a white button-up crop top.

“I’ve got it. I’ll be right back, gonna let the emcee know what music to play for me.” She lays the outfit over a chair and spins on her heel, practically skipping out the door.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror and let out a sigh. I never thought my life would end up like this at seventeen. Taking my clothes off for income, living a double life. What is turning eighteen going to hold for me? It’s not far off. Will Sam and I still be separated? Unable to see or talk to each other, or will luck be on our side and we get to be together again?

Arizona comes back into the room, pulling me from thoughts. Shit, I still haven’t finished my makeup. A quick glance at my watch puts me into high gear. I’ve got exactly thirty minutes to be dressed and ready to head for the stage.

“Did you get it sorted?”

“That I did. Also, if it’s okay, can I go on before you? I already told him it was, so I hope it is.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I don’t know. I’m thinking you may be next level good and I’ll look like a deer on ice when I do my number.”

“Girl, stop, your boy Cyrus, raved about your dancing. Rico even told us you had a large fan base, but that he's never seen you dance. I’m sure I’m the one who’s going to learn a lesson tonight. Now let’s get dressed so we can watch each other, and then, once we take care of your situation, we’ll have a girls’ night before I leave.”

A girls’ night!

“I’d love that.” I quickly work at finishing my makeup, holding back the tears. It’s been so long since I’ve had a female be genuinely nice to me. Some of the girls here have been, but with Arizona, something feels different.

Once I’m focused, it doesn’t take long to put my face on and get dressed. Arizona takes a little longer, but we spend the time with her telling me stories about her family and how she met her men. I’m eager to meet Jace. He seems like he’d keep me laughing.

“Ready to go?”

“Yeah.” Standing, I take one final look in the mirror, making sure my wig is firmly in place. I’d hate for it to fall off during the first spin on the pole.

There’s a knock at the door, before it opens slightly and a deep male voice speaks. “Everyone dressed?”

I look over and check on Porsche and Candi, who joined us about ten minutes ago.

“Yes, you’re good.”

Bash steps in, followed by Rico and Cyrus.

“There’s my man.” She does a little spin for him, which gets an approving nod.

Cyrus comes over to me and kisses me softly, being careful not to smear my makeup, which garnishes some cat calls from the girls.

“Times a wastin’. I have two girls who need to make it to the stage, especially since we squeezed one in.” Rico taps his wrist with his watch before turning and leaving. Cyrus takes my hand and I follow behind him.

When we make it to the floor, I stand to the side and Arizona makes her way to the stage.

I’m holding my breath, waiting to see her perform, and she doesn’t disappoint. From the first beat of the Britney Spears song she dressed for, to the acrobatic spins she performs on the pole.

This bitch isn’t good, she’s fucking amazing, and I have to go on after her.

Chapter 47

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