Page 2 of Casino King

I also teach dance at a studio in town, and I had come to see a Friday show a couple of months ago after the mom of one of the kids I teach gave me her tickets when she found out she couldn’t go last minute. I was entranced from beginning to end, and right away, I knew I had to find a way to be up there with those dancers. I wanted to feel as free as they all looked.

And two weeks later, I was.

If I had to give a classification to my solo, it would be something along the lines of a contemporary ballet piece. It’s not ridged like classical ballet, which is what I grew up trained in. Here on this stage, my body is loose and free to move how it desires – how my emotions desire.

Changing my costume for the finale, I wait for the other routines to finish and then get in line with the other girls. We’re dressed in classic show girl costumes with big red feather headpieces, a red sequined bra and panty set, red rhinestone thigh-high wrap-up heels, and a matching rhinestone choker necklace that has long strands of red crystals hanging down our torsos like chandeliers.

After the final curtain falls, I make my way back to my station, and once again find a bouquet of black roses and a jewelry box waiting for me. They always magically appear while I’m on stage for the finale.

Brushing my fingers over the soft, velvety black rose petals, a small smile pulls at my lips. It’s such a fitting color for him. I have a feeling most of what he owns is black.

Opening the jewelry box, I suck in a quick breath at the sight of a diamond bracelet that matches the necklace I got last week.

This is too much. It’s all too much.

Nobodies like me don’t get gifts like this from anonymous sexy strangers for no reason.

Pulling the note from the envelope resting against the flowers, I run my fingers over the script. He has beautiful handwriting. So much so, I know he could seduce a woman with that alone if he wanted to.

Congratulations on your solo. You were mesmerizing.

-A

I need to know his name. I need to know something about him other than either his first or last name begins with and A and he likes to gift black roses and expensive diamonds to a woman he doesn’t know beyond watching her dance.

I go through the routine of changing out of my costume, taking off my show makeup, and throwing my hair up into a bun. With the armor gone, it’s back to reality, and it’s back to the fact that no mystery man would find the real me as fascinating as the one I embody on stage.

Carefully, I place the bouquet of flowers and jewelry in my bag and head out, smiling politely at the dancers still left backstage.

I make my way through the back halls of the casino and out the side door that leads to the parking lot.

Most of the other girls change into party clothes and either head out into the casino to gamble and cozy up to the high rollers at the tables, or go to the casino’s club, Royals, to try and pick up wealthy men who can show them a good time for a night or two.

Never me, though. I don’t even own any going-out clothes. At least not like what the other girls wear.

That’s why I was drawn to this show and why the version of me on stage is never going to be the real me, no matter how much I wish it was. I can’t afford a single costume that I wear, and I work three jobs just to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. But I’d never complain. I teach three dance classes twice a week, I work at a fifties styled diner in town two shifts a week, and then I dance the special Friday night show here at The Aces which also has rehearsals for it twice a week. To be in the show, I had to cut back on a couple diner shifts, but it’s more than worth it for how it makes me feel.

I’m always busy, I’m always tired, and I don’t have any time for a life outside of work, but I love what I do. It’s all I have.

Checking the parking lot to make sure no one’s around, I make my way over to my well-loved little Nissan. I’m always cautious when it’s late and I’m alone, and even more so knowing I have a bag with very expensive jewelry in it.

Getting back to my apartment, I drag my feet to the bathroom for a hot shower before I pass out for the night. My legs are more tired than usual from the extra practicing I had to do this week for my solo, and as I drift off, the only thoughts in my mind are ones of a mysterious man in the shadows who makes me feel like the most beautiful thing in the world when I never have before.

Chapter 2

Tessa

Swiping primer across my lips, I dip my finger into the red glitter pot and press it on top, matching my eyes.

Pursing my lips, I turn my head back and forth to watch the light catch on the glitter before applying my fake lashes and mascara.

My solo is next, so I make sure to put on my diamonds for him to see. My mystery man hasn’t been here for the other numbers, but for some reason, I feel like he’ll miraculously show up for my solo, unable to stay away.

Every night this week, I’ve taken the jewelry out and held them, wishing I knew the man behind them.

Touching the necklace, I give myself a small smile and put on my red sequin tassel skirt and red bikini styled top.

Red always makes me feel sexy, and as I tie my red satin pointe shoes around my ankles, I do a little spin in front of the mirror to make sure they’re tight enough.

---