Page 12 of Pink Poison

Stomping out from the club, the muggy evening humidity engulfs me, threatening to melt off my full face of makeup. I hasten my steps to the curb while holding my hand out for a cab to take notice. It doesn’t take long before a line of cabs gather when the drivers realize that I’m looking for a ride.

I guess the saying is true, it pays to be pretty.

“Where to, missy?” the driver asks as he leers through his lowered passenger window.

“Mo’s, if that’s not too far for you.” I don’t bother keeping my attention on him. Instead, I thumb through my phone to find my text messages with Teegan to let her know I got the job and that I’m on my way to see her.

“Hop in,” he grunts.

I smirk at his seemingly disinterested tone now that I haven’t given him the attention he thinks he deserves. Opening the door, I cautiously slide onto the backseat. The last thing I want to do is flash this guy and give him a free show. Senior had it right all those years ago when he said if I was so good at what I was doin’, I should get paid for it. My only mistake back then was mixing business and pleasure. Thankfully, once I got out of the city, I was introduced to people who knew how to better handle the job and their personal lives.

Dick is temporary, money is forever. Don’t confuse or conflatethe two.

I learned that lesson quickly, and I’m better for it. Money is what makes the world go ‘round, and the only world that matters ismine. Maybe that makes me a bitch, but I’d rather be a rich bitch than a broke one.

“You gettin’ out?”

Glancing out the window, I take in the dirt kissed parking lot of the place that gave me sanctuary when I needed it most. The neon sign looks dimmer than it did five years ago, but it still shines bright, letting the local deviants know that it’s up and running.

“Thanks for the ride,” I mumble, digging into my bra for the fifty dollar bill I keep tucked in for emergencies.

He takes the money and quickly stuffs it in his pocket before jerking his head to the side. “Yeah, yeah. Get out lady, I got places to be.” I step out of the cab, just as careful as I entered, before slamming the door behind me. The taxi takes off in a rush, kicking up dirt and rocks at my ankles.Dick.

My lips curl upwards as I walk through the doors of Mo’s. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dim neon lighting, but even with the temporary sun blindness, I can tell this place hasn’t changed at all. Inhaling deeply, the familiar stale scent of cigarettes and cheap booze clings to my nostrils. The last five years have been a whirlwind of different bars and clubs throughout the East Coast. While I had fun and accomplished what I set out to do, nothing could keep me from coming back here.Home.

“Barbie.” Mo’s signature rasp shakes me from thought. “I didn’t know you were comin’ back here so soon.”

Sitting at her usual place at the bar is the woman who took a chance on a brokenhearted kid—a fresh college drop-out with not even a single dime to her name. Her hair is more gray than color, and a touch wirier than the last time I saw her. Under her eyes are noticeably darker, along with the wrinkles that kiss the corners of her mouth. Time may have stood still in this building, but it didn’t for her.

“Mama Mo.” I clumsily stumble towards her chair. “I-I’ve missed you so much.” My words come out soft, a lot softer than I meant them to as I wrap my arms around her slim frame.

“I missed you too, Barbie. Teegan’s been bitchin’ for months to have ya moonlight here,” she snorts.

“Stevie Waters, is that you?” Teegan screams from behind me.

I let go of Mo to turn around to see my best friend standing in nothing but a tiny red thong and matching heels with a worn down serving tray in her hand. “Looking as good as ever, Tee.” I smile, spreading my arms for the hug I know is coming.

Her body slams into mine, knocking a puff of air out from my chest before her arms squeeze around my neck. “I’m so fucking happy you’re back, Stevie,” she whispers in my ear before giving me a cheeky peck on the cheek. Quickly, she pulls back to get a good look at my outfit. “Damn, and you upgraded your style. Living up to the Bimbo name, huh?”

“Bimbo is a way of life, not just a name.” I poke my tongue out at her. “Also, I haven’t used that name in years.”

Her cherry red lips tilt in a lopsided smirk. “I’m so fucking proud of you, girl.” My heart settles with her praise. Teegan is more than just my best friend, she’s the reason I am able to stand on both feet. She is everything I want to be and more. Honestly, I consider her my platonic soul mate. I don’tneedanyone else but her. “Are you taking our stage tonight?” she asks.

I shrug a shoulder. “If y’all have the space, I will. I don’t wanna step on anyone’s heels while I’m here.” The best lesson I’ve learned over the years is that respect goes a lot further than toppling people over.

“Shut up. Of course, we have a spot for you.” She loops her arm through mine and leads me towards the crappy locker room. “I have a ton in my locker, take your pick.”

“Thanks, Tee.” I pull our arms in closer. “Come and get me before I go on?”

She playfully bumps her hip against mine before releasing my arm. “You know I will.”

With a shake of my head, I step inside of the locker room and revel in the overpowering waft of potpourri. If I smelled this anywhere else I’d fucking hate—but not here. A dancer can tell a lot by how clean their stations are kept and how it smells. Most small town strip clubs will plug an air freshener in the wall and call it a day. Those places only care about meeting their bottom line, not about their employees. The places that genuinely care will find ways to show their appreciation, no matter how small. Like with Mama Mo, homemade potpourri was always her token to us. She swore up and down with a smile on her face that it made this locker room feel like a home. Who’s home? I have no idea, but it meant something to her, which meant it meant something to us.

I find Teegan’s locker with ease. I mean, it would be hard to miss since it’s still blinged out with her name in red rhinestones. Yanking the door open, her perfectly color coordinated outfits are hung neatly from darkest to lightest. My lips quirk as I quickly swish through the lingerie until I reach several sets of pink outfits with tags still attached.Tee, you sneaky bitch.Immediately, a soft pink babydoll with a matching thong catches my attention. It reminds me of the night Max chased me out of here—the night that changed me down to my roots. As far as revenge fits go, I’dsay this one is perfect. All that’s left is a killer set of heels, and knowing Teegan, she wouldn’t leave those up to chance.

Shuffling through her vast collection, a sleek, pink ribbon reminiscent of a ballet slipper piques my attention. I quickly pull on the fabric, knocking several shoes loose, revealing the most Barbie-esque platforms of my dreams.

I tie the pink ribbon into a perfect bow over my shin before standing from the old bench. With a spin on my heels, I inspect my reflection through the fingerprint smudged floor-length mirror.Goddamn, I look good.The babydoll fits snugly against my breasts, splitting down the cleavage and showing my entire abdomen. Turning to the side, I check out my ass to ensure that the straps of my thong aren’t twisted on my hips. Satisfied with my fit check, I pop my lips together a few times, spreading my signature pink lipstick evenly.

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