Page 33 of Poles Apart
If he hadn’t already agreed to the set at the club, he would have told him to fuck off in no uncertain terms. But he’d agreed, and he wasn’t one to go back on his word. They had no contract in place, but the offer of £2000 to dance there was a welcome boost to his shrinking bank account.
Jordan was still being paid by the company he’d worked for prior to the accident, but soon, his pay would be reduced, and he wasn’t anywhere near ready to go back to his job. Dom contributed to the mortgage on the flat, but his money wouldn’t last forever.
Competing brought in the accolades but not always the money, especially if he didn’t place. Still, he was damn good—even if he did say so himself—and he hoped to impress Jacob with his dancing as well as pick up some more dancing gigs.
After Abby’s earlier lesson, Jacob had dropped her at Colin’s for the night and would be coming by to pick Dom up later. He was hoping that later that night, they would be able to finish what they’d started last time. They were going out for something light to eat before going on to the club.
Dom wanted to get there early so he could prepare himself and gauge the crowd. If there was anything there he wasn’t comfortable with, he’d need to maybe change his routine.
Jacob picked him up shortly after eight, and he checked in on Jordan before he left. The physio sessions had been helping him, and he was managing his pain better lately.
“Are you sure you’ll be OK?” Dom asked, his concern evident.
“For fuck’s sake, Dom. I’ll be fine. I’ve been better this last week, and if you don’t come home tonight? Well, you deserve some fun, and I’ll be good until the morning.” Jordan nudged him as he walked by.
“Jesus, Jordan.” Dom rolled his eyes at his brother. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” he said as he thrust out his hip to drive his point home. Jordan laughed at his antics.
“Yeah, and I’m a Dutch man’s uncle.” Jordan dropped a kiss to his cheek. “Get out of here. I don’t want to see you until the morning. Be careful around those two tossers, though, yeah?”
“I will and Jacob will be with me, don’t worry.” He tried to assure his brother that it would be fine, but he felt uncomfortable about this whole thing. “Jacob’s waiting, so I’m going to go. We were going to grab a bite, then head off to the club. Let me know if you need anything. I mean it.”
Jordan waved him off, and he went downstairs to Jacob’s waiting car. It had started to rain hard, so he ran and jumped inside the car, shaking his hair.
“Fuck Dom, you’re like a wet dog! This is my best shirt too,” Jacob cried.
Dom looked over at him. From what he could see, Jacob was in black jeans and a form-fitting, blue button-up shirt. He did love it when he wore blue. His eyes changed from light to dark blue in the blink of an eye, and Dom was intrigued by how the colour could change so much. He moved closer to Jacob and shook his head again, laughing at Jacob’s shouts.
“I hope you’re ready for this. Have you been to a gay night at a club before?” Dom wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer to that. He hoped Jacob had never experienced it, the bathroom hook-ups, the gropes and hand jobs in dark corners. He wanted him to have never had those experiences but knew that was his jealousy talking. He should have had those things with him, but circumstances had meant that had never happened for them.
“I’ve been to clubs, mainly on my own, but to be honest, they’re not usually my scene. You should be grateful I’m doing this for you. I wouldn’t go for just anyone, you know.” Jacob had that familiar smirk on his face, and Dom wanted nothing more than to press his lips to his, show him that he thought he was ready for something more with him, but he waited.Later,he told himself.
He ate very little at the restaurant, nerves causing his stomach to churn. They hurried to the club, and this time they were admitted straight away. Dom was nervous, always was before a performance, and he clung to Jacob as they met Toby and Owen at the bar. This time around, it was he who needed the support.
“Dom, so glad you could come.” Toby eyed Dom as he said this. “I see you’ve brought Jared with you.” Dom felt Jacob’s hand tighten around his.
“Yeah, I broughtJacobwith me. He’s my guest for the night.” He looked at Toby, who gave him a disapproving look.
“Well, he can’t go backstage with you. That’s for performers only. We’ve brought in a couple of dancers to back you up, and we’ll need the space.”
Dom wasn’t happy with this at all. If he’d wanted extra dancers, he’d have got his own. “I don’t need back-up dancers. That wasn’t what we agreed on.”
Toby smiled patronisingly at Dom. “Well, we thought—” Dom cut him off.
“I don’t need dancers. You wanted me, you got me. You can put them on a different stage, but it’ll be only me on the main stage. I’m not being a diva about this, but you’re springing this on me now, and I can’t change my routine to incorporate a couple of guys, especially when I don’t know what they dance like.”
Dom started to walk away, still holding Jacob’s hand, but then turned back to face Toby and Owen. “Oh, and Jacobiscoming with me. If he can’t, then you can find yourself another dancer for tonight.” Dom was reluctant to go backstage without Jacob. He felt uncomfortable enough as it was, and he’d promised Jordan he’d stay with him. He wasn’t going back on his promise.
“Oh, er, well... I suppose that’s OK,” Toby said as Dom looked at him, challenging him to say no. Hearing no further arguments, he turned and walked with Jacob to the door next to the stage. He had to admit the stage looked amazing. He’d explained to Toby that he’d be wearing black shorts, and as he wasn’t using his pole, he would be covered in gold paint.
The stage was shrouded in black, the curtains hung as a backdrop and off to each side were two nude, male, gold angel statues, wings still furled but heads bowed, their hands bound in front of them. Dom had to give it to Toby, it was an impressive set, and with a spotlight above each of the statues, the effect was amazing.
As they entered the dressing room, Jacob turned to face him. “Are you ok? You seem a little jittery. Is there anything I can do?”
“I’m a bit edgy around these guys. I don’t know why.” Dom stepped towards Jacob and put his arms around his waist. “I could do with a hug, though. Would you mind?”
Jacob wrapped his arms around his back and pulled him in closer. “Of course I don’t mind. It’s my pleasure.” He squeezed him tighter. “You don’t have to do this, you know. We could go back to my house and chill.”
Tempted though he was, Dom needed to do this both for himself and for Jordan.
