Page 12 of Game Changer

Chapter5

Zara

Crush is always quiet on a weekday afternoon. We have pole dancing classes in the morning every day. But afternoons are for cleaning and prep for the night ahead. I sit at the bar doing a little paperwork and watching a couple of the girls practising on stage. It never ceases to amaze me how hard these girls work. Their dance routines are so fast paced and energetic that they practice every day. Not only for the aesthetics of the routine but for their own safety. I still wince to this day when I watch them swinging themselves round those poles.

“Wow Zar.”

The incredulous voice coming from behind me startles me. I turn and find Buckie admiring the club.

“Oh hi. What you doing here? I'm pretty sure I hadn't told you where this place was yet.”

“I went to Gemini to see if you were there, and your manager told me I could find you here. Gave me the address and everything.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I take him in as he stands in front of me. His fair hair swept back from his face and his aviator sunglasses giving him a bit of a bad boy look. The black jeans, black T-shirt and leather biker jacket top it all off.

He puts his backpack down by my feet and takes off his jacket, throwing it down on top of the bag. “Well, I have these, and I wondered if you'd like to go with me.”

He pulls an envelope out of his back pocket and hands it to me. Inside are two tickets and as I read the front of them, I realise they are tickets to the premiere of his new movie.

“Are you serious? You want to take me to your premiere?”

“There's no one else I'd rather go with.”

“What about your parents don't they want to go?”

“Those two are off to France in their camper van soon. They don't tend to like all that high life crap anyway. Mum says the premieres are like a cattle market, everyone vying for a piece of you. She told me in no uncertain terms that I was never to ask her to another one. They are quite happy to get a critic screener and watch it at home.”

I can't quite believe I'm going to get to go to a movie premiere. I love watching them on TV and always wondered what the atmosphere there would be like in real life.

“Well of course I'll go with you Buckie, this is amazing thank you.” I jump down off my stool and hug him.

“You're very welcome, babe.”

Babe. I love it when he calls me that. I untangle myself from him and stand back, sizing him up.

“Is that the only reason you came here? To give me these?”

“No. I actually came to see if you were free today. I have something to show you that I know you’ll get a kick out of.”

“Ooh I'm intrigued. I have a little bit of paperwork to finish but after that I'm free as a bird.”

“Mind if I hang around then? I hope your dancers won't mind me watching.”

“Of course. Do you think they dance to an empty club at night? They won't even know you're here.”

“Cool.” He takes a seat beside me and leans back, pushing his sunglasses up on to his head. Resting his elbows behind him on the bar, he looks casual and relaxed, and I can't help but swoon a little.

As I continue with my paperwork, my mind wanders to thoughts of how stupid I’m being around Buckie. I have a Hollywood actor here in front of me who happens to know every inch of my body in the most intimate way possible. Why don't I allow myself a little fun while he's here? It's not as though I'm attached. I work too hard and too many long hours to even contemplate having a relationship right now.

Before long the dancers have finished their rehearsal set. Blair and Suzie go about packing up all their belongings from the stage. I'm also done with my paperwork and as I gather up all my stuff and close my laptop, I realise Buckie has left my side. I spin my stool round and find him up on the stage admiring the poles.

“Buckie what on earth are you doing up there?”

“Nothing. Just looking. Why? Did you think I was going to put on a striptease for you?”

He walks towards the front of the stage, lifting the hem of his black T-shirt so that I can see his ripped tanned abs. And fuck if that doesn't set off fireworks in my knickers. I know my mouth is hanging open, but there is nothing I can do about that. He's like a figment of my imagination. It's as though I could be watching a re-enactment of Magic Mike.

“Are you trying to replace us?” Blair says swinging her big bag over her shoulder.

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