Page 56 of Collapsed

BJ and I look at each other and then back to Marcela. “Rescue mission,” we say in unison.

We all scramble off our seats and head towards the stairs. As we get to the exit, BJ shouts to Lane at the bar. “Don’t worry, my love! I am off on a quest. Come find me at Katia’s,” she yells out while blowing kiss after kiss as we walk out the door. The girl really does have a flair for the dramatics.

“Uber will be here in one minute,” Marcela says.

Our vehicle pulls up, and we stumble in. The club isn’t far from Reds, so our ride isn’t too long. The club also looks to be really busy, which is a great feeling. Their biggest problem has been trying to schedule so many dancers. They’ve talked about expanding already, and by the looks of the parking lot, it's probably a good idea.

We get out of our Uber and walk arm and arm to the entrance. The bouncer waves us over as he sees us walk up and ushers us right inside. Music blares as we walk to the main stage area. Two dancers are working a pole together at the center of the stage. To the left of the stage, I see her. Katia is making the rounds, checking on guests and dancers to make sure everything is going accordingly. She looks up and sees me watching her. Katia holds up a finger to let us know she’ll be with us shortly.

Turning to talk to Marcela and BJ, I realize they aren’t next to me anymore. They’ve saddled up at the bar. BJ spins on her stool with two drinks in her hands as I walk towards them. She holds one out for me to grab, and I’m relieved when I take a drink to find the proportions are more even. A couple of sips of my drink in, and I feel careful hands wrap around my waist from behind me. The delicacy of her movement lets me know it's Katia. She pulls us together and presses her soft, pillowy lips to the back of my neck. I lean back into her gently.

BJ hops off her stool and declares, “Katia, we’re here to rescue you!” Katia releases her grip on me, walking around until she’s standing in front of me and gives a puzzled expression.

“Rescue?” she questions.

“Yes,” BJ starts in again, “it’s my pre-bachelorette party, and we can’t celebrate properly without our other gal pal.” BJ pulls Katia into a firm hug from the side.

“I’m working, ladies,” Katia tells BJ.

“Not anymore,” BJ says. “I already cleared it with Alexie.” Now, I’m looking at her confused because I haven’t seen Alexie anywhere, though I know he’s here. “Oh, I messaged him on the ride here because I knew Ms. Workaholic over here,” she points her thumb to Katia, “would try to use work as an excuse.”

“ButI amworking,” Katia clarifies.

“We'reworking,” BJ retorts back, “You have the rest of the night off to spend with us now. Come on, bridesmaid, you can’t miss my first pre-bachelorette party.”

Katia caves, “You’re right. I can’t miss it.” BJ squeezes her tighter. “I have a VIP room number three open. Why don’t you head that way, and I’ll get some bottle service set up.” BJ squeals in excitement and thanks Katia before pecking her on the cheek and skipping off towards the hall that has the private rooms.

The three of us make our way to room three, and I immediately recognize it as the one where Katia, King, Alexie, and I had some private time of our own. It looks different now. The walls have neon signs and large mirrors. The ceiling is also covered in mirrors. The floor is cement with black and silver glitter embedded into it. Everything is immaculate and clean. There is a private bar and an elevated stage in the center with a silver pole. BJ climbs clumsily onto the stage, completely ignoring the set of stairs next to her.

BJ gets to her feet and grips one hand on the pole as she walks around it slowly. Marcela has made her way behind the bar and turned on the music. A dance remix of a song I don’t recognize comes on. I might not recognize it, but it sure is catchy. BJ starts to sway to the beat on the stage and lifts her legs up, swinging once around the pole. She slides down to the ground and tosses her hands up in celebration of her move. Katia must have walked in during her dance because she claps her hands and cheers on BJ while walking into the room.

“Katia, get your beautiful booty up here and show me some moves,” BJ commands. “I want to surprise Lane with a few, then I can get a pole installed in our room.” She doesn’t hesitate and gets on the stage with BJ. I move to join Marcela, who’s taken up residence on a green couch. We watch as Katia goes over grips and leg placement with BJ. I’m surprised how well she is doing, given how much alcohol is flowing through our veins. On second thought, maybe that’s skewing my perception of how well she’s doing.Too much thinking, Nat. Back to celebrating.

We’ve all taken turns on the pole and created ‘signature’ moves. Bottle service has kept up the flow of alcohol as laughter seems to drown out the music at times. Suddenly, the door flies open, and we all turn to see Alexie standing in the doorway. He looks at me with one arched eyebrow but then looks back at the stage where BJ is doing her new favorite move of wrapping her legs around the pole and spinning around it while swinging her bright pink hair wildly.

“What a vision,” Alexie declares. “This pink hair is now my favorite.” BJ blushes, almost matching her hair, and tells Alexie to join her. “I have come with a special delivery,” he says. Lane walks through the doorway behind Alexie. BJ hops off the stage and stumbles into Lane.

“Oh, my dearest,” she says as she peppers him with kisses all over his face. “I have some new moves to show you.”

“Then we should leave, so I can see these moves… in private?” Lane suggests.

BJ squeals, turning back to us, “Well, ladies, pre-bachelorette party number one was fun, but I must go. For the next one, I vote we get out of town.” She doesn’t wait for any of us to reply as she yanks Lane by the hand and charges out the door.

“So she wants a pre-bachelorette party but then dips early,” Marcela questions. I shrug my shoulders at her. “Well, I’m going to head out as well. Laura should be home now.”

“Make sure to show her your new signature move,” I tell her. Marcela shakes her head at me. “What? I think she’ll be super impressed by how flexible you are with your legs,” I remind her with a wink.

“Signature moves?” Alexie asks. “I must see this.”

“And I’m out,” Marcela waves as she walks out as well.

Alexie shuts the door after Marcela leaves and turns back to face me with his devilish grin. “I request to see this signature move of yours.” I say nothing but stand from the couch and walk to the stage, making sure that I don’t break eye contact with him. He moves to the couch and takes my vacated place next to Katia.

I step up onto the stage and grip the pole in front of me, using my feet and hands to help me climb higher on the pole. When I’ve reached my spot, I hook one leg around the pole and extend my other out straight. Hooking one arm around the pole and starting to wave the other in the air as I spin around. My body spins around a few times before it slowly slides down. Hitting the ground feet first, I look to see Katia and Alexie staring at me.

The door bursts open with a thud, and a hulking figure takes up the entire space. King stands there staring at me like a feral animal. He stands there for a few moments before walking to the bar and grabbing a bottle of beer. Conrad and Stryker walk through the doorway behind him.

“I thought he wasn’t ever going to move,” Conrad says while looking at me with a smile.

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