did do my eyes how I’d done them that morning—without the need for video assistance and four Q-tips instead of ten.
“Holy shit! This place is crowed,” I yelled over the music as Reggie and I made our way to the bar. She was dressed way more revealing than I’d ever attempted. I’m confident, but damn, I didn’t want to get molested. She was definitely rocking her itty-bitty black dress that barely hugged her ass.
I had a feeling it was her rebound outfit, meaning that was the whole purpose of us going out. It wasn’t to celebrate my hard work paying off. We both had motive. The bartender made his way over and Reggie ordered us two shots a piece. Once he brought them back, we downed them simultaneously.
She turned to me, leaning into my ear. “What do you want to drink?”
“You know me. Something fruity.”
“Shoulda known.” She rolled her eyes as she turned signaling for the bartender again. I could barely hear what she was ordering. The only thing I caught her saying was, “Make it strong, handsome.” He smiled back, nodding. Then she turned back to me, giving me a once over.
“Well, I’m glad you listened to me about showing some leg. Even though, I figured it’d be more in the form of a dress, but I’ll take what I can get.”
“Isn’t that how you take it anyways?” I teased her.
“Better than not taking any at all.” She smirked with her sassy tone.
“I’d rather finger rape myself.”
“You can’t rape the willing.”
“Is that your story?” I raised my brows in question.
“And I’m sticking to it.” She winked, and then placed her arms on my shoulders. “I’m so happy for you! I really am.” Reggie congratulated me with a genuine grin even though she hates that place and how I’d been treated. I thanked her before our bartender who had to have been the lead singer of Framing Hanley’s doppelgänger, returned with our drinks. The similarities were distracting and I couldn’t keep myself from staring.
“Here, gorgeous,” the doppelgänger said, sitting our glasses down. I watched the small, metal ring hug his bottom lip as he smiled, then winked . “You ladies have a good time.”
“Oh, we will,” Reggie flirted. She grabbed our drinks, then handed me mine. “Here’s to having a good time and letting loose.” We lightly tapped our glasses together and I pulled the straw to my mouth, tasting my drink. “That drink should definitely do the trick.” I almost choked on the fluid I was trying to swallow. I wasn’t sure if it was caused by her words, or the amount of liquor that was consuming me from that one small sip.
She grabbed my hand and pulled us towards the packed dance floor where the music was pumping. It wasn’t the only thing pumping. The two shots and few sips I had taken were already making their way through me; making me feel light and carefree.
I should go dancing more. I had thought as I swayed my hips to the music throwing my hands in the air once I was done with my drink. Everyone was dancing with everyone, no one being left out of the mix. Reggie grabbed my hands, pulling us closer together as we danced with one another. Some 90s old school music was pounding through the speakers, making it easy to initially let go and feel carefree. Reggie worked her heels like she was born to rock them. She probably came out the womb wearing them.
Even during our weeknight classes, she’d wear heels as she worked her pole. I always teased her about being one gutsy mofo. My luck, I’d break my neck, or chip a tooth. Neither were a risk I was willing to take—especially the latter. I had a phobia about dentists ever since I was a small child. Another thing mommy dearest was responsible for.
I started dancing backwards away from Reggie, shaking my head back and forth to the beat with my hands up in the air.
Then I felt it—a heated presence settling in behind me. It startled me at first and my eyes shot open spotting Reggie watching with a big