The air is so thick with heat and cigarette smoke that the beats from the music keep thumping against my skin. Done with my performance, I walk backstage, my boots clicking on the hardwood. The cloth of the curtain falls back into place, muffling the pleased cheers of my audience.
"Great job up there, Mattie," someone says. I turn my head to see the newest dancer, Al, getting ready to go onstage. I grin in reply.
"Got 'em all warmed up for you," I chuckle, patting him on the shoulder as I walk past. He's tense, which is normal for your first time dancing. God knows I was nervous. I glance around backstage, watching the hectic scene. It was one of those themed nights the owner of the club is always coming up with. Tonight it was cowboys, or something like that. There were latex pairs of boots, vests, thongs, and asslesss chaps strung out everywhere in the dressing rooms.
I sigh and step behind a changing curtain, then start to peel the latex clothes off. They're comfortable to dance in, of course, but they're so hard to take off. Through the thin walls, I can hear the catcalls of the audience. Al must be doing well. Either that or he took off an article of clothing. I smile at the thought, wondering which one it could be. Suddenly, a shadow interrupts the light shining through the thin curtain.
I peek through the cloth. Gil, the owner, is standing there, looking like his usual smug self. I roll my eyes. He's a total prick, but he pays well. So what the hell does he want now? I glance down at my unclothed body, hoping he'd leave soon. "What is it, Gil? I'm changing."
Gil smirks in reply, and holds up a small shopping bag. It takes me a moment to realize that it's the bag with my clothes in it. I feel my face turn red, my blood boil. "Just figured you might want these. Unless you were planning to drive home naked," He laughs, tossing the bag over the top of the curtain. "Not that anyone here would object to that." I dress quickly, then step out to see him grinning at me. God, if he wasn't my boss I'd slap him.
"You're an asshole, you know that?" I growl, pushing past him. I grab my keys out of the bag and step outside. The parking lot is almost full, the business just starting for the club as the night wears on. I check my watch. It's almost eleven. Better get home soon, before my Papa gets pissed. I start walking to my car when I hear Gil call out for me. I turn my head.
"I forgot to mention, tomorrow night is Men's Night. Gotta please the broad audience," he tells me. I sigh and nod. Yay. A bunch of men get to watch me pole dance. It isn't as bad when it's for women, because they don't interest me. But with men...I sigh again and walk to my car. I can hear Gil following me. I wait until I'm at my car to turn around, in case he pisses me off.
"Yes, Gilbert? What is it?" I murmur, looking up at him. The streetlight was making his snow-like hair seem a pale yellow. I try to resist the urge to chuckle at the fact that it makes him look like his brother. He meets my eyes, and has an oddly blood shot look in them. He's probably drunk again. He pulls out a folded up wad of money, holding it out to me. My pay for the night, I assume.
"You got a lot of tips tonight. It was probably those chaps," Gil drawled, his German accent thick. I try to resist the urge to blush. He notices, and smirks. "That outfit made me wonder...what exactly a cowboy like yourself would ride." Now I know my face is red. Our faces are inches apart, so close that I can smell his breath. Peppermint and beer. What the hell? I sigh. He's close enough to punch, but I fight off the want to. He starts to laugh when he notices how red I've gotten.
"My, my...is that a blush I see?" he laughs more, bending over me. I press my back against the car, trying to lean away from him. Just what is this guy thinking? I glare up at him, meeting his crimson eyes with my blue. Gil simply smirks, advancing closer. I freeze, my body tensing up, hand balled into a fist. I'm ready to punch this guy, I think to myself. He finally notices the anger in my eyes and backs away.
"Calm down, Matthew. Only trying to test the endurance of my dancers," Gil smirks. I snarl, pushing him away as I get into my car. I hear him laughing as he walks away. I speed out of the parking lot the second he leaves.