Bringing the Magic

Chapter Ten

"Wait? What?" Ali said with wide eyes.

"I…uh…" Mike stammered slowly.

Before Ali could say anything more, the alarm on her phone started going off.

"I have to go. Can we talk about this later? I think that would be…uh…good. I mean, to talk about it later, when I have more time and you don't have an apartment full of people. Is that okay?" she rambled. It was evident that she was in shock over what he'd said.

Mike nodded. "Of course, its okay," he said to her.

"I'll have a table reserved for y'all tonight; bring the guys. But I have to get going to rehearsals. I'll talk to you later, honey."

Ali kissed him on the cheek and essentially ran out of the bedroom. Mike did not follow her and heard her saying her good-byes to the guys in the rest of the apartment. The next thing her heard was the apartment door closing.

Mike had stumped himself. Somehow, with Ali, he found himself constantly blurting whatever came into his head. It came out like word-vomit that he just couldn't stop. And the worst part of it was: it was always the damn truth.

And in this case, it was still true.

Mike knew that they'd be rushing things. He knew that she'd just been in a relationship, living with a guy, and that hadn't ended well. But he wasn't Jack, never would be, and living with Ali just seemed to make sense.

Yes, they'd both gotten into leases. And yes, their relationship was still new. But he knew he loved her, and she loved him, and why put off the inevitable?

But he also knew that he would go along with anything Ali wanted. If she decided that it was too soon or didn't ever want to live with him, he was going to suck it up and deal with it.

Mike ran a hand through his bedhead and went back into the main room of the apartment to join his friends.

…

"…and then he just blurted it out," Ali said as she stretched.

"He just blurted it out?" Coco asked. "Sounds like he was still drunk."

Ali nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking. It's like instead of knowing what to say, he just said words that he thought I wanted to hear."

"You know…they say that drunk people speak the truth," Jessie said. "I mean, take Nikki for example," Jessie laughed. "I think it's cute that Mike is nervous around you."

"I think it's ridiculous that he's nervous – if that's even what it is," Ali said. "I mean, that's just ridiculous. He's seen me naked…and he's nervous for me to see him hungover?" Ali said as she shook her head. "It doesn't make any sense."

"You're seriously over-thinking this," Nikki said from the other side of the stage. "First of all, the man has zero-taste…but if he wants to buy you a house, you should let him."

"I don't think he was buying me a…"

Nikki held up a hand. "Seriously, you have to take these guys for what they're worth. Eventually, all of them are going to leave; why not have some fun before then?" Nikki said.

Ali rolled her eyes.

"Perhaps you've never had a relationship work because you do that?" Ali said. "Maybe if you weren't just using guys for their money and sex you'd be married with half a dozen kids now?"

Nikki let out a short bark of laughter. "I'm never having kids."

"Nikki, I think you're missing the point of what Ali was saying," Jessie replied.

"You all just have no idea…" Nikki said.

Sean walked in and looked at the group that wasn't rehearsing and cleared his throat. "Shouldn't the lot of you be rehearsing your dances?" Sean asked rhetorically. "Except, you're all chatting."

"Mike asked Ali to move in together," Jessie said.

"You don't have to announce it to the universe," Ali said to the redhead.

Sean put his hands on his hips. "I realize that you all have lives outside of this place, but right now, you're on the clock and I'd like to see you be limbered up and rehearsed."

"Sean's wearing his big-boy pants today," Coco joked. "Are you going to start handing out push-ups?"

"No, but I might," Tess said as she walked onto the stage. Her high-heeled boots clicked on the polished wood of the stage floor. "So we have half a dozen dancers that aren't doing anything."

"What has the two of you in such a foul mood?" Jessie asked.

"You might as well tell them," Sean said.

Tess shot the man a dirty look.

"Darling, they're going to find out eventually," Sean replied.

Tess folded her arms over chest and tapped her foot while she tried to make a decision.

"Fine," Tess said. "We've had some set-backs with the renovations. Our permits have been stuck on the back burner and we aren't certain as to why."

"I'm sorry, Tess," Ali said.

"So, we won't be closing down like we planned, so if any of you have had vacations planned or whatever, you'll have to postpone them," she said while the ladies all groaned in disappointment. "If you have a problem with that, you can come talk to me one by one and the time off will be approved on a case by case basis. Okay? Okay. Now, get to work. Dave!"

"Yes, ma'am?" Dave called from the back of the dance hall.

"Start the music!" Tess said.

"You got it."

Tess stomped off the stage and the ladies got to their rehearsing while Sean watched over the group.

…

"I don't understand why you didn't tell us your woman worked at a burlesque club," Richie said as they walked from Mike's truck to the entrance of the club.

"It's not that I didn't want to, it just…"

"It's not like we're in a place to judge," Tarzan said. "If that's what you were thinking, man."

Mike held the door open and the others walked into the building. He walked in behind them and then led them past the long line of people waiting to pay and get in. Mike stopped at the front desk where Alexis was grinning ear to ear.

"Ahh, Michael and company," Alexis greeted them.

"Looks like a great turnout again tonight, Alexis," Mike said as he leaned on his side of the desk. "These are the guys from back home," he said. "This is Alexis; the gatekeeper to the Burlesque Lounge."

"Welcome to California and welcome to the best view on the Sunset Strip," Alexis said. "Enjoy the show. Your table is ready, sirs."

"Thanks, Alexis," Mike smiled. "Follow me."

Mike led the guys down the hall and then down the flight of stairs into the lounge portion of the building.

"Wow," Tito said as Mike led them to the table. "This is like one of those old-timey places. Does this remind you of your childhood, Tarzan?"

Tarzan threw the younger man a dirty look and slid into the booth.

The contortionists were entertaining the crowd that was filling in the lounge area and Richie was watching with wide eyes. One of the women put her leg up behind her and pulled it over her own shoulder from behind.

"Damn," Richie hissed. "That looks…painful."

The other men all nodded in agreement.

They all waited for the club to finish filling up. Mike was quiet as he continued to think about what had happened earlier in the day with Ali. He'd considered telling her that he'd blurted it on accident – that it was a mistake. He'd also considered telling her that he knew it was crazy, but he wanted it anyway. And the idea of claiming that his hangover was the cause also floated through his brain. Mike still had no idea what he was going to say when he and Ali finally talked about it. He was okay with the fact that she would be too busy to talk tonight while the show was going on and too tired to talk when she was done.

The lights went down about five minutes after their drinks arrived. The stage lit up and Tess walked out, dressed like a ringmaster. She performed her own music, introducing all the ladies, with the exception of Ali.

The next couple performers Mike recognized as Nikki and Jessie. They each did their own things as well. Then after their own acts, a group of ladies came out and performed a dance routine.

After waiting through the first part of the show, the lights went down again and the curtains opened on the stage. The crowd cheered, knowing who was on the stage before they could see her. A spotlight hit Ali, on a chaise lounge in the center of the stage. She started to sing, what Mike recognized as "But I Am a Good Girl." His smile was wide as he watched the woman sing and dance throughout the entire song.

"Is that really her singing?" Ken asked.

Mike smiled and nodded. "Um, yeah, it is."

"Wow."

The guys watched the performance in stunned silence. No one said anything until the curtains closed once more.

"No offense, but what the hell does she need you for, man?" Richie laughed. "She seems like she's got it all covered."

"You've met her – you know she isn't looking for someone to take care of her or someone to boss around. She's just…she's just Ali," Mike said.

"You are soooo far gone, dude," Tito said.

"You're the one having kids," Mike retorted. "And I'm the one who is far gone?" he smiled.

"Ali said you were here and you had brought friends," a voice said behind them. Mike turned. It was Sean approaching the table.

"Guys, this is Sean. He – what exactly do you do here?" Mike said to the man.

"The list of what I don't do is shorter," Sean said.

The guys all went around the table and introduced themselves.

Sean smiled at them all; clearly he was fascinated.

"So…you all used to be…"

"Male entertainers," they answered in unison.

"And you – you're the singer, right?" Sean said to Ken.

Ken nodded slowly. "Well…yes."

"I think I saw your Tide commercial," Sean smiled.

Mike rolled his eyes in amusement; Mike hadn't known Sean long, but he did know that the man liked to flirt.

"Is Tess around? I think the guys should meet…"

"Tess is having a, well, not-so-good day and has declined making nay appearances on the floor tonight," Sean said with a snide tone.

"Is everything okay?" Mike asked.

Sean opened his mouth to say something, then stopped himself. "I'll let Ali talk to you about it later," Sean replied. "Ah, here the beauty is now."

Sean took Ali's hand and kissed it.

"Magnificent show, as always, Ali-cat," Sean said with a flourish and making her blush.

"Thank you, Sean. You know you don't have to do that."

"I do so enjoy watching you blush, though," he said before pinching her cheeks.

"You were awesome," Tito told her. "Have you always been able to sing like that?"

Richie smacked him in the gut. "Well, duh – she wasn't bitten by a radioactive spider or anything and suddenly she could sing. I mean, that didn't happen, did it?"

Ali laughed. "No. One day I just started to sing and it came out like this. I'm a very lucky person."

'You really sound amazing," Ken said, his eyes bright. "Have you taken any lessons or worked with a vocal coach?"

"No, I…I just had a thought. You and I should do a duet tonight!" Ali smiled.

"No, no," Ken said, waving the idea off. "It's your show."

Ali returned the wave. "Nonsense! I passed kindergarten; I can share with others!" Ali said. "Come on – we can get ya all gussied up," she winked at Mike.

"Are you sure?" Ken asked.

"Um, duh," Ali laughed, pulling a full-on Valley-Girl voice for the moment. "I know you want to…" she said holding out her hand for him to take. Ken smiled, stood and took her hand. They disappeared into the back.

"She's the least diva you've ever officially dated, Mikey," Tarzan said. "And that says a lot because with talent like that, she's an actual diva."

"Agreed," Richie said. "Has she said anything about Vegas?"

"You really want her to say no and then you can hate her, right?" Mike said.

"Brooke would have said no."

"She is no Brooke."

"That's for damn sure," Tito replied. "Brooke tried to play all cool and shit, but she actually was just playing. Ali seems like she's the real deal."

"Did she tell you she's from Iowa? I've never met anyone from Iowa before. Well, none that I realized were from Iowa," Mike said.

"You're sounding like a sixteen year old girl and that freaks me out," Richie said. "So when we go to Vegas are you actually going to go? Will you be able to mentally check out and enjoy yourself?" Richie asked.

Before he could press Mike any further, the lights went down once more and all conversation in the room ceased as the curtains on the stage opened up. A spotlight hit Ali and her outfit glittered like a disco ball.

"Come on, Burlesque Lounge, let's give a warm welcome to our very own Ken Doll," Ali announced.

The crowd cheered and Ken strutted out on stage. He'd gotten a makeover from the ladies backstage and he now looked like he'd worked at the lounge for ages. He held the mic up and started singing the Adam Levine lines of Moves Like Jagger.

Ken and Ali performed the song amongst the cheers and applause of the crowd. They looked, and sounded, like they'd been performing together for a lifetime. They definitely had chemistry on stage, but it was Mike that Ali winked at when she was finished with the song.

They took a bow, laughed and hugged like old friends.

…

"I'm going to walk Ali upstairs," Mike said as he pulled into Ali's apartment building's parking lot.

"Mike, I can find my way upstairs," Ali said. "Take everyone back to your apartment," she said. "Have a good night, boys," she said in a flirtatious way.

"Aw, Ali…you aren't going to keep us company and come back to Mike's place with us?"

"No offense, fellas, but sharing one bathroom with five guys doesn't sound like my ideal kind of night," Ali laughed.

"Touche," Ken laughed. "It was an absolute pleasure to share the stage with you tonight, Ali," Ken said.

"Hey, don't be trying to steal my girl from me," Mike smiled.

"I like your friends, Michael," Ali smiled at them. "They all know exactly what to say to make a girl feel gorgeous," she said. "Good night, guys."

Ali smiled and she climbed out of the truck. She closed the door and Mike pulled the keys from the ignition and followed her out of the truck as well. He walked with Ali up to the building and they disappeared inside.

"You know you didn't have to walk me up here," Ali said. "I'm fine."

"I know…I just…everyone really likes you, Ali," Mike said. "Especially me."

Ali laughed while they waited for the elevator. "Well, I'm glad to hear that."

"So…how did Tess like Ken's performance? Should he start preparing himself for a job there?" Mike asked.

"Tess…" Ali said. She no longer wore her smile.

"What's going on?" Mike said. "Sean said that Tess was having a bad day, too."

"She found out today that the permits for the renovation have been…well, they're being held up for some reason. She wasn't able to find out why or how but right now, the club is staying open and all vacations are cancelled. The show must go on."

They walked down to Ali's apartment from the elevator and Ali stooped to pick up a note that was left on her doormat. She didn't recognize the handwriting, but she figured it was just another note from a neighbor saying she had her music too loud. Mike unlocked the door as she opened her note. Reading it, she let out a surprised gasp.

"What?" Mike said. "What is it?"

…

Author's note: here is the latest chapter! Let me know what you thought!