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“Why didn’t you call me? Even if I’d left, I would’ve come back for you.” Her forehead creased with concern as she studied me, and I completely relaxed at knowing she wasn’t holding our argument against me. “I get so fucking angry when you let him walk all over you, and that’s why I snapped at you. Probably didn’t help I’d been drinking a lot too.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine, Lou,” she said on a sigh. “I need to learn to bite my tongue sometimes, but nothing makes me more wild than someone treating you like shit. I don’t know why you put up with it. Sure, I understand you love him, but some of the shit he’s said and done would’ve made anyone else leave a long time ago. What did he do this time that made it different?”

I cringed, and she took my hand and gently pulled me to my feet. She laced our fingers together before grabbing my drink. “Let’s sit down, okay? There’s too many people here and it’s hard to talk.”

I nodded, letting her lead me into a darker corner where she slid into a booth and pulled me into her side, wrapping her arm around my shoulders to keep me close so we could talk. I explained most of what had happened with Stanley and his friends, and when I was done, she was scowling.

“He’s such a piece of shit. I can’t believe he’d say shit about your mom like that. Men are pigs. They couldn’t dance for ten-hour shifts in those shoes. They say it’s disgusting, but they have no problem coming in and watching the show. Assholes.”

“I’m really sorry for how he spoke to you tonight,” I murmured, resting my head on her shoulder. “I’m the worst friend in the world for letting it happen.”

She was quiet for a moment before speaking, her voice low. “Tell me the truth. Are you scared of him? You let him have so much control over you. Has he hurt you for not doing as he says before?”

I sat up, frowning. “No. He’s never hit me or anything. I’d never stay with someone who did that.”

“I just wanted to make sure. To be honest, lots of people in domestic violent relationships stay for multiple reasons. It’s not as easy as just walking out or breaking up. Some get stalked and abused more, some end up killed by their partners, and some are so manipulated mentally that they believe they deserve the abuse. I just had to make sure, because if he was hurting you…”

I took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I promise. He’s never hit me.”

“Good. Otherwise, I’d kill him,” she said without hesitation, her eyes serious. “Do you need help getting your stuff? Is it safe there without you? I can call Ryder and Maddox to come and help get it if you want.”

“Dad can take me there tomorrow. Milky kicked Stan and his friends out, so they’re probably all there partying.” I winced at the thought. “I don’t want to deal with them tonight.”

“I know what will cheer you up.” She smirked, getting to her feet. “Let’s dance.”

“I don’t really feel like it.” I snorted but followed her as she tugged me from the booth.

Riley was a good dancer, and she didn’t give a shit about people watching her. She was the complete opposite to me. I much preferred hiding in the corner and watching everyone else have fun.

Wet Dreams was one of the biggest strip clubs in the country. It had multiple stages, private rooms, and a lot of lounge areas for people to sit and drink while getting dances or watching shows. The dance floor was large too, and as much as people thought it was weird to have a dance area for the public when they were supposed to be there watching shows, it was actually really smart.

People loved to dance, and lots of women walked through the doors because of it.

Riley laughed at the look on my face, her arms sliding around my waist as the song switched to“Boyfriend”by Dove Cameron. “Pretend it’s just us here, Lou. Dance with me. Follow my lead.”

I was awkward, having zero rhythm as she swayed her hips to the music and sang along, giving me a wink as she put my thigh between her legs to grind on me. “Relax. You’re overthinking it.”

My face heated when I noticed Angel watching us with amusement from the bar, but Riley ran her fingers through my hair and pulled it gently to get my attention. “Close your eyes and feel, baby. Put your hands on my hips.”

I did as she said, my eyes fluttering closed as I tried to feel her movements and follow them. It was easier without people’s eyes on me, and I became more confident as she helped guide me. I didn’t flinch when her thigh pushed between my legs more, her core grinding on it and making my breath hitch.

She didn’t push for more, she just let me dance against her as sweat beaded on my brow, her lips tickling my ear as she leaned in to speak. “Get yourself off on my leg. I can tell you’re close. Do you think you can come without screaming the club down?”

“No,” I huffed but ground down harder as we danced, the bass pulsing through me as the lights heated my skin. My body was on fire and it buzzed as my release got closer.

“Then scream, because I have no problem letting everyone know what we’re doing,” she teased, her arms going around my neck to stop me escaping. “I love it when you come for me, Lou. It’s the second hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“What’s the first?” I asked, my voice strained.

“The look you gave me when I first slid my fingers into your tight cunt,” she murmured, my pussy clenching around nothing as I came hard. My knees almost gave out, but she kept moving our bodies to prolong it, her voice so quiet against the music that I barely heard her. “Fuck, I’m going to come too.”

My body was screaming at me to stop from being overstimulated, but I bit my lip and tried to keep grinding, her breath suddenly sharp near my ear and she cursed, her body tensing. I slowed, knowing I was panting but not caring.

“Jesus, Riley.”

She chuckled, her heated gaze meeting mine for a moment before she turned me around to draw my back against her chest, moving us as if we didn’t just get each other off in the middle of the dance floor, and snaking her arms around my middle to rest them on my stomach.