Page 37 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

LYDIA

“ B achelorette party time!” Tasha cheered from the front seat of the Uber.

The four of us were currently on our way to the Magic Mike themed club, but Josie had no clue that was where we were headed. She still thought we were going to a club for a simple girl’s night out with drinks and dancing. She was going to be extremely surprised.

We all wore our designated sashes that Tasha ordered weeks ago. Tasha did a great job at picking the right ones for each of us.

We all decided to wear black dresses to match, so if anyone saw us on the street, they would clearly know we were at a bachelorette party.

While the girls chatted animately around me, I found myself quietly battling the flood of unwanted memories.

Memories I hadn’t expected to surface but wasn’t exactly shocked to see.

The closer we got to Josie and Wyatt’s wedding, the louder my past came knocking. A past I had no interest in revisiting.

Just like I had during wedding dress shopping, I was going to do everything I could to keep tonight about Josie. It was her bachelorette party, and the last thing she needed was me weighing it down. I planned to bury the past and enjoy the night for her sake.

“You okay?” Josie nudged my arm, eyes filled with concern. I’d been quiet since I slid into the car.

“I’m good. Excited about tonight.” I sent her a smile, praying it didn’t look as fake as it felt.

It probably wasn’t smart to shove all these feelings down and ignore them, but I never said I was smart to begin with. I survived the last twenty-nine years doing so, and more than likely, it wasn’t gonna change anytime soon.

“So, Josie,” Tasha said, turning the conversation away from me. “We have a surprise for you.” She repositioned in her seat, giving us a wide smile.

“You have your scheming smile on. What did you do?” Josie narrowed her eyes at her maid of honor. Tasha’s smile only got bigger.

“We aren’t going to a club.”

“We’re going to jail tonight, aren’t we?” Josie sighed.

“We’re going to see Magic Mike!” Tasha all but yelled as the Uber came to a stop. The driver leaned to the side, as if trying to get away from her and create distance.

“Surprise!” Mila said with jazz hands, making me snort.

“Wait, seriously?” A wide smile appeared on Josie’s face as she looked at each of us. “I’ve heard so much about it!”

“Tasha’s the one who set it all up,” I added, which made Tasha preen.

“Just wait and see.” With that, Tasha opened her door and climbed out. Mirroring Josie’s excited grin, I stepped out of the car, the Uber telling us to have a good night. As soon as we stepped onto the sidewalk, I noticed the line in front of the building, the Magic Mike sign glowing from above.

With my arm hooked with Mila’s, we followed Tasha and Josie to the front door. I couldn’t hold back my smug look as we passed by the line of people waiting to go in. I heard a few complain and say we were cutting, clearly not thrilled.

When we got to the door, all Tasha had to do was say her name and we were in, reminding me of the power behind her surname.

“I always forget how much of a pull you have,” I commented as the door shut behind us.

Tasha sent a smirk over her shoulder. “Pays to have assholes as parents.”

We walked down a simple hallway, the carpet below us a deep red velvet color. The lighting was slightly dark as we came up to another door. Tasha gave her name to the bodyguard that stood in front of it.

“I’ve been dying to come here ever since I saw the movie. I’m so ready to see hot half naked men dance,” Mila said, practically bouncing in her heels as we waited to go through the door.

“Enjoy your time,” the guy said as he opened the door for us to enter. As soon as we stepped through, any feelings and thoughts from before flew out the window. My eyes widened as we slowly walked into the room–dim lights, pulsing music, and a stage that promised trouble.

This place was incredible. In my head, I pictured more of a strip joint with raised platforms and random seats placed with horrible lighting. This was nothing like that.

It was two stories tall with an upper level that held about four rows of seats, staggered in a way that everyone could see the stage directly in the middle.

The floor level, where we currently were, was big and spacious with tables scattered about.

It was definitely more of an intimate vibe than I expected.

The closer we got to the stage, the bigger it got, making me wonder exactly what the performers would do on it. It took up most of the space on the floor level and was big enough to hold a good fifteen people, if not more. Tasha stopped in front of a table right next to the stage.

“This is us.” Tasha swept her hand out as she showed off our table.

“You sure?” Josie asked.

“Yep.” With a bright grin, Tasha took a seat in one of the chairs. The table wasn’t necessarily large, but it comfortably sat all four of us and would be big enough for drinks. I took a seat on the other side of the table, the farthest from the stage, with Mila, letting Josie and Tasha be closer.

No sooner had we sat down did a waiter come by to ask if we wanted something to drink.

The waiter was dressed in a nice button-up shirt and slacks.

The white dress shirt was tighter than normal to show off his muscular arms. He was beyond attractive, and I wondered if you had to be to work here. Probably.

“Four tequila shots to start,” Tasha instantly said. “And a glass of wine for me.”

The waiter turned to the rest of us. “Anything else for you?”

One by one, we ordered before he left with a dazzling smile.

“Wow,” I said, sharing a look with the others. “Even the waiters are nice to look at.”

“What is in the water here?” Mila asked, eyes following all the waiters walking around dressed in the same fashion as ours.

“This place is even better than I thought,” Josie remarked. “How did you even get us seats this close?” she asked Tasha.

“I know a guy.” Tasha shrugged. Before she could elaborate, the waiter came back with our drinks.

“Have a good night, ladies.” He gave us a brief smirk that would make any woman’s panties drop. Were they paid to flirt with the guests? Again, probably.

“I want to propose a toast.” Tasha grabbed her tequila shot and held it up.

“To Josie. My best friend, my sister, the person who has stood by my side, no matter what.” Across from me, both girls shared a smile that told of their long friendship.

“I am so unbelievably happy for you. Tonight is all about you. So, to Josie Scott, soon to be Josie Boone.”

“To Josie.” We lifted our shots, clinking the mini glasses together. I knocked mine back with a grimace. My throat burned as I swallowed.

“God, that stings.” Josie coughed.

“As the guys always say—it puts hair on your chest,” Tasha said around her own cough.

“I think I’m good with no chest hair.” Mila shook her head, taking a big sip of her wine.

“Safe to say the guys don’t know we’re here tonight?” Josie asked a few moments later.

“Nope. But even if Trevor knew, he isn’t my keeper.” Tasha said. There was something to be said about a guy that trusted his girlfriend when she went out and didn’t try to dictate what she did. Thankfully, none of the guys were the type to care if we were here tonight.

We made small talk about the wedding coming up in just a few short weeks before the lights dimmed. The chatter of women, and some men, grew from the anticipation of what was to come. The show was about to start.

Josie turned her chair around to face the stage as Tasha smirked in our direction. Now I knew why she got us a table so close to the stage, and why she wanted Josie to sit near it.

“She’s in for a treat,” Mila whispered next to me.

The sound of heels echoed around the room seconds later. The room quieted down as a woman appeared on stage, a spotlight on her.

“Welcome, ladies and gentleman,” her voice rang out.

“Think I can ask her where she got her outfit?” Tasha leaned over to whisper.

I snickered but silently seconded her question. The woman in front of us was dressed in a pair of black dress slacks, what looked like a pair of Louboutin heels, and a gorgeous black lacy buster. The outfit was sexy, professional, and the perfect fit for the way she needed to command the room.

“Are you ready to have fun tonight?” the woman asked. Everyone cheered in response. “Tonight will be a night that fills all your fantasies.” The way she said it sparked my curiosity.

“Make sure you treat my men well tonight.” She gave the crowd a wink before the lights shut off. Only a few seconds passed before music started playing and figures appeared on stage. Then, the lights turned back on.

I felt my mouth fall open at the sight before me.

Men. Tons of them were dressed in slacks and white button-up shirts, sleeves rolled up as they stood on stage.

Each one was of a different ethnicity, with long or short hair, some clean-shaven, and others with beards.

But the one thing they all all had in common was how freaking attractive they were.

I was pretty sure I looked like every other woman in this place, staring wide-eyed with my mouth damn near hitting the floor. It didn’t help that our table was so close.

The men walked around the stage, smirks on their faces, like they knew they were about to have all these women eating out of the palm of their hands.

I expected them to start stripping immediately but they didn’t.

The music switched and all eight men started to dance.

And not in a way where they were thrusting their hips.

It was a whole routine where they moved with ease, hips moving and hands running down their bodies. It was sensual as it was erotic.

The men owned the stage. Every single one knew how to dance. Perfectly in sync with each other. The teasing smirks they had on their faces was a sign that said they knew they were entertaining us.