Page 100 of The Dance

“Yeah, you better, or your boss might fire you,” he teased.

“Just take your shot.” I picked the glass off the green felt and handed it to him.

All eyes were on him as we waited to see if he was going to man up and take the fucking shot. A few seconds later, he tossed the clear liquid down his throat and chased it with a swallow of beer.

I took my shot, and maybe because alcohol was flowing through my veins, I disclosed, “I finally told Stacey that I wasn’t coming home.” It was true, but nothing she really cared about.

One night when I was in my room, watching TV, I thought about her. Okay, I thought about her a lot, and I was stalking her Insta, so I texted her to see how she was.

Me: How’s the tour?

I hadn’t expected her to text back right away—or at all—but she had.

Sexy Dancer: I love it! We’re heading to NYC right now.

Me: That’s awesome.

Sexy Dancer: Spencer texted me she is getting married. I tried playing it off that I was mad you’re in SF. She said you were still there.

Me: Yeah decided to see what the West Coast has to offer for a while. Do you have a show out this way?

Sexy Dancer: Yep! Our last show is in LA.

Me: When is that? Maybe I can come.

Sexy Dancer: October 9th.

Me: I’ll see what I can do.

I wasn’t sure if I could make it work because that was right before Brandon and Spencer were getting married. I was a groomsman, and I knew Brandon would freak if I took off for LA.

“Finally? You’ve known this for a few weeks now,” Brandon stated.

“It’s complicated,” I expressed. Or more that I was lying through my teeth about a woman. I didn’t know why I couldn’t tell them the truth that Stacey and I were never really a thing. Maybe because a part of me hoped after her tour, we could hook back up and maybe really give us a try. I stood from the poker table and walked toward the kitchen with the empty shot glasses. “Actually, I don’t want to talk about it.”

I refilled the six shot glasses. If the guys wanted to be pussies, I wasn’t opposed to taking all six shots myself. At least then, I would forget my troubles.

“Not sure yet. We’re still looking for a space,” Brandon said as I walked back into the room.

“Let me know soon if you can. Allison and I are trying to have a baby,” Ben stated.

I passed out the shots, and they cheered Ben before downing them.

“Congrats, man. I remember those days,” Jason expressed. He and his wife, Becca, were expecting their first child.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love all the sex, but fuck, I’m tired.”

“I feel ya.” Jason chuckled.

“You need to build up your stamina, man,” I half-joked.

“I could help with that. Get you in the gym,” Jay chimed in. “I have no problems keeping up with all the ladies I’m fucking.”

“Jesus, how many women?” Brandon asked.

“There’s a few. Some are …”

“Are what?” Jason probed.