Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Z rested a hand on his shoulder, partially in support but also to temper his anger. They were trying to squeeze more money out of the tightwad so insulting him wasn’t going to help.
Castor glowered. “Do you want two performances or not?”
With a huff, Ansel stood to leave, but Lirim stopped him with a hand. “Two a night and a five-dollar raise or we take our chances with other clubs.”
Tam whipped his head toward Lirim. Shit. They hadn’t discussed such a drastic move before the meeting. Lirim always claimed to like The Vibe whenever the idea for switching venues came up in conversation.
Z held his breath.
Castor studied Lirim, then smiled. “I admire your nerve. Didn’t think you had a backbone, but I guess I was wrong.” He pursed his lips.
Lirim flinched then straightened his shoulders and met Castor’s gaze. “You need us as much as we need you. Do you really want to risk us walking out? If so, say the word.”
Z couldn’t help it. He was impressed. Lirim was usually the hippy-dippy sort, all wispy hair, rainbows and positive vibes but today he came off as the total opposite.
Castor seemed to think so too because finally, after almost thirty minutes of talking, he said, “Okay. Two sets a night and a five-dollar raise, but if any of you miss a performance we go back to our original arrangement and Ansel does the aftershow.” His beady eyes stared at Ansel in challenge.
Everyone there knew that for the threat it was.
Ansel’s “Fine” held no clue as to what he was feeling.
Somehow Castor had managed to twist their own goals around to intimidate them. If they failed, Ansel would pay the price.
* * *
“Lirim, what the hell is taking you so—” Z pushed through the bathroom door and stopped in his tracks.
Lirim rubbed his nose and looked at him with wide eyes. “Nothing.”
“What?”
“I mean, I’m coming. Sorry.”
Z squinted at his friend. He’d been acting strange for weeks, and earlier with Castor Z had never seen Lirim so bold.
“Is everything okay?”
Lirim fixed his topknot before heading for the door. “I’m fine, let’s get back to rehearsal.”
Z grabbed his arm and looked into his friend’s eyes. His pupils were dilated and bloodshot. “Are you high?”
Pulling out of his hold, Lirim pressed his lips tightly together in a grimace.
“Damn it, Lirim. It’s the middle of the day.”
“So?”
“So maybe you shouldn’t be sneaking into the bathroom during rehearsal to get wasted.”
“You sound like my mother. No, wait a minute, I never had a mother. Still don’t, so fuck you.”
Z held up his hands. “Chill, man. What happened to the laid-back guy we all love?”
Lirim reached for the door handle. “He got kicked in the stomach one too many times.” Then he pulled the door open and walked into the hall.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Did something happen?”
“Leave it alone, Z. I’m fine.”
He was about to disagree but they’d made their way back to the stage, and Ansel and Tam were looking at them. Something was off with Lirim, but he didn’t think the others needed to be involved. Not yet. He’d just keep an eye on him for now.
“Okay?” Tam asked, as they climbed the stairs.
“Yup, let’s go,” Lirim answered.
“We’ll take it from the top.” Tam started the music.
Gaga’s voice speaking the opening to “Donatella” filtered through the worn speakers. Ansel took his place center stage and mimed his solo. As soon as the beat started the rest of them walked forward and began dancing the bit they’d already learned. This routine was pretty damn theatrical. It suited the singer’s style perfectly.
Once they got through the first chorus, Z, Lirim and Ansel stepped off to the side to watch Tam perform the rest alone.
He hit beats, flipped his hair, worked the music, and when the bridge started he slid to the floor and did a sexy sequence of moves. As soon as the music shifted though, he was back on his feet ready for the next verse. Z tried his best to retain everything Tam did, but he moved so quickly most of it was gone before the next count even started.
When the song ended Tam looked at them in expectation. “What do you think?”
“Stunning, as always.”
“Thanks. So, the second verse starts like this.” Tam proceeded to run through the bit he’d just danced at half speed without music while Z, Lirim and Ansel followed along.
By now, they were all pretty good about picking up Tam’s steps after one or two run-throughs and today was no different. Sweat dripped down Z’s face, but he ignored it because part of him enjoyed the exertion, the way his muscles burned. Plus, the endorphin high was pretty fucking amazing.
Why the hell did Lirim need more than that anyway? They’d only been rehearsing for forty minutes and Z was pumped full of adrenaline and happy feels.