Show Off, page 3
She’d always assumed that her time at Seraph’s was her own personal special place that no one in the rest of her life knew about. Willow had never mentioned her hen’s night again, something Elle was thankful for, because she knew she’d blush and that would open up all manner of questions. That first time with Charlie had been exactly what she’d needed to give her hope for a better future. And look at her now. Pride settled over her; she’d come a long way since Willow’s hen’s night. She’d created the life she’d wanted, and yes, some of that was thanks to Charlie. She ought to thank her for being the positive moments she’d needed. No, she couldn’t say that without it being awkward.
Violet Alegría—Yolande—bowed to the audience who clapped and whistled their appreciation, and then just as the curtains began to close, Charlie walked out on stage. She’d put her headdress back on. Warmth filled Elle’s torso with a little prickle of hot anticipation, as Charlie smiled at the audience.
“Let’s give another big thank you to Violet Alegría. Isn’t she wonderful?” Charlie strutted back and forth in front of the curtains, each stride emphasising her long legs under her sparkly blue dress. “Who wants to see a bit of this?” Charlie slid her dress up her thigh, and the room filled with noise. Elle raised up her glass and grinned.
“Tonight’s dance is for someone special. For a good friend of mine who loves champagne.” Charlie dipped her head with an exaggerated wink in her direction and Elle tried not to hide.
Surely the audience wouldn’t stare at her, she was one of several people leaning on the bar, so Charlie could be referring to anyone in her vicinity. The music changed, flowing effortlessly into Quavo’s Champagne Rose, and Charlie began to dance, rolling her hips to the slow hip hop beats. Elle stopped caring who was looking at her because she only had eyes for Charlie. Charlie, who taunted her by tracing her gloved hand down her leg, in the same path as the champagne had flowed that first night years ago. She stood on one leg, holding her other out in front of her, and reached down to touch her toes. A flash of bright red nail polish caught the light above, and Elle gulped. Charlie wore impossibly high open toed stilettos, and the shoes had a fragile look with thin blue straps holding them to Charlie’s feet. How she could balance on one of them was a mystery to Elle.
Elle had learned early in life to embrace her geeky side. She’d always been the last to be selected for any type of sport at school and she didn’t blame anyone for that. Being able to catch a ball wasn’t something she’d ever excelled at, and her balance wasn’t great either. A warm admiration filled her chest as she watched Charlie move her body with elegance and a certain free spirit that Elle would never have. Knowing that Charlie willingly shared her glorious body with Elle made it even better.
Could they pick up where they’d left off?
Chapter 2
Charlie winked at the audience. It’d been months since they’d opened the doors of Seraph’s to the public again and she loved being up here—mostly. She plastered a wide grin on her face and bounced from hip hop into an old school Charleston as the music changed on cue. Burlesque was her dream job. Ever since she’d discovered it as a teenager, it’d been all she’d ever wanted to do. And she’d done it successfully for years before the fucking pandemic changed everything. She almost missed the next step in her routine, wobbling slightly on her heels, before she shoved that thought away where it belonged. Discarded forever, like the shitty time it’d been. Charlie was a performer—born and bred—having been on stage and film since before she could walk. This was her dream job.
She refused to let her smile slip as she went through the motions of her routine. When she pulled the huge feathers from her head and used them as a fan, she tried not to ponder why the applause from the audience didn’t hit the same way as it used to. Charlie lifted her chin, keeping her spine straight and shook her tits. She was too much of a professional performer to let anyone know her feelings. When she undid her bra and used her fans to tease the audience before they got the final glimpse of her fucking incredible fit body, she waited for the crowd to cheer her. The noise always filled her with joy. One last shimmy and a bow, then she let the curtain fall in front of her. Her grin slipped and she sucked in a deep breath. Shit, maybe she wasn’t as fit as she thought she was. She had worked bloody hard on regaining her fitness and still her chest pounded as she walked off stage. She had precisely fifteen seconds to compose herself before the curtain opened again and she needed to introduce Dan and his hula hoop act.
Charlie put the feathered fans on a chair and peeked through the curtains. It wasn’t really the done thing, but she really needed to get some energy from this crowd.
“Hello everyone.” Charlie stepped through the curtain and Ben opened them up. “Wasn’t that dancer just wonderful?” The crowd laughed. “I know, I know. I’m pretty great. Before I introduce our next dancer, make sure you donate to the NHS Charities before you leave tonight.” She paused and gestured to the bar, loving the way a bunch of the audience sheepishly turned to the bar, then spun in their chairs to stare at her again.
“Tell me. What’s the hardest thing about joining the circus?” Charlie didn’t wait for an answer. “They make you jump through all sorts of hoops first.” A few people chuckled. “Yeah, I know, it’s not the best hula hoop joke. Maybe you have to be in the right social circle to get it.” More people laughed and she bowed. “Hands up who learned a new hobby during the fucking lockdowns?”
“Fucking useless government.” Someone in the audience jeered; there was always some loud mouth. He had a point. Obviously the lockdowns sucked, but opening up too soon had only resulted in more harm. She’d rather think about new hobbies; like Dan and his hula hoops.
“Anyone? No? Our next act thought about running away to the circus when he was a kid, but it wasn’t until the lockdown happened that he finally decided to pick up a few tricks. Please welcome Dan Dan the Hoop Man to the stage.” She stepped to the side of the stage and waved her hand. Dan walked onto stage wearing his signature Union Jack sparkly hot pants. He didn’t bother with a shirt, only wearing suspenders clipped to his hot pants.
“Aren’t his boots amazing? I wish I could balance on heels that high.” Charlie waggled her own foot to the audience and a few people laughed. “Anyway, to Dan! Give him and his hoops a huge cheer.”
“One hoop. What kind of crappy show is this?” The man stood up and then yelled a slur at Dan.
Charlie sneered at him. “None of that, mister. Seraph’s is an inclusive show.”
“Jealousy just spurs us on to greater things.” Dan circled his sole hoop on his arm in the most basic of tricks, while Walter escorted the man from the floor. Most of the audience clapped in support of his removal. Once he was gone, Charlie traced her hand down her side and slapped her own hip.
“Speaking of greater things, who is ready for some hula hoop action?” The crowd cheered and she let the glow fill up her happiness well again. Yes, this really was her dream job. Ben, their IT specialist and stage technician, changed the music to Dan’s chosen tune and she walked backwards off the stage to watch from the wings. Dan began with only one hoop, twisting his body through the hoop as it spun around his limbs, then his waist. Slowly he picked up another hoop, then another, until he was spinning several hoops along his arms and around his waist. Charlie grinned as he did her favourite trick; spinning hoops at different speeds to create an incredible optical illusion. The spontaneous applause from the crowd was great; Dan deserved every accolade for this act. Even though she’d seen it once a week for the last six months, it was still amazing to her that he’d never touched a hula hoop before... before.
After a couple more acts, Charlie got an update on their charitable donations for the evening and when she announced the figure, the crowd’s applause was the loudest of the night.
“Come on, you can all do more. If you have enough money to come out and enjoy everything Seraph’s has to offer, you can spare a bit more change for those who need it.” It was this part of the night that she loved the most, when the audience was a bit tipsy and they started to lose their inhibitions and interact with the performers. She always saved up the new performers for this part of the evening because they were guaranteed to get a positive reaction from the crowd and that would give them confidence for the next time they got up on stage.
A couple of hours later, the audience started to filter out and go home, and she’d avoided talking to Elle for long enough. Why did part of her hope that she’d already left? They’d always been good together, one of Charlie’s favourite hook ups, but as much as she didn’t want to admit it to herself, she’d changed since then.
“You were fantastic.” Elle’s praise fell flat; much like everything since before. What was wrong with her?
“Thanks.”
Elle brushed her finger between Charlie’s eyebrows. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Charlie schooled her features into a neutral expression. All those years of acting classes were worth it for moments like this when she wasn’t ready to discuss feelings with a hook up. They’d never had that type of relationship, and Charlie wasn’t keen to figure out if Elle wanted the same or something different.
“Sure.”
“It’s nothing much. I just feel a bit off.”
“Are you getting sick?” Elle asked and Charlie shook her head.
“Fuck no. No.”
“Okay. Sorry.”
Charlie cleared her throat and Elle gave her such a side-eyed glance, that she couldn’t help but laugh. That’s why Elle was one of her favourite hook ups; because she always made her laugh even when she didn’t much feel like it. “Want a drink?”
“I shouldn’t, but someone I know once said that unwise decisions often resulted in fun, so yeah, I’ll have a drink.”
The familiar glow that Charlie usually got from an adoring audience came now, as Elle quoted her back to herself. “Ha. Funny.”
Elle walked towards the bar, leaving Charlie to catch up. She wrapped her thin overcoat around her, suddenly wishing that she’d thrown on something more than the chiffon coat before embarking on her usual chit chat with the crowd who lingered for another drink or two after the show. Elle leaned forward on the bar and her skirt pulled tight across her round backside. She hadn’t changed much since Charlie had last seen her; still had the same perfectly plump arse and soft limbs. Her rounded stomach and hips filled Charlie’s hands whenever she was lucky enough to touch her. Charlie was tempted to rest her hand on Elle’s arse, but she refrained.
It was Charlie who had changed; this uncertainty wasn’t fun and not something she wanted to dwell on. She used to have brash confidence, able to stand tall in front of anyone and state her piece without doubt. Had she always been so shallow that she hadn’t needed to suffer anxiety? She wanted to rub her throat. She’d been happy before all that stuff had happened, and she’d assumed she’d go right back to being happy again. Why hadn’t she? What was wrong with her? Nothing. Nothing at all. Fuck it.
Elle laughed at something Reiko said. “I’m so glad Captain is starting to enjoy his space.”
“Captain?” Charlie wanted her old buzz back. If she had to force it, then she would.
“Our cat. Elle designed an amazing indoor play space for Captain and Bounce.” Reiko smiled as she passed Elle a flute of champagne.
“I thought you said you did interior design?”
Elle turned slightly, and the light above the bar shone on her black hair. “I do.”
Charlie’s fingers twitched, wanting to stroke Elle’s hair, to feel the smooth strands under her palms, and hopefully wrap it around her fist and pull, just like Elle liked. She blinked to focus on the conversation, not things she couldn’t have.
“For cats?”
Elle laughed. “For people as well, but yes, we do include people’s pets in their custom designs. Pets are family members. Their needs should be included in any functional design.”
“You really are a designer.”
Reiko clicked her tongue. “Charlie. Be nice to the guests.”
“Oh, it’s okay. Elle is my friend.”
“All the more reason to be kind to her.”
Charlie raked her gaze over Elle with purpose. “I think my kindness isn’t in doubt.”
“Charlie.” Elle’s warning note only gave Charlie more bravado.
“I’m surprised Reiko didn’t recognise you from all your past visits to Seraphs. I guess she only expects me to be kind to all our guests and doesn’t expect the same from you?” Charlie didn’t mean to sound as snarky as that came out. She hated being off balance like this. Why couldn’t her life be simple, like it used to be?
“Careful, Charlie. Not everyone’s job requires them to interact with our guests.”
“I’m right here,” Elle jumped back into the conversation. “Anyway, I’m pleased that grumpy Captain is happy with the arrangement we made for him.”
“So am I. I was really worried that he wouldn’t be able to climb up.”
Charlie tapped her toe against the edge of the bar. “Heaven forbid if the cat couldn’t climb.”
“Charlie.” Elle glared at her and she deserved it. She was being a bitch. Why couldn’t she stop?
“Yeah, fine. Yah for the cat. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Charlie spun on her heels and marched towards the stage door. She needed to be by herself, rub one out alone, or something. Anything to get rid of this frustration that beat a drum against her chest. Burlesque was her dream job, but ever since they’d opened Seraph’s again, each night had left her empty and unsatisfied. It pissed her off, rather royally, because she’d spent the whole fucking pandemic aching to be back on stage with people cheering for her. She’d craved the energy of a show and had ignored all the medical advice to stay home and isolate because she needed an audience; until it was too late.
“Charlie. What’s the matter?” Elle must have followed her across the room and Charlie turned to glare at her. She didn’t need anyone else. Certainly, she didn’t need anyone to see her now as she struggled for air.
“Nothing.” Her breath was short again. Fucking COVID. The vaccine had helped ease her long term symptoms but she still had to fight for breath sometimes and she hated it.
“I don’t believe you.” Elle persisted and Charlie increased her glare, trying to bore holes in her skin with her expression. The soft expression in Elle’s dark brown eyes stole all her energy and her frustration softened.
“It’s complicated.” Too complex to talk about with someone she used to hook up with. “Shall we fuck?” At least she could expend some of this rioting nonsense with an orgasm.
Elle tilted her head, considering. “I’m not sure.”
“Fine. I’ll find someone else.” Charlie stormed through the stage door with her head held high. She sure as fuck didn’t understand what was happening to her, and she wasn’t about to show Elle any uncertainty. Elle had always known how to push her sexually, always in control when Charlie wanted to get lost in sensation. If there was anyone who would lose all respect for Charlie if she showed any doubts, it was Elle. Strong, sexy, confident Elle who adored Charlie’s stage persona and only wanted to fuck The Gloved Gatsby. There was nothing real between them.
Charlie sighed. If only she could keep pretending that all she wanted was the shallow performance that had been her whole life before. Before she had to spend a whole fucking year inside, trying to deal with an online version of work, with no human interaction apart from her housemates. And when she’d gotten sick, they’d moved out, leaving her alone. All she wanted was her old life back again. She didn’t appreciate having to figure out how to get back to the past—where she’d been happy—while sorting through all this new stuff that had been part of her life recently.
Chapter 3
Charlie snuck in the back door of Seraph’s the next afternoon. Yes, she was avoiding everyone, especially Beth who was bound to quiz her about last night’s nonsense with Elle and Reiko. Everyone knew the fundamental rule of burlesque. Always be good to the kitty. She was the worst type of dancer to take out her frustration on the person whose sole task was to help her. The kitty wasn’t just any staff member, she was the key that held the whole show together. Charlie had been doing burlesque for long enough that she ought to be able to deal with her own crap without it impacting on her colleagues.
Once she’d dumped her stuff in her locker in the office she shared with Beth, she’d compose herself and then apologise. First to Reiko, and then to Beth for generally upsetting the balance between everyone. Beth believed that the core team at Seraph’s were her family. Did that make Beth the mother of them all? She certainly mothered their emotional needs; hence why Charlie wasn’t that keen to admit anything at all to her. Beth would see through her façade to the drama underneath. And Charlie was not ready to confront that mess yet. Maybe never.
“Hello.” Elle stood in the hallway beside Beth, both of them between the back door and Charlie’s office. Having an office space was one of the benefits of being the MC at Seraph’s. She had her own desk and computer where she planned the schedule for every evening, organised the dancers, and helped with planning the dance classes too. Elle was here? And not just here, but inconveniently in her way. Charlie’s spine stiffened. Who had she pissed off to give her this crap in her life?
