Free Wiser by Lexie Ray Page B

you'd tell me." I watched Jake's dark eyes sparkle, looked at the latest designs he'd had his barber etch into the sides of his hair. He was built, spending every free moment in the gym, and he didn't mind telling anyone about it. I liked him all the same—all of us girls did. He was sexy and flirtatious and always knew which songs were the best. Some girls would make requests, and he was always thoughtful enough to fulfill them.
    "If you were out on the floor, no one else would be making any money," Jake said, kissing me quickly on my lips.
    I jerked away, laughing. "We all make money together," I said, batting my eyes at him. "That's how it works. I do my part, just like every other girl."
    "You're the jewel in Mama's crown," Jake said, his smile white in the lights of the club.
    "I think you're trying to butter me up, mister," I said, watching as the crowd of customers started filling the tables. "You're already drinking for free tonight, so I can't possibly guess what else you might want out of me."
    "I bet you could guess," Jake said, looking me up and down suggestively before sauntering off to the stage.
    I rolled my eyes at both him and myself. My cheeks were flushed bright red at the attention—you'd think I'd never had a man flirt with me. Jake was a noted Casanova, and several of the girls had enjoyed his company free of charge. He was young, sexy, and more desirable than the vast majority of the men the girls regularly had to service. Plus, he was a hell of a DJ.
    He started his set, standing on stage, the lights pulsating and swiveling to the beat of the bass. Instantly, the atmosphere of the entire nightclub shifted. Girls relaxed, dancing from table to table. I laughed out right to see one of Shimmy's regulars grab her and drag her out to the dance floor. She did part of the dragging herself. The girl loved to dance. Even sweet little Pumpkin became a different person, swaying that ass like a flesh-coated pendulum.
    Jake's driving beat helped us forget who we were and the challenges we were facing. They forced us into a constant present, driving away all of our worries in order to embrace the rhythm of the music. The music was a blessing in disguise.
    I danced with my fellow bartenders. We all three worked well together, never bumping or getting into one another’s way. When we danced and worked the bottles, though, we became a show in and of ourselves. I’d taught them both everything they knew about both making drinks and putting on a show with the glasses and bottles. We occasionally got up on the bar and juggled the bottles of liquor, tossing them to one another.
    We hadn’t done it recently, though, because it always increased Mama’s blood pressure to see her precious liquor being thrown around. Usually, though, it was quite the crowd pleaser.
    Every time Jake put on a song that the girls recognized, a cheer went up around the nightclub. Our enthusiasm was highly contagious, and customers soon got into the spirit. If it were up to me, Jake would DJ every single night. He was easy on the eyes and easier on the ears. He made us forget all of our troubles.
    One of my favorite songs cycled into Jake’s repertoire, and I led the whoop, shaking my ass for all it was worth. I caught Jake grinning at me from the stage and lifted my skirt, flashing my ass at him suggestively. I could hear his shout of surprise and delight all the way to the bar. It was a great night to be wearing a thong.
    Even Mama looked like her old self, allowing herself to be taken to the dance floor by one of the regular customers and dancing, her dangerous curves shaking all over the place. I saw Shimmy stiffen and edge away from Mama. There were some things that couldn’t be forgotten, apparently, in spite of Jake’s music.
    He finished his set to a ton of applause and cheers, a solid portion of the appreciation coming from us girls. Jake set the system to play popular hits and hopped down from the stage before making his way to the