NOEL
The sweltering air inside Brews and Chews smelled of floral and fruity perfumes from the dozens of women waiting impatiently for the show to begin. The scent of so many perfumes mixing together gave Noel a migraine, but she smiled brightly as Gabby came back from the bathroom, her white veil covered in neon bright condoms trailing behind her as she shimmied into her VIP chair at the front of the stage. Her nose was still held in place by the white splint, but at least the bruising was better.
“Who is ready to see some nearly naked men?” Amber hollered, setting a tray of brightly colored shots on the table.
Noel smirked, thinking that she already had a man at home she could strip naked whenever she wanted. She hadn’t ever seen the appeal of a boyfriend before Nick, but over the last week, she understood Gabby better. Finding a man who got you on every level was a rare find and Noel couldn’t help feeling blessed that she’d let go of some of her fears and let Nick love her. Really love her.
Gabby hollered, dancing in her seat. Her two cousins had come down with the stomach flu yesterday and even though they were feeling a little better, Gabby had told them to keep their asses home and away from her. That meant the rockin’ bachelorette party consisted of the bride, Noel, and Amber. She’d done a pretty good job of ignoring Amber so far and if she could just get through the next…
Noel checked her phone for the time and found a new message from Nick.
In case you get tempted by all the other slongs in your face, remember you have this cock at home.
Noel burst out laughing at the picture he’d attached. Noel bought him a rooster thong as a gag and shipped it to his house while she was at work. She’d come home that night to find him sprawled across her bed, wearing it. The red head with bright, colorful fabric plumage flopped to the side.
“What’s funny?” Gabby asked, reaching for her phone.
“Ah, nothing, nothing!” Noel deleted the picture fast and put her phone away. “So, when is this shindig supposed to kick off?”
“Any minute. You eager for a lap dance, Noel?”
Noel caught Amber’s sneer, and chose to take the high road. Amber’s unhappiness was her own and Noel wouldn’t let it ruin Gabby’s party.
“I might. How about you, Amber?”
“As the only single girl in this threesome, absolutely.”
“Awesome.” Noel passed Gabby a glass of water. “I got you a water while you were in the toilet.”
“Bring it on,” Gabby hollered, taking a gulp of water.
“Gabby, I bought shots! Why aren’t you drinking?”
Gabby took another drink of water, so Noel jumped in. “What if I took hers. I’m ready to get this party started.”
Noel picked up two shots and held them up. “Cheers.”
She downed one then the other while Amber cheered. “I think I misjudged you, Noel! You drink like a champ.”
The lights dimmed and colorful strobe lights lit up the stage. “Ladies, please welcome to the stage Mistletoe’s All Male Review.”
The crowded bar erupted with screams as a line of shirtless men in Santa hats and pants danced out onto the stage to the tune of Santa Baby. Gabby and Amber jumped out of their seats, waving their hands excitedly, while Noel studied the dancers in horror.
Noel recognized every single one of them, her cheeks burning as they gyrated their hips. But when a bearded Santa slid across the stage almost directly in front of her, lifting his pelvis to the sky, she covered her mouth with both hands.
Pike humped the air three feet in front of her in a black leather thong and Santa hat. The minute he caught her gaze, he froze mid thrust.
Gabby danced up to the stage, waving a handful of ones. “Damn, Pike! I didn’t know you were a stripper.”
Noel closed her eyes in horror as Gabby started stuffing the ones into her friend’s G-string like it was a slot machine.
When she opened her eyes again, Pike had moved to another group of women and she got a good look at his tight butt cheeks.
She was never going to be able to look him in the face again.
“Are you surprised?” Amber hollered over the music, a faster version of “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Noel nodded. “Yes! Did you know?”
“Of course. Guy is one of the strippers. See him in back? He’s the one who told me about it.”
“You could have warned me!”
“I wanted to see the look on your face. Sorry.”
Gabby grabbed her hand, pointing at a guy swaggering toward them. His dark curly hair fell to his ears and his light piercing eyes stayed on Gabby the whole time.