Liquid Courage

I grab the glass off the side table before I can second-guess myself. It's your drink, some amber liquor mixed with something sweet, and I tip it back without a breath. The burn hits my throat and spreads through my chest, warm and sharp. I let the glass clatter onto the table and take a slow breath, feeling the nerves start to melt just a little. The guys erupting in cheers as I finish the drink.

Okay. That helps.

The music is already pulsing through the room. I can feel the bass in my chest as I walk to the pole, my feet making the floorboards creak under me. The guys are still watching, still cheering, but I don't look at them. I look at you.

I hook one leg around the brass and pull myself up, the metal cool against my thighs. My body moves before I'm thinking about it, spinning around the pole, my fingers sliding down the smooth surface. The swimsuit clings to me, damp with sweat that's already beading across my skin. I catch your eyes and let my lips curl into a small smile, just for you.