Read Vivid Lies for Free Online

body around the pole and glide easily, without the pain this time. I make it through my planned routine three times before I need to leave.  
    I drive to the club, trying to catch the sunset along the way. I love watching the day fade into night. The night always felt like it was my time. When we were teenagers, I would climb out our window when London was asleep. I would sit by the pond or go walk around, just enjoying the alone time.  
    The club is busy when I push through the heavy doors. I weave my way through the guys waiting at the bar and into the back room. I scan the stage schedule, praying I'm still in on it after my fall the other night. I'm surprised to see I am up after Candy, and then I can work the floor giving lap dances or dance in the VIP.  
    Here, you either serve or you perform. Some girls do both, some only perform, and some only serve. The girls get to request their nights and what they will do for the night. The powers that be either approve or don't. Stage time is harder to get, as they only want the best out there.  
    I slip into my outfit, a leather vest that shows off my stomach and plenty of cleavage with matching hot shorts. In the mirror, I pull my hair up into a high ponytail and put on red lipstick. I see Candy brush by me quickly and I know it's her turn.  
    I stare at my reflection and breathe through my nerves. My green eyes are wide and full of fear, but I tell myself I've got this. I imagine London's voice reminding me how much I practiced and how hard I worked. London is the voice in my head usually. It calms me enough that I force myself to the stage just in time to catch the end of Candy's routine.
    "Good luck," she says as she steps past me, her discarded clothes in her arms.
    The lights go dark and I'm announced as Brooke. I don't even mind it this time. It feels better going up there as someone else and not Brooklyn. I take my place with the pole in my hands while I wait for the music to begin.
    When the first few beats come, I look up into the faceless crowd and pretend I know what I'm doing. I move like I there's no possible way I will fail. I take my time, showing off my legs and teasing them. I bend backwards and twirl around the pole, loving the way the men cheer me on.  
    When the vest hits the floor, I feel invincible. I possess a body strength I didn't know I had as I hold myself upside down on the pole. A fire rips through my veins with the rush. I rip the buttons open on the shorts and they join the money littering the stage floor. More bills get tucked into my thong as I tease the men and few women up in front.  
    I perform the dance without a single mistake and I'm panting by the time my set ends. I gather my clothes and money without looking back at all the people who saw me mostly naked. The cool air of the hallway to the dressing room feels amazing on my skin. Feeling high, I get dressed again and touch up my makeup before heading back out.
    I feel his eyes on me the moment I clear the curtain and step onto the floor. My eyes are still adjusting to the dim light, but I know Kane is here somewhere. My body heats and my blood rushes faster, my excitement reaching a new high. This is reason why I do this. The rush and the power.  
    At the bar, I grab a shot and watch the crowd. Another girl is on stage and she's killing it. My eyes wander over to the table Kane sat at the night I met him.  
    He's there. Watching me with a dark look on his face.  
    I slowly approach him, taking in the way his leather jacket hugs his wide shoulders and how large his hands look wrapped around his beer bottle. I don't bother saying anything as I crawl into his lap. I hold his shoulders and lean back so I can see his face and he can see my body.  
    "Much better," he says with his trademark smirk.  
    "Well, I had some practice," I tease with a roll of my hips.  
    A faint hiss falls from his lips and one hand grabs my hip. The playful smile is now gone.  
    "This one is on me," I