Strip Teaser (Naked Night's) (13 page)

Sally

The incident in the interval at the
theater combined with the guys over protective macho bullshit gave me a terrible nightmare.  It’s one of those nonsensical one’s where the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred.

I can’t remember it clearly when I wake but the bits I can remember are confusing.  Alex was there, dressed as white knight astride his charger. Gary was there but as some sort of grotesque monster. Tiny resembled Dumbledore, the wrinkled old wizard from Harry Potter.  There was some sort of fight over me as I recall before Dumbledore grabbed me and we flew off on a large golden eagle. Now that reminded me of Gandalf in Lord of The Rings.  What a twisted dream. I’ve no idea what my subconscious was trying to tell me with that one.

I open my phone to check the time and see I have another message from James on the dating site. That’s not like him; he often goes days between messages. It’s one reason I feel so comfortable talking to him, as he’s not pushy at all. 

Morning beautiful, hope you slept well after your bad day yesterday.

Is he some sort of psychic? I reply and let him know I had a crazy nightmare, but don’t share the details. Instead we spend a few moments talking about a new song in the charts that we both like.

I excuse myself and let him know I’ll chat later. Right now I need to go grab a shower before breakfast. We’ve got a slightly longer journey today so I need to get packed as well. We don’t have much time.

Breakfast is a lot lighter hearted than yesterday’s lunch.  The guys are in a silly mood, taking the mickey out of Rick for the shower incident.  Guido makes a comment about his sexual prowess with the fans that have us all in stitches.

“You’re so conceited.” I tell him.

He looks affronted. “I’m not conceited. I can have any woman I want, any time I want. I’m a Naked Night’s stripper.”  He says this with such a straight face we all burst into laughter. The older couple seated at the next table look affronted at his words. That only makes us all laugh louder.

I might not have had a great night’s sleep, but I do feel better today.  There’s nothing that can’t be fixed. I’ll find a new job, and if needs be I’ll find a new home. My friend is fine. The only thing that’s not fine is my unhealthy obsession for Alex, but in less than two weeks we’ll have parted ways and I’ll be able to get over it.  I can survive two weeks. Can’t I?

Sally

The past week has dragged. It’s been a routine of gym, travel, hotel, show, gym, travel, hotel, and show.  I’m not performing and I’m shattered. I’ve no idea how the guys find the stamina for this.

Places have blended into each other to the point I’ve no idea where we are most days, but today we’re arriving in Edinburgh.  This is one city I’m looking forward to.  I’ve been warned I won’t get much time for sight seeing.  We have a free evening tonight as it was such a long journey to get here, but the boys will be busy rehearsing most of tomorrow and they still won’t let me out without one of my ‘keepers’ as they call them.

Dan pulls the bus up on Princes Street, not far past the station.  Our Travelodge is just behind this huge shopping street.  We
start unloading the bags before Dan goes off to wherever he’s arranged to park.

I’ve managed a few conversations with him when the boys were distracted.  He’s told me that compared to some of the ‘talent’ he drives around my guys are pretty tame.

He’s driven actors, rock groups and corporate and some of the requests are hilarious.  He’s too professional to tell me most of them or name them, but shares the requests for particular brands of alcohol, water or food. I dread to think what he’s seen in that rear view mirror of his some days.  He winks as he tells me that he also has a camera monitoring the back of the minibus.  I wonder how many wannabe rock stars and groupies have been caught out on that? He won’t tell me, no matter what I bribe him with.

“You know, that Alex is a good guy.” He tells me with a wink as he’s handing me my luggage.  Alex is standing on the pavement waiting to walk me to the hotel. “You two would make a cute couple.”

“Yeah, shame he’s gay.” I mumble.  I don’t know what I said, but Dan bursts out into loud, jovial laughter and walks off back towards the front of the bus.

Alex walks over and takes my bag from me. I hate it when he does that. I’m not a feminist by any means; I think it’s just one more piece of control they’ve taken away from me lately.  I feel smothered.

Just a few doors down from the hotel there’s a little pub nestled in the corner of Rose Street.  It’s like an alley full of little treats hidden behind the huge main shopping avenue.  There’s just enough sunlight creeping down between the tall buildings to make it pleasant enough to sit outside.

We’re all here although Tiny is looking a touch uncomfortable trying to fit his large frame into the too small chairs.

It’s a glorious day; Edinburgh really does shine in the sun. I’ve not been here for a few years now.  I make a mental note to come back and do the tourist thing another day.

The guys are excited that there’s only another week of the show left.  They’re talking about what they’re going to do when they’re finished.

Rick and Jonny have booked a trip to Amsterdam to see the girls and Guido and Jackal are considering joining them.

Eric is going down to Norfolk to spend some time with his Mum. She sounds like a lovely lady.

Tiny glows as he talks about the plans he and Alison have to decorate their new house.  They bought it together just before the tour started and she’s moving in when it’s ready.  He repeats the offer of me renting Alison’s flat if I need it.

Alex stays quiet during all this.  He keeps casting sideways glances at me.  I guess that it’s because I’m not joining in. When this tour ends in a week I’ll have nothing left.  No job, and pretty soon no house as I only have enough saved to cover a couple of months rent.  I still don’t know what I want to do, or who to approach for work.

I’ve been checking the job ads but there’s nothing there that I’m qualified for. To be honest for most of them I’m over qualified and know they’d never consider me.

The only light has been my chats with James on the dating site.  We have so much in common.  Strangely he’s never suggested we meet up when I get home, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that anyway.

The main problem is that he’s not Alex.  No matter how much time passes I can’t seem to get over this lust.  I know it can’t be love, it’s far too soon, but what I wouldn’t give to scratch that itch just the once.

As usual just thinking about Alex taking me to bed makes me flushed and uncomfortable.  Tiny notices.

“Are you okay Sally?”

“Yeah, just a little stir crazy I guess. I think I need some fresh air, and I wouldn’t mind hitting a few of those shops on Princes Street.” I look at the guys, hoping for once that they’ll let me go on my own.  Guys hate shopping right?

No such luck.  Alex jumps to his feet and offers me his arm.  I want to scream in frustration, but I want to go check out the shops so I accept it.

I draw in a breath when we emerge out onto the main street. The sheer volume of people walking past is breathtaking.  I’m not used to this much human traffic, it’s a little daunting really.

I look up and in front of me see the massive structure of the Castle.  It looks amazing.  I know we haven’t got time to go there this trip, but I really would like to come back and see it one day.

The stores on the main street are the same ones I’d find in any town in the country, the difference here being their size. They’re huge!  I feel dwarfed by the buildings and the sheer volume of people.

As much as I dislike having to have a minder, I’m slightly grateful to have Alex with me so I don’t get pulled into the crowd.

I spot La Senza and head for it. I expect Alex to wait outside; it’s a sexy lingerie store after all. No such luck.  He follows me in.

“Alex.” I turn on him.

“What?” He hasn’t got a clue.

“You can’t be here.”

“Why not?” He really has no clue.

“Alex, I need to buy underwear. To do that I need a little privacy.” My voice rises slightly at the end.  I’m embarrassed that he’s here and we’re even having this conversation.

“I’m fine in here.” He turns to the rack on his left and lifts up a bra. “This would look great on you.”

I’m about to express my indignation when I look at what he’s holding. Wow, it’s exactly what I’d wear, and when I take it from him I’m surprised to see it’s the right size.  Fluke.

He reaches for the matching knickers, and once again they’re the right size. Another fluke.  Typical, when I shop for lingerie on my own they never seem to have my size unless I ask an assistant to go get it from out back for me.

Alex wanders over to another rack and passes me another set.  Again they’re the right size and they’re perfect for me.

“Erm, thank you. I. I. I need to go try these on. Can you wait here?” I rush for the changing room at the back of the store.

They fit perfectly. Wearing these I feel hot.  I look at the price ticket and frown.  I can’t afford both of them. In truth I can barely afford one of them, having lost my job.  I contemplate returning them both to the shelf and trying my luck in Primark instead.  I could probably get a new set of lingerie for every day of the week in there for what just one of these sets would cost me.

Common sense wins over.  I can’t afford luxuries like these anymore.  I’m handing them back to the assistant when I feel them taken from my hand.  It’s Alex.

“Alex! I need to put them back. They’re not right for me.” He just gives me a look, ignores me and walks over to the till with them.  Before I can get to him he’s handed over his card and the transaction is over.  Damn.

I follow him out of the store, dragging my feet.  I’m not enjoying my shopping trip anymore.

Alex hands me the bag. “Look, it’s a gift. I know they’ll have looked great on you.  And I also know you saw the price tags and sacrificed something nice for the bloody rent.  So here, they’re my treat.”

How the hell does he know so much about me? It must be a gay thing.  I hesitantly take the bag from him.

“By the way.” He throws over his shoulder as he walks a little ahead of me. “Bet you look hot as hell in that black one.”

I stand there a moment, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me.  Receiving a compliment like that from a straight guy would be sexy as hell, but a gay guy? It just doesn’t feel quite right.

Alex

I’d love to see Sally model the lingerie I just bought for her. She was mortified when I went in the shop with her.  I couldn’t resist.  I’ve got a picture in my minds eye of what she’ll look like in it.

She never commented on me picking the right size.  I don’t think she realizes how much I know about her.  For some reason she seems to treat me like a big brother.  I wish she wouldn’t, but if that’s all I can get from her then I’ll take it, gratefully.

I know her size from the times I’ve been in her room, massaging the aches away for her, or just holding her close when she’d break down and cry.  I’m not a stalker.  Leastways I hope I’m not stalking her. I just like to be around her.

She’s walking by my side when I hear her gasp.  I turn and she’s gone deathly pale.

“What’s wrong?” I look around us, seeking out whatever seems to have shocked her so badly, but I don’t see anything out of place.

She draws her shoulders back and puts on a brave face as she assures me nothing is wrong.  I don’t know why
, but I don’t believe her. I have a sense that tells me something is very wrong. I just can’t pinpoint what.

“You know what?” She says. “I think I’m more tired than I realized. Can we just head back to the hotel?”

That settles it. Something has definitely spooked her.  I take another look around, still seeing nothing obvious.

The relief in her face when I agree to go back to the hotel is obvious.  I’m going to get to the bottom of this.

Sally

It can’t be. It must just be a figment of my imagination. I shake my head to clear the image from it.  I could have sworn I just saw Gary in the street ahead of me.

Alex has noticed something is wrong, but I can’t tell him. They’d never let me out at all if I told him.

It can’t be Gary. We’re hours away from home, and there’s no reason for him to be here in Edinburgh.  It must just be that lookalike thing, the one where they say all of us have a double. 

Alex agrees that we can head back to the hotel and I sigh in relief.  It’s just my overactive imagination but I’ll sure feel better when I’m back in my room.