Reece's Faith (71 page)

"CORI!"

"Faith!"

"You shit. Where's Reece?"

"She had to wash her clothes. Smudge is pretty ill."

"Oh, no. He barfed on her?"

"No, he crapped all over her. Did you have anything to do with his panties?"

"His what? Panties? You've got to be kidding me," she snorted with laughter.

"Yeah, they're blue and white gingham. You mean, Reece bought him those things?" Cori joined in the mirth and snickered.

"I suppose. She called me from the Vet and I told her they make doggie pampers. I guess she couldn't find any," she giggled. "Oh, god, Cor, is she really pissed?"

"Actually, I think she's putting on a good show. He's definitely growing on her." The dancer began opening drawers and snooping.

"I think so, too," Faith agreed. "I caught her playing with him yesterday. She said he had dirt on his back, but she was petting him."

"How can she pet him without squashing him?" Cori picked up an envelope of photos and grinned at Faith's pose by the Christmas tree.

"Heh. She uses one finger. It's so adorable. He sits in her hand."

"How fucking cute is that? Oh, here she comes. Call right back," Cori hung up the phone threw the envelope back in the drawer and ran to the couch.

Reece peeked her head in the door and located the pup asleep on his wee wee pad. "Any surprises?" she whispered.

"Nope. I think he's done."

"Thank fucking god," she breathed and reached down to put the panties back on the dog. He jumped up immediately wagging his tail so vigorously his whole body was moving. Reece had to lift him off the floor to stop him from twirling around in continuous circles. When she lifted him, his little tongue flew out repeatedly, catching the club owner's lips over and over again. "Okay, okay... just calm down, rat... What?" she growled at Cori's highly amused face.

"Nothing," she giggled. "Nothing." The phone rang and saved the dancer further explanation.

The tall woman put down her puppy and went to the desk. "Lounge," she answered shrugging off her jacket. Her eyes narrowed and she sat heavily in her chair. "Oh, yeah? And then what?" she purred, waving her hand at Cori, dismissing her. Reece then twirled her chair around, her back facing the smirking dancer who saw herself out. The club owner closed her eyes and stretched out her legs. "Is that a promise?" she asked her very descriptive lover. "Wait, the phone clicked, hold that thought." She clicked over to the other line. "Lounge. Yes, this is she... hold on a second." Reece clicked back to Faith, "Hon, it's the contractor, I gotta go... me too." The club owner turned herself to face her desk and picked up a pencil to fiddle with before she connected back to the contractor.

 
*  *  *

Reece pursed her lips. As luck would have it, she managed to get an appointment for an estimate today. After showing the men her ideas, they inspected every inch of The Lounge, punching calculators and drawing plans. Reece shifted her stance nervously. It was very close to opening time and the girls were curiously eyeing the men in construction gear. When the head guy finished scribbling in his notebook, she braced herself. "So, guys, what's the damage?"

He turned the calculator over to face the club owner and she seemed to study the figure for a moment. "This is the lowest?" Seeing the nod, she continued. "What's the estimate on time?"

"Honestly? Miss Corbett, we'll have to close down the club for a week, tops."

Reece frowned at the contractor. She wasn't thrilled with closing the club now that it was packed each and every night, but if she was going to accommodate the crowds and make the dancers more comfortable, then she'd have to do it. "Frankie trusted you, buddy. You better not be dicking me around."

"Oh, no!" his eyes went wide. "I know who you are," he nearly bowed.

Jesus Christ...
Reece thought, annoyed. "Okay, I'm giving you the money for shipping and materials. You'll get paid for labor when it's done. Comprende?"

"Certainly. Trust me, a week is a long estimate. It could be done sooner."

 
*  *  *

After a long walk through her books, Reece came to a conclusion. One that she was certain the girls would appreciate -- Faith too, now that the actress was on hiatus. The club owner called a meeting after closing.

"Okay, listen up, everyone!

"Oh, my god! That is the cutest puppy I ever saw!"

"Awww... look at his sweater! What does it say?" Reece rolled her eyes impatiently and put Smudge down on the bar. He immediately peed. Cori saved Reece any further embarrassment by cleaning up and replacing his diaper. She propped him on her knee as she sat down.

The club owner sat, tapping her fingers on her thigh, her lips pursed in annoyance. After the initial novelty wore off and the snickers subsided, Reece got back to her announcement. "I have bad news and I have good news. Which do you want first?"

"Bad," several voices blurted in unison.

"Okay, I'm closing the club for a week." Reece folded her arms and sat back against the bar. She anticipated the reaction she was getting to the news. "If you're all done murmuring and yammering, how about hearing why?" she asked with a smirk.

"Would that be the good news, Boss?"

"Yep. I'm renovating the place. Another bar, more stage space, more lights and less 70's red velvet and shag. I'm also adding a couple of showcase spots," Reece pointed to the two corners, "for featured dancers or special performances. You will have more freedom and less grabbing." Lots of raised eyebrows, smiles and gasps of approval carried through the small crowd. "As you know, we already need a new bartender, but we'll be needing two more. If you know anybody trustworthy, bring 'em by next week. Also, I want to have you girls alternate between waitressing and tending bar. The dancers will be asked to consider some girl/girl shows. Any problems?"

"Girl/girl huh?" Cori wiggled her eyebrows.

"Will Faith be coming back?" one girl asked expectantly.

"Uh... no. You'll just have to chose amongst yourselves," Reece smirked at the dancer's pout. "We made a pretty penny these last few and I'm going to give you all a week's pay as a bribe to come back. I figured in an average including tips, so you should all be pleased," Reece waved the envelopes like a fan.

"Are you serious, Reece?" Cori stood up. "I mean, we made that much money?"

"Yes, we did. No one is tied down here. You can get another job if you want, I can't stop you. The money doesn't guarantee you'll come back, but I hope it's enough of an incentive. I am very happy with the way you all work and would like to keep you on as long as you'd like."

"You like me... you really like me..." Cori emoted badly. She pouted and stuck out her tongue at the groans and objects tossed at her.

"Okay, are there any questions?"

"Yeah, what would you do for a Klondike bar?"

"Shut up, Freak."

 
*  *  *

"Hey, Reece, wait up!"

"Whassup, Cor?" the tall woman waited for her friend to catch up.

"Violet's picking me up, we're going to check out a place, wanna lift?"

Reece shrugged and then followed Cori to the car. "I am not scrunching into the back," she announced.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Reece," the dancer smirked and crawled into the back. After the tall woman gathered her legs and crouched down, Cori added with a snicker, "Of course, you remember the seat is broken."

"Fuck you, Freak."

"Hi, Reece. Hey, Smudgaroonio!" the piercer reached into Reece's coat and scratched the puppy's head. "Sooo, wanna see the place with us?" Violet asked hopefully.

"Sure, just hurry up. I can't feel my ankles."

 
*  *  *

After seeing the apartment, Reece pulled Violet aside. "You can afford this place?" she asked skeptically.

"Just about, isn't it great? It's just five minutes away from you and Faith."

"You remember what we talked about, don't you?" Reece whispered.

"Reece, after the money you laid out tonight, I hardly expect you to be giving me charity."

"Violet, you're not charity, for fuck's sake!" Reece hissed through clenched teeth.

"Okay, okay... if Cori wants this apartment, maybe I will take you up on it, but only the moving expenses."

The tall woman smiled, "Great. Glad to help."

"That is, unless you'd like to donate your muscles instead?" Violet winked.

"Not on your life," Reece shook her head adamantly.

"Yipyipyipyip."

"Smudge agrees. I only sweat when necessary."

Just then, Cori came running up to the two women, the Real Estate agent in tow. "Did you see the bathroom? Oh, my god... what about the closets! I haven't had closets like that in my life! And the kitchen... there's an ISLAND! I always wanted an island! I want it! I want it, I want it, I want it!"

Violet glanced at Reece who nodded almost imperceptibly. "Okay, we'll take it!" the piercer smiled proudly and Cori jumped up in her arms. Reece couldn't help but smile along with the two women.

 
*  *  *

The four friends were gathered around the living room. It was a puppy play date and they were very happy to be reacquainted. Cori and Violet were filling Faith in on the details of the day as Reece annoyed the puppies. Thelma wanted to climb on her leg and each time she got close, the club owner replaced her to her original position. She did this numerous times, each time snickering at the pup's determination.

"Reece, stop that," Faith waggled a finger in her direction.

Reece pouted and handed the pup to Faith on her way out of the room. "I'm going to take a shower," she announced. "Anyone wanna come?" the club owner grinned evilly.

Faith raised an eyebrow at the invitation. The opportunity to shower with her lover was one she'd never pass up, but she had company. Reluctantly, she shook her head no and frowned.

"Oh well, I guess I'll have to wash my own breasts for a change."

"You are so wrong, Reece," Faith pouted.

Reece snickered as she reached the top of the stairs and added, "And other parts, too."

"She's in a great mood, Faith," Cori observed.

"Luck, I guess. She runs hot and cold lately," Faith shrugged.

"And that's unusual, how?" Violet chuckled, earning a playful slap from the actress.

"Yeah, but I know what you mean," Cori said with thoughtful look.

"Well?" Faith prompted.

"You know she gave us all a week's pay, including tips?" the dancer asked.

"And she offered to pay the moving expenses?" Violet added.

Faith's eyebrows shot way up into her hair. "What?"

"I thought you knew," Cori whispered.

"No, I didn't. Wow," she glanced towards the stairs. "She's finally spending that money," Faith smiled.