Their Best Friend

A New Plan

Sammi POV

The night goes well; I find myself dancing on the stage and on the pole. I know in a few days, I need to dance with the aerial hoop or pole while we’re open, so that will be my focus during the day. Maybe I could get something similar at home?

Then, after this week, I have something to practice with. The thought stays. I drive home. I don’t stop to speak to my brothers and go straight to my room. I am grateful that none of them shouted at me to join them.

I got home around half-twelve last night, which means today I’m not rushing. I can actually consider the next steps. I need to figure out when the guys will be out of the house for a few hours. I really want to have an aerial hoop installed in my room, but I can’t if they are at home.

The issue is that they don’t always work at the same time. I also don’t want to make it obvious that I’m trying to find out when the house will be free.

Walking down, the kitchen is empty, so I grab breakfast and walk through. I find them sitting in the office. They turn and look at me as I walk in and take a seat.

“How’s the business going?” I ask, trying to seem interested in my family’s business.

“All good. Why?” Joel looks at me, and I shrug.

“Just wondered, that’s all. I’ve not asked about them for some time now.” I smile at them.

“Things are going well. Expansions have done well. You would know if you actually joined the family business instead of sitting out of it all.” Zade looks at me and waits.

“Why do I need to? You have a perfect replacement for me, right there,” I say while pointing at Grayson.

He laughs and turns to face me. “I’m not sure I’m a perfect replacement, Kiddo. I can’t step into a woman’s shoes. I’m happy to try, but I don’t think it would work.” Grayson grins, and they laugh.

“Woman’s shoes, Grayson, so stop with the kiddo. We all know I’m more grown up than you are,” I bite back, and he laughs.

“You’ve yet to prove you’re a woman.” His words have me glaring at him.

“What is wrong with you two today? You’re normally at each other, but this is too much,” Joel laughs.

“Nothing!” We both say the word together.

“Are you guys around tomorrow? During the day?” I look between them.

“I’ve got meetings all day, but I’m not sure about these lot,” Zade points.

“I don’t know. Why?“ Jax looks towards me.

“Well, I’m leaving soon, and I wanted to discuss a business matter with one of you,” I smile while lying.

“Tomorrow is useless. Zade has meetings, so we’re going to be at the main offices all day as we have a few locations opening. I’m in before nine so we can talk then?” Joel suggests, and my head shakes.

“It’s fine. Maybe later in the week would work?” I look between them. “Consider it. I’ve got to leave. I’m meeting the women from work again today.” Smiling at them, I stand, seeing the message from Jodie saying she’s here.

“You’re leaving already?” Zade glances at me, and I freeze slightly when I see Grayson peer out of the window.

“One of the women are here to collect me,” I shrug and rush out, hearing them following. Great, f*****g great. Reaching the car, Jodie smiles at me. “Don’t tell them the club we work at, or where. Please!” I beg with my eyes and hear them getting closer.

“Are you going to introduce us, Sammi?” Zade looks around me and smiles at her.

“Jodie, these are my brothers, Zade, Joel, Jax and Zak; that is their friend, Grayson,” I open the car door and stop when I see Zade step towards her.

“It’s nice to meet you Jodie,” his words are low, and she practically f*****g drools. I hate this.

“We need to leave!” I snap.

“Why the rush? So you work together?“ Zade leans closer, and Jodie nods. “In the club right, she was telling us.”

Jodie simply nods, lost for words and likely dreaming of him naked.

“Which club is it again?” Zak steps forward, and Jodie seems to disappear more into her daydream.

“We need to leave,” I argue.

“Yeah, sorry.” Jodie smiles and steps back. “It was nice to meet you all.” she rushes and gets in the car before beginning to drive.

I look at her and wait. “One, you’re f*****g rich. Why the hell are you shaking your ass in a club? Two...Holy f*****g s**t. I don’t know whether to envy you or feel sorry for you.”

I laugh at her words. “Feel sorry for me?”

“Yes! They are all hot as f**k, and god, I’m sorry, but they have those big blue eyes like you that make a woman want to submit. So, yes, feel sorry for you as if they weren’t your brothers, you could f**k them.” She grins, and I groan.

“Eww, no. Also, please don’t talk about my brother being hot,” I groan and cover my face. She laughs, and this is why I f*****g hate having women come by. “So why don’t you want them to know where you work?”

“Because they get involved, they already think working in a club is wrong. If they found out I dance in one, I’d be tied up and never allowed to leave again; that’s after they no doubt beat the crap out of Jake for letting me dance.”

Her eyes widen. “So hot and protective, good to know,” she winks, and I groan.

“You’re not f*****g funny, Jodie, at all.”

“Oh, I am. Wait until I tell the others about how hot your brothers and friends are. Like, we’re they created in a lab; it’s the only excuse. You as well. If I wasn’t totally straight, I would have tried it on with you instantly.” We both laugh, and I know she isn’t joking. I get comments all the time, but to me, I’m just me. Nothing special. She stops outside the club, and we walk in.

“So, I was thinking of having an Aerial hoop fitted in my room at home, and then after this week, I can practice more.” I smile at her, and she nods.

“I can give you details of someone who can do it, Doll.” Jake’s voice draws me toward him. “I figured I would come and see how you were getting on. You have five minutes, so sit, and we can talk about getting one fitted at your place,” he smiles at me. Walking over, I sit down with him. It makes far more sense for me to have one fitted at home for me to keep practicing.

“When do you want it done?” He looks at me, and I consider it.

“Preferably tomorrow morning, sometime between nine and eleven. Will that be long enough?” I’ve no idea. Maybe they will need longer?

“It should be fine. Are you okay with dealing with it alone? I could be there and guide them if you want?” He smiles at me.

“Don’t I just tell them I want it put up and in which room?” I’ve no idea.

He laughs and shakes his head. “No, you want to ask them to check which place will be more secure while still having the space to move? Depending on the room, it might not be ideal as well. They won’t tell you that, though. It is easier to just fit and say that’s it done.”

Maybe I should get his help? “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Doll, you’re working here. You having it fitted at home helps me. I’ve got all the stuff here as well, as I have spares. It saves you buying one. I’ll pay for it fitting as well, as, in a way, it’s for the business.”

“Thank you Jake,” I smile and walk off and begin to practice again. At least then after this week I can continue to practice at home.

Work has gone well, and I’ve noticed the ladies watching me as well. Their expressions are hard to read. I watch as the last customer staggers out of the door slowly.

“Sammi,” I hear Jodie and turn to see her. She moves closer so she can whisper in my ear, “Are you two dating?”

Which two is she on about? “Who?” I laugh slightly.

“You and Jake,” she laughs as if it should have been common sense for me to know who she was talking about.

“No...Why would you think that?” I don’t understand.

“Because he never comes during the day, but he did today. Then, he’s watched you all night. He never does.”

I hadn’t noticed. “I...No, we’re not.” What else can I say?

She laughs slightly. “Maybe right now you’re not. But something tells me he is going to make a move on you. He watched you more than he served tonight, and you would be cute together,” she pulls back and winks.

“Ready to leave, Doll?”

I turn to see Jake waiting by the door and nod.

“By the way, we all chose our names. Doll is what he likes calling you,” she smirks and skips off. I walk out, and Jake guides me to the car. Getting in, I consider what she said.

Jake is a good-looking guy. I noticed he was tall with a powerful, muscular build the first day I saw him. I glance across at him as he drives. His broad shoulders and defined chest are accentuated by the way his clothes fit, hugging his body in all the right places. His skin has a warm, sun-kissed glow, and his face is ruggedly handsome. A strong jawline and high cheekbones. He does have a beard that is clearly well-groomed and a dark brown that matches the colour of his thick, slightly wavy hair that falls just above his shoulders.

He turns and faces me, giving me a full view of his face; his eyes are truly captivating. A deep, vibrant green, they are piercing and intense, with a gaze that seems to look right into my soul. My head shakes to remove the thoughts. I was far too into checking him out. Based on the small smirk, he caught me doing it as well.