The Toy Box

Mentor

Chapter 5 - The Toy Box

Me: "I'm sitting outside the office ALONE, walked around the pond ALONE"

Anita: "Are you saying you're missing me 😉?"

Me: "Missing someone to talk to. Had a weird weekend. Also, guys went for BBQ."

Anita: "You could go with them?"

Me: "Brought lunch as usual. And BBQ makes me feel sticky even after washing. Too much work to do to be distracted by being sticky."

Anita: "True there is a time & place for being sticky & it's not at the office with people around. Club tonight?"

Me: "Maybe, if I can persuade Tiff to stop trying to set me up."

Before I finished entering that last message, my phone pinged again. I thought Anita had replied while I was typing, but it was a text from an unknown number.

??: "So, uh"

Me: "??"

??: "I stole ur number from Ann's phone hope u don't mind"

Me: "Alex?"

Alex: "Good guess. So, uh"

One mystery solved, but I didn't know if I should feel nervous.

Me: "Who uses filler words when texting?"

Alex: "I do, I guess when I don't know exactly how to start. So, uh"

Me: "..."

Alex: "Don't lecture me when u do that. So, uh, Ann found my shirt"

Me: "???"

Alex: "And that. The shirt I was wearing on Saturday on the couch not in my room"

Me: "Let me guess. She knows you don't take off your clothes in the shared area - unless you have help?"

Alex: "Bingo."

Me: "I see. This is a problem?"

Alex: "Dunno. I wanted to warn u. Want sure how far ur booty casual deal w/Ann stretched"

Me: "I don't see a problem but thanks for heads up. I thought you must be mad at me for taking advantage of you."

Alex: "JFC no. Where can I find a guy who can do what you did?"

Me: "Good, at least you're not claiming I turned you gay."

Alex: "No such luck."

In the other window, Anita had replied that she'd see me at the club.

Me: "I just had a weird text exchange. Part of the weird weekend I guess. See you this evening if you're not too distracted."

Anita: "🤔"

I'd considered skipping the club. It was only two days since the party, and I felt like taking it easy. I missed talking to Anita, but usually at the club another girl would be monopolizing her time anyway. Since she'd asked if I'd be there, though, maybe she planned to take time to chat. So it might be worth dragging my butt there.

~~~~~

I didn't put a lot of effort into dressing. White tee, lightweight navy jacket and jeans. I took my hair down and reworked it into a quick over the shoulder braid, then drove to Gabby's.

From time to time I'd wondered how the club would support the swelling population during the semester, but I'd never thought to ask anyone. This evening answered my question.

I didn't notice the changes at first. The bar area appeared normal. When I looked around to find someone I knew, I saw a few faces that were vaguely familiar, but there was no sign of my friends. That was disappointing, but hardly significant. Until Tiff emerged from the gauze curtain, took my wrist in a vice-like grip, and dragged me into what I thought was the dance floor.

But now, it was that and more. What had been the far wall was now missing. Apparently it had only been a dividing partition. The total area on this side of the curtain was over twice what it had been. On the right side, relative to the entrance from the bar, were tables, while the left side was the new dance floor.

On the new rear wall was a stage, on which a three person band was playing something electronic and quite danceable, the subdued sounds of the female vocalist backed by a single heavily fuzzed guitar and synthesizer. Beyond the tables to the right was a second bar. It was unstaffed and unlit, but some of the bar stools beside it were occupied.

Tiff led me to a table by the dividing curtains, only releasing my wrist when we arrived. Emma and Anita were there already. They'd been saving a fourth chair for me. I asked if anyone was ready for a drink, but no one was, so I excused myself to head back back to the bar section.

The bartender was the same one who'd served me before. Still as hot - and presumably as unavailable - as ever. I asked her to recommend something truly fiery.

She raised an eyebrow and suggested a variant on the lemon ginger drink that I liked so much. It was her own creation, with lime rather than lemon, ginger beer, a hot ginger extract, mint leaves and half of a cayenne pepper that she handled with small tongs. "But no kissing within thirty minutes of drinking," she ordered, "unless your partner wants to share your pain."

I tried it before leaving the bar and it was exactly what I needed. It

was

fiery, but within the heat was a surprisingly rich flavor.

After I returned to the table, I pointed at Tiff. "No matchmaking. No inviting anyone to the table for my sake. No setting me up!"

Tiff pouted. "Hey, I had nothing to do with last week!"

"I know," I grumbled, but grinned to show I was joking. "But you would have!"

There was a mischievous glint in her eye. "Perhaps."

Anita, on my right, watched the exchange with amusement. She took a sip of her drink, then said, "So tell us about this weird weekend."

Grimacing, I shook my head. "I was going to," I said, "but I don't think I should identify anyone, which would make it hard to tell. Let's just say..."

"I'll name names." The voice from behind me was unexpected, and quite low-pitched, just loud enough to carry over the music. I froze, recognizing it. Oh, shit. "Hi, Ann," I said, turning to look at the small woman.

Ann's smile seemed predatory as she nodded greetings. Then she took a chair from another table, gesturing for Anita and myself to separate enough to give her room to sit between us.

"I'm only guessing I know which story Kayla isn't telling," she said, after she sat. Her grin was still devilish. "But unless she was invited to an orgy at a nunnery on Sunday, I think it's a good guess. Were you?" she asked, giving me a direct look.

"I don't know any nuns," I admitted.

"Kayla joined my roommate Alexis and me at a party on Saturday," Ann began.

"Alexis?" I interrupted. "I thought she was Alexandra."

"No, and don't try to distract me," Ann said. "It won't work. So, after Kayla wore me out at the party, she drove us both home, tossed me into bed, then fucked my roommate. My

straight

roommate."

Everyone's eyebrows were raised. Tiff was resting her elbow on the table, fingers supporting her chin, as she watched Ann in amusement.

Ann was't done, though. "Judging by Alex's expression in the morning, and the color she turned when I found her clothes in the den, she did a

very

fine job."

"It was a shirt," I grumbled. "Just one."

"It's true?" Tiff asked, still in Thinker pose.

"It's both true and accurate, and misleading and wrong," I said, then made a show of counting on my fingers. "Yes, both of those four things. There's no point in correcting the record, because I'd just be whining, so we

won't

talk about who was drunk or who was high or who exactly pushed

Alexis

into making out with a girl." I turned to return Ann's amused look. "And we certainly won't mention who was so far out of it she stripped stark naked in front of me to put herself to bed."

Ann's countenance flashed a fleeting look of surprise at the last. Apparently that memory had deserted her.

"So Kayla sought out the roommate," interjected Tiff, "so that she'd have an alibi in case you woke up nude and thought she'd roofied you."

"Uh, yes, that!" I said. "For self-protection. Also because she offered to make tea."

Tiff nodded thoughtfully. "Can't have an orgy without a good cup of tea."

"I'm sorry our evening was cut short," I said to Ann, sincerely. "You have my number. If you want to get coffee sometime..."

Ann gave a half-shrug, uncertain but not dismissive. "I might."

"And if you don't go into politics when you graduate," I added, "it would be a crying shame."

There was a gleam in her eyes as she smirked.

~~~~~

I had hoped to talk to Anita about visiting Gabby's on Thursday, but it would have been rude to talk across Ann. Emma was on my left, so I asked her what she knew about the event. She wasn't able to tell me much, but recommended I talk to Alan, whom she knew to be a regular.

Alan, when Emma pointed him out, proved to be the guy I'd spoken briefly with on my first visit, and whom I'd noticed with Ann the previous week. After a time I left the table and moved over to his, introducing myself to him and the two girls he was sitting with. When I told him what I wanted to ask, he invited me to join them.

The girl on Alan's right pushed the chair beside her out. I took it and sat beside her. She was dark-skinned, with rich brown eyes, full lips, and a nose stud. Her pale yellow tee had a deep neckline revealing full, high breasts. Dark braided hair nestled against the curve of her breast on the right, while on the left her braids were held behind her back, leaving her high cheekbones uncovered.

She introduced herself as Imani. Her expression seemed a little wary, but her hand was warm in mine when we shared a brief grip.

Across the table from me, on Alan's left, was Clare. Her skin tone was also dark, if a shade or two lighter than her friend's. Her brown eyes were merry, below narrow, pencil-darkened brows. She had an oval face with a wide smile, honey-brown hair loose, wide around her shoulders. Her red button-front shirt was high necked, but left her arms and most of her shoulders entirely bare.

Her hand took mine over the table, giving mine a quick squeeze.

As an afterthought, Alan took my hand for a moment, repeating his name. "So, Gabby's monthly adult dance," he said. "What do you want to know?"

"Not sure," I said. "I'm nervous about going alone. What should I expect?"

Alan's eyebrows rose. "That's easy, then," he said. "Don't go alone. I'll meet you there."

I narrowed my eyes slightly. If I were to go

with

him, that would affect what I'd be able to do.

Alan must have understood my thought, because he said, "Don't worry, I won't cramp your style. I'm meeting friends. Let's just meet early so I can field any specific questions before they arrive."

"You'll have to come back next week," said Clare, "and tell us what it's like." She pouted. "I'm still a junior, and I don't turn twenty-one until next semester. Neither of us do," she added, with a gesture to include Imani, who nodded agreement.

At the trio's insistence, I remained talking with them or dancing with one or two or all three of them at different times. Clare was warm and flirty, while Imani wasn't unfriendly, but seemed wary and distant.

Alan mentioned that there was more semi-formal dancing on Thursdays. Some of the older set were fond of ballroom dancing, and even the younger members enjoyed latin dances. So, before the band's second set, Alan attempted to lead me in a true cha-cha, rather than the more informal gyrations I was used to. He was very good, with hip movements, sinuous swaying of legs and chest and raised arms encompassing my space - at least the equal of any of the girls I'd danced with.

After the band returned he and I stayed on the dance floor, working through some of the steps, even though the beat didn't at all fit cha-cha steps. The two girls joined us and we entertained each other with out of tempo steps and turns.

At one point I saw Ann and Anita together. When I left the dance floor briefly, I looked around and couldn't find either of them. So whether or not Ann was disappointed to have faded out on Saturday, I figured she'd come out ahead this time.

By the end of the evening I found myself regretting my choice to remain chaste for the evening. I'd have liked to invite either of the girls home with me, even suspicious Imani. But I had my reasons. Also, I didn't know what the relationship was between Clare and Imani. Even if they weren't partners, I didn't know how one would react if I tried to pick the other one up. Maybe another time.

~~~~~

Since the Thursday event would be mostly non-students, I dressed up more than usual for it. My skirt was just above the knee, a deep autumn gold gauze over a mini-length gold panel. It had a matching top, an opaque tube top under a gold gauze wrap. The top left my shoulders and navel bare, though they were shrouded by the gauze. I donned sheer nude stockings and my best low-heeled boots, and a tan wrap jacket over the outfit.

The parking lot at Gabby's seemed especially full, and I was doubly glad that I'd taken an Uber. I didn't intend to drink much, but the idea of monitoring my intake closely while already being a little nervous was more than I wanted to deal with. I'd been texting with Alan, and as arranged, he met me at the door to the club.

Once inside, Alan's eyes skimmed over my body. There was nothing creepy or lascivious in his gaze, and after the quick sweep he nodded. "Very nice," he commented, then turned to enter.

There were a few people in the bar area, and several of them turned, apparently checking me out. I saw no one I'd consider from my generation. Even when Alan led me through the dividing curtain to the nightclub section it was obvious I was one of the youngest present. There were few close to my age. I felt out of place, and was pleased to have Alan's company.

By the time we'd finished our first drink, I'd been hit on twice by women at least fifteen years my senior. I think of myself as pretty open-minded, and it wasn't like anyone was looking for a relationship, but that age gap made me uncomfortable.

The band played a mix of numbers, from classic rock covers to latin beat, and I saw that Alan had been right about the popularity of latin dances. Couples of all gender combinations danced to Led Zeppelin or Stones covers, but many of them made an effort to dance a more structured rumba or cha-cha to some of the songs.

There was a greater percentage of men than I was used to from Monday evenings, possibly over half. I mentioned that to Alan. He explained that Gabby's was less popular with college-aged gay guys, who tended to prefer to participate in sports, frats and traditional masculine events. Alan was a post-grad, still at University but with less peer pressure to socialize with undergrad men.

"How do you know Imani and Clare?" I asked.

"From Gabby's," he replied. "The three of us began to visit at the same time and bonded over feeling uncomfortable together. Though everyone has been welcoming, and we've been regulars for the last year. They like you," he added. "Especially Imani, I think."

"Imani?" I felt my eyes go wide. "Are you sure? Clare flirted, but Imani seemed dubious."

"I think you're confusing doubt with thoughtfulness," Alan said. "She was sorry to see you leave."

"Are they together?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Never have been, to my knowledge."

Alan's friends started to arrive, and we moved over to join them. I didn't want to intrude, and was considering that it might be time to excuse myself, when I felt that I was being watched.

Unlike Monday, the second bar in the nightclub section was open. A platinum blonde in a long, figure-hugging emerald dress was regarding me from a stool at the corner of the bar. She gave me a slight nod, and I smiled in return. She remained where she was, but her gaze stayed on me. It seemed approving, and maybe a little intimidating, since from this distance it was apparent that she was not only gorgeous, but seriously classy.

I'd been talking to the guys we were sitting with for a few minutes when I sensed a presence behind my shoulder. I turned to discover the bartender - the same one I knew from Mondays - looming over me, with a drink in hand.

"Uh, hello?" I said.

"The woman at the bar sent you this," she said. "She wanted to deliver it, but I don't like drinks from strangers to get out of my sight before they reach their owners, you know?"

Her tone wasn't warm. It wasn't exactly cold, just neutral. Maybe a little uneasy.

"Are you trying to tell me she might spike it?" I asked. "Is she a stranger?"

The bartender paused before replying. "No," she said, after a moment, "No to both. I'm certain she wouldn't, but she's a stranger to you." Yet she hadn't been so sure that she could answer immediately, and her tone hadn't changed.

Turning, I raised my glass to Emerald Dress, who was watching me, as the bartender headed back to her place.

Alan and his friends were all watching me curiously. I took a sip of the drink and almost choked. It was the same as I'd ordered on Monday, with some added alcohol, though it was hard to tell its flavor through the fire. I managed to control myself, and took another sip. "Alright, guys, what do I do?" I asked.

"Your call," one of them said. "She wants you, or she wouldn't have sent you a drink, but she's leaving it up to you. No pressure."

"She probably saw how you drove away the earlier ones," Alan said.

"Yeah, but they were forty-plus," I objected. "She's what, twenty-seven? Twenty-eight? I wouldn't react the same way."

I shouldn't have drawn attention to her. Half the table turned to check her out.

"She doesn't know that," Alan said. "If you want to talk to her, talk to her. If you don't, you can sit with us for as long as you like."

"Thanks, Alan," I said. "I'll go talk to her."

I picked up my purse, and my drink. "I owe you," I said to Alex, leaving my jacket on the chair as I headed to the bar.

~~~~~

"So, umm, hi?" I said, as I sat on the bar stool beside Emerald Dress. "Thanks for the drink."

"Michelle said it was your favorite," she said. Michelle must be the bartender. I'd never thought to learn her name, and that made me feel disappointed with myself.

Up close, the woman's platinum hair and bright blue eyes were striking. She had a narrow mouth, which was smiling at me, maybe a touch impishly. "I'm Danielle."

"Oh yeah," I said, extending my hand. "I'm Kayla."

Danielle took my hand and held onto it for far too long. I almost wanted to tug my hand out of hers before she finally relaxed her grip, her fingers trailing against mine as I drew back. "So, you're not going to kick me to the curb like the others?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Different situation entirely."

She raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Her dress was off the shoulder, showing skin from her neck down and from one bare shoulder to the other, with just enough of a hint at the creamy surface of moderate breasts to make me ache to see more. She smirked, and I realized I was staring. I felt my face heat up and took a swallow of my drink, the heat shocking me again and making my face redden further.

"So, uh, what do you do?" I asked.

Danielle's smile turned wicked.. "I dance, and I pick up pretty girls," she said. My thighs tensed involuntarily at the feeling her words sent through me. I hoped she didn't notice. "And, of course, I dance with pretty girls until they're ready to be picked up," she added.

I cleared my throat. "I... see," I said. Steeling myself, I took another large sip of my cocktail. Its fire was the heat of excitement flowing down my throat and warming me.

"Are you ready to dance?" Danielle asked.

"Uh, yeah," I said. Hooking my tiny clutch purse over my shoulder I stood, then closed my eyes and downed the last of my glass, wincing at the burn.

Danielle rose, then tucked her hand under my arm and drew me against her, my upper arm pressed tightly to her side as we walked, as though she wouldn't risk me putting even an inch of space between us. She was taller than me in the heels she wore so naturally - heels so high that I felt wearing them would break my toes and ankles.