Chapter 1
Fallon McKenzie pulled into the Starlight Club parking lot, found an empty space beneath a lamp post, exited her Audi A4, and hurried toward the club entrance. She pushed open the heavy door, paid the cover charge, and then scanned the room for her friends. Despite the roar of dance music, loud voices, and even a siren that the bartender sounded every time he received a tip, the piercing laughter of her best friend, Selena Santana Salerosa (her parents were huge fans of Mexican music) penetrated the din and guided Fallon like a homing beacon to her group. She counted twelve heads crowded around two square tables pushed together to form one large platform. Eight bodies were crammed onto six chairs; the other four women were standing.
"Helloooo!" Fallon called before anyone noticed her. "I'm heeeere!"
The twelve ladies turned at once and broke into song:
"
Here comes the bride,
Big fat and wide.
See how she wobbles
From side to side.
"
"Hey, I'm standing right here," Fallon responded, "and I'll have all of you know that since Ryan and I announced our engagement, I've lost fifty pounds, thank you very much."
"And Quashondra found them," Selena smirked.
"Are you starting already, bitch?" Quashondra taunted Selena. "I still owe you a beating for wrecking my car on New Year's Eve."
"Hey, that wasn't my fault," Selena responded. "The police cleared me of that mess."
"Alright, ladies, everybody settle down," Fallon said. "We're here to have fun tonight, OK?"
"Hey Fallon, did you make your goal?" one of the ladies at the end of the table asked.
"Almost. I missed by ten pounds."
"Ten?" Selena quizzed.
"OK--fifteen pounds. But everyone knows the last five don't count. I still think I look damn good and a helluva lot hotter than any you."
Fallon stepped to the table, turned a quick pirouette, curtsied, and then broke out into laughter. Selena stepped forward and gave her a big hug and kiss. The other girls followed in turn. Once the greetings were completed, Fallon took a seat and shouted for a waitress' attention.
"Put your hand down," Selena said to Fallon. "Everything's under control. Drinks will be here in just a second."
"So," Fallon asked, "what's the plan for this evening? When does the stripper get here?"
"I could tell you the plan," Michelle answered, "but then I'd have to kill you. And since you already bought the dress and it's too late for your father to get his deposit money back, well, we're just going to have to do our best to keep you alive until tomorrow afternoon."
"Yeah," Quashondra added, "the four-one-one is on a need to know basis, and since you're just a passenger on this party train, you don't need to know shit."
A waitress approached with a champagne bucket. She was trailed by a waiter carrying two more buckets, and another waitress with a tray of crystal flutes.
"OK," the first waitress said, "I've got three bottles of champagne, thirteen glasses, and appetizers are on the way. Do you want them all at once, or as they come up?"
"Bring everything out as soon it's ready," Selena answered. "We're a hungry group, and some of us get violent when we don't get fed."
"Yeah, I'll kill a bitch if anyone tries to come between me and my food," Quashondra snarled, eyeing everyone at the table.
"She means it, too," added Natalie. "I've seen her take down a girl scout just because she didn't have any cookies. And it wasn't even cookie season."
"OK, I get the picture," the waitress laughed. "I'll go check on your food as soon as I finish pouring your champagne--or would you rather that I check the kitchen first?"
"Nah, you're good," Selena answered. "We don't want this bubbly to go flat on us. Michelle's already flat enough."
"Eat me, bitch," laughed Michelle. "They may be small, but at least my tits are my own."
"Hey! These tits are mine," Natalie chimed in while cupping her hands under her boobs. "I certainly paid enough for them."
"Easy, girls, easy," Eva implored. "We're here to have fun, remember?"
"That's right, Eva," Fallon answered. "F-U-N."
The waitress poured the champagne, while Selena distributed the glasses to the entire table. Once everyone was served, the waitress left and Selena raised her glass in a toast.
"OK, OK, everyone pay attention. First of all, I want to thank all of you for coming out tonight to help us celebrate Fallon's last night as a single woman. I wish I could say that she was going to be giving Ryan her virginity tomorrow night, but we all know that ship sailed a long time ago. This bitch goes down more often than panties in a bathroom. Her shit's been tapped more times than a keg at a frat party. She..."
"Two guys!" Fallon interrupted, "I've been with two guys before Ryan!"
"Relax, Fallon," Natalie said. "She's just jealous 'cos the only dick she gets requires two D batteries and never calls the next day. And Eva too--she's blushing."
The girls all giggled.
"At least it doesn't watch football all day, fart, or leave the toilet seat up," Selena countered. "As I was saying, tonight we're celebrating this bitch's retirement from chasing dick. That leaves more for the rest of you hard-up sluts. Now, I have events planned that will keep us busy until early in the morning, so I hope no one has to be home before dawn. Let's all raise our glasses to an evening with lots of laughs, a little naughtiness, plenty of alcohol, and let's hope no one gets so sick they can't make it to the church tomorrow. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" the table shouted.
"Once we've finished eating," Selena continued, "the activities will begin."
"When does the stripper get here?" Fallon asked.
"Stripper?" Eva interrupted. "Nobody told me about a stripper."
"Bitch, all you ever think about is dick," Quashondra sneered at Fallon. "Don't your man give you enough?"
"Shut up, Q. I'm a virgin, remember?"
"Yeah, right, and my black ass is going on the hundred dollar bill. I wish I had a ticket to take a ride in your fantasy world. Where do you park your purple unicorn when you arrive for work at the rainbow factory?"
"Alright ladies, listen up," Selena cut in. "Natalie has dresses for the bridal party to wear. The rest of you get to carry around bouquets. And Fallon, I have your outfit right here."
Selena handed Fallon a plastic shopping bag. Fallon opened the bag and peered inside.
"OK, this is going to be fun," she said as she reached into the bag and pulled out a white plastic headband with a short tulle veil attached to it.
"Go put to the bathroom and change into your 'bridal gown,'" Selena said, while making finger quotes. "Natalie, hand me the bag with the dresses."
Natalie picked up a large zippered bag from the floor and handed it to Selena. Selena reached in and pulled out a mustard yellow, knee-length, satin dress that she handed to Eva.
"Did you have to give me the ugliest one?" Eva asked.
"Actually, I didn't," Selena responded. "I saved that one for Natalie."