Shane watched Andie walk into Alices room, and then looked at her phone. She took a deep breath and answered the cell.

Al. Shane answered knowingly.

Shane. Alice said loudly. Please, say you werent ***** on my bed.

Shane chuckled and shook her head. She looked up to see Andie with her back towards Shane. She was hooking the red bra on. Shane glanced over the pale womans voluptuous body. Shanes eyes stopped as she saw the five long scars on her back. The scars almost cover from the top of her back to right above the small of the back.

Shane! Alice yelled.

Shane pulled the phone from her ear at the yell, No Alice, we arent ***** on your bed. Andie is finishing getting ready.

I have T and Dana. Were on our way. Alice said.

Yeah, we will be there shortly. Shane hung up the phone.

Alice? Andie said, standing in the doorway. She was tying up the blouse.

Yeah they should be there soon. Shane smiled as she gazed over Andie. She beamed wider when she saw the red converse shoes on Andies feet. I love the shoes.

Andie laughed, Good, so are you ready?

Yes. Shane stood up. But before we do, I want you to know. I dont

Andie stared at Shane and realized that she was having a hard time saying what she wanted to. *****, Andie thought, she wants me to know that this is pretty much a one-night stand. Even though they hadnt technically had ***** yet.

Andie continued to wait, then said after it was obvious Shane wasnt going to finish her thought, Dont worry. I dont think this means we are together. You and I are a lot a like; neither of us does relationships, that much. So no worries.

Andie was trying to make sure her voice didnt sound hurt. Shane stood silently staring at Andie. Andie stared back and then grabbed her black jacket.

We should get going. Im eager to find out what this Velvets is. Andie said walking to the door.

Shane stayed in the same spot, not moving. She didnt know what to say, but wanted to set Andie straight about how she really felt. The right words werent coming out. No words were ***** coming out. She turned around and followed Andie out and down to her truck.

They drove in silence; thankfully the car stereo was playing in the background. Andie looked out the window as they drove. This definitely was not what Andie was suspecting things to be like tonight.

Shane suddenly pulled the truck over and turned the truck off. Andie looked around confused.

Are we there all ready? Andie asked Shane.

No. Shane said, Ok, I dont think of us as a one night stand. What happened back at Alices was unbelievably hot. And it is far from over. So, please, dont jump to conclusions with me. We are going to hang out and see what happens.

Andie stared back at Shane. She felt her heart beating so fast, she thought it would burst. Andie knew that feeling well. Be careful, Andie thought. Her full lips spread into a smile.

All right.. Andie said softly. Shane leaned over and kissed Andie lightly. Then she turned back into traffic.

Shane felt better after saying that. She knew that Andie did, too, by the smile that was on her face. Shane found herself wanting to know more about the girl who sat beside her. She wanted to know about the scars on Andies back. She knew she would have to wait for a while before she would ask about them.

Where are you from exactly? Shane asked.

Well, I was born in Wyoming, where I was raised until I was about ten years old. Then we moved to Los Angeles. I was sent back to Wyoming when I was fourteen. I lived in Seattle for a few years after I was eighteen, and then back to Los Angeles. Ive been back and forth between Seattle and here for these past few years. Andie took a deep breath.

Jesus, thats a lot of moving. Why did you move so much? Shane asked watching the road.

Andie cleared her throat, My mom was kind of loony. One day, she just decided that she had to be on that one soap opera, Santa Barbara or something. She just had to be a big actress. Thats when she moved my sister and me to L.A. the first time. When I became trouble, she sent be back to my Aunts in Wyoming.

Trouble, huh? Shane peeked over at Andie, who was staring straight a head. She had become quiet.

Shane thought for a minute and then asked, You have a sister? Is she in L.A.?

No. Andie said.

Oh, is she back in Wyoming or somewhere else? Shane was asking nicely.

No. Andie got quiet again, as Shane pulled into a parking garage. She soon found a spot to park.

She died a while ago. Andie soon said.

Shane shut off the car and looked out the window, then back at Andie. She placed her hand on Andies leg.

Im sorry, baby, I didnt mean to pry. Shane said sincerely.

Andie gazed at Shane and smiled softly. She caressed Shanes cheek with her hand.

Its ok. I know you didnt. Shane kissed Andie again.

Every time their lips touched it felt like a fire was set between them. As much as she hated to do it, Andie broke the heat and looked out the window. So how far is the place from here?

They got out of the car. Andie looked around trying to see a sign of Velvets, but didnt see one, when they got out of the parking garage.

Its down the street here. Shane said.

They walked past several different storefronts and a few clubs, where they could hear the pounding bass in their heads and body. Shane grabbed Andies hand and pushed through some people that seemed to be gathering in a certain area. Shane saw Alice, Dana, Tina and Jenny standing slightly close to the curb.

Dana saw Shane and waved.

Oh good, there you guys are! Alice said.

Andie walked to Alice and hugged her friend, while Shane moved to Tina and hugged her tightly.

Sorry, to hear your down, Tina. Shane spoke to Tina.

Thanks, Shane. Of course, Im sure you picked Velvets as the cheer up joint.” Tina said with a laugh.

Alice was re-introducing Jenny to Andie.

You remember Jenny, from the Planet, right? Shes a writer, too. Alice saying as Andie shook the small beautys hand.

Hi again, Jenny. She smiled.

Hello, Andie, nice to see you again. Jenny said back.

And Dana, of course. Alice said.

Hi, AndieI just want you to know, I didnt mean anything a few weeks ago. When I was talking about shells and all of that. Dana was talking fast.

Dana! Dana! Andie said over Dana’s nervous babble, I know believe me!

Dana sighed in relief, Oh, good!

By the way you look soooo good tonight, Dana! Andie said admiring Danas dark cobalt colored dress that hugged her in all the right places. The spaghetti straps of the dress kept falling down. Alice would pull the strap up, letting her fingers graze the soft skin of Danas tan shoulders. Andie could see Dana take in sharp breaths, when Alice did that. Andie just grinned.

All right. Now we are here, tell me what here is! Andie asked impatiently.

All of the women laughed.

Well, its a type of club. Its a ***** club. Alice started.

With ***** dancers. Dana said.

Dancers, like go go dancers? asked Jenny, who had never been to Velvets.

No. Tina interjected.

Shane started to talk before any thing else was asked, Velvets is a hot ***** club, that has all ***** dancers. The place has some amazing Burlesque dancers and tonight is one of the nights that the very, Velvet, herself will be dancing. Which doesnt happen often. She is becoming pretty famous all over the nation. She has a club in New York and Seattle, then this one. She splits her time up between all of the places and goes and checks on the other two clubs, all the time. Those are the times she usually dances.

So basically its a expensive strip joint, but for lesbians. Alice said.

No, its not. Its a classy place. Anyway, lets stop talking about it and go see it. Shane growled.

All right, all right! Alice said.

They moved to the line of the club, which seemed to look as if it was underground. There was just a small sign above the dark entrance that simply read, in purple neon lightly, Violets This made Andie think that if you didnt know about the club or where it was, you would never see it. She was so excited to get into the club. Andie had never seen a burlesque show before.

While they were waiting Andie tried to read the other ladies. They had different expressions on their faces. Shane seemed cool and collect. Alice was staring at Dana, who was on the phone with Tonya. Dana was trying to talk, but she kept getting cut off by Tonya. So she was only finishing half words or sentences, she looked annoyed. Andie glanced at Jenny, who seemed nervous among all of them. Her big sapphire eyes were open wide, almost like a scared deer. Tina seemed to be on another planet, where she was sad and confused.

The line moved and they got closer to the door. Alice had pulled Shane off to the side for a minute.

Shane, can you do me a favor? Alice said quietly.

What? Shane asked.

Please, please, p-l-e-a-s-e, dont hurt Andie. Shes had a lot of hard ***** happen to her. She doesnt need to add on to her broken heart. So, please? Alice looked like she might beg.

Alice. Stop. I will not hurt her. I wouldnt do that. I really do like her, Al. How come no one ever tells other girls to not hurt me? Shane looked offended.

Alice looked at Shane shocked at the words. She realized that Shane was serious.

I know she tends to, like yourself, hang out with a lot of girls. So, I did ask her the same thing. Alice lied.

Thanks, Al, so sweet of you to worry about your friends, but dont. Shane patted Alices arm.

They moved back to the line and Alice quickly pushed Andie to the side, almost tackling her and making them fall. Andie caught them so they didnt fall.

What the *****? Andie cursed.

Okay, And, promise me you wont hurt Shane. Alice whispered.

What? Jesus, Alice! Andie looked confused.

Please? Alice asked.

I wont. Why would I? Andie was getting impatient.

I know you would try hard not to, but you know, with your track record and hers. I had to say something, she is my friend. Alice said, Dont worry. I asked her to do the same thing.

Andie rolled her eyes, the line moved ahead again.

Fine, ok, great, thanks, Allie. Now lets go see some hot fancy-word-for-stripper girls. Andie wrapped her arm around Alices shoulders, as they stopped right in front of the entrance. They waited as the doorwoman looked over a list. She looked up and saw Shane.

Hey, Shane, how many are with you tonight?

Hey there Billie. Fiver others, please. Six total. Shane said in an almost hypnotic tone.

Dana made a mocking face while Shane talked with the doorwoman, while the other girls hid their snickering.

All right, Shane head in with your party. Billie said.

Thanks a lot, Billie, you behave now. Shane allowed the other women to go before her and gave Billie a wink.

All of them stopped on the entry step inside of the club. They had not entered the club quite yet; there was a long tunnel that soon opens up into the club. Shane thought they made the club this way because it would make for a dramatic introduction to the club.

Hey guys, just so no one gets alarmed. I know a lot of the women in here. Shane said,
glancing more at Andie then anyone else.

Tina laughed and said, Why would that alarm us?

They all laughed, except for Shane. After they were done. Andie grabbed Tinas hand.

All right, girlie, lets get you some cheers. She said as she pulled Tina off of the entry step and started to walk down the tunnel. Tina started to protest, but all the women pushed her along. They wanted to get to the heart of the club fast.