Ryan and I just glance at each other. “Hey,what happens in the dance quarter stays in the dance quarter,” Ryantells her with a surrendering hand gesture.
“We were just having a bit of fun,” Mr.Hawaiian Tropic says lightly, a hot Australian accent flowing outof his mouth.
“Is that like your mantra or something?” Iask, recalling Ryan telling me the same thing when we were in oneof those little rooms.
“Nah, just the truth,” he smiles, his greeneyes twinkling.
I hook one of my arms with Emily’s and startwalking down the hallway. “So, how was the Thunder from DownUnder?” I ask highly amused.
“It’s Logan, and,” she rolls her eyes back,“amazing.”
I can’t help but laugh aloud, clutching hertightly.
“Where were you?” she asks curiously; I knowshe saw us coming out of that room.
“The Chamber of Secrets,” I laugh.
“Excuse me?” Emily raises an eyebrow.
“It’s a conversation for another time,” Ihint.
“Is it a one scoop or two scoopconversation?” she asks intrigued.
I sigh, “It’s like a four scoopconversation.”
Her eyes go wide.
Right before we get into the main room ofCulture, I hear Logan mutter something to Ryan as they walk behindus.
“Sheismy girlfriend,” Ryan respondsand I turn my head. Logan is looking at me with an amusedexpression.
“So you’re the one who tamed Jack theStripper.”
“The definition of tame must be different inAustralia,” I joke, “because the last thing Ryan is, is tame.”
“Compared to what he used to be like heis.”
Ryan punches Logan in the arm, “I don’t thinkAlana needs to hear anymore about it.”
“Nor does she want to,” I add dryly. I likeliving in blissful ignorance.
“Hey, I’m just saying, you must be one hellof a woman.”
I glance at Ryan, he’s straight-faced, butthere’s a gleam in his eye, “She is.”
When we get back to the VIP room, it’s closeto 2 AM. Jill is passed out cold on the couch and there are a fewmake out sessions going on. Sean is in the corner trying to hit onone of Jill’s friends and he looks close to sealing the deal.
It’s a regular bordello in here.
“Does your brother hang out here often?” Iask Ryan.
“Occasionally,” he answers, looking at thesame thing I am. Sean in action. Now that he’s not heckling me, Inotice he looks skinnier then the last time I saw him. His clothesare baggier and his face is thin. He’s still beautiful though, justlike Ryan. “The best is when he gets mistaken for me.” Ryan’s eyessparkle mischievously. “I’m not the only Pierce who’s donned astripper pole.”
“No way.” I gape at Ryan.
“Swear to God.”
“Now that’s a show I would pay to see.”