Malia clocked into work, having to adjust to the loud music and bright lights of the club.
The naked bodies dancing around and the suggestive music was something that took a while for the 22 year old to get used to. She got used to it, though because she didn't have much choice at all. It wasn't the best job but the tips and paychecks were enough to have her bills paid on time.
No, Malia wasn't a dancer. She was a bartender in a strip club and not by choice.
"It's a busy night." Her best friend, Brooklyn, said making a drink at the bar. "There's NBA players here tonight. Other side of the bat. They just got here."
Malia sighed, pulling her hair back and heading to the opposite side of the bar where a group of men sat, waiting to be assisted. "Hello. What can I help you all with tonight?"
A dread head with dyed hair in the front barely looked up from his phone as he ordered. "Can we get 10 shots of Tequila?"
"Yes, sir."
Malia poured the shots within 30 seconds, scooting them across the bar. It was only then did he look up at Malia. "Damn. You work fast."
"I appreciate that."
Malia kept it moving to the next group of girls who all requested different drinks. She knew she'd probably be putting them in a cab later on tonight unless they had a designated driver.
One thing that Malia absolutely hated was drunk women being in the bar without protection so she did her best to make sure she was watching everything.
As things at the bar began to calm down when the dancers went on stage, Malia sat back after making her own drink to sip on. She wasn't a big drinker but it was Friday and it had been a long week.
"Ma'am?" The same guy as before called over to her.
Malia stood, going up to the bar with a smile. "What can I do for you?"
"Can I just have a cup of water, please?" He asked this time, patting the shoulder of one of the tall, brown-skinned men he was with. "My guy Trip here doesn't drink much and he just wants water."
She laughed. "Of course."
Malia reached into the mini fridge right beneath the bar, getting a bottle of water. She handed it to the guy with the brightly dyed hair, who handed it to the man he referred to as 'Trip'. "How much I owe you all together?"
"Fifty for the drinks and water is free." Malia said, handing him the tab. "Are you finished here tonight?"
He smirked, sliding the tab and his card over. "Yeah. Got a early afternoon game tomorrow."
"Ah." She turned to the card machine. "Nice."
As she ran his card through and read over the receipt to make sure everything was correct, she'd realized that his name was just Ja.
When she turned back towards him, Malia handed the card and receipt over to him. Ja pulled his wallet out, placing a few hundred dollar bills on the bar. "Thank you a lot, Miss."
"Umm..." Malia counted through the $600 tip. "I think you... Wait, are you the basketball player Brooklyn was talking about?"
Ja stood, signing the receipt. "We all hoop. My name Ja. This Jaren and Desmond. This my boy Tyus."
"Oh, okay." Malia smiled. "I appreciate this but I couldn't-"
He cut her off. "Nah. Keep it, Miss..."
"Malia."
"Malia." He flashed a smile that could've blinded her with his diamond grills. "You're very beautiful, by the way."
