Same Ol' Situation || Nikki Sixx

Ten ✩ Trust

"Nikki?" My voice wavered, unsure of how he would react. The revelation hung in the air, and Nikki, recovering from the initial shock, crossed his arms.

"Brittany."Nikki's scowl deepened as he processed the unexpected revelation. 

The dim lighting of my dressing room cast an eerie glow on his face, and the shadows accentuated the tension in his expression. My heart raced, anticipating the storm that seemed inevitable.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Nikki's voice sliced through the air, carrying a blend of surprise and frustration. His gaze darted around, perhaps hoping this revelation was part of an elaborate prank. 

I squared my shoulders, meeting Nikki's intense stare. "It's not a joke, Nikki."

His arms remained crossed, and he let out an exasperated sigh. "Well, shit. Never expected to find you half-naked on a damn strip club stage."

"I didn't expect you guys to show up here either," I retorted, the edge in my tone mirroring his frustration. "I keep my work separate from our friendship. It's not like I planned for you to stumble upon me like this."

Nikki's eyes narrowed, irritation evident. "So, you're just moonlighting as a stripper? Is that it?"

The use of the term 'stripper' stung, and I shot back defensively, "No, Nikki. I dance. It's a performance. It's not some sleazy side gig."

He scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, you've certainly surprised the hell out of me tonight, Brittany. Couldn't you have mentioned this before? Maybe given us a heads up?"

"And ruin the image you guys have of me?" I shot back, my frustration matching his. "I didn't want it to change things between us."

Nikki's eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and confusion. "Change things? You think this doesn't change shit? You've been dancing on a stage for old pervs, and didn't think to tell even Tommy? He's your best friend after all." He spat, stepping closer and looming tall over me.

"You're making it sound like I've committed a crime," I retorted, my voice rising. "It's a job, Nikki. A way to pay the bills. It doesn't define who I am."

He took another step closer, the tension escalating. "Maybe it should've defined who you are to us, to your friends. Secrets like this? They don't fucking fly."

"You're being unreasonable," I snapped, frustration boiling over. "I didn't tell you because I knew you'd react like this. Judging, angry, making me feel like shit for trying to survive."

Nikki's jaw clenched, and he shot back, "Surviving? Is that what you call this? You're fucking dancing in a strip club, and you're telling me it's about survival?"

I took a deep breath, attempting to rein in my anger. "You don't know the whole story, Nikki. Life isn't always black and white. I do what I have to do."

The argument hung in the air, an impasse between two friends who suddenly found themselves on opposite sides of a divide neither saw coming.

"I trusted you." Were the last words he uttered, and with that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the dressing room, leaving me alone. 

I sank to the floor, still in my robe, and began to cry.