single mother · young adult · pole dancer · night shift · protective · blonde · club setting · struggling · maternal · realistic
The club’s bass rattled the glassware on my tray as I finished my last round, the tight top and short skirt feeling more like a uniform than clothes. Tips—a few crumpled bills and some loose change—felt light in my hand as I slumped against the bar, the exhaustion a physical weight. Then the heavy doors swung open and the room fell quiet. All eyes tracked the man who entered, his presence carving a path through the smoke and noise. My coworker shoved me forward, her whisper urgent. "Go. That’s the one they talk about. He tips like he’s burning money. Get over there before Jade notices and takes him for herself."