Candy punched my bicep. “Stop being a stupid jerk. Maybe ask why she’s been avoiding you like the plague? Man up.”
I stood to give her a piece of my mind, but instead of saying a word, I grasped the bar and swayed back and forth.
“Go home and sober up.” She motioned to someone behind me. “Can you give him a ride home?”
Deke appeared and curled a hand under my armpit.
I shrugged him off. “I can walk.”
When I stumbled to the floor, he helped me up, and half dragged, half-walked me to his car.
“Thanks,” I mumbled after he strapped me in. I felt more like a helpless kid than a grown-ass man.
“No problem, boss. We’ve all been there, but do me a favor, bring our girl back home.”
I closed my eyes, and the world turned black.
***
When I woke up, tiny needles stabbed my pupils, and hammers thumped the inside of my skull.
I was a fucking pathetic piece of shit. I’d gotten blind drunk in front of my staff and had to be helped into a car, driven home, and tucked into bed. My partners would not let me hear the end of this one. If I were in their shoes, I would be as pissed as fuck.
I needed to call a meeting with them ASAP. They needed to know what I’d decided to do. I wanted Alyssa in my life, and if that meant letting go of the clubs and bars, then so be it.
I’d never find a woman like her again. Lightning didn’t always strike twice. I loved her. Plain and simple, and it was time I told her that.
Since the morning I’d broken up with her, my days had been a living hell, but enough was enough. There was no more lying to myself and no more lying to the world or my partners. I wanted her by my side. I wanted her in my bed forever, and ever, Amen.
After showering and downing a vat of coffee, I went to our downtown office, somewhat bleary-eyed and reeking of booze.
Jack sat beside me at the conference table and wrinkled his nose. “You smell like the bottom of a beer bottle.”
“That’s what happens when you drink a bottle of bourbon.”
He chuckled. “Rough night?”
I nodded. “And then some.”
The others came in and sat.
“What was so urgent that it couldn’t wait until our weekly meeting?” Liam asked.
I blew out a breath. “I didn’t want it to come to this, but I’ve decided to take you up on your offer to buy me out. I’m in love with Alyssa. I should never have broken things off with her. She resigned last night, and I take full responsibility for that.”
Liam opened his mouth to speak, but I held up my hand to stop him.
“I’ve decided it’s time to live my life the way I want.”
“Can I talk now?” Liam asked.
I nodded.
“The three of us discussed things last week. And maybe we were too hard on you. We don’t want to buy you out. We actually want to invest in more strip clubs. And we were hoping Alyssa could help oversee operations and take over hiring the talent from Noah.”
“I don’t have a clue about what I’m doing,” Noah admitted. “Look at Naomi. That was a mistake. And giving you an ultimatum was fucked up.”
“We need Alyssa,” Jack said. “She knows a lot more about this industry than we ever will.”
I clenched my jaw. “Do you know how much hell you put us through?”
They all nodded.
“We were wrong, and we all apologize for being asshats,” Noah said. “Tell Alyssa we don’t accept her resignation. Offer her the operations position. Offer her everything she asks for.”
“Only if all of you do something for me.”
“Name it,” Jack said.
“I want you all to stand with me at the altar.”
Liam slapped a hand against my back. “Congratulations, man. I’d be honored. We all would.”
I sprinted out of the office to my car. I would get her back. I wasn’t taking no for an answer.Chapter Thirteen - AlyssaI glanced at the clock—midday. Part of me wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep, but a bigger part of me reminded myself that today was the start of my new life.
I was no longer Red Velvet, striptease artist. I was Alyssa Holden, mom to be. Air bubbles popped in my stomach. I smiled. It was too early to feel the baby kick, but I imagined my little peanut was saying hello.
“Good morning to you, too,” I said. “From here on out, it’s just the two of us. Me and you against the world, kiddo.”
Excitement and sadness whirled inside of me. I wished that Shane didn’t feel the way he did, but I was sure if I told him I was pregnant, he would accuse me of all kinds of stuff I would never forgive.