Tempted

As much as I’d like to say I was being selfless, that’s a fucking lie. I was being the most selfish bastard I’ve ever known.

I can’t do it. I can’t be around while she tries to get better. I can’t save her, and I feel helpless, which means I can’t do it anymore.

I get into the car and pound my fists into the steering wheel. A growl breaks through my throat as I release frustration like I’ve never felt before. Agony that I didn’t know could exist.

I love her. I am one hundred percent in love with that girl, and not to be able to have her is excruciating.

I pull myself together and drive to the club. I have business to attend to. My life has to move forward, and the steps I’ve put into place are just the beginning.

As I walk through the door of the club, the realization that this will likely be one of the last times I do so hits me hard. It’s not that I will miss the nightclub. It’s the fact that everything changes.

I see my staff sitting around and can only imagine the speculation circulating through the place. They were told that an emergency mandatory meeting was being held, and that if they didn’t make it, not to come back. It’s no secret about what went down with Bailey and Reese. Everyone knows. I’ve heard some of the rumors, and I know everyone is scared.

“Relax,” I say with a smile. I’m hoping this helps to ease everyone’s worries. When I see a few shoulders sag in relief, I know it worked.

“I can see you all know something is brewing. Let me just tell you, it’s not bad. In fact, I believe the coming changes will make Silver better. I also know these changes will benefit all of you.” The silence is so thick it’s palpable, but I continue.

“I’m selling the club. Silver will be under the ownership of a world-renowned club owner named Mathis.”

There is a collective gasp, and the room fills with murmurings and panic. I raise my hands to hush the crowd.

“You guys, give me a minute to finish.”

The room slowly quiets, and all eyes turn to me, beckoning me to continue.

“Mathis is a private investor, and he has been seeking out space to branch out in the city with his own nightclub. Guys, he’s savvy and has unlimited funds. The money he’s looking to invest is leaps and bounds above what I possess. If we were to go toe to toe with his club, we’d go under or, at the very least, feel a significant cut in business. By making a deal with him and selling this club, I saved all your jobs and prevented competition.”

Hands fly into the air. Everyone has questions, which I anticipated, but this level is beyond my scope. This is a club. These jobs should be steppingstones. Looking out into the faces of my employees, I see that this is so much more to them.

I point at one girl. “Yes, Amanda?”

“When you say you saved our jobs, do you mean we won’t be let go?”

“Yes, that’s what I said. Mathis and I negotiated the terms that every single one of you will keep your current jobs at the current pay rate. As long as you do your job well, you won’t be going anywhere. Fuck up and you’ll be out. It’s as simple as that. Mathis isn’t where he is today by being a pushover, but he’s fair.”

Hands begin to lower as the elephant in the room has been addressed. I answer a few more questions, mainly involving working conditions, etc. until Carter’s hand goes up.

“Are you going to be okay, Drew?”

I contemplate how to answer his question. “Honestly, I’m not sure.” I take a breath. It’s now or never. “That’s not true. For some time, I’ve needed a change, I’ll be fine.” It feels good to get that out in the open, to finally be able to start the next chapter of my life.

But when I look out at the club I’ve built from the ground up, the sentimentality hits me. This is it. It all ends tonight. The more I think about that reality, the lighter my chest becomes. It’s strange. It’s as if I can feel the weight of each brick slowly release me from the spot they’ve had me pinned to. This place wasn’t what I really ever wanted. It was a prison sentence I imposed upon myself. It was the constant reminder of what I allowed to happen to Alexa. But after everything with Bailey, I now realize it wasn’t my fault. I can’t be held responsible for the decisions they made. With that realization, I feel free.

I smile a genuine smile, which elicits a confused look from Carter. “It’s going to be epic.”