Chapter 44
Brooke
“Ryan!” I yell down the hallway. I’m amazed at the work that Tic and his friends were able to get done in here. Ryan walks in, and I gaze up at him with my puppy dog eyes.
“What? What do you want now, Brooke?” he asks with a grin on his face.
“Can you go unload the truck that just pulled up? We need to get the bar restocked.” I wiggle my eye brows at him hoping he will do it. I know he will, but I like messing with him.
“You know all you had to do was say was ‘hey Ryan, go unload that truck.” He wiggles his eye brows back at me, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You know I love you, Ryan,” I say as I smile at him. Without Ryan coming back, I wouldn’t be able to get anything done. Tic has been amazing too, but Ryan has stood by my side and done anything I’ve asked of him.
“I love you too,” he says, turning and leaving the room.
I stand from the desk and head out into the main room to make sure all the chairs are set up. A few of the girls opted to return, but a few didn’t want to. I can’t say that I blame them either. Tic stepped in there, too. He called in some girls he knows, and they were all amazing. I did turn Thursday night into man’s night, and I think I may have talked Tic into stripping – at least a few times. It was funny to see his face when I asked him. He had this cocky ass grin that said he would outdo everyone else I hired. The girls liked the idea, too. It wasn’t my dream to own a female strip club, but I’m making it work.
Overall I think the club looks really good. We got all the new permits in place with my name on them. I got the liquor licenses, too. I was surprised by all the work that had to go into starting up the club. My uncle clearly had his hands full.
“You strippin’ tonight?” That deep, sexy voice booms through the room. I turn on my booted heel and smile when I see him.
“No, but I have a spot for you on Thursdays.” Mayhem grins at me before stepping closer. He grabs me, pulling me into a hug.
“Missed you lately,” he says softly.
My heart does a little flip in my chest. I’ve grown to have a soft spot for this man. “Missed you, too. I’ve been really busy.”
He pulls back, looking around the club, but never letting me go.
“I can see that. It looks great in here. Tic’s boys are good,” he says as he checks out the room.
“They have been amazing. Hey, do you know when Blu will be around? I need to talk to him. I know he put the money in the account.” Mayhem raises his eyebrows like he’s going to deny it, but I know Blu did it.
“Havin’ a party tonight for Cherry’s birthday. You should come by. It’d be nice to hang out a while.” he says casually. I watch the look in his eyes. I know there’s more.
“What? What is it, Mayhem? Don’t hold back,” I tell him.
He lets out a long sigh before he says, “He looks like shit. This shit’s hittin’ him hard, Brooke. He misses you. The motherfucker is just too stubborn to admit it.”
I give him a soft smile. I miss him too, but that part of my life is over. I need to move forward.
“He didn’t want me. We both knew it would end at some point. I may come by and talk to Blu later, though. I really need to know what percentage he wants for the club.” I thought at first I’d be pissed when I realized that Blu had added money to the club account, but the more I looked at what I took to run this place, the more I realized I needed the help.
“I doubt it’ll be much. He just wanted you on your feet.”
I reach toward the bar and grab the bottle of Jack sitting there. “Come celebrate with me,” I tell him, stepping out of his grasp.
“You got it! Line it up, darlin’.”
I pull the glasses out from behind the bar and fill them up. We might as well get wasted. Mayhem and I drink like it will be our last drink ever. We knock back more than we should, but we’re laughing and having a good time.
“Shit! I gotta back. Want me to drop you off at home?” Mayhem asks, looking at the clock. Shit. I need to go meet Ash, too.
“Yes! I was supposed to meet Ash at her house an hour ago.” I giggle. Mayhem grabs my hand and leads me toward the back door when I see Ryan.
“You sure you got tonight?” I ask him. He nods his head.
“You know it. I’ll call if we need anything.”
Mayhem passes me his helmet and watches as I slide it on. Once he’s satisfied, he takes off down the road. I throw a wave goodbye to Ryan, safe in knowledge that my club is in good hands.
It’s weird riding with him. I’ve only been on Dec’s bike. The feeling is off with Mayhem in front of me.
Before I know it, he pulls up in front of Ash’s and lets me off.
“Thanks for the ride!” I giggle softly, having had a few too many drinks at the club.
“See you in a bit!” he calls out before taking off. I turn to head toward the door when Ash comes out. She watches me intently before crossing her arms over her chest.
“What are you doing?” she asks me.
“Nothing. Mayhem came by the club and brought me home. We had a few drinks.”
She smiles at me before the words leave her mouth. “Truth or dare, Brooke.”
I narrow my eyes at her. What the hell is she doing? “Dare,” I tell her.
She grins at me and says, “I dare you to go get a beer from the bikers.”