“It was never your family that didn’t want you, Duke. It was your sorry ass that pushed them away. I don’t ignore my daughter. She needs to know I love her and protect her, and for fuck’s sake, I will do that all day long.”
I opened my mouth to speak, and he held up his hand. “Hear me out. I’m not comparing myself to you. What I’m trying to say, as your friend, is I understand why you don’t include them. It’s not only for their safety, but you’ve been estranged from them pretty much since you left home. It’s guilt that drives a wedge between you and them.”
“Yes, Dr. McCauley,” I said sarcastically.
“I should charge you. Kidding aside, you only get one chance at this life, and you and I both need to break free from this industry.”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “I can’t do squat right now. But come to Thanksgiving dinner, and you and I can discuss our futures.” I needed support and someone who got me.
He considered me for a moment. “Fran is missing her mom terribly. It’s been three years since that car accident, and Fran could use some adult female companions instead of our sorry asses.”
“Good, then it’s settled,” I said.
“Look at us, bonding more than ever,” he said jokingly.
I refilled our glasses.
“I’m curious about how you met Joy,” he said after several seconds of silence. “When I was driving up, you two looked chummy. Do you know her from somewhere?”
I returned with his drink. “I met her at the cemetery.”
He choked. “The fuck.”
“I hit her truck. Long story. Anyway, she needed a job. Before I realized what I was doing, I was handing her my card.”
“Oh, yeah. You’re screwed. I can see the love affair starting already.” He smirked. “But in all seriousness, it is time for you to move on from Savannah and stop blaming yourself for her death.”
“The guilt will always be there,” I said.
“Maybe so, but moving on will help you resolve some of your issues.” He stabbed a finger at the window. “If you have no interest in that pretty lady, I’ll take her for a spin.”
“Like fuck you will.”
He laughed hard. “I thought so. Twenty bucks says you’ll have her in your bed by the end of the week.”
I wasn’t about to take that bet. Because every fiber in me was itching to touch her, taste her, and feel her against me.
With Joy, I would break my rule about not sleeping with a woman more than twice. And that scared the fuck out of me.
10
FALLYN
ALIAS: JOY
The club was rocking for a Saturday. Lust was in the air as the night scene was at its peak, with music blaring and alcohol-infused people dancing, some dry humping while others had their tongues down someone’s mouth.
At the age of twenty-eight, I would like to say I missed this type of atmosphere, but I didn’t. I hardly drank, and if I did, it was a beer or maybe a vodka drink but nothing that would get me to the point of stupid drunk.
“Is it like this every weekend?” I asked Matt, my bartending partner.
He waggled his thick light-blond eyebrows at me. “Can you feel the vibration? It’s fucking awesome. I love this job.”
A very busty brunette leaned over the bar, her cleavage on display for the young handsome bartender with a man bun. He met her halfway, turning his ear so he could hear her.
I was appointed the bartender for the waitresses tonight. They came first, and if I had a lull, I helped Matt. The man could work a bar like I’d never seen before. He reminded me of that movieCocktailwith Tom Cruise. Matt even twirled a liquor bottle or two with expert ability.
I continued to make Long Island iced teas for a party of five in the VIP section on the second floor. Every now and then, I would steal a look at the window of Duke’s office.
