Bartenders are serving drinks, people mingling and dancing, as if they don’t have a care in the world. All in all, a perfect Friday night at Club TEN29.
“We’re coming along at a faster pace than expected. Audio guys had an opening in their schedule, so they’ve upgraded the speakers and sound system. They’ve been able to work during the day since we open at night. No issues.” Landon strides over to the bar. “Soda water?” he asks, glancing from me to Tanner.
“Not for me.”
“Me, neither.” Tanner shakes his head. “Security’s also been upgraded. You need to switch the app on your phone, and you’ll be able to see the new cameras and the areas we can watch.”
“So now it comes down to acts, scheduling, and launch dates,” Landon says.
I frown. I’m not ready to make decisions on who I want to open the new direction of our club, especially when it comes to using Charlotte, my ex. “Let me talk to Grey,” I say. Avery’s husband is a safer bet and as big a draw.
“I have a list but it’d mean reaching out to managers, so see what you can get from your brother-in-law.”
“Are you staying for the night?” Tanner asks.
“I’d like to see how Faith is feeling before I decide… if you don’t mind.” I glance at my partners.
“So that’s how it is already?” Tanner snickers, and Landon shoots him a dirty look.
“It’s fine. We can handle a regular night here.”
My friends are solid, I think. Even Tanner, despite his tendency to dig at a person’s weakness.
“I’ll hang for another few minutes. If you think of anything else you want to discuss, let me know.” Faith is safe in my office.
But I need to find her brother and get back to my life before I am so wrapped up in hers I lose track of what is important to me.
***
Faith
I sit atJason’s desk, waiting for him to return. I’ve looked through my phone, checked my apps, which are minimal because I deleted all my personal social media accounts when I left Iowa, and now I have nothing else to do but look around at the man’s office space. The room is similar to the larger area where the other two men were waiting for us. Sleek chrome borders accentuate glass desks along with black and chrome chairs. Modern area rugs lie over natural wood floors that have a deliberately stripped, gritty look.
Although I don’t intend to pry, my gaze falls to the pictures along the far edge of the desk. There is an obvious family shot of Jason in the middle of a group of men and women, many of whom have similar features and who have to be his siblings. There is a wedding photograph of an older couple I presumeare his parents and a picture of a much younger Jason, Tanner, and Landon and another man identical to Landon in front of a statue. Landon’s twin I saw on the website, to whose memory the club was dedicated.
I feel for all three of the men. With my mother’s passing, I understand loss, and theirs happened way too young. It doesn’t escape my notice that Jason never discusses that part of his past with me. Never mentions Levi or the fact that they named the club after him. I wish he’d unburden himself. He’s already done so much for me, and I just know if he talks about the pain he keeps so close to his heart and carefully walled off, it might help.
As I frown, my gaze travels to the last picture. A photograph of an attractive woman with blonde hair with a little boy in her arms. I have no idea who the female is, and an unexpected knot of jealousy forms in my stomach. It’s silly. I trust that Jason isn’t married. He obviously lives alone, and he’s made his views on relationships crystal clear. There is no doubt he possesses an inherent protective streak from which I am currently benefitting despite him keeping most people at a distance. And yet there is this woman and child he’s never mentioned.
I rub my hands against my denim-clad thighs, growing antsy sitting here with nothing to do while Jason meets with his partners, but I owe him at least this and much more. So I lean back in the chair and relax myself, accepting I might be here awhile.
I begin to doze off when the sound of the door opening startles me awake. I jump in my seat, my heart doing a rapid pounding of fear inside my chest.
“It’s okay, it’s just me,” Jason says, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.
My mouth tastes dry, like cotton. Although I’m used to it, waking often in the middle of the night in such a state, I’m surprised I fell asleep and dreamed here.
“I guess I had a nightmare about Colton and then the creaking of the door and the noise downstairs scared me. You just took me by surprise,” I say, catching my breath, as I rise from my seat.
“I think that answers my question,” he says cryptically from the doorway.
He is a welcome sight, handsome and sexy, in his dark jeans and black shirt.
“What question?” I ask, confused.
“I was going to ask if you wanted to eat something here and hang out downstairs at the club for a while, but I don’t think the crowd and the noise are a good idea. We’ll order something in back at my apartment.” He strides up to me, joining me behind the desk.
“But your partners—” I shake my head. I don’t want the men to resent me more than they already do. Or at least, more than Tanner seems to.
