“I guess I came here to ask you to look out for me Dad and for you Mom to forgive me for the choice I made. I know it’s not the path you would’ve wanted for me to take but I hope you understand that I felt like it was my only option.
I rose to my full height and patted my slacks down, making sure I didn’t get any dirt on the suit that set Victor back five large ones. Standing in front of my parent’s grave talking to a pile of a dirt I felt alone so fucking alone. I took a deep breath and pulled myself together, digging deep inside for the best pieces of my mother and father that were instilled in me her strength and his bravery.
“Wish me luck.” I whispered, pressing my fingers to my lips and saluting their grave. Before I lost my shit and trust me I was on the brink I turned on my heel and made my way down the hill wondering if the pain of losing them would ever get easier. I reached inside my jacket pocket and pulled out my sunglasses, putting them on to shield my bloodshot eyes from Anthony. I got back into the car instantly feeling his eyes on me.
“You okay?” He asked.
“Fine.” I cleared my throat and leaned my head against the seat. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Anthony kept his gaze on me for another moment before nodding. He looked ahead at the driver his eyes meeting his in the mirror.
“Take us to Temptations.” He said.
And just like that, I was on my way to secure my spot in Victor’s organization. God help me.
The bass vibrated off the walls of Temptations the house disc jockey was going off doing a damn good job at getting the main dance floor packed with people. The club was dark aside from the impressive light show that shot vibrant colors across the club. The large disco ball suspended in the middle of the main dance floor spun around in circles catching all the hues of blue red and purple. Those wearing white clothing stuck out in the crowd of people as their clothes glowed in the darkness.
I tore my gaze from the lights that were putting me in a trance and stared at the flowers that decorated our V.I.P. table a surprise that was waiting for me when Adrianna and I arrived at the club. There was a “Happy Birthday” balloon attached and I assumed they were from my father since there was no card attached and Rico was just as surprised by the gesture as I. I was officially twenty-one years old legal to do all the things I had been doing since I was eighteen. I didn’t feel like dancing or drinking until I threw up like your average twenty-one year old been there done that. Still, it was my birthday and the Grand Opening of my dad’s nightclub so I plastered a smile on my face and willed myself to enjoy myself and act my age accepting drink after drink shot after shot.
I leaned back against the cushions of the white leather couch that I was sitting on and took it all in. Rico stood off to the side bopping his head to the beat of the music as he greeted people that recognized him. I was on point with my suggestion to have him headline. Since we walked into the club people have been asking us when he was going to go on. We were together still or at least we were pretending to be. I had told him in the beginning of the week I hadn’t been fair to him and that until I sorted out this bullshit in my head maybe we should take a break. He insisted that we wait it out telling me he wanted to be a part of my birthday promising to be a better boyfriend and make all our problems disappear.
The thing was it wasn’t Rico’s fault our relationship fell apart and as much as he tried he’d never be able to resolve the issue because the issue was Mikey and my undeniable attraction to him. There was no fixing that, one couldn’t fix a force of nature, you just had to embrace it and ride the wave. Staying away from Mikey didn’t lessen my infatuation it only made it worse because I realized I wasn’t just infatuated with him but that I felt something else for him. I missed my friend and it was almost as if I was mourning his absence and the loss of our friendship the same way I had when I was just ten years old.
I felt a body fall onto the couch beside me, pulling me away from my thoughts of Mikey I turned and looked at Adrianna. My sister hid her pain well, unless you knew her circumstances, one could never tell she was breaking inside. She was wearing a black jumpsuit cut down to her navel exposing her cleavage. I prayed that I took after her and that when I had kids, I’d look as good as she did. Her hair was pulled from her face in a high ponytail so that you had no choice but to appreciate her beautiful face, her high cheekbones and almond shaped eyes demanding you to stare at her in awe. She smiled at me as she handed me a glass of champagne clinking her glass to mine.
“Happy Birthday baby sister.” She said exposing that she was tipsy and tipsy Adrianna was fun. She forgot all about her problems and went with the flow breaking free from the chains that bound her to reality and got lost in the freedom, allowing herself to be carefree even if it was only for just one night.