Whipped (Hitched, #2)

"Sure," I say, enjoying the feel of the heat penetrating my sore and tired muscles.

"Now that I've decided to stay despite losing my funding, I need to rethink my plans for the youth center, but I'm having a hard time. I've had such a particular vision in my head for so long, I can't imagine anything else."

I stroke his arm as I think about it. "It makes sense that it's hard to shift gears. Why not start from the basics? What do you, at the core, want out of this venture? What are you trying to accomplish?"

He's silent for a moment before speaking. "I want kids in this area to have a safe place to come after-school to study, learn, and dance. I want to teach those who are interested how to take their dance to the next level so they have a way out of their lives, should they need one."

"That's good," she says. "So what do you absolutely need to make that happen? Not what you want or think would be cool. But what do you really need?"

"A space. Primarily we need a space for the kids to come, for dance lessons to happen, for studying and after-school classes to take place. And I'd need at least a few people other than myself there to help run it and teach."

"So that's what you look for. Look for that space. Not the space in your head, but the space that will actually work. And then think of ways to generate funding for it. You've been looking for an investor or two. Have you considered letting the kids use their skills to raise the funds through a large group of interested people in the community? A fundraiser of some kind?"

Lach’s arms tighten around me. “A fundraiser…” he trails off. And for the first time since he lost his funding, I hear a smile in his voice as he starts talking about plans for the center.





CHAPTER 26





LACH


I have an idea. A grand idea of helping kids and teaching dance. And the idea is great, but it's time to think smaller. Think about what I really need to accomplish. Marvin was right. I got stuck on one way of doing things. The Spacey Mall. Investors. I need to be open to other possibilities. The fundraiser is the first step.

Vi and I toss around ideas for how to organize it as we walk back to the car, our sweat-covered bodies glistening in the sun. "Kacie and Tate can invite some of their clients," she says.

I nod. "And we can make posters. I'm sure Kevin and his friends will help pass them out."

"I could hang some up in the store."

I raise an eyebrow. "Advertising a youth fundraiser alongside purple dildos?"

She shrugs. "Lots of my customers have kids."

We pass the closed-down building I noticed earlier. An old man with a long gray beard walks out the door, a brown box under his arm, and locks up. I've never seen anyone in the place. Makes me curious. "Excuse me. Is this your gym?"

The man grunts. "Used to be. Couldn't keep up with the rent. Not with that other gym across the block." He shakes his head. "Should have opened somewhere far away from competition."

Poor guy. I imagine having to close down the youth center. It would break me. "I'm sorry you had to close down."

He rubs his eyes and hiccups. "Yeah, me too. We had a nice family place, you know. A place where the kids could play while you and your honey got a workout in. Close to the schools. I'll miss it." Another hiccup. "Well, see ya." He grunts again and wanders down the street, wobbling side to side. I wonder if there's a bottle of whiskey in his box. I'd be drowning my sorrows too if my dreams collapsed.

I examine the closed gym. It's in nice condition. Looks spacious through the windows. The place must have been great.

And it could be again.

I spin on Vi, startling her. "I have an idea," I say, barely able to contain my excitement. "This could be the place. For the youth center."

Her eyes light up. "It's perfect. And if it's close to schools, that means a shorter drive for parents."

"Exactly." My mind runs with ideas. "I'll contact the schools, see if they're interested in the fundraiser."

"Yes, we can give them posters."

"Yes!"

Vi raises her hand and I high-five her, because you know, we're cool like that. We rush back home, shower, and get to work. Vi contacts Kacie and Tate and starts work on the posters, googling Photoshop tutorials. I call nearby schools, explaining the fundraiser. I manage to reach one of the principals, a woman with a high-pitched voice, and she sounds very interested. "We'll send forms home with the kids. I know a lot of parents who will love this." I thank her and move on to the next school on my list. Not everyone is as responsive. It's okay. I'm making progress, and it feels fantastic.

I contact the owner of the closed gym and talk price. He stutters through the whole conversation. I can tell he’s desperate to rent but trying not to show it. In the end, I offer to buy the building outright. "That's… that's a nice offer."

I chuckle. It's nothing compared to what the Spacey Mall would have cost. "You want it, or not?"

"I… um… yes… I want it. I want it."