“Nate, how are things going at the club?” Asher’s wife, Chelcie, asks.
I look back at my plate but listen for his answer. Truth be told, I’ve been curious about this new project of his. But not enough to ask anyone openly about it. I’ve followed the news on social media, which it seems like you see something everywhere. Every local radio station is plugging the opening of Dirty Dog, but no one knows much besides it being billed as the biggest thing to happen to the Atlanta area club scene in decades. All everyone sees are the pictures of the old Club Carnal, what used to be a popular club years and years ago, transformed into a huge and breathtaking mix of class and rustic flair. Everything on the outside has been pictured everywhere. The huge warehouse covered in brick is now painted black with steel accents. When the Dirty Dog logo went up, in all its bright red glory, it popped so brightly it demanded attention.
“Sold out every weekend for the next three months. We didn’t do tickets for the weekday nights, but I’m pretty confident that it will be crowded. Or hopeful, at least.”
“Well, isn’t that lovely,” she says, looking over at where Nate’s mom, Izzy, is sitting across from her. I don’t miss the look that passes between them, but it shocks me to see the worry on his mother’s face.
Worry? Anyone with eyes and ears can see the hype surrounding his grand opening is going to carry for a damn long time. If I let myself, I would feel so much pride for him.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You going to dress up like a fairy on opening night too, little princess?” His sister laughs at him but snaps her mouth shut when he turns slowly to face her.
Cohen, not ever one to miss anything, takes his son from Dani’s arms just as Nate stands from the table. He bends his tutu-covered waist and pulls his sister from the table before tossing her over his shoulder.
“You big jerk! Let me down, Nate! Daddy, tell Nate to leave me alone!”
“Nate, leave your sister alone.” He complies, stuffing another piece of steak in his mouth and not even looking in their direction.
Dani continues to smack his back and kick her feet, but he just walks over to the back corner of the covered dining area and drops her to her feet. He silently spins her so that she’s facing the corner and points at the stone covered wall in front of her.
“Two-minute time-out for insulting the princess,” he tells her, then silently walks back the way he just came. He stops to give Molly’s beaming face a kiss on the cheek before taking his seat and picking up his fork.
“Maybe we’ll check it out,” I hear his father say, continuing like nothing happened as his daughter stomps back to the table, shocking me enough that my eyes automatically shoot from Nate’s face to his before looking back at Nate.
He looks ridiculous, but he puts his fork back down and turns to look at his dad, the makeup on his face making him look anything but serious. “Afraid you’re going to be out of luck there, old man. Unless you get lucky and find a scalper out front, we’re sold out.”
“Nathaniel.” His mom gasps on a laugh. “Not even for your parents?”
I watch him shake his head at her before looking over and meeting my eyes, holding them captive with the intensity brewing in his emerald gaze. With my heart in my throat, I look down at my plate and busy myself with moving some food around while listening intently to his words.
“I’m not sure it’s your scene, Ma. Definitely not something for the faint of heart, and to be honest, I’m not really sure I want my parents to see me in action.”
“In action?” I hear someone ask from the end of the table.
“Ha!” Cohen burst out laughing. “Trust me on this, Izzy, the last thing you want to do is see your boy here in action.”
“You make it sound like he’s running a brothel,” someone else jokes making Cohen laugh even harder.
What in the world?
“Well, I’m going, and you can’t stop me. Even if I have to buy a ticket because my own son won’t let me in.”
“We’ve got ten!” I hear my sister yell, making Cohen laugh even harder.
“Ten? What the hell,” Nate calls her way.
“Oh yeah, we’ve got bigggg plans this weekend, don’t we, girls?”
Shit, kill me now. They’re taking me to Nate’s place? No … no way.
“Would you stop laughing,” Dani tells her husband, only causing him to start a new wave of hilarity.
“Uh … big plans for what?” Nate continues, ignoring his sister and brother-in-law.
“It’s Ember’s big twenty-first. What better way to celebrate than doing it Dirty style, right Nate-Dog?”