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“Because of last time?” I crossed my arms, raising my brows.
“Oh,” he sighed, “yeah, that.”
“Listen, I’m not taking a jab right now.” I reached for his face, cupping his jaw. “It’s a great opportunity for you to show everyone you’re not that guy. Redemption. Gain respect once again.”
He bobbed his head in a lazy nod. “You’re right. It’ll be perfect before I have to go on Late Night, Monday.” Picking up his phone off the couch, he texted for a moment. “I’ll let him know we’ll be there.”
* * *
CHANCE
As the valet pulled away with my car, I laced my fingers with Amber’s. The line of people waiting to get inside was longer than normal, as Luca Aggio was giving a special performance that night.
The crowd spotted us immediately, and flashes strobed. They shouted in our direction while Dragon escorted us past. Giving them a polite nod, I waved slightly with my free hand. Paparazzi camped outside the club waiting for celebrities coming and going, rushed over, yelling questions to both Amber and me.
Chance over here, over here! Are you and Amber back together? Amber, can you give us a smile? You look pretty Amber! Chance, is it true you threw up on set? Did you get anger management? How are you feeling after your car accident? Amber, is it true you’re pregnant with twins?
Keeping my head down, I tried my best not to stagger as we waltzed past. Instead of defending myself or our imaginary kids. I felt it was more important to speak with my actions, considering the previous incident. The last time they saw me here in person, I was stumbling to a limousine with two strange women.
The inside of the club felt more crowded than it was before. The sea of club-goers danced like it was their last night on earth. Under the flashing lights, beads of sweat were glistening on the foreheads of many drunk faces.
We squeezed our way through with the help of several bouncers and Dragon, guiding us to the VIP tables my friends had reserved. Smiles erupted on the familiar faces as we approached.
“Damn!” Dean jumped to his feet, patting my shoulder. “Just tell me, were you drinking?”
“Huh?” I shouted over the music.
“The accident!” He chuckled. “Were you drinking and driving?”
Huffing, I rolled my eyes. “Hell no.”
Turning around, he held his glass out. “I told you mother fuckers he wasn’t drunk!” Pivoting back to us, his gaze settled on Amber, trailing her body from the floor to her hair. “Damn again.” Extending his arm with a smile, he shook her hand. “I’m Dean, and you’re the girl who wrecked my dude.”
She tightened her gaze on him playfully. “I hope that’s a compliment?”
“It sure the fuck is.” He cackled. Spinning on his heels to our friends, he gestured to the booths. “Everyone, this is the infamous Amber!”
My friends’ eyes were all glued to my dazzling girlfriend. She was used to being the center of attention at work, but off-stage, she was quite reserved in public. Without trying, she stood out among everyone in her mid-thigh length, side tie, coral, halter dress; perfectly paired with a pair of round-toe stiletto buckle pumps.
After everyone introduced themselves, helping her feel welcome, we sat, making less potent drinks than the rest. I kept my hand on her thigh while we chatted with everyone. She fit right in, carrying on conversations, unaffected by my A-List celebrity circle.
Simone brought up Amber’s job, but Amber held her own. She proudly talked about her career choice. However, when she said that she didn’t plan to do it much longer, I tilted my head, my eyes widening.
Leaning close to her ear, I gritted my teeth, feigning a smile. “When were you going to tell me this?”
“Excuse me.” She held up a finger to Simone before swiveling in the seat to me. “I wanted to talk to you about it more, but it slipped just now. I don’t want to yell about it over the music. Can we discuss it when we get home?”
Nodding, I chugged the rest of my drink. She rolled her eyes, turning back to Simone, chatting back and forth. I wasn’t mad about her choice to quit dancing, just shocked she didn’t bring it up to me before she told my friends, who she’d never met before. I stretched my arm around her, trying to have a normal night.
Luca and several of his crew sped by on the way to the stage. As he passed, he lifted his chin at me in acknowledgement, but didn’t stop. Anyone else in the room would’ve assumed the exchange between us was normal, but it wasn’t. Maybe he was focused on his performance, or maybe he was sending me a message of some sort.
He was born in Italy and one of the greatest singers to come out of Europe. He’d been in a group but went solo after a falling out with his record company. Rapidly, he rose to the top of the charts, gaining an even larger following when he and his family relocated to New York. His father had taken over a crime family there, and there were rumors that Luca did favors for him while traveling. I’d met him several times, though we never discussed his relation.
Amber and a few of the other girls walked to the railing that separated the public from us. Luca spoke privately with the DJ for a moment before his song began. The crowd roared. I shuffled over to Amber, wrapping an arm around her from behind, holding my drink with the other.
She swayed to the music, grinding her rear against me while she danced to Luca’s current number one song. Reaching her arms behind her, she grazed her fingernails on my neck, pressing into me a bit harder. She knew what her nails did to me. She knew she was playing with fire in a public place. I chugged the rest of the beverage. A waitress sped by and I handed her the glass as she passed.
I put my lips to Amber’s ear. “Why are you fucking with me in a crowded place?” I glanced around the large, multi-level interior.
