Page 201 of Rhet

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and well, the other assholes around us.”

Some men at the bar raise their beer bottles and cheer. Wait, isn’t that Rhet’s friend Dax? I don’t have time to wonder because the cords of “Barbie Boudoir” begin to play. Penny and I can’t hold it back. Like us, the audience around us begins to sway, singing along with Jasper.

As time passes this mini concert turns into a full-blown party. We’re out of our seats, dancing and enjoying this moment of The GREY and their music.

As the last cord to “Rebel Heart” plays, we all go back to our seats.

“Okay, settle down, settle down. I have a new song for you,” Jasper says.

On cue we all scream. Jasper turns around and talks to Silas. They nod.

“There is one thing that keeps evading me and that’s love.”

I clutch my heart and look at me Penny. “Aww.”

“Because you’re a manwhore,” someone shout across the room.

Jasper leans on the mic and laughs “Dax, why yes, yes I am.”

The crowd laughs in union. Jasper looks down at his feet for a minute and I see a flash of sadness of his face.

“However, I have seen how love can transform a man. Right, fellas?”

Again, the men in the corner shout like Spartans raising their glasses high.

“One of my friends even paid mad money just to have this listening party here.” Jasper snickers.

“It’s one of the best places to have a party if you ask me,” A man with red hair, a beard, and a pretty woman leaning on his lap shouts as he holds up his drink. Wait is that Cole? Is Draven sitting right next to him?

“That right there is one of the co-owners of ICONIC. It’s the sexiest bar in all of Lakeshore,” Jasper says.

“You damn right.” Cole says.

The crowd laughs at their exchange.

“Anyway, I wrote a song this morning, it’s called “Anything.”

As the cords strum from the guitar, Jasper looks down at Penny. His hands cup the mic as he leans in her direction.

I look back at Penny as she sways clutching her shirt over her heart. As Jasper croons, he smiles and looks down the aisle.

As I follow his gaze. Rhet comes down the aisle and walks on to the stage. I have mixed emotions as I watch him walk to the stage. I have thought about him late at night wondering if he was ok? Did he eat? However, there is part of me that is angry that he’s here. Angry that he didn’t listen to me. Angry that at times I feel alone. That he didn’t fight enough. I feel a need to run. I swallow as I gaze at him.

I wish I could say he looks miserable, but he looks great. His hair looks like his hands has been in it. He stands tall in his dark turtleneck and dark jeans.

“He’s really going to do this shit,” Someone by the bar mutters.

Rhet takes a mic, the guitar music still continues to play in the background.

“Screw you, Dimitri and Cole before you say anything, you too.” Rhet says.

The audience laughs but my heart drops because the last time I saw this man he wanted to destroy me. I feel a need to bolt out of here.

RHET

I still can’t believe I paid three million dollars to become part owner of ICONIC and I’m now in debt to Jasper.

I have no idea what I’m about to say. With light shining in my eyes, I place my hand over my forehead.

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