Page 24 of Devoted
“And as mine and Benny’s first combined special event, we’d love to introduce y’all to…” Alek pauses, ever the drama queen. It works, though, because I don’t have a clue what’s going on, and I’m scrambling to the edge of my seat. “…‘Talk Turkey to Me.’”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
KNIGHT
Panic! At the Staff Meeting
For the record, I did not approve of this event’s name, and I only manage to avoid rubbing my temples in frustration because of the binder that currently occupies my hands.
As I peek over the paperwork for what feels like the hundredth time since I’ve been on stage, I think I’d rather be using my hands to wedge Benny away from Vivian. It’s an irrational thought, I’m aware. Vivian is close with her fellow staff members, but it still irks me how I cannot be so carefree around her. Also, he should get his giant paws off her.
“‘Talk Turkey to Me’ is going to be an invite-only amateur night, and the cover at the door is gonna go to a foundation that makes sure all kids get something special on Christmas morning,” Alek explains. Turning to give him my full attention, I catch him staring at me with a warm smile on his face.
I furrow my brow in response. What is he making that face for?
“And our very own Daddy Claus…” No, he wouldn’t tell them. “…said he’d be matching the donation amount we raised.”
The pain in my ass clasps his hand around my shoulder, pulling me into an awkward embrace with the paperwork digging into each of our sides.
I let the crowd have their moment of cheer, but inside, I am mortified.
“Alek, that was supposed to stay private.” Managing to free an arm, I discreetly pinch my friend on his side.
“Things, especially good things like this, can and should be celebrated, Knight,” he replies with a mirrored whisper and pinch on my side. “Not everything has to be a secret.”
Little does he know…
With a final slap to my back, Alek lets me go to continue addressing the staff. “First things first, Benny’s gonna need a list of staff members willing to trade places with the dancers for the event. Dancers, y’all are gonna be slinging drinks instead of slinging thongs that night.”
A little laugh escapes me, drowning in the merriment of the staff as they start shouting out in unison. Everyone seems eager and excited for the chance of role reversal, and very soon, there is only one spot left in the showcase.
To my surprise, I see Vivian begin to raise her hand after backing away from whispering conspiratorially in Benny’s ear. Are they going to perform together? I reel at the thought, even though I have no right to.
In my panic, I don’t think as I shout, “The last spot is mine!”
Everyone in the room goes quiet, and it takes everything in me to stand my ground and not back down from my hasty decision. I’m not entirely sure why I volunteered for something I wouldn’t typically do.
“Holy. Shit.” Alek drops the mic, and it’s like a cue for the crowd to go absolutely insane. Suddenly, I’m being lifted off theground as Alek tosses me over his shoulder and bounces me in time to the staff’s cheer of “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!”
I didn’t know regret could feel so instant and all-consuming, even as I’m held like an infant being burped on its mother’s shoulder.
Fuck me. I’m going to need to learn to dance.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
VIVIAN
Coffee and revenge are the best pairing.
Ican’t believe Knightstolethe last spot in the showcase from me. Everyone else might think he’s just a boss trying to relate to his employees, but I know he saw me about to raise my hand to volunteer. It feels like it’s another way for him to try to exert some control over me at work.
Thankfully, the rest of the meeting went by quickly after everyone calmed down, and no one batted an eye when I rushed out of my seat.
Now I’m storming down the hallway downstairs, hauling ass to get back to my office so I can let off some steam. My hands dig into the edges of my notebook as I mumble nonsense to myself. My words are all the things I would have loved to say to Knight after he took my spot. As mad as I am, some logical part of me reminds me how he’s my boss and I can’t go around cursing him out in front of his staff.
Also, how shitty would it look to tear him a new one when the secret softie announced his matching donation for the kids’charity? The more I learn about him, the more sides I see of him. It’s like getting a new piece of a puzzle with an always-changing image.
A headache starts pulsing in my temples when I finally reach my office door. At least I can rest here for a bit before I need to help the guys out for the bachelorette shows. Their costumes for these shows mostly consist of skintight tank tops, jeans, or daisy duke shorts, so I end up helping them with makeup more than anything else.
