Mom gets up and chases Bertha down while I lean over to Mindy. "What the hell is this?"
"Just enjoy. Think of it as more fuck you money," Mindy says, patting my shoulder. "Trust me, you'll enjoy it."
Mom gets Bertha under control and sits down, grumbling to Grandma. "You know, you've had pets too."
"Whatever," Grandma says. "Bring on the flesh parade!"
"Up first," Hannah says, trying not to laugh, "is our very own superstar, former All-Pro running back, Gavin ‘Anaconda' Adams!"
Brianna, of course, claps the loudest as Gavin emerges, clad in what I can only call a stripper's version of a Navy uniform. Skintight white pants are underneath his cheap white tunic as he adjusts the bill of his cap. Lifting a microphone to his lips, the music changes, and I groan.
Gavin starts to sing Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker, and even Brianna has to clap her hands over her ears.
"I love you, but never again!" she screams as Gavin shrugs and drops his microphone. Ripping off his tunic top, the music changes into a techno/club remix of the classic Joe Cocker song, and he gives his wife a lap dance that leaves Brianna in a fit of laughter before he sashays offstage.
Mindy's laughing her ass off as Brianna wipes her forehead with a hand towel. She looks over at Mindy and me, chuckling. "I didn't marry him for his singing."
Hannah chuckles, shaking her head. "And now, for our second act . . . Oliver Steele!"
Oliver comes out, and my jaw drops as he comes out dressed in perhaps the most ridiculous outfit I've ever seen him in, a leather set of hot pants and a motorcycle vest. "What the hell do you and he get up to?" Grandma asks. "That sure as hell ain't what I expected!"
Mindy's beet red as Oliver picks up the mic and starts singing Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? As he sings, he dances, and he's even worse than Gavin, Mindy blushing and laughing uproariously as he caterwauls his way through the song. "Brad would love this!" I laugh as Oliver peels off his vest to show off his chiseled torso.
Mindy's flushed herself as Oliver retreats behind the curtain, and Hannah takes a minute to laugh. "Don't quit your day jobs. Either of you."
"So who's next?" Grandma asks. "I love those men, but damn if my ears aren't bleeding."
"Next . . . a very special performance," Hannah says. The music slows, not the silly club mixes, but I've heard this in clubs before.
The voice I hear next shocks me. I've never heard it like this before.
I watch in pure amazement as Jake comes through the curtain, stripped to the waist, his body gleaming under the lights as he approaches me with pure love in his eyes, singing Take My Breath Away by Berlin.
The song finishes, Jake saying nothing as he lowers the microphone, and I feel tears in my eyes. "Jake . . ."
"HIT IT!" a booming voice comes from the back, and suddenly, Gavin and Oli are back, having changed clothes, thank God, this time with Nathan joining them as they suddenly break into the Backstreet Boys' I Want It That Way.
"My fucking ears!" Mindy screams in laughter as Gavin and Oliver both sing their parts. Nathan's even worse, but he's a good sport as he swings his hips in front of Grandma and Mom.
I barely notice, my eyes on Jake as he sings, reaching out for me. I lift my hand to his, not even realizing it until he pulls me to my feet. I look in his eyes as he sings the final lines.
The music fades away as the other ladies clap, but I can't do anything but look at Jake. "Roxy, my sweet, beautiful Angel," he says softly, wrapping his arm around my waist. "I can't live without you. When I heard your song . . . I'm sorry. I was wrong. I was an idiot . . . please don't leave. Stay here. Stay with me. I need you. I love you. I didn't mean what I said. You were blameless. I was angry and scared for Sophie and took it out on you."
I nod, putting my arms around his neck and pulling him into a soft kiss. His tongue caresses mine, and I hear cheering behind me. I turn to see Mindy and Brianna in their husbands' arms while Grandma and Mom wipe away their tears. Even Hannah is wiping away a tear or two, and Nathan looks like he's got some allergies going on.
"Looks like I'm staying," I tell Mindy, who grins and gives me a thumbs-up.
"But what about the apartment?" Hannah mock whines. "I've got two potential roomies wanting to see the place tomorrow!"
"Well, I've got a spare bedroom," Jake says, "and Sophie would love to have you around."
"Deal!" Hannah says, grinning. "Roxy, you've got twenty-four hours to get your shit out!"
There's laughter all around, and Nathan disappears to the back to return with four bags of Chinese food. He starts divvying it out, and I turn to Jake, looking into his eyes. "You'd really want me to move in?"
"I want to start with you moving in," Jake says quietly. "And Mindy already told me you want to leave Franklin. If you still want to, that's fine. You can pay your share another way."
"How?" I ask.
"Next Saturday, we're doing an outdoor concert for Club Jasmine. Know of a hot pop act who can work the stage and has a song that's rocketing up the charts who can sing her ass off for us?"
I blush, giving Jake a raised eyebrow, and he nods. "Only if you want to," he adds.
I nod and jerk my thumb over my shoulder at Nathan. "Talk to my manager," I say, giving Jake a huge smile. "He's the brains of the outfit, remember?"
Chapter 30
Jake
I grin at the happy, exuberant guy looking back at me in the mirror, stunned at the image. I can't help myself and start humming Heartstopper, even dancing a little, popping my hips. The world seemed so dark a few days before, and now everything is looking up again.
"Oh. My. God." Sophie laughs quietly behind me, and I turn around. "Next thing I know, you're gonna pull out those hot pants and start doing the YMCA."
For this first time in my life, I think I blush. Sophie comes over and pats me on my chest, grabbing my tie and pulling it around my neck. "Now you're dressing me?"
"You always take forever with your tie," Sophie teases. "And this is your special tie."
I glance down at the cornflower blue tie and lift my eyebrow. "Really?"
"Sure is. You only seem to wear it when you've got stuff planned or you're really happy. So which is it?" she asks as she starts wrapping the silk around itself. "I think I know."
"What?" I ask, and Sophie laughs.
"My big brother is in loooove!" she teases, tugging on the knot that's magically appeared. "Now, fix your collar, and you can fix me some eggs. And I don't want to see that with your hips ever again!"
This is what being in love gets me, I think as I tug at my collar and find myself snapping my fingers as she walks out. Doing things I would never do. It's pretty awesome.
I thread my belt, and as I adjust my fly, Sophie sticks her head in again. "Hey, eggs?"
I look up, glad I had things mostly done. "Don't you ever knock?"
Sophie shakes her head. "You leave your door open all the time. Nothing to knock on."
"Huh," I think. Point, Sophie. "Okay, well, how'd you like some bacon in your eggs?"
"Always up for the fine swine," Sophie says with a grin. "I'll help."
The first half of the day flies by, and as I get ready for the monthly meeting with the advisory board and corporate, I still feel like I'm walking on clouds. Elena knocks on my door, and I call her in. "Yes, Elena?"
"Miss Price has asked to see you," she says, smiling a little. She knows, but she seems to actually be pleased by the whole thing. Maybe Elena's a romantic at heart. "Shall I show her in?"
"Please," I answer, but before Elena can, she's practically pushed out of the way as Matt bursts into the room, along with Byron and Maria Bennett, the woman corporate sent down to talk face to face with the Franklin Consolidated board today. She's from human resources and was going to talk about the changeover of retirement and health insurance plans next fiscal year.
"There he is!" Matt says, stabbing a finger at me. "I told you he's been breaking Rule 34(b) of the Corporate Code of Conduct!"
I sigh, giving Maria a look. "What's he talking about?"
"Don't try to play innocent!" Matt says, his reedy voice grating on my ears. "They've been carrying on an affair. As the regional president, that's a clear conflict of interest. I've watched them!"
"Watched me do what?" I ask as I see Roxy slide in the back of the office, her eyes blazing. I hold up a hand, and she nods, keeping her peace. "Have any of you seen me or Miss Price do anything unprofessional in the office?"
Sure, it's a gamble-we did have the elevator . . . and the supply room-but nobody was there either time. Matt blusters, then points at Roxy. "She's singing at your nightclub, and you two have been seen cavorting there!"