Whipped (Hitched #2)(47)

The guys rib me about it, but f*ck them. I get to spend the rest of my life with this woman.

The lights are hot. The dancing is hotter. The crowd is on f*cking fire. I close with a flourish of flips and hip-thrust to a standing ovation.

Staring into the glare of white lights, I silently bid goodbye to this chapter of my life. I won't miss it, but I'll always remember it fondly.

The guys slap me on the back as I head to my dressing room. I'm ready to get out and get with Vi. But when I come out, she’s already waiting for me with an impish grin on her beautiful face. "Come with me, lover boy."

I grasp her hand and follow. "What's going on?"

"You'll see. By the way, you were amazing tonight. You'll have to f*ck me later just to scratch the itch you put inside me with that performance."

I grin and give a half bow as we walk. "Your wish is my command."

When we get to the main dressing room, there's a big cake in the middle of a table, a whole lot of booze, and all the guys plus Vi's friends waiting for me.

Darrel walks over and hugs me. "I'm gonna miss you, Lach, but I'm proud of you. I know we've had some ups and downs over the years, but working with you was always more than just work. You're like a son to me and I'm proud of you."

His words choke me up. "Thanks. That means a lot to me. You know, the fundraiser we had for the center was a hit. We got the funding we needed to open the center and staff it. If you ever feel like a career change, we could use some more dance teachers. You taught me everything you know."

He smiles. "If I ever do, I'll call you." He grows serious. "But, Lach. I may have taught you everything I know, but I didn't teach you everything you know. You are a prime example of the student surpassing the teacher. Go pass that on to some punk-ass kids like yourself. The world of dance—hell, the world in general—will be better for it."

He walks away, not one for long goodbyes, and Duke comes over and fist bumps me. "Good show, dude. Hard shoes to fill."

"You'll kill it," I tell him.

"And hey. I'm sorry what I said about your woman. It was a dick move and I shouldn't have."

"We're cool, man," I say. "Stay sharp out there. The guys need you."

Vi brings me a glass of champagne and I sip it and smile at her. "Did you know about this?"

"Did you know about my surprise birthday party?" she counters.

"Touché." I kiss her nose. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

We spend a few minutes on our own, talking and kissing, then mingle with the rest. Zoe is being flirted with by one of the guys in the group. Vi cocks her head. "Is he an ass?"

"Larry? Nah, he's a good guy if she's not looking to get serious."

Vi nods. "Okay, good. She's not looking."

Tate is off in a corner making out with one of our groupies. A blond chick I may or may not have banged myself. I nudge Vi. "I thought he was on a fast?"

She laughs. "He got hungry, it would appear."

Kacie and Sebastian come over and shake my hand. "We have to go," Kacie says. "The twins are sick and the babysitter is freaking out."

"Of course," I say. "Thank you for coming. I'm sure we'll see you soon."

Vi hugs her friend and Sebastian and I do the man shake/hug thing, and they leave.

"Your friends are pretty cool," I tell her.

"They're your friends now too," she says. "More than that. They're family."

For a guy who grew up with none, I'm quickly acquiring a pretty kickass group to call kin. I like it.

***

The next day, as Vi and I cuddle and watch a movie together, she fends off texts from her parents and friends. "Everyone's asking about the wedding," she says.

"Tell them we just got engaged. We haven't planned all the details yet."

"I did. They are not accepting that."

I laugh. "Tough shit. It's our wedding."

"I'm thinking summer," she says. "It's plenty of time to get the center off the ground and gives us time to plan a nice event for friends and family without feeling rushed."

I mentally process the time in my head and nod. "Summer sounds great. Maybe the beach? Like your parents? I liked that."

She kisses me, and I take that as a yes.



When the date for the grand opening arrives, I'm a ball of nerves that Vi has to calm. This is it. The day I've been dreaming of. It's finally happening.

Tate and Kacie have been promoting it throughout the city and a lot of people have shown up. Kevin stands beside me with Mary at his back while I give a short speech about what this means to me, to the kids, to this community. Vi is at my side and I'm holding her hand as the crowd cheers and waits for us to cut the giant red ribbon. I give the scissors to Kevin and he looks up in surprise.

"Seriously, man? This is your big moment."

I shake my head. "Nope. It's ours. This wouldn't be happening without you. Go ahead."

He is all smiles as he cuts the ribbon and lets the world into The Helping Hand.

People cheer. Angela and Marvin, who drove up from Long Beach just for this, howl and jump up and down in excitement. Sebastian grins, his hands on the baby stroller. Kacie, Tate, and Zoe stand with him. Vi kisses me as people start to pour inside the building. When Mary walks by, she congratulates me. It means a lot.