Page 144 of Midnight Confessions

We all look at each other knowingly and laugh.

“Mm-hmm,” Keith says. “Every time you say his name, I think of that drag king, Dick Ripples. Remember him?”

“Oh, at Mary’s? Yes. Good lord, he was hot.” I fawn over the memory.

“Well…” Dottie continues. “We’re going out tomorrow night. He finally called.”

Sondra scrunches her nose. “Where’s he taking you? The gym smoothie bar?”

Keith and I laugh, but Dottie turns up her nose. “No. We’re taking a class at Primo Gainz, then having lunch at Greenleaf.”

Sondra, Keith, and I stare at each other wide-eyed for approximately three seconds before we throw our heads back and laugh like Dottie just pissed her pants.

“What?” she spits. “He’s really into fitness. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Okay, Dot. Have fun on your date, sweetie,” I say, the warmth from the shot settling into my belly, making me want another one. I down the rest of my champagne, and Keith is there to fill it back up. I wink, blowing him a kiss.

Then Sasha pipes up, bringing our attention back to the stage. “Alrighty, we’ve got our sign-up book open. So come up and jot down your name and song choice to hold your place in the rotation. You know the drill.” She ambles across the stage, standing at our end. “I see some beautiful faces out there tonight. Some I recognize...” She looks down at our table. “Our very own Bruiser’s superstar, Winter Sommers is here. Hi, sweetie.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I wave. “Hi, Sasha.”

“Whatcha gonna sing for us tonight, honey?”

“‘Baby Come Back’ by Player!” Keith shouts, making Sondra and Dottie laugh into their glasses.

What the hell are they up to?

Sasha laughs as though she’s privy to some inside joke I’m completely unaware of. “That’s a good one. This girl’s got the voice of an angel, y’all.” She points at me. “Anyway,we’re gonna start tonight off with a special show. So hold onto your loved ones, throw back those drinks, and be sure to tip your waitresses.” She looks off stage to the corner of the bar, where the light doesn’t quite reach, and nods. “You ready, sweetheart?” she asks a dark figure off-stage, then holds out the microphone and waits.

Stepping out of the darkness like he was born in it, Aleck walks toward the stage in a black fitted suit that makes him look like a goddamn mob boss.

My stomach drops from the weight of the shock I’m in. Combined with my desire for Aleck and the booze I consumed, I feel lightheaded and woozy.

Sondra leans into my side. “Thisisa setup.” She smiles, then leans back in her chair.

“What did you do?” I spit.

“Honey, just hear him out.”

My glare snaps to Keith. “Are youokaywith this?” Keith has openly hated Aleck since he bailed on me at the resort. I can’t imagine he’sokaywith this.

“No, I’m not. But when it comes to the women in my life, I have a weakness for wanting to see them happy. And sweetie, you’re not happy.”

Aleck steps up onto the stage, shoulders squared and his hair combed back and off his forehead. I can tell he shaved this morning, because the short beard I saw him wearing before is gone. I loved the beard, but now he looks like the Aleck I know and love. Deliciously clean cut with minimal scruff.

My chest tightens as he grabs the microphone with one hand and unbuttons his coat and fans it open with the other. He looks out at the crowd, his pale blue eyes glittering under the panel lights.

“Uh, hi. I’m not going to sing for you tonight.” A fewboosfrom the crowd. “I’m here to speak to a woman I’ve hurt. Though, I’ll sing for her if that’s what it takes.”

“Sing for us, handsome,” a woman with a deep voice yells from somewhere in the room.

Aleck laughs, then turns, looks at me, and winks. Hewinks. My ribs tighten around my heart, sending flutters to every limb and crevice in my body. All I can do is watch him with wide eyes and an ache in my heart that wants me to stand up and run to him. But I don’t. I stay put and wait to see where this is going.

“I once told her I wasn’t the grand gesture type. Actually, I told her I wasn’t the type of man to do alotof things. And I wasn’t lying. I just didn’t know what life was like with her yet. And, unfortunately, I’ve come to know what life is likewithouther and it sucks. It’s boring and painful. I’ve realized a lot of things about myself and what I want since she’s been gone.”

Aleck walks to the corner of the stage so he’s right in front of our table now. He puts his free hand in his pocket and looks down at me.

“I believed I didn’t deserve her. And I don’t, I probablyneverwill.” A small laugh puffs in his chest. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t make her happy. A wise man once asked me,‘How do we know when we’re worthy enough for the women we love?’He told me he was thankful his wife had found him because even though he knew without the shadow of a doubt he didn’t deserve her, he knew how deeply he would love her. He knew she’d never go a day without being loved to the edge of the earth and back. And for him, that was enough to know he was worthy.”

---