Page 39 of Redemption

“Because she didn’t actually leave him,” Goldie says. “Lex voluntarily left Colt. Do you have any idea what I’d give to have my husband back? You know, the one who died?”

Heidi never knew Trunk, but she’s heard of him. An Original Ten and best friend to Jennings who gave his life to protect and save his President.

“You don’t know what’s been going on with them, so you don’t get to comment or criticize,” Avery says, surprising everyone.

“Avery, it’s okay,” Lex says.

“No, it’s not okay. Everyone acts like this is just something you decided one day instead of realizing how much shit you must have gone through to be pushed this far. If I know that, they sure as hell should.”

Tess’s face falls as she looks at her daughter-in-law. “Avery-”

“No, you don’t get to stand up there and judge her. None of us do. And there are many of you have either thought about leaving your man or actually did it at one point. This life is hard, but you know what we all had? Lex to turn to. The one who helped us get through it all and kept us going. Leave her alone, Tess. And you, too, Goldie.”

Lex looks at the ground, her arms wrapping around her waist. Tess shakes her head. “I just don’t understand it.”

“And you don’t have to,” Ashley says. “But you have to respect it. We all know she would do the same for all of us if we were in her place. No, you know what, she wouldn’t. She’d ask questions to understand why we left, and then she’d go to our men and tell them what fucking assholes they were to deserve it. That’s what she’d do.”

“Can we stop this, please?” she asks. “This party’s for Heidi, and, well, now Shep, too. Let’s just have a good time.”

Signaling to the back, the male strippers come back out in various costumes, and the music starts up again. Tess walks over to Lex, and Heidi releases Taylor to walk over with Melanie. Lily and Ashley join her in a sign of solidarity. Good. Strength in numbers and all that with the matriarch of the entire club.

“I should go and check on the food. I’ll be right back,” Lex says and hurries to the back.

Heidi looks at Tess and Goldie. “If you can’t keep your opinions to yourself, maybe you should leave. She did all this knowing the people she’s trying to distance herself from would be here, but she did this for me. You ruined that incredibly selfless gesture.”

Turning, she walks back through the doors reading EMPLOYEES ONLY to find Lex holding onto the sink, her shoulders shaking.

“Lex?”

“I’ll be okay,” she says. “Go back out and enjoy the strippers. They come highly recommended.”

Her heart breaks. “You don’t have to be strong for me.”

“This is your party, Heidi. Go, enjoy it.”

“But-”

“Please!” she shouts. “Please, I just need a couple of minutes.”

Swallowing, she slowly backs up. “I’ll get another drink for you.”

“Thanks.”

She walks back out, and Taylor looks at her. “Is she okay?”

Shaking her head, her hands ball into fists at her sides. “No, she’s not okay. Tess, Goldie, you’re out. Anyone else who has opinions about what Lex is going through, you can leave, too. I don’t care how you get home, but get the fuck out.”

The two women look at each other. “You’re kicking us out?”

“Yeah, I am. What you and everyone else have done to Lex is incredibly cruel. And if you stay, I won’t be able to enjoy my own party. The party she threw, so just go.”

Lily smirks as they toss their drinks on the table and head out the front door. “Heidi, I think I love you.”

“As much as you loved your man giving you a lap dance?”

“I don’t think I love anything as much as that.”

“Good. Go to the VIP room and make him give a private show. There’s also a lock on the door in case you want to try for your second set of twins.”

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