Behaving Badly in Vegas (Vegas Love #3)

55. Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Charli

Every day that passed without hearing from Hunter made my heart sink further into my stomach. I put off looking for an apartment in the hope he would choose me over Jennifer, even though it was blatantly obvious he didn’t.

Gia and Penny had tried to take me out for a girls’ night, but I declined. Being around them would only remind me of what I lost. It was better to move forward instead of looking back. It hurt less.

Returning to Oasis and immersing myself in work was what was best for me. I spent endless hours in the gym and at the training center. Jasmine was right by my side.

“Are you ready?” She bounced on her toes as we stood backstage waiting.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” This was my first performance since the accident. I was filled with anticipation, covered from head to toe in sequins and glitter. My muscles hummed and my heart beat erratically. I’d be lying to say that getting on the stage again didn’t make me nervous, but I was ready. I’d been waiting months for this.

The stage went black, and I took my place at the bottom of the silks, wrapping the fabric around my leg. As soon as “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence started, the spotlight flicked on, illuminating me. It was then that the audience disappeared… it was just me and the music and thirty feet of fabric. Nothing else mattered but being in the moment.

I began climbing, pulling myself up with my arms as I wrapped the fabric around my foot as an anchor. Up, up, up I went, and when I got to the top, I realized a tear was running down my cheek. The damn song was like a punch to the gut, the words about needing to feel something to live consumed me, because lately… I’d felt nothing.

Extending my legs above my head, I spun them like a helicopter, weaving the fabric between and around my legs and back like a harness. It was enough to support my weight, and I let go, suspending myself in the air as my arms and legs extended and my back arched. With one arm, I reached down and grabbed the silks, spinning them in tight circles, making my body twirl faster and faster until everything became a blur of light and sound.

With the silks wrapped tightly around my waist, I let go and let my body drop until I was jerked to a dramatic halt, cradled in the fabric. With a few twists and turns, I unwrapped the material from my waist and wove it around and around my legs, securing it tightly to my ankles with intricate layers. Although the silks weren’t technically knotted, they would hold. With one twist of my shoulder, I began a free fall toward the stage as the fabric unraveled from my body. Like a shot of adrenaline coursing through my veins, I felt alive for the first time in days.

With every maneuver, every carefully choreographed spin of my legs or extension of my arms, I felt more and more like myself. My muscles burned, and my heart thumped wildly as I prepared for the final drop, wrapping the fabric between my legs and over my shoulders, securing it tight behind my bent knee. When the music hit its final crescendo, I straightened my leg, releasing the material and tumbling head over heels toward the floor with only one wrap around my waist to keep me from crashing.

Hanging upside down, I hooked the silks around my knee and slid to the bottom, where I swayed back and forth as the music ended, the strands of my long hair barely brushing the floor.

Applause thundered in the theater as the stage went black. I lowered myself to my feet and exited the stage, running into Jasmine’s open arms. “You killed that, bitch! Hands down your best performance ever.”

I hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. “Thank you.” Somewhere between climbing to the top of the silks and tumbling to the bottom, I made peace with the idea of living without Hunter. I’d always cherish our time together, but this is what I was meant to do. I remembered his parting words to me. I hope all your dreams come true. I believed he meant it, and I had no right to complain. I was living my dream. That was more than most people could say.

I made my way to the dressing room, accepting compliments and high fives from the other performers as I went. Although I would usually perform multiple times during a show, the producer thought it best I started with one routine on my first night back. I didn’t argue. Performing in front of an audience was much different than in the training center. Hopefully, tonight I proved I was ready. I needed it.

Opening the door to our shared dressing room, I gasped. It was full of red roses. Not a single vase, but dozens of arrangements on every flat surface. My chest filled with apprehension; the flowers had to be from Hunter. I wasn’t sure if they were a congratulations, a goodbye, or a second chance.

I cautiously entered the room, inhaling the overpowering scent. There on my vanity was a letter. I picked up the envelope and saw Hunter’s perfect handwriting. Dollface.

Quickly opening the envelope, I pulled out the sheets of paper inside. Taking a deep breath, I unfolded them and read.

Dollface~

I’m writing this letter because I’m shit with words and when it comes to you, I’ve never said the right ones.

I knew from the moment I looked into your pretty blue eyes I was in trouble. You were too beautiful, too innocent, too good. I knew you’d have the power to destroy me.

I didn’t want to let you into my life, yet you snuck into the cracks of my black heart and made a home there. You nurtured and healed and filled it with love. No matter how big of a jerk face I was, you still saw the good in me… until I pushed you away.

I realize now all the mistakes I made. I should have listened to your intuition. I should have known you had not only my best interest at heart, but Carina’s too. You were right about everything, and I was a fool for doubting you.

I have missed the ever-loving fuck out of you. I should have told you not to leave. I should have asked you to stay. And most importantly, I should have told you I loved you.

You see, I thought I was doing the right thing by setting you free. You deserve to have all of your dreams come true. You deserve better than a bastard like me, but I’m a selfish prick, so I’m going to make you a proposal.

A job offer…

I need a woman who will stand by my side through the good and the bad. A woman who will call me on my bullshit and tell me when I’m being a complete asshole. A woman who will love me despite my faults, because I have many. A woman who has enough room in her heart for not only me, but my daughter as well. A woman who will love Carina like her own and teach her the true meaning of strength and beauty.

This job doesn’t come with a paycheck but a promise .

I promise to take care of you and put no one else before my girls. I promise to support your dreams and help you fulfill your every fantasy. I will hold you up when you are weak and stand back when it’s your time to shine. I will respect you, cherish you, and defend you. But most importantly, I promise to love you each and every day for as long as you will have me.

You make me a better man. Please come home because I am so lost without you.

~Hunter

The words blurred as tears poured down my face. It wasn’t poetic, but it was everything I was so desperate to hear.

Although I was supposed to stay until the end of the show, I needed to see Hunter. I needed to look in his eyes to see if the words he wrote were true. My heart was starting to heal; I couldn’t take the chance he would break it again.

Without changing my clothes, I put on my shoes then grabbed my purse and duffel bag. The door cracked open, and Jasmine squeezed through, shutting it behind her. She motioned to the flowers. “Where the hell did these come from?”

“Hunter.”

“Wow! The man doesn’t know the meaning of moderation, does he?”

I shook my head. “He tends to go a bit overboard. It’s not the flowers that have me reeling though, it’s this.” I shoved the handwritten letter at her.

She quickly read it and looked up at me. “Do you believe him?”

“He has no reason to lie. I want to believe him, but I don’t want to get hurt again.”

Jasmine pouted her lips. “The only risks you’ll regret are the ones you don’t take. A man doesn’t write shit like this unless he means it.”

I bit the side of my fingernail. “It’s reckless.”

A smile spread across her face. “Then it sounds right up your alley.”

“Cover for me, will ya? ”

She grabbed my hands and gave them a tight squeeze. “Of course. Go get your man.”

I threw open the dressing room door and almost collided with Hunter’s hard chest. “Hi,” he said, holding Carina on his hip, her eyes closed and her head resting on his shoulder. It was way past her bedtime.

Seeing them was a shock. I thought I’d have more time to think. I wasn’t ready for him. “Hi.”

“I saw your performance. It was as beautiful as you. You took my breath away, Charli.”

“Thank you,” I said, lowering my eyes at the unexpected compliment.

“Did you get my flowers?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, they’re hard to miss.”

“Did you read the letter?”

My eyes welled with tears. “I did.”

He cupped my cheek with his free hand. “I love you, Charli. I’ve never said that to another woman before. No one has ever been worthy of my love. I’m not saying I’m worthy of yours, but I’d like the chance to prove that I can be.”

My heart shattered again for an entirely different reason. “You are worthy of my love. You’ve had it for months. Walking away from the both of you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

“We miss you, Charli. So damn much. Come home with us and be a family.”

Carina’s eyes fluttered open. She reached out to me with her little hands. “Mama.”

I smiled and more tears fell down my cheeks. “How can I say no to that?” Taking Carina from his arms, I hugged her to my chest and placed lipstick kisses all over her chubby face.

Hunter stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Does this mean you’ll accept the position? Your boss is a dick, but the benefits are outstanding,” he said, nodding to Carina.

I laughed. “I’m not worried about the boss. I know how to handle him. ”

“You certainly do.” He held my face in both his hands and pressed his lips to mine. “I love you, Charlotte Bently. Let’s go home.”

Whoever said you can’t have it all was wrong. I had a job performing, a man who loved me, and the start of a family. Life didn’t get much better than that.