Redemption | A Drake Duology (2016)

7 • Break Up to Make Up

Aubrey

I shook my head as Bleu leaned down and picked up my cup half full of Hennessy. This was his way of limiting my alcohol consumption for the night. I appreciated him for looking out for me but sometimes a drink or five was needed.

"I wasn't finished," I mumbled.

"You are now. You have another event to attend and I don't think Roman will be happy to know that you didn't show because you passed out at the strip club,"

I rubbed my chin and stood up grabbing a couple of stacks of money. We went from private dances to being out on floor showing up everybody in the building. I was getting bored though so after I threw what was in my hand, I was leaving.

Noah and Celeste stood at the front. This was her first time at the strip club and we made her visit worth while. Money was flying everywhere, drinks were spilling, and the crowd was getting rowdy but Bleu and Rocko made sure that our entire section was secured.

"40 is about to leave, you want to go with him or stay?" He asked.

"We can go,"

Everybody cleared the sections leaving tips for the waitresses. Ro's party was on the opposite side of town, it took a while to get there and when we did, it was packed. Definitely not low-key. Half naked drunk women occupied the entire sun deck; some were topless, some wore bikinis, the rest were dressed normally. Chubbs and Jas wasted no time falling into the crowd of women. Noah claimed the open sitting area.

I looked around for Roman and found her standing near the bar drinking and dancing alone. I started to approach her but quickly realized that it wasn't a good idea with all of the people around. Then my eyes fell on Lance who was only a few feet away watching her intently. I clenched my jaw and fists as he inched closer to her catching her attention. The moment he wrapped his arms around her, I turned away. I couldn't watch without wanting to break him in two.

I strolled back to the main deck and sat on the opposite side of Noah. After a few drinks, he and Celeste were unable to keep their hands off of each other. I sort of felt a way seeing them hugged up and kissing occasionally—things I was never be able to do publically with Roman.

I missed waking up to her every morning, kissing her forehead as she slept, late night talks and all of the nights she missed sleep to keep me company on FaceTime while I worked. I wanted that back but we were so deep into our mess that I didn't know where to start to get back on track and neither did she. We tried talking things out and finding a common ground but that only led to more problems.

I sighed and sipped on a bit of Virginia Black. I thought it was cute that although Roman had been in the constant mood to rip my head off, she still found ways to support and incorporate me into the things that she did. I smiled to myself and glanced back over Noah's way just as Celeste was getting up to join everyone else.

"I'm not used to seeing you alone," His voice chimed away my reverie.

"I'm not use to being alone. Shit is boring," I chuckled sipping from my cup. "When did you become such of a ladies man? I thought you were too busy for a relationship,"

"I thought so too until I met her. I hate being away from her for too long,"

"I bet. She's got you looking better, you seem to be feeling better too," I could feel the alcohol setting in. My body was beginning to relax.

"She forces me to take a break. You need somebody to do the same for you. You haven't been yourself,"

"Long nights, man. Long nights,"