Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-Two
Now, I just have to find a way to win her over. A way to prove I will do anything and everything I have to, to keep her safe. No one is going to hurt her, not as long as she is with me. I stare at her pictures for I don’t know how long. Long enough to make me feel like a weirdo. Even though this isn’t the first time I have sat here staring at her picture all night. 

This time is different though. This time I know where she is. I know I can make her mine. I just need her to give in. I know she likes me. She is just scared and after everything she has been through, I would be scared too. I just wish I could tell her I know what she did without scaring her away. I don’t want her to run again. 

A couple of hours later the music finally stops and there is a soft knock on the door. “Yeah?” I yell from my desk. 

Reggie opens the door. “Club’s clear boss.” 

“Thank you, Reggie.” I say, running my hand over my face. Another long night done. Now, I just have to count the registers, and I can finally go home. Not there is anything waiting for me at home. A big empty house and a lonely bed. Why would anyone want to go home to that?

I make my way to the bar to count the registers and notice Reggie sitting on a bar stool. “You can go home now Reggie. You don’t have to hang out. I’m sure you are tired.” 

Reggie shrugs. “You know I don’t really get tired boss and it’s not like I have anyone at home waiting for me. Plus, I don’t like leaving you here alone. How am I supposed to protect you if you are here and I am not?”

I laugh. “I can protect myself, but I appreciate it.” 

Reggie watches me count the registers down and I take the money to the safe. We turn off all the lights and make our way outside. “Good night, boss.” Reggie says, as he watches me get in my car. 

“Good night, Reggie. I will see you tomorrow.” I say, waving. 

“Same time. Same place.” Reggie says, as he turns and walks away, going to his car. 

The drive home feels like hours instead of minutes. When I get home, I go straight to my in home bar. I know, I was just at a club full of alcohol, but I still like to have a shot of whiskey before I take a shower and wash the night off of me. I wish I had Makenzie’s number, if so, I would text her right now. I enjoy talking to her. I could literally talk to her all night and day. 

I’m sure it would be easy to get her number, but how the hell would I explain that? Oh, don’t mind me. I just had a private investigator track down your number for me. I’m not a fucking weirdo. Yeah, that’s not going to work. I will have to wait for her to give me her number. Otherwise, I am just going to scare her away. 

I down my glass of whiskey, letting it burn all the way down and make my way to my bathroom. I need a shower and a nice long sleep. Maybe if I can sleep most of the day away tomorrow, or I guess it’s technically today, Makenzie will come back to see me at the club again tonight. I want to see her. I don’t think I can wait very long to see her. I have very little patience; waiting is not my strong suit.

I strip down and turn the hot water on, waiting a minute for the water to heat up and steam to fill the bathroom. I take a quick shower, not wasting any time. Once I am done, I slip on a pair of shorts and lay down, trying to fall asleep. Have you ever been so tired that you can’t sleep? That’s how I feel right now. I am absolutely exhausted, but my mind will not shut down, no matter how badly I wish it would. 

Thoughts of Makenzie keep running through my head. What is she doing? What is she thinking about? Does she think about me as much as I think about her? Do her and Brad sleep in the same bed? Does he hold her every night? These thoughts will not stop. I wish they would. God! I wish they would. 

If she was here, I wouldn’t have to think about her. I would have her. I would be the one holding her. I would know what she was thinking about. I would be happy. Something I haven’t been in a very long time. 

At some point I finally manage to fall asleep. When I wake up, it’s only a few hours before I need to get ready and go to the club. So, I get up and do what I always do. I go to my in home gym and work out a little. I have a routine I do most days. Weight lifting, running on the treadmill, and I knock the crap out of my punching bag. That’s my favorite part of my workout routine. It relieves tension, stress and my built up anger. 

Working at a club definitely gives you plenty of reasons to use a punching bag. Every night I deal with a bunch of drunk idiots that think they want to fight. Every night I have to force myself not to beat those same idiots to death. That is where Reggie comes in. While he isn’t afraid to do whatever is necessary, he does have a little more self control than I do when it comes to dealing with these people.  

After my workout, I make some breakfast and take another quick shower. Before heading to the club I say a quick silent prayer, hoping Makenzie will show up tonight. If she does that would make my whole damn day. 

The drive to the club is short and Reggie is already waiting for me when I get there. “Good evening, boss. You ready for another night?” He asks, smirking. 

I scoff. “Only if she shows up again tonight.”