Chapter One-Hundred and Sixty - What Are They Up to?

Wyatt

I arrive home from dinner and drinks with my brother and father. We were putting a plan into action for when I take a step back in a couple of months. I made my decision, and I am sticking to it. Alyssa’s job is still there if she wants to continue, but I would rather her not work for someone else, but that is her choice. I would rather we start something for ourselves, a new business venture. It is still an option, but no final decision has been made. We have time. 

I head inside to find Alyssa and Angelina on the sofa with a glass of wine. I knew she was coming over tonight. The second they see me, they fall silent. 

“Hey, my love, how was dinner?” Alyssa says sweetly, a little too sweetly.

I glance between them and raise my brow. “What are you two up to?” 

Alyssa pulls herself up from the sofa and comes towards me. She kisses me, and when she parts, “We are not up to anything, sir.” She replies, batting her lashes at me.

I look over her shoulder and Angelina, “What she said, minus the sir part.” She laughs.

“You are both terrible liars.” 

I swear they better not be planning a surprise birthday party for me. My birthday is next weekend, but I don’t like birthdays. I don’t celebrate them. It isn’t a day of celebration to me; it is a reminder of the bad from my childhood. Alyssa and I have plans with my family, but it is a simple dinner and drinks. That is more than enough. I would rather not be doing anything, but my parents were persistent. I agreed to get them off my back. 

“I don’t know what you mean. How was dinner?” Alyssa asks, her arms coming around my neck. 

“Good. We have a plan ready for when it is needed.” I smile and kiss her forehead. 

She smiles brightly at me. “Good, I am glad to hear it.” 

“I will leave you both to it. I am going to shower.” I say and kiss her softly. 

“Come and join us for a drink once you are done,” Angelina suggests. 

“I don’t want to be in the way.” 

“You are never in the way. Go and do what you need, then come back.” 

I nod and start to walk away. Alyssa slaps my ass and snickers as I do. 

“Hey, that is my thing.” I huff. 

I disappear to shower and let them get back to whatever they were planning. I have ways I can get it out of Alyssa. It is my first birthday since we officially got together, and I understand she wants to celebrate it with me, but it just isn’t something I do. I would be happy to stay with her, make dinner, and get her to dress in something sexy as my birthday present. I have made it clear I don’t want anything, but I know how stubborn she can be. 

I sigh, strip down, and slip into the shower. I would much prefer it if Alyssa joined me, but she has company, and it would be rude of me. I can have her all to myself later. I rest against the wall and enjoy the warmth of the water running over me. 

My mind travels to something I have been thinking about recently, something I should have done by now. Something is stopping me, and I can’t work out what. Alyssa is the one for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I can’t understand why I am afraid of taking the next step. I groan, frustrated at myself. 

I give myself a shake and focus on showering. I don’t stay in long. I return to the room, dry off and change into sweats and a hoodie. I wouldn’t usually wear a hoodie, but Angelina is here. I don’t want to walk around shirtless, even if she has seen it all before. 

I join the girls in the living room. Like before, they fall silent as soon as I walk in. They can deny it all they want, but they are up to something. 

“Really? You still want to tell me it is nothing?” I chuckle. 

They both nod and smile. Alyssa heads off to get me a drink. I join Angelina on the sofa. 

“I need a favour; can we meet at some point? Just you and me? I need your help with something.” 

“Is everything okay?” 

I nod. “Yes, it will be.” 

“Sure. You can text me the details of when and where.” She smiles. 

“Thank you.” 

We hear Alyssa coming back, and I quickly change the subject. She takes her seat next to me and hands me a scotch. 

“Thanks, beautiful,” I say and kiss her cheek. 

“Alyssa mentioned you suggested the two of you start a new business. Anything in mind?” Angelina asks. 

She knows of my plans to take a step back.

Alyssa smirks. “I suggested a sex club.” 

“You should! You would know what you are doing. I could help. It would be nice to have somewhere new to go, especially if someone with your experience runs it. It is something you should consider, Wyatt.” 

“See, I told you it would be a great idea.” Alyssa giggles. 

“It could be an option.” 

It would be fun—something different. It would take a lot to get it up and running, but I know all the right people. It would need to be a business I kept out of public records. My family doesn’t need to know what I do in my spare time. They wouldn’t understand. 

“You really should,” Angelina says. 

“It would need to be kept out of public records.” 

“I could be a partner in it. You can put it in my name if you need? I don’t have any family I need to keep it from. Everyone who knows me knows what I am and what I do.” Angelina suggests. 

“Thanks, I appreciate it. I will have a think on it. I still have a couple of months before I take a step back.” 

“Yes, we have time.” Alyssa smiles. 

We finish our drinks, and Angelina decides to head home. I will text her details tomorrow about our meeting soon. I have adjusted to having Angelina around a lot these days. I don’t mind, even if she is my ex. It may be strange to some people, but she is good for Alyssa. They have become close and developed a good bond. Angelina’s and I’s history doesn’t need to get in the way of that.