Dean

Sometimes when you say goodbye to an old part of your life there are moments that are hard to let go of. It becomes hard to imagine the person you might become moving forward, while not forgetting the journey it has taken to get there. Miami felt like a new beginning, but there were aspects of myself that I feared I wouldn't be able to let go of. What kind of man would I become moving forward? Could I stay the man Ari deserved and forgo all the meaningless encounters that I had become highly accustomed to or did I like the meaningless sex too much?

Luckily, so far, I hadn't given in to Miami's temptations. My business partner Pierce came into Miami upon my grandmother's request late last night, bringing with him the unstoppable Priya. 

Pierce paced the sitting area as I explained to him my plan for Phase 1 of Dean's rehabilitation from multiple women, "Listen Pierce, I know in the past there was no better wingman than you, but this time I need a different type of wingman."

Pierce ran his hands through the top of his chunky blonde hair, his deep blue eyes looked worried "Do you think this will work, Dean? I mean, in the past it was all for fun, but this could backfire bad." His thick jaw tensed as he thought over the proposal I had made for tonight's experiment. 

"It has to man. I need to know that I can do this for her." I sat on the couch and swirled the scotch in my glass. "Could you at least stop pacing, you're freaking me out a tad."

Pierce stopped and turned my way, flashing his show stopping half smirk which showed only his one dimple and two front teeth. I knew if anyone could help me tonight, it was Pierce. We had been wingmen since our days of college at Wharton and if I couldn't pull a girl, then Pierce could wrangle her in for sure. We were like the dream team when it came to picking up the ladies. 

"Alright Dean, but if you get me killed by Priya, then I'm sending her your way afterwards." His tone was dead serious as he shot me a little snarl.

Up until two and a half years ago, Pierce had been the biggest playboy, next to myself of course. All it took for him to stop his devious bedding of multiple women ways, was one girl, her name was Priya Baksheti. 

Pierce had met Priya while he was in India, scouting out competitors for a new market entry venture that my grandmother had sent him on. Priya was a stunningly beautiful Punjabi lawyer, who was assisting the company with the new venture. She now worked solely for my grandmother.

Pierce once told me when we were at Wharton, that he didn't believe in true love, but that all changed with one look at her vibrant smile, which lit up the room and exposed a set of killer deep dimples. When she looked up at him with that equally killer set of magnificent brown eyes, he was ready to sign his life away to her. 

Needless to say, she wanted nothing to do with him, so Pierce didn't take no for an answer and persisted, until she agreed to allow him to take her on a non-date.  She was the only woman who had the ability to tame the 'Blonde Marauder' of women's hearts. 

Pierce rubbed the back of his thick neck, making his Adam's apple more prominent when he spoke, "So, you're really sure she's worth it?" His thick husky voice sounded concerned that I was possibly in a little over my head at the moment.

"Was Priya worth it?" His face had a hint of anger at the fact that I would even bother asking the question, but I finished before he could respond, "Yeah, that's what I thought. Yes, Ari's definitely worth it."

At that moment, Priya and my grandmother walked into the suite from the downstairs pool, where they had gone to relax and grab some drinks while looking over legal papers. Pierce took Priya's arm and pulled her aside, explaining what my idea was and that he needed to be there to support me. I could tell by the fact that her permanent smile that she wore always, had now turned to a slight frown, she wasn't exactly pleased with my request. She darted her eyes over at me, but when she saw the sincerity in my face, her smile slowly returned.

"Dean, you better take good care of my guy." Her eyes were very serious when she said it. 

"Priya, you have my word that nothing bad is going to happen, hopefully."

Her eyes became wide and then she glared at me. "Yeah, not exactly the reassuring thing you're supposed to say, Dean." Her accent was very heavy and no nonsense.

I couldn't contain my laughter, because the truth was, Priya and Pierce were great together, really great and I would never do something to sabotage what they had. I also knew I needed to make sure that I wouldn't continue to sabotage what Ari and myself had either.

...............................

We had decided that in order for the experiment to be 100% successful, we would have to pull out all the stops. So, I grabbed one of my black Tom Ford fitted suits, that had a black vest and a crisp navy blue shirt. Leaving a few buttons unbuttoned, I then threw some gel through my chunky hair and made sure that my facial stubble was under control. 

Looking in the mirror while rubbing my hand over my smooth face, I was surprised how many years a good shave took off. I grabbed my watch from the counter and put it on, rubbing my thumb over the face of it a few times. 

Pierce was waiting for me when I emerged from the room, dressed in his best charcoal grey Christian Dior fitted suit with a black shirt, which was also unbuttoned a few buttons at the top. Priya ran her fingers over his exposed chest, as he placed several kisses on her cheek, her smile brighter in that moment than normally.

When she saw me enter the room, she stopped and said, "Well, good luck Miami women!" 

Pierce gave her a soft kiss on the lips and then patted her behind as she walked away. I was really happy that one of my most trusted best friends was finally happy after all this time. Priya made Pierce a better man and because of that, he had become more focused at work, which in turn made my grandmother extremely pleased. 

We took the company car which had accompanied my grandmother on the trip and headed over to E11EVEN MIAMI, which was one of the hottest ultraclubs in Miami. Not only did it have one of the best club experiences in Miami, it was well known for it its distinct Cirque-style theatrics and elaborate costumes. The club was always packed with gorgeous women, along with burlesque dancers, aerialists, and contortionists. 

I had picked up many women during my stays in Miami, simply because of this club, so it was perfect that this was where the experiment would take place. 

We shook hands with Mike the bouncer and he ushered us in, where a really stunning brunette in a bandage wrap costume led us to our reserved table. We ordered drinks and waited for the show to start. It didn't take long for us to grab a few eyes from some of the patrons. Stage 1 had begun.

After about twenty minutes of sitting at our table and enjoying our drinks, a really cute blonde with a flashy silver dress approached our table and asked our names. 

"I'm Dean, this is Pierce, and you are?"

"Haley."

"Hi Haley, what can I do for you tonight?" I flashed her my signature smirk and Pierce chuckled while he leaned back into his seat.

"Well, I was wondering if you'd buy me a drink handsome?" She flashed me a beautiful smile and leaned in closer awaiting my response. The strands of her short blonde bob haircut were like little arms of desire, reaching in my direction.

"I'd love to Haley, but first, you have to do me a favor."

"Anything," she said and I began to think that she was almost too eager to offer herself to me. 

I couldn't resist and asked, "Really? Anything? What exactly would that anything entail?"

I could tell she was a tad nervous that I had called her bluff, but she responded, "What kind of anything did you have in mind?"

I looked at her dead serious, my eyes trapping her in them and I simply said, "Well, we could go back to my place and discuss that intimately."

For a second she hesitated, but then replied, "Sure, sounds good."

Stage 2 had been completed. I looked at the really pretty girl in front of me and rubbed my thumb over the face of my watch. "Actually Haley, on second thought, I think I am going to pass after all. I'm somewhat spoken for, but let them know at the bar what you'd like to drink and tell them to send me the bill."

For a moment, she seemed a little thrown off by my response, but then she just shrugged and walked back to her friends who were on the dance floor.

"Pretty good, man. I'm impressed. Ari must be an amazing girl," Pierce commented, as he ordered another drink from a waitress and reached into his inside pocket, retrieving his wedding ring and slipping it back onto his finger. "So, we done here? Not that I don't love the clubs, but I love Priya more."

"Definitely. Let's get out of here," I answered as I slammed what was left of my drink and settled up with the waitress, leaving behind an extra $50 in case my new friend Haley ended up ordering a drink.

On the way home. I pulled out my phone and sent off the text that I had been waiting to send.

Dean:  Always and Terribly. I have something to tell you.

..................................

The next few days were filled with sexless fun, but fun nonetheless. Pierce and Priya stayed around in Miami and paired with my grandmother's company, I felt like maybe this new future Dean, wasn't as bad as I had previously thought. Even though I throughly enjoyed my time as a playboy, the more and more I saw Pierce with Priya together, I realized that maybe it was in fact time to move on. 

I wondered if I was capable of having what they had. I knew that I couldn't keep feeling what I felt for Ari, while living the life I was living. Not after the moment where her lips pressed against mine and I saw what the other side of the coin finally felt like. 

Somehow at one of our lunches, my grandmother decided that it was the right time to find out about my intentions with Ari and subsequently, the ring.

"Dean, my love, so when exactly are you planning on giving Ari my ring?" she asked, as she crossed her hands against her lap and leaned back slightly, waiting to hear my answer.

"Wait, hold the phone, Dean has a ring for Ari?" Pierce's eyes got wide and he about choked on the piece of steak currently being chewed in his mouth.

He glanced in the direction of Priya, who clearly already knew about my intentions and the ring. She was my grandmother's personal lawyer, which meant any thought of an impending marriage would be discussed with her. I wasn't clueless as to who my family was or the fact that I would be forced to have some kind of prenup in any marriage. 

"Yes, Dean asked for the ring when he got to Miami." My grandmother patted Pierce on the hand, reassuring him that the moment wasn't a dream after all. Pierce sat shellshocked for a moment, piece of steak in mouth, then my grandmother added, "Chew, hunny." She tapped him on the chin with her dainty finger. 

Pierce composed himself, then looked over at me for some much needed answers. Before he had the chance to choke to death further, I filled him in, "Yes, I have the family ring and I've been planning something. She called me out and told me she wasn't worth it, so, I made the decision to show her exactly what she means to me." My eyes were firmly set on Pierce, who set down his fork and took a sip from the water glass closest to his plate.

"So, what exactly was the other night for, if you had this big plan already in the works?" he asked and I could sense a hint of anger in his words. He was angry that I had asked him to put himself in a position that could potentially derail things in his own relationship or be put in a potentially compromising situation where the press was concerned.

"I needed to know if I could be faithful to her." I looked over at my grandmother who was examining the nail polish on her right hand. I decided that the table wouldn't understand unless I was brutally honest with them, regardless if the conversation made me uncomfortable.  "Total honesty, excuse me ladies, but the last month and change is the longest that I've gone without, well, bedding someone and as a fellow guy who once enjoyed the same level of activities as myself might realize, that isn't always the easiest thing to say no to when you're used to it constantly. So, I decided to put myself in a position where the opportunity to release some pent up energy was offered. I needed to know that I was capable of turning it down."

Pierce looked over at Priya, who was actually the only person at the table that was nodding in agreement. She understood it better than my once faithful wingman, which was unexpected to be honest.

"I get it Dean, you want to be faithful to someone you love and as far as I'm aware, you've never been in a committed relationship that required it." Yep, I knew this girl was perfect for Pierce. 

She really understood the whole reason I went through with what I did. Old me wouldn't have passed on taking that girl home from the club, because old me wouldn't have cared about anyone else. To a bystander it might not have looked like a big deal, but to the old me, it was a major step in the right direction.  

"What would have happened had you not been able to say no?" Priya's question snapped me back to reality.

"I would have given the ring back and stopped my pursuit of Ari. She doesn't deserve to be cheated on or taken for granted." I looked over at my grandmother who nodded her head in respect of the things I had said. 

I had known Ari Blakewell for almost seven years and during that time, I had been privy to some of her disastrous relationships. I had heard the tears, the arguments, and the breakups. Most she took in stride and cried a few days over, then composed herself gracefully and moved on. 

However, I remember like yesterday her relationship with one Matt Holtsen. Matt was an okay guy for the most part, any time I was around him. A tall guy around six feet, three inches, with raven black hair, lots of tattoos, a sculpted jaw and decent build, he was a guitar player for a local cover band in town. He was much older than Ari, at least twelve years her senior.

He had a flourishing music career at one time, before life got in the way. Drug problems with other band mates found their group in shambles and their tours and record deals became nonexistent. He filled his spare time away from his cover band with renting out his home studio for bands and attempting to fulfill dreams of being a big screenwriter, which never panned out. 

Ari cared deeply for Matt and as such, she put up with a ton of his crap, including the constant on and off nature of their relationship. She also looked past all the forty-year-old groupies that threw themselves on him at shows. Matt was the kind of guy who never wanted to commit to anything long standing like marriage, because he had been married once before. That caused breakup number one, but after some months apart, Matt came crawling back promising marriage. 

Breakup number two, was the constant harassing he did of Ari, because she had life goals and loved going to college. He always made jokes that she should rethink her dreams, because she wasn't that smart. I knew deep down that he knew she was brilliant, but he also knew how push her buttons, so he went for the typical insecurities. He couldn't use her sickness against her, so he settled with using her intelligence.  Several months apart and a few groupies later, found Matt back once again asking for forgiveness.

Breakup number three, was over starting a family. Ari knew it was a shot in the dark, based on what doctors had told her about the effects of the chemo on her eggs. Because she had been so young when first diagnosed, the idea of harvesting before any chemo wasn't suggested. Ari had dreams though and she knew that one way or another, she wanted a child. Matt didn't want kids though, and that he didn't budge on.

I remember that shouting match. He said horrible things to her about people and things constantly dying around her and how screwed up her life was to even want children in the first place. Matt stayed away a lot longer than a few months after that, thanks to a conveniently placed fist which fractured his jaw, once I got her apartment door open.  

I would have thrown him over the ledge of the apartment, but I knew Ari wouldn't have forgiven me. She hated Matt at that moment, but she wasn't someone who ever wanted to see bad things happen to anyone.

In their time apart afterwards, Matt married an older groupie, opened a bar, then got a quick divorce.  I think the marriage hurt Ari more than anything, because it made her feel like she hadn't been good enough for him.

Matt surfaced a few times after that, but Ari remained strong. She knew that they were two different people and that Matt wasn't the kind of person who could handle being with someone like Ari—someone who was constantly sick. She had grown in their time apart, but he had remained the same person he had always been.

Rumor had it that he still tried to connect, but Ari never followed through. 

I got it, if I lost her, I'd try everything to get back into her life, but Matt had to live with the bed he made for himself and he wouldn't get any sympathy from me. 

Due to everything that Ari had incurred at the hands of ungrateful men, I knew that I couldn't be one of those men any longer. I didn't want to be another guy who let her down, cheated on her, or took her for granted. 

I wouldn't be the guy who refused to marry her. 

I wouldn't be the guy who refused to make her dreams of having a life and family come true and I would move mountains for her, in order to get her a baby if she asked.  

I wouldn't be the guy who left her bedside because she was sick and it was inconvenient or sad. 

If I wasn't willing to be any of those guys, then the time had come to not be the guy who paraded women in front of her face, knowing that there was something between us. I wanted to be the guy who never took off his wedding ring, unless one of my boys needed help with an experiment. 

I wanted to be the guy who held her while she cried or gave her the courage to follow her heart. 

I wanted to be the guy who made her happy in every single way possible. 

I wanted to be the guy who loved every piece of her, for every single moment that I was breathing.

"Well Dean, I really hope that you get the girl. Let me tell you, being married is pretty awesome, I don't know why I waited so long." 

With that statement, Pierce got his arm slapped very playfully by Priya who responded, "Don't you dare wish you had married anyone other than me, Mister."

He looked into her beautiful brown eyes and replied, "No one else ever held a candle to you, my one and only." 

Her smile lit up and those giant dimples that Pierce loved so much grew in size. At that moment, I wanted what my friend had even more and I was damn sure going to do everything I could to get it.

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A/N: Hey GUYSSSSS!

Hope you guys liked the chapter. Comment and vote please! Big things are in store in the coming chapters and I really hope you have enjoyed the journey so far. 

Love you all!