Jeremiah
You Woke Me Up At Last by DWLLRS
As I walk up to the stage, I know one thing for certain:
No matter what happens next, I won’t regret this.
Heather beams at me, smiling ear to ear as she hands me the microphone. I give her a small nod, my heart steady, and step to the center of the stage.
“Wow,” I say, voice light, “I’ve never been one to give speeches... but I guess there’s no time like the present.” A ripple of soft chuckles floats through the room.
I scan the crowd and am met with smiling faces, new friends I’ve only just met but suddenly mean a lot to me. As I look around, surprisingly, I feel no nerves. No tightness in my chest, no anxious sweat. Just... certainty.
“You know, it’s funny,” I begin, “working in this industry, you’d think I’d be a huge people-person.
But it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“ Another round of light laughter, this time more relaxed. “The truth is, I’ve spent most of my life struggling with connection. I thought relationships were distractions. Complications. But this past month at WingMate…” I pause, exhale slowly, “I’ve been proven wrong in the best possible way. ”
I glance over at Heather, finding her already looking back at me with pride. Then my eyes drift through the crowd, landing on Mia, Rachel, Todd, and Bailey. Each of them is watching with their own version of support written across their faces. Mia lifts her phone slightly, livestreaming.
A few months ago, that probably would’ve made me nervous. But right now, it doesn’t. If anything, it makes me stand a little taller.
I want people to see this. To see me.
“I’ve watched people here show up for each other in ways I never really understood before. I kept thinking I was supposed to stay detached. Focus on work. Stay out of the mess of it all.“ I shake my head slightly. “Turns out the mess is kind of the whole point of living.”
A hush falls over the crowd.
“You all taught me that relationships—of all kinds—are what make a place like this extraordinary.”
Heather’s lips part slightly as she takes it in, her eyes soft. Around her, the room is still.
My grip tightens around the mic, anchoring myself for what’s next. I find Theo in the crowd. He gives me a sharp nod before flicking a glance to his boss. That’s all the encouragement I need.
“This company deserves investors who understand that. Who see the magic in the messiness. Who takes risks not because they’re safe, but because they’re worth it.”
My eyes finally land on the one person who matters most.
Chase.
He’s watching me intently, his expression unreadable, but focused entirely on me.
“Some things,” I say, voice soft, “some people... are worth risking it all for.”
The room stiffens. People shift, following my gaze straight to Chase.
“Which is why I need to lead by example.” I take a breath. This wasn’t how I was planning on ending this speech… but standing here, right now, it’s the only way that feels right.
“Effective immediately…”
I grip the microphone tighter.
“I’m stepping down as COO.”
Gasps break out. A wave of shocked murmurs rushes through the space. But I barely hear any of it.
Because I only see him.
Heather’s voice cuts through. “Jeremiah, what is going on—“
“I’m sorry for springing this on you. But I need you to trust me. Trust Theo.”
Heather stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. Theo reaches her, saying something low in her ear. Her expression shifts—confusion first, then realization as he slowly ushers her off the stage.
I set the mic down. The only thing I care about now is getting to Chase.
And he’s leaving.
The room spins, but I’m already moving. Enough thinking. Nothing else matters.
I weave through the crowd, but a firm hand slams into my chest, halting me.
“What the hell is going on?“ David demands, spit flying. “You better explain this right now. This better not mess with my deal.”
I meet his glare and let a small smile tug at my lips.
“What deal?”
David’s eyes widen, putting it together. “You little shit. If you’re about to take this deal out from under me, I’ll—“ He pulls at my jacket, but my feet are placed firmly on the ground.
“I highly recommend you take your hands off of me, David.” I clench my fists, anger flashing hot in my chest. He’s already lost the deal, and he knows it. For a second I want to shove him away from me, but instead, I hold my ground.
David studies me for a second, jaw tight. Whatever he sees there makes him let go. “Where’s Theo? THEO!” he roars, storming off into the sea of people.
Music picks back up. Laughter and talking slowly return to the room. But none of it registers.
I’m already halfway across the floor.
And then, I break through the doors to the outside.
Cool air hits me, just as strong arms wrap around my waist, yanking me to the side, into a warm chest.
“Jer,” Chase breathes against my neck. His voice is tight.
With his body on mine, I grab at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’m sorry for breaking the news like this. Theo and I planned to do it after the Gala but… I couldn’t wait.” I hold him tight. “I couldn’t go another minute without telling you everything.”
“I just… I don’t understand.” Chase shakes his head.
I suck in a breath, picking my head up and squeezing his shoulders. “WingMate was in trouble. Theo looked over all the financials and if they didn’t land an investment in time, WingMate was going under.”
Chase’s eyebrows crease as he looks like he’s just been punched in the gut. “What? But… Heather’s going to step back—“
“I know. And at first, David was the best option but that was before Theo let me know how big of an ass he was. He was going to ruin everything, Chase. I needed to do something. It was the only way to keep everything together.“ I move my hands to cup his jaw, keeping his eyes on me.
“Explains all the secret meetings,” Chase cringes.
“I’m so fucking sorry I had to keep that from you,” I whisper. “You were right last night. You’ve been nothing but honest with me… and I…“ I squeeze my eyes shut. “I never want to keep something from you again“.
I would understand if he’s still angry with me. But, as I look at his face, all I see is relief. Hell, I feel relieved too.
Not wanting to wait any longer, I pull him into me. Without hesitation, his lips crash into mine. And I let the feeling pour through me, flooding every inch.
When we break apart, he pants softly, still close.
“Wait... so you’re actually quitting?” He shakes his head. “No, you can’t—“
“I’m not necessarily quitting WingMate,“ I say. “I’m walking away from being the COO. Walking away from David. Away from my father deciding what I do with my life.” I breathe out, the weight of what I’ve been carrying slowly easing away from my shoulders.
“Theo and I are going to invest in WingMate so I’m not truly quitting anything. ”
Chase pulls back just a touch, eyes narrowing. “Wait…you’ll be partnering with Theo?”
I chuckle, pressing kisses to his cheek, his temple. “You have nothing to worry about. Chase, this is huge for us,“ I grip his arms, anchoring us in this moment. “I’m going to be free now. Free to do whatever the hell I want.”
“Miss the ferry,” he murmurs, taking my wrist and pulling back my cuff just enough for the blue bracelet to peek out.
I smile softly, nodding. “Exactly.”
His brows pinch, gaze darting back to mine. “But… I thought you loved WingMate.”
“I love you more.”
Chase blinks once.
“What?” he breathes.
I laugh, because saying it out loud feels wild—but so right.
”I love you, Chase. So fucking much. And you don’t have to say it back. I just wanted you to know—“
“I love you too,” he blurts out. “Dammit, Jer. I’ve loved you this whole time.”
Warmth fills me from the inside out. “I know,” I whisper.
His eyes sparkle as his grip tightens. “You do?”
The way he has always watched my every move. All those damn Ferrero Rocher’s. Maybe it took me a while to see it… but now that I do, it’s hard to believe I was ever blind to it.
This man has loved me for a very, very long time.
“Yeah, I do,” I answer.
A smile pulls at his lips, as he squeezes my arms. “We’re really doing this.”
I wrap him in the tightest hug, like I can press this into permanence.
“We’re really doing this,” I echo.
We dive into another kiss, greedy and deep, like it’s the first and last all at once.
His hands bury in my hair moaning softly, and I don’t let that sound escape, drinking it down hungrily.
Until—
“So, this is why you made a total fool out of yourself out there.”
Fuck.
We break apart, eyes snapping to the voice.
I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, heart pounding.
Of-fucking-course.
“Hey, dad.”