Disguise

by Bella Love-Wins

  Clearing his throat, he gestured back toward the front door. “Oh yeah, I brought over some food. I figured you were tired of those TV dinners you make. That crap is bad for you. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah. For now, I can’t do any better. I don’t cook, but thanks for bringing me food, buddy,” she said, grinning and putting her arm out for a fist bump.

  It was getting harder not to burst out laughing at the effort she made to keep up her ruse.

  They crossed paths with the nurse when Sebastian followed Alexandra to the kitchen with his food pack. He took the food to the kitchen center island and began to fix her a plate. As she sat on a barstool, she appeared more upbeat. Sebastian even noticed a slight smile. Whatever had been bothering her took a back seat when he was around.

  “Show me what you brought this time,” she said, peering into the lunch pack.

  “It’s wild rice with pan-seared rosemary chicken, and a green salad. Pretty simple.” He passed the plate over to her. “Why don’t you tell me what made it such a bad day?” he asked.

  A thoughtful expression came up on her face as she took the first bite. “Well,” she said, chewing slightly, “I got a call from work today. Basically, my boss is ready for me to get back on the job. I told him I needed to be here for my uncle, but he was a jerk about it. You know how it is?”

  “What do you do for a living?” he asked, wondering what she would say.

  She coughed. He reached for a beer and cracked it open, sliding it across the table top to her. He was laughing on the inside as she appeared to scramble for an answer. Her eyes darted around the room, probably for a believable profession that had nothing to do with being Lexxi Rock.

  She said, “I work in a, um, bar.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “Yeah,” she said hurriedly. “So, you know, I was pissed off about that call. Then, the nurse earlier was talking about me—talking to me, about my cousin.”

  “What about?”

  “The usual celebrity trash-talking. It was such bullshit. That nurse had me thinking how hard it is for Lexxi, you know? She’s under everyone’s scrutiny. Complete strangers think they know her. I’d be tired of being judged that way all the time.”

  She let out a long breath. Sebastian reached across the bar and patted her hand, tracing her slender knuckles with the pad of his thumb. He squeezed her fist and pulled his hand away, staring across at her.

  “It’s really brave of you. You’ve set aside your life, your job, and everything you have going on to be here for Max. I’m sure he’s grateful to have you here…”

  He trailed off. Her blue eyes drowned him. He wanted to lean forward and kiss her lips; to make her stop this ‘Alex’ game she was playing, long enough for him to be there for her. She had him captivated, and he could not do a thing about it. Well, he could have told her who he was, and that he knew she was Lexxi Rock. It would only make her walls go up.

  Right now, Alexandra needed a friend. The media may have portrayed Lexxi Rock as the type of woman to party it up in France while her father was on his death bed, but Alexandra was right here, soldiering through Max’s dark days.

  “I just want to say, I’m impressed by how much you’ve done for him.”

  The words caused her to look down. She smiled slightly, and tossed her hair. “It’s nothing, man,” she answered. “Just an average guy doing what anyone else would do for family.”

  “True, but you did it, unlike those who say they would and then don’t. You’ve got character, bud.”

  She took a sip from her beer, and they finished eating in silence. The plates were scraped clean and the conversation started to trickle back in. She put the dishes into the dishwasher, and told him she would bring them over to his place tomorrow. He packed up the rest of his things.

  “Enough about that,” he said, following her back to the living room. “I came by to hang out and keep you company. How about we watch something on TV?”

  “Sure,” she answered.

  “Cool. You find something. I need to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

  She relaxed back on the sofa, and by the time Sebastian got back from the bathroom, she was fast asleep, looking innocent and vulnerable. He had to stick his hands in his pockets to keep from brushing the hair out of her beautiful face. Everything in him wanted to hold her, protect her. He searched around for a blanket, and found one on an armchair. He threw it over her gently, and quietly left the house.

  He laughed as he walked into his house. The girl of his dreams was right next door—tying to pull off being a dude. He wondered if he could be what she needed without completely giving away that he was crazy about her now. She wanted him around, and he could not stay away.

  This shit is insane.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  ALEXANDRA stood back from the front door as Felicia was leaving.

  “See you later, Alex.” Felicia waved with a wiggle of her fingers, and stepped through the open door.

  Alexandra could not shut it behind her fast enough. It was time for damage control. She had a new problem. She still believed her ‘Alex Roberts’ cover was a brilliant way to hide out in plain sight. That was not the issue. The problem was she had not stopped to think about what a shock it would be to her father, once he became aware of her gender-bending antics. Half-hour earlier, he had asked Felicia where his daughter was. Felicia apologetically explained that Lexxi was in France. Thankfully, Alexandra overheard the interaction. She stepped in just in time to distract Felicia before she noticed Dad’s confusion.

  It was bad enough she fell asleep last night when Bash was over. Yes, she was really comfortable around him, but falling asleep like that? She had no idea what came over her. Now that Felicia was gone, Alexandra hurried back to the dining room. Dad was sitting up in bed. He pulled his oxygen mask off his nose and mouth. The scowl on his face was impossible to miss now.

  “Before you think I’ve lost my mind, let me explain, Daddy.”

  “I’m not judging you, Alexandra,” he said, huffing out a labored breath. “I just want to know what the hell is going on with you. And who is Alex Roberts?”

  She asked him to put the oxygen mask back in place. He obliged, still scowling. Alexandra sat on the chair next to his bed.

  “It’s really not what you think, Dad. I had to get out of Beverly Hills without the media or paparazzi following me. If I didn’t try to keep them away somehow, coming home would have been a nightmare. They would have been all over us, and I didn’t want that while you were in hospital. It was like a costume at the beginning. It worked so well, I kept it up.”

  His eyes lit up. He lifted the oxygen mask again and laughed, shaking his head and cocking it to one side. “That was a smart move, Alexandra. Risky as hell, but very imaginative.”

  She smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. He was in on it now, and she was suddenly aware that she needed to bring him completely up to speed before he blew her cover. “When I got the call from Rosa telling me you were in hospital, I cut my hair and made arrangements to get here. You should’ve seen me, Dad. It took everything in me to let Lilly cut it off. I just couldn’t see an alternative. The media would be camped outside the house, and paparazzi would try to sneak into your hospital room. I don’t regret doing it either, Daddy. It’s been forever since I could walk the mall or pass through an airport without being recognized. My hair will grow back. Plus, I like the look, actually. But you need to help me keep it up. The story is that I’m your nephew, Alex Roberts. I’m here to take care of you while you’re sick.”

  “And people are actually buying this?” he asked skeptically.

  “So far, so good. I mean, Felicia keeps hitting on me, so, yeah.” She held on to her father’s hands and smiled. “I’m sure it’s hard for you to see me like this, but it’s still all me. And I’m free again, Dad. Who would have known it was this easy to fool the world?”

  “It definitely takes some audacity to pull that off.”

  Sh
e took it as a compliment. Maxwell Storme had always been gutsy.

  He grinned at her through the oxygen mask, then lifted it again. “I’ve been a lot more clear-headed the last day or so, Alexandra. Or should I call you Alex?”

  “Let’s stick to Alex so you don’t slip up with one of the nurses.”

  “Fine. What I was trying to tell you is I’ve watched you. I’m worried about you, Alex.”

  “You’re worried about me? Why?”

  “I think you spend too much time hovering over me. I’m glad you’re home, honey, but you need some time to unwind. Go on. Reconnect with some of your old friends. Get outside for fresh air. At least enjoy some of your time back here.”

  “I don’t know if it’s a good idea, Daddy. I don’t want anyone tipping off the media.”

  “I’m better now, kiddo. You should get out a bit.”

  She looked away, thinking about it. A crooked smile turned up slightly on her lips. Her mind wandered to Bash, who said something similar when he invited her to that speed dating thing.

  She shrugged. “I don’t really know anyone else out here.”

  “Probably because you haven’t stopped to get out and see them.”

  “I lost touch with a lot of my friends from high school. Besides, I don’t mind being here at home with you. I haven’t spent nearly enough time with you in the past few years. It’s something I realized when…when we were all worried you wouldn’t make it.”

  “Hey! I’ll have you know it takes more than a common cold to knock me down.”

  “Dad, you had way more than a common cold.”

  The pneumonia took a drastic toll on him. She was not about to downplay it now that he was out of the woods. Her eyes scanned him carefully. His complexion was back to its normal medium tone. His salt-and-pepper hair spilled across his high forehead. There was a faint blueness to his eyelids. He needed to keep wearing his oxygen mask. Other than that, he looked so much better than he had when he first came home.

  “You know what I mean,” he waved dismissively. “It won’t be long now. Soon I’ll be out of this uncomfortable bed and back on my feet. Just remember this, Alexandra. I’m not looking forward to having you on my heels, treating me like I’m fragile when I’m better.”

  “But Dad—”

  “Yes, honey. I get it. You were worried. I’m better now.”

  He held up his hands, inhaling deeply. Alexandra pulled the mask over his face again, and anxiously gave him a minute to catch his breath. He had used up too much energy trying to have this conversation with her. This was the most he had spoken since he came home, and he was wasting his time and energy. There was nothing Dad could tell her—she was not leaving the house while he was still sick.

  She had to be a peacemaker right now. The stubborn man was not going to stop. He pulled off the mask again. This time she did not say a word, trying to appear patient. She listened so he would not have to talk over her, or for too long.

  “You were never this clingy, kiddo,” he continued. “And I don’t want you to start that now.”

  She nodded, conceding for now.

  “I’m fine, Alex. I’m well. There’s got to be something you can do other than dote on me.”

  “Don’t worry, Dad. I haven’t been a complete hermit. Your neighbor Bash has been good company.”

  “Has he now?” There was a twinkle in his eye, and a quizzical twitch to his lips that she did not want to acknowledge.

  “In fact…” she said slowly, making up her mind as she spoke, “he invited me to hang out with him this weekend. I might actually go, if it will make you feel better. I can’t say I like the idea, but the nurse will be here. Just know that if I go, it’s because you’re forcing me to.”

  She gave him her best indignant smirk.

  “And how does the country singer feel about it?”

  She grimaced.

  Wilkes.

  The cheating bastard.

  Her father would not have known a thing about their breakup. Not in the mood to rehash the sordid details, she simply told him, “It’s nothing romantic. Bash and I are just friends…and Wilkes is out of the picture.”

  Accepting her ambiguous response, her father’s eyes fluttered shut. He was all talked out. She took that as her cue to end the conversation. She put the oxygen mask on his face again, kissed his cheek and slipped out without saying another word. He needed to get some rest. Before she even made it to the threshold, she heard him snoring gently. She looked back at him with a satisfied smile, happy to finally have her father back. Soon he would be healthier and back to his old self. She could not wait for Rosa to get back and see for herself.

  Of course, now that she had Dad’s go ahead—insistence actually—she would tell Bash yes. She was still hesitant about a night of speed dating, though. She was agreeing to introduce herself to women, for starters, going as ‘Alex’, which was worse, and would probably end up eying Bash the whole time. She convinced herself that at least she was not telling him no at the last minute.

  She stopped in the middle of the hallway past the dining room.

  Looks like I have a date.

  Kind of.

  ***

  What would a guy wear if he didn’t want to be noticed, but didn’t want to look like he didn’t want to be noticed?

  Alexandra tapped her chin with her forefinger, arms crossed. She was figuring out what to wear on speed date night. What she really wanted to do was speed date Bash one-on-one.

  Too bad that couldn’t happen.

  She began to anticipate all types of new hurdles ahead.

  Shit. I’ll be watching other women throw themselves at Bash…and possibly at me too.

  Felicia’s not-so-subtle advances came to mind, and she shivered.

  She had no clue about how speed dating actually worked. She had only seen it in movies, and they always made it look like the worst, most desperate thing a person could do with their love life. It was strange that such a sizzling hot firefighter like Bash Sullivan had to take such lengths to pick up women. He had said his coworkers set him up. She could not picture Vivienne doing something like that to her. Then again, maybe she could…but just for laughs.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  ALEXANDRA looked into her closet, staring at a rack crammed with guy gear. It was missing the splash of bright colors and variety of fashion options she had when she could choose from her usual wardrobe of clothes for women. She didn’t know how men did it. It was not any easier with shoes. As Lexxi Rock, she had a separate walk-in closet just for shoes, but as Alex, all she had at her disposal were loafers, sneakers, and flip-flops. It was her first chance to get dressed up and go out on the town. Nothing leapt out at her—probably because what she really wanted to wear was a sexy little outfit and some hot ass heels. She pulled down an uninspired black blazer with white cuffs that match a casual pair of slacks.

  It was a few hours before the big date. She was so nervous, she was tempted to cancel half a dozen times. She hated feeling so amped up and antsy. That nervous energy took her up and down the stairs. She alternated between checking on her father, trying to watch TV, and pacing in her bedroom. Daddy gave her a good-natured reminder that nothing had changed from the time she checked in on him before. She took the hint. She left him to work on the laptop he had her drag down from his office.

  She was left to face it now, and the fear overtook her. She shut herself in her bedroom, eyeing the date night outfit laid out on her bed.

  “That’s it. I’m not going,” she muttered out of the blue. She shook her head and started shoving the clothes back in the closet. “I don’t have to go. It would be crazy to go!”

  It took a firm texting session from Viv to put her back on track. Viv’s text read, “What’s the worst that can happen?”

  Alexandra could think of a slew of worst case scenarios for the evening. All she had been thinking about was what could go wrong.

  What if I say or do the wrong thing around Bash or the other
people around?

  What if someone recognized me, or worse, I give myself away?

  It was one thing to play-act in front of one or two people at a time. With a crowd, so much could happen. She could see herself tripping up, and somehow the façade would come crashing down. If it made its way to the media in convenient YouTube viral video format, that was the worst that could happen.

  “Some chick could totally grab my junk,” she texted back.

  Vivienne sent her a row of laughing emoticons. Alexandra replied with, “This could be my one chance to find out if Bash is really gay or not. I’m not even sure I want to know.”

  “Why not?” she messaged back. “Afraid it’ll land him some other girl?”

  Vivienne was getting a kick out of this. It was exactly the kind of drama that made her world have meaning. Alexandra was not laughing at all. Her stomach was in knots, her palms were sweaty and she wished she had not said yes.

  She had no business feeling the tinge of jealousy that shot through her at the thought of other women hitting on Bash. No right to feel a heat that rose up in her at the thought of what he would look like all dressed up. She certainly should not have been wishing they were going out on a real date. She had no claim to this man, and it sucked.

  “Ugghhh. My life,” she groaned. She could not turn off the attraction that kept bubbling up. Something had to give. When Sebastian didn’t visit, she missed him; when he was around, she wished he would leave and stop tempting her.

  Vivienne sent her a “What’s going on” reminder, with a string of question marks and exclamation points for emphasis. She jumped into bed and decided to call her instead of texting. When Vivienne picked up, Alexandra launched right into it.