by Len Webster
“Yes?”
“It’s you. It’ll always be you. With him, I was drowning. With you …” Her lips curved into a wider smile. “With you, I’m no longer experiencing the storm. I love you, Landon Carmichael. I can’t imagine the rest of my life without you. I’ve never been this happy in my life before, and that is all because of you.”
He finally smiled. “I know you love me, Alex. I see it. I feel it. God, I even hear it when you whisper it when you’re still asleep. You didn’t choose him. You chose me.”
Nothing would ever make me love him after what he did.
Nothing would ever make me forgive him.
I moved on.
He made me move on.
That road trip was the end of us.
Alex gazed out at the cherry blossom trees. The bare branches were beautiful as the snow settled on the grass.
January in North Carolina was like nothing she’d ever seen. It was a stunning display of white frosted trees and the snow-kissed ground. It reminded her of Massachusetts, and Alex felt blessed that she went to a college as beautiful as Duke.
“How’s the muffin?” she asked, tearing away from the trees to find her boyfriend still eating his birthday muffin Savannah had given him. The blueberry muffins from Chino’s were Landon’s favorite. And for his birthday, Savannah had ordered him seven muffins to last him a week even though she knew they would only last a few days with how much he loved them.
“It’s so good,” Landon said once he swallowed down a mouthful. Then he held the baked good closer to her. “Have some. You missed breakfast, remember?”
After Savannah delivered their orders to their table, they said goodbye and walked out of Chino’s. Landon had figured out his birthday surprise the moment she led him away from the coffee shop and toward Sarah P. Duke Gardens. He threaded their fingers together and walked into the garden he called theirs. They sat at his bench and talked about his trip to LA, and all the coaches and managers he met. Then he helped her off the bench, and they walked to the bridge. As she leaned on the railing, he inspected her cheek and frowned, telling her it was already starting to bruise. Alex knew it would. Though the stinging had stopped, it continued to throb.
“I’m good. I’ll eat when I make you birthday brunch soon.”
His brow arched. “Birthday brunch?”
“Birthday brunch since I missed making you birthday breakfast.”
Landon returned his half-eaten muffin to the box, bent down, and set the box by his feet. When he stood straight, Alex smiled at the love gleaming in his eyes. “You really are the world’s best girlfriend.”
“You’re biased.”
He stepped a little closer. “I love being biased when it comes to you.”
“You’re such a romantic,” Alex said with a laugh.
“Oh, but you love me.”
“I do.” She reached up and brushed his soft cheek. “I love you.”
Landon clutched her wrist to stop her and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Even with you telling me you won’t stay at my apartment because of my roommates and Jules hitting you, this has been the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
Alex pulled her hand away from his, biting back her grin. She knew she’d make it an even better birthday before he had to leave for Connecticut tomorrow. She looked down and reached into her purse to pull out his present that she’d wrapped in Duke gift wrapping. It was hard to find him a birthday present when he had it all. He had insisted for weeks that she not worry about a present, but Alex was determined.
Taking a deep breath, she peeked at her boyfriend through her lashes before she lifted her chin and held out his birthday present. “Happy Birthday, Landon.”
“I told you not to waste your money or time on a present,” he grumbled as he took it from her. He eyed her suspiciously. “What is it?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Fine.” After tearing away the paper, he handed it to her so it wouldn’t fly away. His eyes filled with disbelief as his jaw hung open. “This … This isn’t …”
Alex reached over, gripped the front cover, and opened it for him.
“To Landon, Happy Birthday. Dreams are infinite so keep going and keep growing. A.R. Walker,” Landon read. “Baby …”
She swallowed back her anxiety. She hoped he liked it. It had taken her weeks to find a first edition of the very book that had inspired Landon to become a basketball player. It was the book his father had read to him as a child. When she tracked down a first edition, she had her aunt Ally—who knew some people in the media industry—track down the author’s literary agent since he was retired and could not be contacted directly.
When she got in touch with Arnold Walker, she told him that her boyfriend was a fan of his book, Little Dreams Only Grow, and that it was her boyfriend’s birthday. Arnold initially refused her request for his signature. He asked her what her boyfriend was doing, and she replied that he was making his childhood dream of playing basketball a reality at Duke. When she discovered Arnold was a fan of college basketball and admired her boyfriend, he was more than willing to sign it for her.
“You don’t like it?” she asked in a tiny voice.
He looked up at her and blinked several times. Then he shook his head, grasped her shoulder with his free hand, and yanked her into his kiss.
She tasted blueberries and coffee.
She tasted his love and gratitude as he kissed her.
Alex felt his arm sling around her as he pulled her to his chest. She couldn’t help but laugh at his eagerness. She pulled back. “You could have just said, ‘Yes, my beautiful, amazing, wonderful girlfriend, I do like it.’ It would have sufficed instead of all this PDA.”
Landon reached up and swiped her bottom lip with his thumb as the snow slowly fell. “Alex,” he said in a soft voice, “my beautiful, amazing, wonderful girlfriend, I do love it. I told you about this book once, and you remembered. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. I’m so lucky to be the guy you wake up to and smile at when you realize it’s me. I’m so blessed to have you and love you and be with you. You truly made this the best birthday of my life. When I met you, I had no idea what you would do to me. You made a little dream like dating you grow into wanting to be with you forever.”
Alex looped her arms around his neck. “You say the most romantic things. I’m so happy I made your twenty-second birthday amazing.” She kissed him softly. “Let’s go home, so I can make you brunch. Then we can watch any movie you want and do whatever you want before dinner with my parents.”
Landon pressed a kiss to her lips, causing her to grin like a fool. “You’re so perfect.”
“I have to disagree but thank you for thinking that I am. Come on, we might be back in time for you to tease Chase with all my cooking that he can’t have.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Or we can annoy him in other ways?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re such a horndog.”
Landon arched a brow as his eyes glimmered with sin and desire. “You thought I meant sex?”
“I know you meant sex,” she corrected, narrowing her eyes at him.
“Yeah, I totally meant more birthday sex.”
Landon and Alex had more birthday sex.
So much more that by the time they had finally got their breaths back to watch a movie, they fell asleep. Landon had woken her up a few hours later so she could shower and get ready for their dinner with her parents. Fortunately for Alex, his roommates left once they finished eating the brunch she’d made for them. Feeding basketball players was a task in and of itself. She needed to make four times more than what she normally ate. Thankfully, Chase and Walt helped while Landon sat and watched as per her request. When the dishes were done and the apartment was free of roommates, Landon picked her up and carried her to his bedroom where he made love to her.
Now, they were outsi
de the French restaurant downtown where her parents reserved a table for Landon’s birthday. Her mother was friends with the head chef and was able to book a table at one of the top restaurants in North Carolina. Before Alex left Landon’s, she asked him if her bruise was noticeable. She tried to cover it up with the powder she had, but it didn’t work. She should have asked Savannah for help since she was amazing when it came to makeup.
“You look beautiful,” Landon complimented as he led her to the table where her parents were already sitting.
“Aww, but you’d much rather me in my science pun shirts than this dress, huh?” she teased as they approached her parents’ table.
Landon leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “I’d much rather you naked.”
She tilted her head up at him, shocked that he whispered that seconds before they joined her parents’ presence.
“You’re blushing,” he noted before he turned his head and said, “Hey, Noel.”
Alex cleared her throat, hoping her blush would quickly fade. She smiled at her mother while her boyfriend shook her father’s hand. “Hey, Mum.” She watched her mother’s happy smile fade when her eyes darted to Alex’s cheek. Then she glanced over at Landon, no doubt making assumptions. “Relax, it’s nothing,” Alex insisted as she stepped forward and kissed her mother’s cheek. Then she grinned at her father who also seemed to notice her bruise. “Hey, Dad.”
“Alexandra, what happened to your cheek?” her mother asked as she sat down.
Landon pulled out her seat, and Alex sat down. She picked up her napkin and laid it over her lap. Her parents gave her a hard look to show just how serious they were. “I got in the middle of an argument, and this guy slapped me.”
“What?” her father blurted out, his green eyes flaring with rage.
“It’s okay. It was just a football player who was pissed that Savannah wouldn’t hook up with him. I got in the middle because I didn’t like how he was yelling at her. And before you say anything, Landon punched the guy and made him say sorry to Sav and me.”
“Are you okay?” her mother asked, and Alex nodded. “And is Savannah okay? We’ll stop by tomorrow to see her.”
Alex smiled, loving the fact her mother was so protective of Savannah. “She’d love that. How was your flight?”
“It was short,” her father said as he covered Alex’s mother’s hand with his own. Then he reached for something below the table and retrieved a large silver gift bag. He set it on the table and pushed it to Landon. “Happy Birthday, Landon.”
Landon gazed over at Alex and then at her parents. “Noel, Clara, you honestly shouldn’t have. The best gift you two have given me was your daughter.”
Her mother—as usual—smiled largely. She was putty in Landon’s hand. Hell, Alex was putty in his hand after that claim. Her father nodded approvingly, but she saw the unease in his green eyes. It had taken longer than she thought for her father to warm up to the idea of Landon. After her freshman year ended, she brought her boyfriend home that summer, and her father had pulled her aside and asked if she was happy. When she told him that she was, he gave her his approval so long as Landon continued to treat her right and make her happy.
“Of course, we had to get you something,” her mother said. “We weren’t sure what to get you, though, so we hope it’s okay.”
“I know whatever it is, it’s perfect, Clara.” Landon reached into the bag and took out a small velvet box. He flipped it open to reveal a beautiful silver and black leather band TAG Heuer watch. It was stunning, and Alex knew her parents had paid a small fortune for it. “This is too much,” Landon said, sounding breathless.
“Nonsense,” her father said. “My boss got me one when I was promoted. With it being your birthday and you graduating soon, I thought we’d get you something special. We had the back engraved.”
Landon turned the watch over. “Dream infinite.”
“Alexandra was the one who suggested it,” her mother pointed out.
Her boyfriend craned his neck, wonder consuming his bright eyes. “You are incredible,” he said in awe.
Alex reached over, took the watch from him, and grasped his right hand, pulling it toward her. “I didn’t buy the watch,” she reminded as she fastened the black leather band to sit perfectly on his wrist. Then she smiled her appreciation to her wonderful, supportive parents. “It was all these two.”
Her father winked at her while her mother pointed at the bag. “I also baked you a birthday cake. I brought it on the plane, so it should be safe.”
Alex squinted at her mother, skeptical of the birthday cake she spoke of. “Cake or cupcakes, Mum?”
Her father laughed. “So what are they, baby?”
Her mother pursed her lips. “They’re birthday cupcakes.”
Of course, they are.
54 Xe
xenon
AJ
Freshmen year of college
“Alex!” Romano, who worked the ticketing entrance at Fenway Park, called out as AJ held out her ticket. “Long time, no see, little one.”
Romano was her favorite stadium steward. She loved them all, but he always made sure she walked around Fenway without any trouble. Plus, he’d tell her the best stories of him growing up with the Red Sox. They were similar. His father had worked at the snack concession, so he was able to hang out with the players. However, that was where the similarities ended. AJ was known not only to the players but also to the fans and the media.
“Yeah, long time, no see,” she agreed as she took her ticket from him. “How’s the family?”
“They miss seeing you. My little ones are watching with the wife. I’ll let them know you’re home from college.”
AJ shook her head. “That’s all right. I’ll stop by and see Jasmine and the kids after the first inning.”
“Aye, what’s takin’ so long!” a fan complained behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder to find her father shaking his head at her. “Don’t worry about them, Alexandra.”
Romano waved her, her father, and mother through, ignoring her parents’ tickets. The Parkers were considered family at Fenway, and everyone knew they had season tickets.
“Aye, yo! The Parkers can take their time!” Romano said with a wink to her.
“Little Miss Red Sox is home?” another person yelled.
“Alex is home!” another few chanted.
It was a strange feeling being back after so long, but it felt like coming home.
“Sweet Alexandra!” the crowd sang to the tune of “Sweet Caroline.”
AJ laughed as her mother looped her arm with AJ’s and shook her head. “Looks like they’ve missed you.” They walked toward the tunnel to their regular seats. “Noel, can you get the food and drinks?”
“Sure. You want beer or wine?” her father asked as he adjusted his Red Sox baseball cap, making AJ grin at the white and red jersey he wore. Due to work, it had been a while since her father had made it to a game, but tonight was family night since she was home.
“Beer would be great,” AJ teased.
Her father glared at her. “You’re legal back in Australia but not here. So it’s Coke for you.”
“Just water for me,” her mother answered.
“Popcorn?”
AJ nodded. “Yes, please. Hot dogs later.”
“Okay, I won’t be long,” her father said. He kissed AJ on the cheek and headed toward the concession stand.
Minutes later, after following the crowd, she was officially welcomed home to the beautiful view of Fenway Park from her usual seat. Her mother was on her left and to her right was a vacant seat.
It was Evan’s.
The sight of his empty seat caused a tightening sensation in her chest, and her eyes stung. It was a reminder he was gone and more than likely already in California.
W
hen she was at the airport, she cried. He kissed and brushed her tears away, promising to call her when he got back to Stanford. With his goodbye was a promise of their reunion in a month’s time for Thanksgiving. Then he whispered his four words of love that were enough for her to nod, kiss him back, and tell him that she’d be waiting for him in November.
It had been hours since she last saw Evan.
But it felt longer.
Much longer.
During her drive back to Brookline, she managed to keep it together, but the moment she parked her car and saw his house, she broke down crying. She had no idea what would happen when she returned to North Carolina. She booked a flight back to Duke for Wednesday so she’d make it back in time for classes on Thursday.
“Are you okay?” her mother asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
AJ turned away from Evan’s seat and smiled at her mother. “Of course, I’m okay. I’m at Fenway about to watch Kyle and the Red Sox work their way to another World Series. And I’m here with you and Dad.”
“And what about you and Evan? My love, I saw the way you both looked at each other. Something happened on that road trip.”
She glanced back onto the field, ignoring her mother’s probing gaze. “Something happened …”
“Alexandra,” her mother said in a low voice as her hand settled on AJ’s arm. “Did you?”
Her heart dipped at her mother’s question.
She had no regrets, but her mother’s question had her second-guessing herself.
AJ’s eyes met her mother’s, and she nodded. “I did, Mum.”
Neither disappointment or excitement consumed her mother’s face. Instead, it was blank. Expressionless. Then she asked, “Did you use protection?”
No.
“Yes,” she lied.
It wasn’t a thought she or Evan had.
They were careless and got lost in the moment.
But reality had her booking an appointment with her doctor while her parents were at work.
Her mother sighed in relief. “Good,” she said with a slanted smile. “I’m glad that you both did. Sex is—”