“You think because you got your Haughtfully Ever After, you know how things are going to turn out?” True took a deep breath of the wind as she watched Karessa duck into the car.
Karessa spun sit so she was on the couch facing the door. “I guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”
True shook her head and got in. The door closed behind her and she tried to shake the melancholy that was settling over her like a badly developed film. “I guess I will.”
Chapter 3
Alec hoped like hell he was going to be able to pull himself out of the funk he’d been in during the 36 hours since True left without a trace. He’d packed his bag, waited for his leave time and boarded and landed three times before he was finally in his own apartment above The Haught Spot. If he had to bet on where she was he’d put all his money and a piece of his soul that she’d gone to Karessa. He couldn’t prove it though. Alec wasn’t one to beg and harass but he’d called True’s phone more times than he’d like to admit. He’d placed a call to Karessa as well but was told by her answering machine that she couldn’t come to the phone at this time by her voice message. He’d had a mind to call Karessa’s assistant Maryse, but he didn’t want to get the woman into any trouble. Alec had to also admit to himself he didn’t want too many people to know about what happened. It was genuine male pride that kept him from making that call.
Walking down the back stairs getting ready for his shift behind the bar made him reassess his housing situation. He couldn’t even call off without half the staff coming to check on him, and that included his all too nosy brothers. Alec never took off so that would be hard to explain why he needed another day off, but he just didn’t feel like going through the mundaneness of today when he was so torn up about True. He wanted some more defined answers. Damn it. Alec stopped at the top of the staircase and took a deep breath before going down the flight. What is happening to me?
“Look at you.” Beau, his younger brother, the one with the ever ready smile and whatever happens, happens attitude. “All tan and fresh off your vacation looking. It’s a new look since you usually don’t go anywhere but you never go anywhere tropical.”
Alec walked down the stairs slowly and hoped his brother would just move along. “Thanks. I think.”
Beau’s grin was good natured and teasing, but Alec wasn’t really in the mood for it. “Any problems while I was away? I’ll address them before I head out to the bar.”
“We were able to keep it together and handle any and all situations in the what…four days you were gone.” The man shook his head at him.
“I’m sure you were but I was just asking in case something needed worked on. Don’t get so offended.”
“I’m not offended, bro, that’s your claim to fame. I just wanted to say hello and comment on the Zen-like look you were sporting. Not on your face, but I was hoping laying around on the beach with True would have mellowed your ass the fuck out, but I don’t think it did.” Beau laughed like he was amused by his assessment and it just made Alec bristle harder.
“Whatever, Beau. I’ll just head on out there. I’m sure it’s crazy. Friday nights always are, especially when we don’t have the same kind of help.”
“Why wouldn’t we have enough help? Did someone call off?” That was enough to take the joking smile off of Beau’s face and put some seriousness there. He walked over to the employee schedule and looked at it for a few seconds before coming back toward Alec. “Payback for me messing with you about your vacation?”
Alec stood watching Beau with his eyes squinted like he was trying to see into his mind.
“No. I just wasn’t sure if anyone had called off.” There was no way in the world he was going to let True’s best friend know there had been trouble in paradise. She usually came in Friday nights and for some reason he thought she’d not be there tonight…Oh! That was probably because she left his ass on fantasy island without a word and he’d not been able to get in contact with her ever since.
“Well, they haven’t.” Beau frowned and then just shook his head. “I guess I should be happy that you haven’t changed. You’re still a bit of an asshole, but I’m glad you’re home safely.”
“Have you talked to True?” Alec wanted to bite his tongue for letting that shit slip. Maybe if he played it cool there wouldn’t be too many questions about his outburst.
Beau stopped and his eyes got wide. “Yes, I spoke with her this morning. Why? What’s up?”
“Nothing, I just wondered if you talked with her.” Beau’s whole attitude seemed to take on one of a television mystery show personality. He cocked his head to the side and walked back toward Alec.
It was then that Alec started looking at the kitchen area with interest. They were standing by the door that lead out to the bar, but he figured if he looked around at the gleaming sterling silver of the countertops and appliances it would be better than letting his little brother see some expression on his face that he’d rather not disclose.
“When’s the last time you spoke with True?”
“What do you mean? I just got back from a vacation with her.” He looked his brother in the eye because he knew he’d get points off this evaluation his brother seemed to be doing if he didn’t.
“This whole thing seemed odd from the start. From you having a bet with True that she couldn’t match us with our ‘true love’” Beau put his fingers up to make quotes around true love. “Then her actually doing just that and you, with your I never need a vacation mantra, getting up and going on an actual luxury trip.”
“I lost a bet and I’m a man of my word. If she wanted me to go on a trip then I’d go. It was only fair.” Alec turned to put on the apron that had their logo The Haught Spot in a fiery circle on the front.
Beau put his hand on Alec’s arm and he turned to look at his brother. There were no more teasing smiles in fact he appeared a bit concerned.
“We all know you don’t do what you don’t want to do. So are you saying you wanted to go?”
Alec shrugged, not having an honest answer he wanted to share at this point. “I did it and it’s over so how about we just get back to work.”
The smile on Beau’s face started small but at least the man didn’t look as worried as he had been. “That’s the Alec I know. All work…minimal and hidden play.”
“What do you mean by that?” Alec glared at his brother, but now the teasing smile was back.
“Gotcha.” Beau walked through the door to the bar. “That’s the loving glare we typically see on your face. I was just trying to get you work ready.”
“Thanks, I guess.” Alec knew he was a man of few words and usually did his job differently on his side of the bar than the other. It was like there was a fun side and a just give me a fucking drink side. For that Alec wouldn’t change a thing. He didn’t mind talking to his patrons, but the constant flirting and tomfoolery that went on down there wasn’t his speed. Alec liked his job like he liked his life. Predictable, calm and manageable.
The bar was in full swing, but it wasn’t crowded just yet. He got himself set up in the computer system logging on to the food selection service and his register. This was the time True would typically approach him. She’d slide in close and crowd him as she asked him about his day or said something dirty. It had been like that even before they’d taken their relationship to a physical level. That woman had been flirting with him since the day he’d met her and she’d been way too young.
He completed his log ins and forced down the disappointment he was experiencing. Alec didn’t know what all was involved with True and her disappearance from their love shack vacation, but he did know he wanted more explanation.
“Where’s True?” Barry the tried and true patron commented from his regular seat at the bar.
“I’m not sure.” Alec was going to try to act like what was going on with them wasn’t a problem. Especially at work. These people had been making up soap operas in their minds about him and True. Imagining a love affair
where there wasn’t one. There couldn’t be. His father had shown him something when he died of heart complications seven months after his mother died in childbirth with Camden. He loved too hard and of all of them Alec knew he was the most like his father.
“Oh…because she usually comes over when you’re signing into all your stuff.” Captain Obvious was on a streak and Alec truly didn’t want to hear it.
“Would you like another drink, Barry?”
The man looked at his almost full drink and then back at Alec before shaking his head slowly. He must have gotten the point that he didn’t want to talk about it or he remembered that he was on the get your drink and shut the hell up side of the bar.
Alec set about checking his booze levels and then checking on the patrons at the bar to see if they wanted anything. It was a ruse he just didn’t want to see True just yet. He didn’t trust the expression that would be on his face and he knew he was being watched by everyone. Especially when he was in a bad mood the crowd just seemed to want to keep their eyes on him in case he…what…did something? He wasn’t scary on purpose. The scar had a way of making him look a bit like a pirate. That’s what he thought when he’d study himself in a mirror. Not a nice pirate, but a wicked one who kept people away with a bad attitude and gruffness. It’s possible that he worked on that part. The fact was, it seemed to be easier than to let people in. There were always women who’d attempted getting with him, but it would never stick. Not with True around. It was hard to see anyone when she was around and he’d loved how she would enter into the conversation if she didn’t like how long or how much he’d been talking to a particular person.
It had taken a while, but all his people were set up and happy with their orders. Now there was a lull and he decided that he’d clean a few of the specialty glasses that the waitresses had brought back. Not that it mattered, but he’d seen Josie and Harlee a few times within the last 90 minutes or so but not a trace of True. That meant she must be going to the happy side of the bar for her drinks. Most of the time they had both laughed at that side. It was difficult to get drink orders done with so many people down there and how there was always a conversation with the bartender so the drinks took longer to receive. That must not have been stopping her tonight.
Without really wanting to he looked for her in the crowd and found her in seconds, of course. Her big curly hair usually was her calling card, but she had it in a pony tail that looked like a big puff on the back of her head. Damn it. She knew he liked when she wore her hair loose and free, he’d disclosed that nugget of truth after one fuck session that left him completely blissed out in sexual fulfillment. She had a smile on her face as she spoke to one of her customers but to him she looked sad. He wondered if anyone else saw that or if he was just projecting on her what he was feeling.
“What’s going on with True?” Camden said when he got close enough to be heard.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Alec moved so it wasn’t apparent that he’d just been busted watching the same woman Camden was talking about.
His brother, Camden, was the astute one, especially when it came to feelings. It was probably because before he’d found the love of his life he’d dedicated it to helping damn near any and every woman who needed assistance. It was probably to pay the Universe back for taking his mother from their family. The occurrence was something Camden didn’t have any control over, but it seemed like he thought if he could do enough good things he’d be forgiven for his mother not making it through childbirth. “Let’s not do this, Alec. I know you’re not the talker slash sharer of the family, but I know you don’t socialize with many people and I wanted to lend an ear if you needed it.”
“Thanks, Cam. Same to you. I’m sure the deep circles under your eyes aren’t from pacing all night with the babies since they aren’t here yet.” Alec did what he was good at. Deflecting from himself and giving someone else the floor. He knew his wife, Gemmi, being pregnant with twins was killing him. It didn’t take much to understand that, but it was like Cam was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“No, they aren’t here, but I’m trying to make sure that everything goes okay until the babies are born.” Camden didn’t look like he was in full counselor mode. Now he looked like he was thinking about his situation and not feeling good about it.
“Everything is going to be fine. Your beautiful wife who loves you so very much is having a baby. I know you’re worried about what happened with Mom, but everything has been good with this pregnancy. No issues or concerns have come up yet so just be happy in the now.”
“Ummm…who the hell are you and what have you done with my brother?” At least Camden was smiling and even if it was at his expense, it was worth it to see him lighten up.
“It’s still me. I just hate to see you kicking yourself about everything. Gemmi’s been pregnant for how long?”
“For-freaking-ever. That’s what it feels like anyway.” Camden looked down on the ground shaking his head. “You are so good at getting me to go off topic. That isn’t even what we were talking about.”
There was no way Alec was going to confirm or deny that it was what he did when there was a topic he didn’t want to address.
“Hey True,” Camden called out and then waved her over with his hand.
There was nothing Alec could do to stop it without raising questions, but he hoped that she was too busy to stop. He had a lot to say and a good number of questions to ask, but he didn’t want their first meeting to be witnessed. His wishes hadn’t been answered because she walked up to them looking to the world like she hadn’t a care in the world. The two of them hugged like they’d not seen each other in years. It took a momentous amount of strength not to roll his eyes at the both of them, so he turned away to clean the pristinely clean area around the sink like it was filthy.
“Look at your sun kissed skin glowing. Did you have a good time?” Camden asked True.
Alec had no idea why the man chose right now to talk to True on his side of the bar. It was what the ladies called a three Haught touch-down day since all three brothers were behind the bar. Alec was on his side, Camden was typically on the other and Beau was the go between but mostly down with Camden as their side was always a jammed packed party that had people waiting to get serviced. It was the reason why True came to him to fill her orders. Well, it was the reason she used to come to him.
“It was amazing. The island was beautiful, the food was excellent and water was unbelievably gorgeous.” True had loved the island and had taken so many pictures of it and him he was surprised there was any space on her phone.
“I’m sure you took pictures let me see a couple.”
The pause from True almost made him turn around, but he didn’t know what he’d say because he knew how to read her facial expressions, but it was a bit more difficult when he wasn’t looking at her.
“I do have a couple scenic shots. I’m going to get them together and then send them out. This place is busy tonight, so I better get back to it. I think Beau should be done with my drinks by now. Hey Alec,” True threw over her shoulder as she walked off to the other side of the bar.
Alec finished what he was doing with the sink that was actually nothing, before he turned around. Camden was still there, but now he had his arms crossed and the assessing gaze wasn’t as caring as it was when he originally walked over to him.
“What did you do to True?”
“You just talked to her and she sounded the way she always does. What makes you think I did something to her?” Alec was truly at a loss. That conversation sounded exactly like almost every other one he’d heard or witnessed between the both of them so he honestly didn’t know what his brother was getting at.
“She came over here and didn’t look at you or touch you once, then threw out a ‘Hey Alec’ like you didn’t just come from vacationing together. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen. Typically, she’s all over you. Even if it’s just a brushing of her fingers on you. It�
�s like you’re her base and she has to touch you when she’s that close.” Camden stopped talking and waited, but Alec had no idea what he was waiting for. That’s not actually true. He knew what his brother was waiting for but he wasn’t going to get it.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Alec tried for the aloof look that made most people just give up their line of questioning.
“Yes. You do, but I’ll leave it alone. You’ve got that stubborn look on your face so that means you aren’t going to tell me shit. I’m going to be watching True though. You two really need to stop pussyfooting around each other and either get it on or go your separate ways.”
“Pussyfooting?” Alec hadn’t heard that since his grandfather died. He missed him almost as much as he missed his father that had passed on long before his time.
“Yes, I’ve heard you say it enough and that is exactly what you and True are doing.”
Alec saw a hand from one of his patrons and left Camden where he was as he filled orders. True walked by and nodded her head like he’d seen her do to other people, but never to him. That shouldn’t hurt should it? Probably not, but somehow it did.
*****
It took one whole shift, the time it took to clean his work area and lock the bar before he realized he wasn’t going to be able to relax until he’d had a conversation with True. This experience was already changing him, because he normally waited until she came to him to voice whatever concerns he had, but there usually weren’t any. He heard her out and then decided what to do. So that’s why it was 3:30 in the morning and he was knocking on the door of large baby blue Victorian home.
He saw the light come on in her bedroom and the progression of lights she must have flipped on as she came down the stairs. The door flung open the expression on her face was angry. It was just then he remembered how much True hated to be awakened when she was asleep. She saw him, pulled her robe closed a bit more and marginally fixed her face to a somewhat neutral position.
Haught & Bothered Page 3