Scarred (Damaged Souls)

by Twyla Turner

  “What are you doing, exactly?” Sloan asked grinning.

  “Uh…doing a happy dance?” Lexi posed it as a question, her face burning red with embarrassment.

  “Mmm…Proceed.” Sloan said casually walking over to the set of drawers with his few clothing items and grabbed a pair of jeans.

  Lexi flopped down on the bed, mortified that she was caught in the act.

  “Don’t stop on my account. You looked adorable jumping around like a little girl.” Sloan said looking at her in adoration.

  “It’s okay, I think I got it out of my system now.” Lexi looked down at her toes, unable to make eye contact.

  “Well, if I was even a fraction of the reason you were compelled to do the “happy” dance, I couldn’t be more touched.” Sloan said seriously.

  Lexi looked up at him and her breath caught at the look of love in his eyes. It scared and thrilled her. Never in all my life…

  “It’s been a combination of things, really. This house, my new found freedom and learning so much about myself and how a man is supposed to treat a woman. But in that moment it was definitely seventy-five percent you and having the best sexual experience of my life.” Lexi confessed bashfully, feeling that he deserved to hear it.

  “Thank you.” Sloan said softly, a telltale blush tinting his cheeks.

  “So…I better get dressed too, so I can help you.” Lexi said scooting off the bed.

  ~~~

  The next several hours Sloan and Lexi worked side by side sanding down the hardwood floor in her newly expanded bedroom. When they were done, they laid down tarp and worked at tearing down the drywall on the ceiling. They both breathed a sigh of relief that there was no permanent damage to the wood beams in the ceiling.

  They removed the debris and carried it out to the dumpster. Sloan moved to the next project of pulling up the old moldy bathroom tiles covering the entire floor. His plan was to strip the upstairs of all the damage, creating a clean slate for the new ceiling, bathroom floor, fresh paint, and wood trim and crown molding. The extra men they had hired would be there on Monday, and Sloan wanted to make sure everything was ready before they arrived.

  They were in the middle of breaking up the tile on the bathroom floor when Lexi’s cellphone went off in her back pocket. Lexi pulled her phone out and nearly cringed when she saw that it was Dom. Shit. Shit. Shit! I completely forgot about the damn double date.

  She had been so wrapped up in amazing sex that the date had totally slipped her mind. She quickly walked out of the bathroom into the bedroom, stopping in front of the sitting room window, not wanting Sloan to hear the conversation. But not wanting to be overly rude by taking the call out in the hall, like she was trying to hide something from him.

  “Hey, Dom.” Lexi answered the phone warily.

  “Hey, Lexi! Today is the day! I’m so excited! Aren’t you excited? You’re gonna love Aaron.” Dom raved on the other end.

  “Uh…Dom…here’s the thing…” Lexi started hesitantly, looking over at Sloan in the bathroom, who had given up pretending to work and stared right at her.

  “Don’t you dare cancel on me Alexis Bolden! We’ve already made reservations at a nice restaurant. And I’ve been talking about you to Aaron for nearly a week and he’s so excited to meet you. Come on…for me?” Dom pleaded, when Lexi remained silent.

  “I just don’t know Dom. I’ve kinda met some-” Lexi started.

  “No no no…I won’t take no for an answer, especially only a few hours before the date! So suck it up girlfriend, cause you going!” Dom said laying down the law.

  “Fine, Dom.” Lexi finally gave in, turning away from Sloan, afraid to see his reaction.

  “Oh thank God! Aaron will be there at seven to pick you up and then we’ll all meet up at the restaurant. The reservations are for seven-thirty.” Dom rattled off.

  “Great.” Lexi said, voice filled with sarcasm.

  “Alright, see in you in a little while. This is gonna be so much fun!” Dom said ignoring Lexi’s tone and then hung up before she could change her mind.

  Lexi took a deep breath to prepare for a battle with Sloan. Her palms instantly started to sweat, hating confrontation, because it normally didn’t end well for her. Turning, she faced Sloan, her heart heavy with guilt. Sloan had walked into the bedroom and looked at Lexi incredulous.

  “Did you actually just tell her that you’re still going on that date?” Sloan said in a deceptively calm voice.

  “Sloan, she already made all these plans. I just felt bad leaving her hanging.” Lexi said looking at the floor, unable to make eye contact with him.

  “Lexi! Are you fucking kidding me?! You’re gonna go on a date with another fucking man after yesterday…and this morning?!” Sloan finally exploded and Lexi cringed in response.

  “Sloan, it’s no big deal.” She replied softly.

  “No big deal? You don’t fuck a man all day long one day and go out with another man the next.” Sloan railed.

  “I’m just doing it for her! I don’t even want to fucking go, but I already agreed and if I cancel now that’ll make me a complete bitch. Why the hell do you care so much anyway?!” Lexi finally snapped, hating being yelled at over something she didn’t have much choice over.

  “Why do I care? Why do I care?! Don’t you fucking get it?! Can’t you see, that I’m in love with you?! Of course the last thing I want to do is see you with another man!” Sloan poured his heart out, shocking Lexi.

  “I…I can’t handle this.” Lexi said starting to freak out, feeling like the walls were closing in on her.

  “I just ripped my heart out and presented it to you and all you can say is, ‘I can’t handle this’? That’s just fucking perfect.” Sloan exclaimed, feeling as if she’d just kicked him in the gut.

  “I didn’t ask for you to fall in love with me! I don’t even know if I can handle a relationship right now, Sloan. For the first time I’m trying to figure out who I am and what I want out of my life, without a man controlling it.” Lexi tried to explain, feeling her stomach tie in knots and her heart rip in half at the devastated look on his face.

  “So what were you planning? To just use me as a casual fuck buddy until your house was done? And then that’s it? Nice knowing you?” Sloan asked, his voice filled with pain.

  “I don’t know, Sloan?! I was just going with it. Trying to live in the moment, to just feel it out.” Lexi said at a loss at how to explain how she felt without hurting him, but knowing she was failing miserably.

  “You know what? I’m sorry. Apparently I’ve asked too much of you. Go and enjoy your date…whatever.” Sloan said giving up on convincing her not to go, which broke Lexi’s heart even more.

  Sloan turned away and headed back into the bathroom. He picked up the sledgehammer they had been using to break the tile, ready to continue.

  “Sloan, please. Can’t you understand where I’m coming from?” Lexi implored, coming up behind him.

  “Don’t Alexis. If you’re gonna fucking go, just go. You don’t need to apologize to me, we were just having some fun apparently.” Sloan said not turning to look at her.

  “Sloan-” Lexi started again.

  “Jesus Christ, Lexi! Go! I can’t fucking look at you right now.” Sloan yelled, swallowing hard to control his emotions.

  Lexi flinched back, tears instantly clouding her eyes. She hated hurting him, but she didn’t want to ruin everyone else’s night either. She knew if she stopped and dug deep, that she’d find that she cared more for Sloan than she was willing to admit. But the thoughts of a new relationship scared the shit out of her. She was having the best time of her life with Sloan and at the same time she was terrified that if things got too serious it would wreck everything.

  Her insides were so torn up and churning that she felt like she was going to puke. She turned and dashed out of the room and ran downstairs wiping at her eyes. She ran into the downstairs bathroom and shut the door. She leaned over the toilet and threw up the cereal she’
d had that morning.

  Sitting back against the tub Lexi sobbed uncontrollably. Her earlier euphoria was now nowhere to be seen. She had no idea how she was going to get through the date, because her heart wasn’t in it and she’d be so worried about how Sloan was doing. Well…I’ve already made my bed, so I might as well lie in it.

  Lexi stood up on shaky legs and leaned inside the shower to turn on the spray, remembering their passionate love making the night before, beginning her preparations for the dreaded date in a couple of hours.

  ~~~

  Sloan had finished ripping up the tiles in record time, focus and anger putting a fire under his ass. And though he was done, he refused to make his way downstairs. He was afraid that if he saw Lexi he’d, either say something he would regret later or carry her into the bedroom like a caveman and fuck her into submission. Either way, he had a feeling he’d lose and end up hurting them both in the process. So he decided to wait it out upstairs until she was gone.

  Hearing a knock on the front door, Sloan got up from where he had been perched on the edge of the claw-footed tub. He slowly walked over to the dome shaped window that faced the front of the house and looked out. He couldn’t see who was at the door because the roof extended over the front porch. But he could see the fancy douche bag sports car parked behind Lexi’s Mustang. Fantastic! He’s wealthy.

  For the first time in his entire life, Sloan wished that he hadn’t thrown away his privilege and wealth that he had been born into. He knew the thought was irrational. The circumstances of his past was what brought them together in the first place. Who knew where he’d be, if he had of bent to his parents will. And if they would’ve crossed paths and he wasn’t so damaged and scarred from the war, would he have even noticed her wounded spirit.

  Lost in thought, Sloan barely noticed the deep baritone of a male voice downstairs and Lexi’s soft melodic voice in response to whatever her date had said. Sloan clenched his fists at his sides, pulling every ounce of restraint he had not go down and punch the unknown man in the face.

  He then heard their footsteps as they walked out the door. Sloan watched as they came into view. The man was a tall, fit, light-skinned black man dressed in slacks and nice shirt. And as always Lexi took Sloan’s breath away. She was in a black halter dress that luckily didn’t expose too much of her ample cleavage and the full skirt ended demurely at her knees. Her curly afro was a glorious dark cloud around her beautiful heart-shaped face, pulled back on one side with a large red silk flower.

  Sloan’s jaw flexed as he watched the man open the car door for Lexi and place his hand on her lower back, helping her in the car. As the man walked around to the driver’s side door, Sloan saw his big shit eating grin.

  They backed out of the driveway and Sloan felt his control slip as his heart ripped out his chest. Before he even knew what happened, his fist went through the drywall next to the window as he shouted out an expletive. Completely losing it, he punched the wall several more times till his knuckles bled. He slid down to the floor, raking his fingers through his hair praying that she didn’t fall for this guy.

  Not wanting to sit around wallowing in self-pity or think about how her date was going, Sloan jumped up from his crouched position on the floor, needing to get out of the house. Even if he had to walk till his feet bled. He just needed to do something to occupy his mind.

  He quickly walked downstairs and into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, when he spotted Lexi’s car keys and her debit card on the table next to a note. Sloan stopped short and picked up the note reading it.

  Sloan,

  I’m sorry.

  If you need anything, feel free to take my car and use my debit card.

  Lexi

  Sloan grabbed the keys, her card and a bottled water and headed towards the door whistling for Tank to follow. He had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. He just knew he had to get out before he went crazy.

  Chapter 14

  “Back at One”

  Lexi sat quietly in the passenger seat while Aaron drove to the restaurant. Lexi had been pleasantly surprised at how handsome he was. Caramel skin, pretty brown eyes, nicely dressed and hair cut to perfection in a close fade with shiny waves on top. Lexi knew he probably brushed his hair within an inch of its life to get those waves so perfect.

  And then seeing his sleek sports car when they’d walked out of the house, pulled the whole perfect picture together. To all outward appearances, he was the perfect package. And she hated it. All she could see was a mental picture of a wounded and scarred man, who was her idea of perfection.

  A guy like Aaron probably wouldn’t understand her issues or be as patient with her. And showing him her scarred thighs would be totally out of the question. She knew she wasn’t giving him much of a chance, but guys like him usually went for debutantes, and debutante she was not. Why the fuck am I here?! Why didn’t I just put my foot down and tell Dom about Sloan? I doubt this guy could really be that hard up for a date. Now I have to suffer through this, Sloan is hurt and this guy is gonna end up being disappointed because I’m a piss poor excuse for a date. And no one wins. Lovely.

  “Why so quiet?” Aaron said smiling down at Lexi with a brilliant white smile.

  “Nervous I guess.” Lexi said quietly, not wanting to be rude by saying what she was really thinking.

  “Don’t be nervous. I don’t bite.” Aaron said, making Lexi inwardly cringe at the corny line that sounded so adorable when Sloan had said it a few nights before.

  Aaron took his hand off of the shifter and grabbed hers. Lexi thought that after spending so much time with Sloan, that she’d finally relaxed to the male touch. But the instinct to rip her hand out of Aaron’s let her know that it was just Sloan. He made her feel safe, like he understood her.

  Feeling the stirrings of a panic attack coming on, Lexi wiggled her hand out from Aaron’s large one. He glanced over at her curiously and taking the hint, put his hand back on the gearshift.

  “So Dom said that you’re from up north. How are you liking Savannah?” Aaron asked, trying his best to get a conversation started.

  “Yeah, I’m from the Illinois-Iowa border. I love Savannah. It’s a gorgeous place.” Lexi answered honestly.

  “So…no offense, but I can’t believe you bought that house. Dom is a phenomenal realtor, I’m sure she could’ve found something more suitable for you.” Aaron stated.

  Strike one.

  “I happen to love that house. She has so much potential. Not everything that is broken and worn out needs to be torn down and rebuilt. It just needs some TLC. Besides, Dom did suggest some move-in ready homes, but I wanted something that I could leave my mark on, that I could put my input in and not just in superficial decorations.” Lexi defended her cherished home.

  “My bad. I guess I can understand where you’re coming from.” Aaron conceded. “You have more patience than me.”

  “I don’t know, remodeling is a lot of fun. I’m enjoying myself.” Lexi replied.

  “So Dom tells me you’re an artist.” Aaron commented.

  “Yes, I paint.” Lexi answered.

  “She said you’re good enough to sell your paintings for a living. Have you ever thought about selling some of your work to interested parties? I probably wouldn’t mind buying a few.” Aaron said with a big flirty smile.

  “Dom only saw one half-finished painting. I don’t know how she could tell I was any good just from that one. But I guess more and more, I am thinking about making a career out of it. But first I need to rebuild my portfolio, I’ve lost all my previous work.” Lexi explained.

  “Well maybe I’ll have to commission you to do some for me soon.” Aaron suggested.

  “Maybe.” Lexi answered evasively.

  “We’re here.” Aaron said as they pulled up outside of a fancy looking bistro.

  As soon as Aaron’s car pulled to a stop two valets came to either side of the car and opened their doors for them. The young valet offered Lexi his han
d to help her out of the low sports car. Lexi took it hesitantly.

  Aaron made is way around to her and placed his hand on her lower back to guide her towards the entrance of the restaurant. Lexi shivered at the contact and not necessarily in a good way, but glancing up at the tall handsome man, she could tell that he thought otherwise. If the smile on his face was any indication.

  When they entered the building, Lexi heard a squeal of delight and saw Dom quickly walking over to them. She embraced Lexi in a big hug. Dom was radiant in a red body-hugging dress that stopped mid-thigh and sky high red heels that made her tower over Lexi more than normal.

  “Oh my God, girl! You two look so good together! Isn’t he handsome?” Dom whispered in Lexi’s ear.

  “Yes, but Dom…don’t get your hopes up. I’ve kinda met someone, which was what I was trying to tell you over the phone earlier.” Lexi whispered back honestly.

  “Oh honey, don’t even worry about it. You’re still young. It’s just called playing the field. Weighing your options. You don’t have to marry either one of them tomorrow. So let’s just have some fun.” Dom suggested.

  “Alright then.” Lexi agreed seeing her logic, trying to relax.

  “Let me introduce you to my fiancé. Tony, sweetie?” Dom called out to the tall dark chocolate man in deep discussion with Aaron. “Come meet Miss Lexi.” She said as he walked over. “Tony this is Lexi Bolden. Lexi this is Tony Scott, my husband to be.”

  “Hey, Lexi. It’s nice to finally meet you. You’re all Dom has been talking about.” Tony said shaking her hand firmly.

  “Nice to meet you too, Tony.” Lexi said shyly.

  A hostess came over then to take them to their table. They walked through the dimly lit restaurant with romantic candles burning on every table. The hostess stopped in front of a round corner table. The intimate setting made Lexi feel awkward and uncomfortable.