Hiding in the Spotlight

by Karen Booth

  “Because you could hang out with Floyd?”

  A breathy laugh escaped her lips. “No. Not that.”

  David glanced over at her. “I’m listening.”

  “I’ve never told anyone this.” She knocked her head to the side. “Actually, it might be nice to tell somebody. I’ve kept the secret for so long.” She took a deep breath. “My dad didn’t learn to read until I was in junior high.”

  David shook his head in amazement. “But your dad was such a smart guy.”

  “It had nothing to do with being smart. He grew up on a farm and didn’t go to school a lot. There was so much work to be done. I guess he fell behind and it got worse every year. He dropped out in ninth grade, and he helped my grandfather until my parents decided to get married.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “You wouldn’t. I mean, he could read just fine by the time you met him. He actually picked it up pretty fast, and he’d already spent so much time in his life hiding it.”

  “Your dad was so proud. What made him decide to do something about it?”

  She smiled and wrapped her arms about herself, making David wish he could hold her. “Um, I guess I had something to do with it. I brought home To Kill a Mockingbird from school one day and he asked me what it was about. It interested him. So, I started reading it to him every night. At first, he told me he was too tired from delivering bread all day long to do it himself, but after we finished the book, he told me that he’d never learned to read.”

  “That’s incredible. I had no idea.” David studied her while the security gate rolled across his driveway. She was picking at her nails again, a habit of hers he’d always found adorable. “You know what?”

  She furrowed her brow. “What?”

  “I’m dyslexic. I couldn’t read until I was in fifth grade and I still struggled with it all through school.”

  “You’re kidding.” Her eyes were wide in astonishment. “I had no idea.”

  “Glenn’s the only person who ever knew about it other than my mom and some of my teachers. He helped me so much in elementary school before they knew what was wrong. He was always reading stuff for me or bailing me out when the teacher asked a question.”

  She shook her head. “Glenn helped you? That’s kind of hard to imagine.”

  “Well, he was almost always a really good friend to me. As much as I think he’s acting like an ass right now, I still love him like a brother.”

  They walked through the side door and into the kitchen. He wondered if Alex was still thinking about her dad or maybe she was thinking about his dyslexia. He wasn’t sure what made him share that, other than he knew he could trust her and it felt right at the time. She went to the fridge for a glass of water and he watched her, so beautiful in every way, inside and out.

  Alex fished her phone out of her bag. “Crap. I forgot to turn my ringer back on after being in the library. I hope this message isn’t from the school.” She pushed a button and flipped her hair away to hold the phone to her ear.

  As she listened to the message, David studied the bizarre progression of her facial expressions. She smiled at first, she blushed, and then that flush of pink turned white and her smile fizzled into nothing. She hung up and stood staring at him.

  “What’s wrong? Are the boys okay?”

  “The boys are fine. It was the lawyer.” Her eyes glazed. “They found Glenn.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The private investigator had managed to track Glenn to a remote Mexican resort town. Without phone or credit card records, nearly impossible to get without a subpoena, he’d had to resort to some creative techniques. He’d dug through the posts from the last few weeks on several Double Damage message boards and sure enough, someone had posted that they’d seen Glenn at LAX boarding a plane for Mexico City on the day he left Alex and the boys. A day later, a fan staying at the same resort as Glenn posted a picture of herself with him by the pool. Fuck. I paid someone to do that? I could’ve done that.

  Alex’s stomach churned. The thought of seeing Glenn outside of an open casket at his own funeral was enough to make her want to jump in the car with the boys and drive as far as she could. But that would mean running away from her problems and it would also mean what was now unthinkable—leaving David.

  “Mexico. Really?” David asked. “Glenn hates Mexico.”

  “That’s where John said they found him. He’s coming by this afternoon if you want to ask him yourself.”

  “Wait. Who’s John?”

  “My lawyer. Remember?”

  “The Weatherman? Wasn’t he just here?”

  “Would you prefer it if I went to his office? He’s meeting another client and it’s on his way.”

  “No. It’s fine.” David grumbled. “I can’t wait to hear what Mr. Smiley has to say.”

  “I’m going to go change. And will you stop calling him Mr. Smiley?”

  “Why?” David asked. “It’s not like I say it to his face.” The satisfied grin he wore made her smile, even when she wanted to be annoyed.

  Alex called Lisa the instant she got to her room. “Holy fuck,” was her response to the news they’d found Glenn. She then peppered Alex with fifty questions she didn’t know the answers to—how did she feel, what would happen next, and was she going to tell the boys.

  She tacked on a final question to which Alex did know the answer. “What’s David wearing today? Tell me everything.”

  Alex rolled her eyes and flopped down on the bed. “I have no idea. I didn’t notice.” Actually, he wore a white dress shirt with a herringbone texture and those jeans he wears when we go somewhere nice. They make his ass look amazing. He shaved today and wore the cologne that makes me lightheaded.

  “I don’t get you at all. I know you’re going through a divorce, but you must be attracted to him. He’s so sexy, it’s criminal.”

  “He’s cute. I’m not going to deny that.” Alex knew it sounded like a lie when it came out of her mouth. She prayed Lisa wouldn’t pick up on it.

  “You know what?” she asked. “I’m coming over this afternoon. After work, so I can see for myself what he’s wearing.”

  “Seriously? You’re going to drive all the way over here for that?”

  “No, I want to see the boys, too. I miss them.”

  “Gee, thanks. What am I? Chopped liver?”

  “Hey, I always want to see you.”

  Alex hung up her cell, took off her pumps and skirt and tossed on a pair of jeans, leaving the top she was already wearing, in hopes of catching David’s eye. She fixed her make-up and fluffed her hair before returning to the kitchen.

  “Oh, you’re home,” she said to the boys who were sitting at the kitchen table with backpacks, binders, and pencils spread out. “Carpool was early today.” She kissed Tyler on the top of the head and rubbed Page’s shoulder as she glanced down at his homework. “How was school?”

  “Fine,” Tyler answered.

  David had made them nachos for a snack, Tyler’s usual afternoon request, and brought them to the table. He pulled Alex aside. “I’m going to go make that phone call we talked about earlier. The one to Mexico,” he muttered.

  “Oh. Okay.” Alex’s heart thumped against her chest as she watched him walk away, although she wasn’t sure if it was from yet another mention of Glenn or David’s hot breath against her ear.

  “Mommy, who’s in Mexico?” Tyler asked.

  “Um, Uncle David’s friend.” Alex wasn’t ready to tell them that much to her chagrin, their dad was indeed alive and they might be seeing him soon. It was too much for her to force through the twists and turns of her brain, and she didn’t want to say anything until she knew for sure what would happen.

  The chime for the security gate sounded and Alex answered before waiting at the front door. John T. Lewis, Attorney at Law, wore brilliantly shiny silver aviator sunglasses and a suit that could make a girl forget the difference between right and wrong. He flashed his movie star smile and swiped off
his shades when he stepped inside, leaning forward to peck her on the cheek. “How are we today? Holding up?” He rubbed her arm. “I know this is big news.”

  “I’m fine. I mean, this is good, right?”

  “If you want to get divorced, this is very good.”

  Alex managed a small smile. “I definitely want to get divorced.”

  David materialized in the foyer and strode ahead, walking abnormally fast. “Jason, hi. How are you?”

  “I think we had this problem last time. I’m John. You’re Derwood, right?” John asked, pointing at David.

  David shook his head. “Sorry again. It’s David.”

  “David. Okay, I got it now.” He knocked his temple with a knuckle. “You wouldn’t think it’d be that hard.”

  “Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make us the most confused.” David added, winking at Alex.

  “Uh, the boys are in the kitchen doing their homework, and they don’t know anything about Glenn,” she said in a hushed tone. “Maybe we could go outside to the pool.”

  “Perfect. My other client cancelled, and I’m just going home to an empty house and hours of work, so I’m all yours for as long as you want me. Off the clock.”

  Alex saw David roll his eyes and she shot him a look, sending psychic messages for him to behave. “Anybody want a drink?”

  Poolside, the vine-covered arbor above the dining table blocked the late afternoon rays. John took the seat next to Alex’s, scooting closer and draping his arm across the back of her chair. David soon joined them with a bottle of wine and three glasses. He propped his sunglasses on his forehead as he cut the foil from the bottle.

  “So how long until you can serve Glenn with the papers?” Alex asked John.

  “If he stays put, as early as tonight.” He cupped his hand around her shoulder. “I don’t want you to worry about any of this. I’ll take care of everything. Everything will be fine.”

  David grumbled and cleared his throat, cranking on the corkscrew. Alex couldn’t keep from watching him. His arms were so solid. He caught her looking and raised an eyebrow at her, making the skin of her face, chest, and throat flood with heat.

  “Alex?” John asked. “Did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes, of course.” She shook her head. “Everything will be fine.”

  Tyler came running through one of the pairs of French doors out to the pool area. “Uncle David. The driveway thing is buzzing.”

  “Oh, crap,” Alex blurted, quickly standing. “I forgot Lisa said she was coming by.”

  David smiled. “Okay. Great. I’ll get another glass.”

  Alex ran and buzzed in Lisa and opened the front door.

  “You’ll never guess who’s here,” Alex said, as Lisa walked in dressed in her corporate attire of slim-fitting short gray skirt, ivory silk blouse, and sky-high black stilettos. Her wavy red hair was in a neat twist at the nape of her neck.

  “Hello to you, too.” Lisa pulled Alex into an embrace.

  “Sorry. It’s good to see you. You look amazing, by the way.”

  “You’re skinny. Are you eating?”

  “I’m fine. I’m just a little stressed. Come on. We’re out by the pool.”

  Lisa stepped back and grabbed Alex’s arm. “Please tell me he’s wearing a Speedo.”

  “Eww. No. David does not wear a Speedo. And you didn’t let me tell you that our favorite divorce lawyer is here.”

  “JT? Perfect. A double dose of hunky. Lead the way.”

  Alex watched as Lisa dropped her bag on the living room couch, let down her hair and unbuttoned one of the buttons of her blouse. She only prayed she didn’t do anything too over the top in front of David. She wasn’t sure she could handle even a small degree of blatant flirtation between them.

  “Gentlemen,” Lisa purred as her long legs carried her to the table.

  John and David stood to say their hellos and John gave Lisa a peck on the cheek before she took the seat between them. Alex studied David’s reaction to her arrival. She wasn’t sure he’d looked at Lisa at all. He politely filled a wineglass for her but didn’t seem to notice when she flashed her bright green eyes at him.

  “So, David, what have you been up to lately? I haven’t seen you in a while.” Lisa crossed her legs and hiked up her skirt as she sat back and sipped her wine.

  John reached for the bottle and topped off Alex’s glass, grinning at her.

  “I’ve been spending every minute I can with the boys and Alex,” David answered in a voice edged with annoyance. “I’ve been songwriting and I took a few producing jobs with some new bands here in LA.”

  “That’s great.” Lisa set her hand on David’s forearm. “You’re so talented. I’m glad to hear you’re using your gifts.”

  Oh, brother. Alex fidgeted. She loved Lisa like a sister, but the sight of her eying David as though she might devour him left her feeling like she had a mile-long trail of ants scurrying up her spine.

  Lisa and John chatted and Alex thought she should chime in, but David wasn’t joining in either. He made eye contact with her, repeatedly. At first, he mocked Lisa and John, trying to make Alex laugh by crossing his eyes or slapping his knee and furrowing his brow when they giggled at their own witticisms.

  Gradually, things changed. He wore a sly smile; he spoke to her with his eyes, never dropping the connection between them. Those moments went by in nanoseconds, but she soaked up every one as they sent her internal body temperature soaring. Don’t these two need to go somewhere? Anywhere?

  As if on cue, Lisa abruptly stood from the table. “This has been great, but John and I are going to go grab a bite to eat. Alex, I’m sure you need to deal with the boys and homework and dinner.”

  “Oh, yeah. I’ve really been goofing off by sitting out here all afternoon. I have a million things to do.”

  David looked at his watch. “Wow. Is that the time? Let me walk you two to the door.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  David had never been happier to see anyone go. He couldn’t have stood another minute of The Weatherman and his enormous teeth, with his manicured hands all over Alex. Lisa had driven him crazy with her double entendres and eyelash batting, but she didn’t seem to catch many social cues. David wasn’t interested. Not in the least.

  The last five minutes with Alex was the real reason he was glad to shoo them out the door. It had started as a game, a juvenile attempt to make her laugh while distracting himself from the irritating presence of John. But then her eyes, her steely blue eyes, became charged with something he had long hoped to see in them and he couldn’t wait for the chance to see where it all might lead.

  He found Alex in the kitchen filling a tall pot with water in the sink. He came up behind her and set his hand on her shoulder as she shut off the tap.

  “We’re having spaghetti again, if that’s okay,” she said, lifting the pot and carrying it to the stove. “I wanted something quick. I hate feeding the boys this late.”

  “It’s only seven. I think they’ll live.” He followed her, watching. “How was your meeting with Mr. Smiley? Did he have any actual advice or was he too mesmerized by your chest?”

  She turned and furrowed her brow before pulling out a second pan. “What?” She laughed quietly. “You’re nuts. He left with Lisa. Something’s going to happen between those two.”

  “Probably. But it’s only because he moved to an easier target. You weren’t giving him anything to work with.”

  Alex hurried to the pantry and returned with pasta sauce. “Here. Make yourself useful and heat this up. I’m going to start the salad.” She pulled a head of lettuce and cucumber from the fridge and took them to the sink. “John is being nice. I’m paying the man obscene amounts of money. It’s his job.”

  The sauce glugged into the pan and David set the empty jar on the counter. He stepped closer, admiring her profile as she washed the lettuce. Her hair was wavy today; falling over her shoulders and framing her neckline in a way that made him lose his t
rain of thought. He inched ahead, drawn to her. She smelled like honey—the fragrance was enticing, urging him to touch her. He placed his hand on her back as soon as he was close enough. She turned and smiled. He desperately wanted to know what was going on behind her eyes. She thrust the cucumber into the steady stream of water from the faucet.

  “John’s not being nice,” David said. “Trust me.”

  She blushed. “You’re wrong. He’s totally into Lisa.” She began to rinse the tomato, rubbing her thumb against its shiny red skin. “I’m not that girl.”

  “You’re right. You’re not that girl. You’re better.”

  She turned. “Yeah, right—”

  David held up his finger. “You need to listen.” He lowered his hand and she adopted a quizzical smile, which made David’s gut twitch in anticipation. Tell her. “I don’t think you know how incredible you are. I don’t think you have any idea how beautiful and sexy you are. That’s why The Weatherman can’t keep his hands off you.”

  Alex’s eyes steadily grew larger. She opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head.

  “I don’t blame him,” he continued. “I spend every day keeping my hands off you. It’s not easy.” He marveled as her eyes stormed into an even more brilliant blue. His heart beat a fierce rhythm, fueling the white-hot burn inside him. “I don’t want to keep my hands to myself anymore.”

  He curved his fingers around her waist, spreading them across the small of her back. He lowered his head and pressed his mouth against hers before she could speak. Her lips were supple and giving, but he sensed hesitation. Her back tightened against his palm and his heart began to pound in his ears. Does she want this? As if he’d asked the question aloud, a quiet moan escaped her throat. She pushed up onto her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, rocketing a rumble through his body as she worked her lips into his.

  He eased his tongue into her mouth and she responded with a surge of passion that set him back on his heels. For all of the years he’d imagined that moment, it was much more potent than the fantasy. He drew his hips against hers and she matched the force, causing him to swell against her leg. Hunger brewed, a newly awakened need unlike any David had ever felt before.