You Can Always Go Home

by Rogers, Desiree

  At that moment, a thin, older, white haired woman appeared, an annoyed grimace in place.

  “Excuse me. This is my seat.”

  Jeff scowled before moving off. Alexina exhaled slowly, relieved by her good fortune.

  Once everyone settled into his or her chair, the captain announced it was time for takeoff. Alexina’s stomach lurched in anticipation. As the plane took off soaring into the sky, she watched out the window, the ground growing smaller and smaller. Jumbled up in her heart was everything she was feeling. She was leaving everything behind and starting fresh.

  Everything was going to be different now.

  Chapter Three

  Alexina landed in Austin two days later, after a brief detour to Georgia to see her mother’s family. It had been years since she’d last seen them and the need was a sharp ache in her heart. With them, she’d found the easy acceptance of her decision she’d been desperately seeking from her father. They had nodded, seeming to understand the want for something more and had wished her luck.

  After renting a pretty blue roadster at the airport and getting her luggage loaded into the trunk, she was off. She rolled down the windows, turning her face into the hot breeze. She inhaled deeply, the smell of earth and sun filling her nose. She let the smile tugging at her lips come, happiness swelling in her heart at the feel of finally being home.

  Killeen was only an hour drive from Austin and Alexina arrived just in time to catch her realtor at the office.

  Her realtor, a tall, leggy brunette with friendly brown eyes lit up when Alexina introduced herself.

  “I’m Stacey. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

  Alexina shook her hand, laughing a bit as she did so. “Yes, it is. I was starting to think you weren’t real.”

  Stacey giggled, motioning for her to sit down. After signing a few pieces of paperwork, a thrill shot up Alexina’s spine when Stacey placed the key in her hand. As soon as she finished assuring Stacey she knew where she was going, Alexina was off, cruising down 195. She looked around, taking in all the new sights and building. Things sure had changed since her last time in Killeen. A few detours and moments of confusion later, Alexina finally pulled into the parking lot of her condominium.

  It was a tall, 13-story building with a brown and tan brick façade. The architecture was new, in sharp contrast to the surrounding buildings still sporting the look of the 1970’s. The over-extending balconies and lush greenery hanging off them gave the whole building a vibrant, youthful look. It was perfect. Alexina smiled, happy with her choice. Grabbing her bags, she headed inside. After a quick ride on the elevator to the top, she stepped off on the 13th floor. The lush beige carpet muffled the sound of her footsteps as she headed down the hall. A tremor shot up her arm and she had to steady her hand as she unlocked the door. She stepped inside the doorway and froze, flabbergasted at everything she saw. The pictures had not done it justice.

  The foyer had beautiful gray marble tile, flecks of silver shimmering under the chandelier. To the right and a step up was a spacious dining room and to her left was a grand kitchen with cherry cabinets and gleaming new appliances. Alexina dropped her bags, closing the door behind her. She walked further into the condo, her legs moving on their own accord. Straight ahead was a spacious living room, French doors leading to a wide balcony. Slow and careful, she walked through the room, envisioning artwork on the walls and furniture completing the space. At the far end of living room was a door. Opening it, Alexina stopped, her heart thudding in her chest.

  The master bedroom was huge! The vaulted ceilings were impressive, setting off the ceiling high windows. The view out the windows was spectacular and she just knew that sunrise would be spectacular. Getting treatments for privacy would be a bitch, but well worth the view. She did a quick twirl in the middle of the room, the sense of being home making her laugh out loud. She stopped when a sudden throught struck her: Where was she going to sleep? She had no bed or furniture for that matter. She began to laugh again. It didn’t matter; she was home.

  Following a quick stop at Wal-Mart to pick up a blow-up mattress and some sheets to go on it, she was back home, settling in for the night. Tomorrow, she would go shopping and begin her new life.

  ~***~

  The next morning, Alexina was browsing Kirkland’s, looking for something to spark her imagination. A wrought iron candle holder caught her eyes and she picked it up, the intricate details entrancing her. She was deep in through, picturing it with other things in the house, when she felt a prick at the back of her neck. She turned to find a slender, dark-skinned woman with black, curly hair and black eyes watching her keenly. She had on a periwinkle miniskirt and a beret perched at a jaunty angle over her left eye.

  “Alexina, is that you?”

  Alexina’s smile was slow to come, uncertain of whom the other woman was.

  “It’s me, Jaelyn.” She pressed a hand to her generous chest. “We were in Mrs. Baasch’s German class together.”

  It took Alexina a moment, her smile broadening once she remembered. “I remember you now. You used to make fun of her fake German accent.”

  Jaelyn beamed, flashing a white smile. “It’s so good to see you.” She hugged Alexina, her tight grip forcing up a gasp from the pressure.

  “It’s good to see you too.” Alexina patted the other woman’s back in an awkward motion, her ribs poking into her lungs.

  Jaelyn pulled back, grin still in place. “How are things going for you? What brings you back here?” she dropped her arms and stepped back.

  Alexina stared down at her shoes, her hands trembling a bit on the candle stick she was holding. “My uh...my husband died six months ago and I just...” she looked up, her shoulders moving in a helpless gesture.

  Jaelyn gazed back at her, her eyes full of pity. “I’m sorry to hear that honey. If something like that ever happened to my Gareth, I don’t know what I’d do.” She kept her gaze on Alexina, as if trying to piece together a puzzle.

  Alexina glanced away again, the air feeling thick and heavy. It was always this way when she brought up memories of Donald. Guilt and self-doubt eating a hold in her stomach like acid.

  “You have to come to my party tonight. Everyone will want to see you.” Jaelyn’s high girly voice broke into Alexina’s thoughts.

  Alexina struggled to gather her thoughts. “I ah...I just moved in and-”

  “It’ll be fun.” Jaelyn broke in, “You don’t want to be stuck in your place all alone.” She grasped Alexina’s hand in hers, holding them tightly between them. “Please come. It’s at eight-thirty.” She bounced lightly on her heels, curls bouncing everywhere.

  Feeling like a cornered animal, Alexina laughed. “Okay, I’ll be there. You need to give me very good directions.”

  After getting directions and having her ear talked off for another twenty minutes, Alexina finally got a bit of shopping done. On her way out the mall, a store display caught her eye. The mannequin was dressed to the nine’s in a silk skirt and red low cut blouse. Intrigued, she walked in. She did need an outfit for the party. An hour later, she walked out, two huge bags in her hand. Okay, so she’d gotten more than just an outfit. A couple more hours of shopping and Alexina was ready to drop. She loaded her things into the trunk of her car and left the mall parking lot. It had surprised her how many stores there were. The mall had been on the verge of closing when she’d lived here.

  A short time later, she pulled into the parking lot of her building and grabbed her loot. She checked her watch as she headed upstairs, stunned to see that it was already after seven. She was going to have to hurry if she was going to get across town. Setting down her bags, Alexian squatted down and rifled through them, until she found what she was looking for. Giving a soft giggle, she headed into her room.

  ~***~

  Luciano stepped out of the shower, a towel slung low on his hips. He walked to the sink, wiping some of the fog from the mirrors. He was just lathering up his face when his phone rang. Grum
bling under his breath, he trudged into his room, yanking the phone off the hook.

  “What is it?” he grumbled into the phone.

  “Well, hello to you too Luciano.” Jaelyn answered, her tone sharp.

  Luciano took a deep breath, trying to draw on his shallow pool of patience. “I’m sorry. What can I do for you?” He prayed that this would be quick.

  “I was just calling to make sure that you are coming to my little get together tonight.”

  God, not that. He was not in the mood for one of her parties. The liquor always ran out well before the party ended, when it was so desperately needed. “Yeah...ah...about that-”

  “I think you’ll want to come to this one.” Jaelyn interrupted cryptically.

  “I do not want you trying to set me up with another one of your friends. The last one told me that my aura was too yellow for her.”

  Jaelyn laughed, clucking her tongue. “No, I promise. You will not think that this time. I’ll expect you at my house in twenty minutes.” She hung up, not giving him a chance to answer.

  Luciano rubbed his chin in consideration as he put the phone in its cradle. “Damn!” he cursed when he felt the foam on his face. Jaelyn had better not be messing with him he thought as he headed back into the bathroom.

  He pulled up in front of Jaelyn’s house thirty minutes later, smoothing the wrinkles from his black blazer. He stepped out of the truck, looking around. Jaelyn’s place was really hopping. People were hanging out in front, talking and drinking. He could smell the food cooking on the grill and hear the thumping sounds of Lenny Kravitz pumping from the windows. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. He walked up the long driveway, past several cars he knew and one he didn’t. He wondered who was driving the new blue Chrysler 300. He wished he’d had a chance to design that one. He turned away, heading up to the house.

  Walking in the front door, he could see that Jaelyn had really done it this time. There were people all over the house, laughing and talking. He nodded to the few people he knew, winding through the crowd. A large group near the patio doors caught his eye and he headed towards it. He’d almost made it to the group when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned, grinning at what he saw.

  Jaelyn was standing behind him, wearing a bright emerald green caftan, gold slippers on her feet. She had a drink in her hand.

  “Bout time you finally showed up.” She grumbled, shoving a glass of dark liquid at him.

  Luciano chuckled, taking the drink for her, “What’s got you so mean?”

  Jaelyn narrowed her eyes, jerking her head towards the throng at the window. He followed her motion, a grin spread across his face. “Ahh...did someone steal your spotlight?” He reached out to ruffle her hair, unmoved when she jerked back. Jaelyn growled, “You’d better be glad I’m friends with your sister.”

  Luciano looked back at the group, intrigued. It was rare that anyone could upstage Jaelyn, especially at her own party. He missed the smug look on Jaelyn’s face as he turned and headed towards the window. From where he was standing, he could just make out the top of the person at the center of the group. He knew it was a woman, with wild curly, mahogany colored hair. Something about the hair had his mind going back to high school and late nights. At that moment, the person standing in from of him shifted to the side, giving a better view.

  Whoever she was, she was striking. She had on a sexy red dress that showcased her back and stopped just below her knees. Black stilettos showed off her sexy legs. She turned towards him and his heart thudded to a stop. It wasn’t so much the plunging neck line showing off her ample breasts. No, it was the face. Those seductive, full lips setting off the alluring square shaped face; the glow of her toffee colored skin; the flash of amusement in those bottomless, coffee colored eyes.

  “Alexina?” he called out hoarsely. What the hell?

  She turned to look at him and for a moment, a moment so brief that he almost dismissed it, he saw something in her eyes. Something potent. It was gone in an instant, replaced by a cool smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

  “What’s up Luciano?” That got his heart beating again. His full name coming from her lips always had the effect of a cold shower.

  Sweat started to bead on his forehead when she stepped toward and hugged him lightly. The feel of her lush breast brushing against his chest had visions of them entwined burning in his mind, her smell of vanilla and jasmine clouding his mind. His senses came back in time to wrap an arm around her and hold her against him. She pulled back, a question and trepidation in her eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” He was trying to ignore the pulsing demands of his body to haul her back against his body and hold her there, maybe take a taste of her succulent lips.

  As if she could read his mind, she stepped out of his grip, putting space between them. She looked down at her drink, fiddling with the rim. “I’m...I’m looking for my place in life.” Her voice smoky and low, sent desire straight to his crotch.

  She looked back at him, her lips quirked in a smile. He couldn’t help but smile back. “So that means you’re staying for a while?”

  “Of course she’s staying!” A tall, robust Asian woman exclaimed, coming to stand next to Alexina.

  Luciano barely refrained from snarling in agitation. “Michelle, I didn’t know you were here.” Could he have just one minute alone with Alexina? Was that too much to ask? At least the smile she gave Michelle was the same cool one she’d given him.

  “Yes, Daniel is here somewhere. Why don’t you go find him while I steal Alexina for a moment?” She grabbed Alexina’s arm and pulled her away.

  He watched her walk away, his eyes following the seductive sway of her hips.

  “She sure has grown up.” Luciano turned to find Jaelyn standing next to him, watching him. He fought the flush he felt creeping up his neck at having been caught staring.

  “Yeah...” He trailed off, his gaze drifting back to Alexina. He frowned when she took another drink from a passing waiter. He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think that was normal. That thought slid away when she turned, her eyes connecting with his. She smiled and this time it did reach her eyes, if only for a brief moment. She waved before turning back to the group.

  Luciano moved from group to group, never losing sight of Alexina. At one point, the group he was talking to drifted away, leaving him alone. Feeling eyes on him, he felt something close to satisfaction surge through him when she started walking towards him. She was half-way towards him when a short, burly man stopped her. He ground his back teeth. John always did know how to block someone.

  His cock twitched and hardened at the sight of her. Gorgeous, the red of her dress set off her hair like fire, crackling and shifting under the dim lights of the room. He scowled; he was not supposed to be thinking like this. She was a fresh widow for god’s sake! It was her fault. She wasn’t supposed to be looking so sexy, so ripe. And what the hell was she doing with her hand in John’s arm? Angry with her for the lust and desire she was making him feel and disgusted with himself for blaming her, he stalked over her. He scowled at John till the man slinked away, before grabbing her by the elbow and taking her outside.

  Alexina sputtered, looking down as some of her drink spilled onto her shoes, “Luc-”

  “So you remember my name now?” He glared at her. He didn’t understand the tight feeling in his chest or the out of control urges he had to kiss her senseless. He was always in control damn it!

  Alexina titled her chin up, yanking her arm from his grip, “What is wrong with you? You’re out of control.” Luciano stared at her, angry that she was picking up on his lack of restaint. “Me? You’re the one who just buried a husband and now you’re out trolling for men! Did he mean anything at all to you?”

  The moment he said the words he knew he’d gone too far. The guilt and remorse that swam in her eyes before she pushed it away was enough. He watched as she put her drink down on a nearby table, her body stiff in its movements. When she made to move past him, he stopp
ed in front of her.

  “Alexina, I...” He frowned when she sidestepped him, working her way to the steps.

  “Alexina...Alex-.” She kept moving. She still hadn’t said a word.

  “Lexi!” That stopped her. The relief that flooded through him was short lived. She turned and looked at him, her eyes empty.

  “He did mean something to me.” The distant quality to her voice had his hairs standing up. “It just wasn’t what it should have been.” She turned and melted into the night.

  Chapter Four

  Bright and early Saturday morning, the shrill sound of the phone ringing woke Alexina. “Never should’ve got it hooked up.” she grumbled, reaching out and yanking the phone off the hook.

  “What?” She snapped into the receiver.

  “I see you made it there safely.” Alexina sat up instantly alert. “Good morning dad.”

  “I thought that you were going to call me.” his voice held a note of disappointment.

  She let her body sag into the air mattress. “I’m sorry. I just got caught up in the move.”

  “You’re a grown woman. You can do as you please.” Her father’s voice was gruff, weariness threaded through it.

  “Dad-“

  “Sharise and I are coming down sometime in July to see you.”

  She felt a headache start to form at the thought. “That’s great, dad.” She hoped the false smile on her face didn’t come through in her voice. That gave her just over a month and half to get ready. “Dad-”

  “Well, Sharise is calling. Take care of yourself.” He hung up the phone before she could say anything.

  She fought the urge to throw it against the wall, instead placing it back on the hook. She threw back the covers and was about to push off from the mattress when the phone rang again. Damn she was popular today. Taking a deep, calming breath, she answered.

  “Hi sweetie!” At the sound of the voice, she flopped back on the bed. What was her former mother-in-law doing calling her? She’d come here to be free from that part of her life. She felt instantly swamped by guilt and remorse at her insensitive thoughts.