“Cooper, nice to see you. I was wandering if I may have a moment with Alexandra?”
I couldn’t face him, not tonight, and I couldn’t face having the public debacle. I stood up, and quickly walked straight through the exit door and I never looked back. I waited for Cooper to join me in the back hall and we exited the side entrance of the building. I didn’t give Grayson Brooks a chance. A chance to hurt me or publicly reduce me to tears, he didn’t deserve that opportunity.
Chapter 6
Cooper took me home and helped me pack the things that I would need immediately. On the drive to Love Field Airport, he held my hand and kept repeating to me that he thought running to Chicago was a bad idea.
“Alex, you will never find your happiness if you keep starting over. You keep hitting repeat before the song finishes playing, you never get to the ending. You aren’t ending it now with Doc, you are just running. You always run away. One of these days, you're going to run full circle and what you’re running from, you will be running right into.”
Coop was quiet for a few moments and finally asked, “By the way, he has no idea that you are leaving, does he?"
“No, I couldn’t talk to him. Coop, I couldn’t face more rejection, his words hurt enough, and it’s what he didn’t say that hurts the most. Coop, I poured out my deepest secret to him. I gave my body to him and I told him I loved him. He took all of me, heart, and soul and dumped it back as if nothing mattered. Because of him, I’ve suffered an accident, almost died and now am left with a shell of a body that doesn’t work completely, just my freaking’ luck!”
“Alexandra, just because he didn’t tell you he loved you too, means nothing. You know, and I know, that he loves you, and for sure he is in love with that tall, tight ass. It was so obvious when you were together last Friday at Sambuca’s. I was sitting at the bar watching you two dance to Creya’s music and watched your PDA on the dance floor. It was HOT! Your accident was purely that, an accident and is something that no one expected. You need to get over it and stop letting it be your crutch! Besides, in time you will be 100%, just be patient. You need to give him a chance; you are making a mistake running, just sayin’ sista!”
We entered the private air terminal and said our good-byes, painful and tearful for us both. We had been together so long; being apart was going to be hard.
On the plane, I fell into deep thought listening to my iPod before the plane even took off. Stumbling across a song by A Fine Frenzy, Almost Lover, and the words stung me over and over. To be denied a love and such a plea to have your love voiced by your partner, so beautiful and yet so full of the pain of denial. It brought me to tears. I found myself broken and sobbing. Maybe Coop was right? Running would fix nothing, but rejection was so hard for me. That is all I have ever had in my life from men, rejection.
When we landed in Chicago, I gave Coop a call to let him know I was on the ground as promised. “Al, Grayson was at the apartment when I got back. He is devastated that you left and he searched the apartment for you. Although I didn’t tell him anything, he could figure out that you went home. What do you want me to tell him?”
“He’s right there, isn’t he?”
“Yes, um, we were just talking; actually, he is doing all the talking. I’m just listening to him pour his heart out.”
“I have nothing to say to him, Coop. He turned my life upside down just as much as Will did 10 years ago when he raped me, so if you need to tell him something, tell him that!”
After a long pause, I just hung up the phone and proceeded to get my things from the plane. Dad’s driver was taking me home, since it was so late. Dad and Gretchen had fixed up the downstairs guest room into a combo office for me, so it would be easier and private, I could stay as long as I needed until I could figure out my life...once again.
***
My mom always said that things look brighter in the morning, but this morning was dark and grey, just as my mood and it was no longer morning, it was 2:00 in the afternoon. I suppose I was so tired, my body made sure I got some rest. Once my phone had enough charge, I sat down to retrieve the seventeen voice mails, which I am certain were all from Grayson. Ten calls from Grayson begging me to call him, two calls from Dad while I was getting ready or attending the gala, three from Cooper this morning, one from Drew checking on me and one that threw me for a loop, Olivia. Olivia had called me? Why? Grayson had to have given her my number? What the hell was going on? I could feel anger riveting from my body! No way in hell was I giving the plastic bitch Olivia Balcone the satisfaction of my graveling to her! NO WAY! NOT HAPPENING.
I deleted all the calls and then decided to give Coop a return call and let him know that I was okay.
“Hey there, how is Chicago? Are you doing okay today? You were so mad last night, I didn’t argue with you.”
“Yes, I am okay today, but my position hasn’t changed, Coop. I don’t want to talk to him; I don’t want to see him.”
“Alexandra, there are things you need to know. He is coming to Chicago to find you, please don’t run. You have to talk to him; you have to hear him out. It’s important and you will understand once you talk to him. I probably shouldn’t tell you, because you will just run, but I can’t keep that from you. He is devastated by all of the events and is out of his mind. When I told him what you had said about the rape, he completely lost it.”
“Coop, I have to go, Dad needs me, and I will call you later.”
Coop’s words were wrought with distress, I am sure he was bewildered having to deal with Grayson, but I couldn’t deal with it at all.
I quickly showered, dressed, and had Rueben, dad’s driver, take me to my old coffee shop, not wanting to be at the house if Grayson did show up. I still knew a few of the baristas, but most of the staff was new, since employees revolved with the school semesters. This was a comfort zone for me, my old happy place where I could be lost in my thoughts. Trying to read a book, I noticed someone large towering over me. GRAYSON!
“Grayson, what are you doing here, how did you find me?”
“May I sit down?” As he took the chair across from me, not waiting for my response.
“How are you feeling Alexandra?”
“I am tired and what do you care?”
“Alexandra, I am not Grayson. I am Harrison and I do care!”
Not wanting to give him an inch, I shot him a stern look, “Please tell me why you are here. Did Grayson send you?”
“No Alexandra, I don’t ever speak with my brother, we are not close anymore. There were issues. We had issues come between us some time ago. What are you doing back in Chicago?”
“Back? How did you know I used to live in Chicago?”
“Alexandra, I live in a Penthouse at the Legacy, just across the street. I used to see you in here, but you were always so busy, you never noticed me, then you moved to Dallas?”
After some time just gazing out the window to collect my thoughts, I decided to go for it. I had nothing to lose, but I needed answers from anyone that would be willing to give them to me.
“Harrison, did you have anything to do with my position at PMC? I need to know. After everything that has happened, you, somebody around here owes me the truth."
“Yes, you are correct, it is time you knew. I was curious about you, seeing you in here, so I did research and discovered you were Alexander’s daughter. I phoned him about you and he filled me on your accomplishments at Northwestern, also my alma mater by the way, and your education platform in Marketing and Business. After speaking with your dad about a position I knew of with PMC, I gave Phillip your information, hoping he would need someone to help him in the marketing department, since that is your major. I know your Dad from my days practicing law here, and your Dad knows me.” He stood to leave.
Finally, I am gaining a few answers to lingering questions. With these people, who could know what the truth is. But at the very least it is a start. Where is he going?
“Alexandra, I am late for an importa
nt web-meeting, otherwise I would just blow it off. I just ran in for some coffee, but it is great to see you. Would you want to have dinner with me, perhaps?”
Not wanting to let the opportunity get away from me, “Yes, I am available tonight, if you can make it?”
“If you are at your dad’s, I know the address and I will pick you up at 7:00, sound good?”
“Yes, looking forward to it and I will see you soon.” On his way out, he leaned down and kissed my cheek, he was as graceful as Grayson, with the exact same good looks, but when he smiled, he had a half crooked smile, one that said devilish. Finally, a way to tell them apart.
I spent the rest of the afternoon at the coffee house, trying to relax and just enjoy my book, but my mind kept venturing to the Brooks brothers. There was a story there for certain, but what could it be? Why would identical twins hate each other? My first guess would be because of a girl. My gut was telling me to distance myself from the Brooks, but neither side of my heart was going to let me. The chemistry was too electric and the intimacy was just too satisfying, like a drug. I was addicted and needed more. And like any addict, I didn’t desire any help to heal. My problem was trust.
I made my way back home and started getting ready for dinner. I got a text from Harrison that said to dress casual. Uncomfortable with that generic term, I opted for one of the outfits that Cooper had previously put together for me the first night at Sambuca’s, minus the Manolos. Unfortunately, my body still wasn’t quite ready for stilettos.
Just finishing my hair, Rueben comes to the door and announces that Mr. Brooks is here. I gingerly walk out, feeling comfortable that maybe tonight, I will get some answers.
“Hi Harrison, thank you for coming all the way out to the country to pick me up!” I tried to make conversation with him. But Harrison just stood there and looked at me, drinking me in with those gorgeous blue eyes.
Finally, “Alexandra, what the hell are you doing expecting Harrison?” and just as he said it, Harrison, the other one, comes to the door. GEEZ, a perfectly matched pair! The two of them started arguing and it was enough to make me want to pull out hair...theirs!
“Stop it. Just stop it, both of you. Get the hell out and don’t come back,” as I screamed at them, looking for my phone.
“I am calling the police, so please, just do as I ask and get out”
“Alright, fine. I am heading back to Dallas, but only if you are going with me”
“The last place on earth she needs to be is in Dallas or anywhere close to you.”
“Shut up Harrison, you don’t know anything about our relationship, just go back to your twisted life and leave us alone. And stay away from Alexandra!”
“911 operator, what’s your emergency?”
“Hmm, I need a police officer at 19201 South...”
“Hang up Alexandra, we’re leaving. HANG UP THE PHONE. Hang up, before we all get arrested!” Grayson screamed at me. So I told the operator it was a mistake and I hung up the phone.
Where is dad? He would take care of these two morons! Oh, I forgot he and Gretchen had gone to the club for a social event.
Concerned, Rueben tries to be of assistance. “Alexandra, did you need me to step in here?”
“Um, thank you, but I think I’ve got this.” He exits, giving us privacy. “I am asking you both to leave!”
Harrison returns to his car while Grayson turns and hands me an envelope, as I reach for it, he leans in and steals a kiss that rocks me to my knees. He knows that I cannot resist him. He knows how to make my heart melt. His kiss takes me to my happy place. My breathing gets heavy and I desire more of Grayson, but my brain shuts me down and I pull back from the kiss.
“5 minutes, that is all I ask for and then I will leave as you requested?” He whispers on my lips.
“Okay fine, I’ll listen. It’s your dime.” I returned to the den and made myself comfortable.
“Olivia and I started our relationship three years ago. I was still in the Army. She is the one who introduced me to the social side of medicine, networking, an element needed to start and grow a private practice. I finished out my military commitment, moved to Dallas and we became engaged. Shortly before our wedding, I discovered that she had been unfaithful. She didn’t deny cheating, calling off the wedding, going our separate ways. She kept the home that we had planned to share, which is why I moved into Uptown. I knew we were finished and I wasn’t pining away for her, but I was still healing and coming to grips with my ability to trust. Her unfaithfulness rocked me to the ground, Alexandra. Honor and integrity are part of my core being, not to mention a huge part of military life.” Pausing to see if I was still listening.
“A couple of months ago, right before you came into my office, Olivia and I were at one the gala’s planning parties. We were enjoying ourselves, drinking too much, one thing led to another and we ended the night together at her place. Afterwards we went our separate ways, both realizing it was a mistake. A few weeks later, I met you and my life changed, for the better. The morning after you and I made love, we argued when you came back from your run, you locked yourself in your bathroom. That is when I got a call from Olivia telling me that she was pregnant. Scared that my happy world with you was beginning to crash, I found myself back at my place, drowning myself the rest of the weekend in booze, good for no one. Turns out, it was a false alarm, typical Olivia, however, I am done with her and she is leaving Dallas.
My life has spun out of control so fast in multiple directions, and is a lot to take in. I feel so responsible for hurting you. I wish that I had been honest with you from the very beginning. I am sure you were so hurt when I walked out on you, only to think that I was with Olivia at the gala. She was not my date, we did not arrive together, nor did we go home together. The Chairman of the foundation put our seating together, that was what I was trying to tell you at the Gala, but Cooper stopped me from seeing you.”
“Grayson, this is more than I can possibly process in just a few minutes, but I still want to know about Harrison and PMC?”
“Yes, I knew that Harrison had interest in PMC which is why I avoided business dealings with them, regardless of their product. I later learned his partnering with them was over. I didn’t know until the night of our dinner meeting, that he had helped you get the job, because he knew your father. He had no idea that he would push you to me or he wouldn’t have had you hired, I am certain. I didn’t know until I walked into the dinner meeting and saw him, that he was reestablishing himself with Phillip, your CEO, and PMC
“The night we made love was the best experience for me as you said it was for you. Such a beautiful night and one that I will never forget. I am not ready to stop thinking about it. However, we have so much to discuss, we need to spend time together and work through all of this. Cooper was there to hear me out after the gala and he told me where to find you. I needed to see you, no more secrets. Please come back with me to Dallas. I believe there is something between us and I know we can start over.”
“Your 5 minutes are up. Grayson, I wish you well, but you need to go back home and build your own life. Please, I beg you, just let me go.”
With his heart exposed, I sent Grayson Brooks out of my life.
Chapter 7
It appeared as though Harrison had been patiently waiting in his car, like he knew this moment in time would come. When Grayson would let me down and he wanted to be there to help me pick up the pieces.
On his way to the cab, Grayson had so much anger on his face when he saw Harrison sitting in his car. “Harrison, stay away from Alexandra. This is not your battle and you are certainly no good for her. Leave her alone, your presence here isn’t helping, go home!!” There is so much anger between the two of them, I just can’t function thinking about it right now. They are exhaustive together. I waited for Grayson’s cab to leave and I walked out to Harrison’s car and let him know that he should go home. I needed time to process everything.
“Get in Alex, we are going to rip wh
at little fun is left in this evening and enjoy ourselves, if it kills us, you game?”
“Sorry, Harrison, I don’t believe that I am good company to anyone right now. If you will excuse me, there are a few calls that I need to make. Can I take a rain check on the fun for another time?”
“Absolutely, Alex. If you’re up for it, I have tickets to the Bears game tomorrow. You are free to join me, just give me a call in the morning. Alex, people move on from hardship to become stronger for the next chapter in their lives. Whatever I can do to be a friend to you, please let me know, I’m here, but I am not going to crowd you.”
Stepping back inside and closing the door, I was finally free from the Brooks boys and their drama, for the evening anyway. Although I wasn’t free of my thoughts or the emptiness that I felt. Any other time I would be jumping up and down, cheering to be attending a Bears game, but my heart was breaking for that which was lost. The empty look in Grayson’s eyes as he left and the abandoned relationship that was beginning to bud. Just when I felt I could trust someone and move forward enough to enjoy a physical relationship; it all comes crashing down.
I poured myself a glass of wine and curled up in my bed, just wanting to disappear into a pleasant dream when then my iPhone beeped with Cooper’s text.
Hey Al, catch me up. Hugs.
As I lay in bed thinking about all the information Grayson laid on me, so much to process:
They were engaged, she cheated, the evil plastic bitch screwing it up for everyone else
They slept together, she was pregnant, then not...
Only time will tell the truth on that one. I sent him home.
I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, I couldn’t quit crying, my eyes were swelling shut. How could all of this be happening? I could feel the anxiety taking over me, it was all too much. I put my iPod onto play, and finally drifted off to sleep. I didn’t even hear Dad and Gretchen when they came home.
The sun was shining bright in my room when I woke up, my head was pounding. Maybe too much wine, maybe too many tears, or a combo of both. The tension in my neck was so strong that both of my arms were tingly. A morning walk/run would do me good. I grabbed my workout clothes and as I dressed, I thought of Coop, with his “tall, tight ass” comments whenever I put my workout clothes on. Today I couldn’t even muster a smile thinking about it, just the pain of missing Coop, my new life, the pain of Grayson and all that he made me feel. I grabbed my iPod and off for a run I went. I had no idea where I was going, I was just running. It felt good and I was doing well until Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You came over my ear buds. I couldn’t run anymore, the passion for what I was losing was so overbearing. I melted into the sidewalk in a ball, overcome with anguish. All the love, the torment, the hysteria came out in uncontrollable sobs, I could no longer hold back.
Running To You Page 10