“Ouch. I deserve that,” I smile.
A slow smile starts to form on her face.
“Sorry. I know you didn't mean it, it's just a reaction.”
“I don't mind. Your attitude is sexy.”
She furrows her eyebrows and I realize I just let that last part actually come out of my mouth.
“I'll forgive that last one too, on account of the language barrier and all,” she says with a wink.
She smiles as she moves around me to the bathroom and I laugh shaking my head. The confident Alessandra is irresistible. It's only a matter of time before my body just takes what it wants without consequence, without remembering that it can't have Alessandra Thompson.
------
I drop Alessandra in front of the Double Play offices and wave to Nico as he gets up from the bench outside. They walk in together and remembering how this all came to be, makes my fist tighten on the steering wheel.
The pull I feel to protect Alessandra and Peter after only knowing them for a few weeks isn't a foreign concept to me. I felt it the second I laid eyes on Normani when she was a broken little girl and every day taking care of my mother. I've always been a protector, it's in my blood.
“Mama go bye, bye,” Peter says from the backseat.
“Yeah bud, Mama had to go to work. We're gonna have fun today though, you wanna have fun?”
“Fun! Fun!” Peter says excitedly clapping in the back seat.
I drive to the station, pulling my truck into my normal spot and go to the backseat, unbuckling Peter and letting him walk next to me, holding my hand.
“Have I been replaced as your best friend?” asks Oliver, my old partner.
I laugh and lift Peter up introducing the two.
“Peter, this is Oliver, Ollie this is Pete.”
“Nice to meet you little guy. I got a friend for you to meet! I got your text, but Liam ended up pukin’ half the night. He's home with Britt.”
“No problem, figured it was last minute anyway. We'll get them together at some point.”
“So, what's up? Still no news on the Johnson shit you sent me. We're workin’ on it but sorry to say it ain't top priority.”
“I figured, just wanted to check in and touch base, get out of the gym for a little.”
“I hear you. We miss you around here, not gonna lie.”
“I know. I'm better served where I am though, you know that,” I say letting Peter down to roam a little.
“Mig, that shit with Rico wasn't your fault. Are you ever gonna let it go?” Oliver asks slapping my back.
“Not goin’ there with you, Ollie. Got anything else for me to work on?”
“Not right now but they brought in a couple guys yesterday on possible coke charges. I'll keep an eye and send it your way if anything.”
I nod and watch Peter spinning around in Olivers desk chair.
“Thought I smelt asshole,” says a raspy voice from behind me.
I smile and shake my head.
“Hey, Chief,” I say shaking hands with my former boss.
“Forgot to wrap it up? Who's this kid?” he asks motioning to Peter.
“He ain't mine. Long story,” I say looking over to Peter.
“Uh huh. What brings you to the station?”
“Just checkin’ on somethin’ and seein’ if y'all have anything new for me. Gettin’ a little bored,” I say shrugging.
“Well you can always come back to the station. We definitely could use you on a couple team cases instead of solo,” he says crossing his arms over his chest.
“I'm better on my own but thanks for the offer. Let me know about that case, Ollie. I'll touch base with you this weekend, maybe get together,” I say slapping hands with Oliver and Chief.
“Sure thing, Mig. Good to see you,” Oliver says.
I nod and put my hand out for Peter but not before he puts his out for a high five. I laugh, slapping his hand and then take it, walking out of the place that always gave me a purpose. Up until three years ago when I failed and cost one of my brothers his life. A day I replay over and over, a day that will never escape me, ever.
Chapter 4
Alessandra
I grab my purse from the desk chair and stand, waving to Charlotte that I'll be back in an hour. I walk down Main Street, searching for a place to buy lunch. The girls told me they usually order in, but I needed fresh air. I need to clear my head and focus on myself right now. Starting a new job, moving to a new state, sharing a living space with a man like Miguel, it's a lot and it's catching up with me. I need to take control before I spiral.
As if on cue, my path leads me to the steps of a small church and I take a deep breath before I walk up the two stairs. I push open the grand, wooden door with a loud squeak, and it’s exquisite. The stained glass windows, the marble altar, the smell of incense fills my nostrils.
I kneel in the last pew and close my eyes, folding my hands as I remember everything that I have to be grateful for. Peter, my life, a second chance. I have a lot more than some in this world and as much as my past has taken a huge chunk from my life, it's also made me stronger, made me hit rock bottom and claw my way out. I got it and I need to do something with it.
I feel the pressure on my shoulders floating away as I focus on my breathing, focus on the peace and quiet. I am making progress; I am in control of my life.
-----
I walk into the side entrance to the apartment and up the stairs, noticing the lights are still all off. I open the door to the gym and glance down, not seeing Miguel or Peter.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I see it's a text from Miguel that they're on their way home. I smile, walking to the fridge and start to get everything ready for dinner. I decide on chicken tacos, so I slice the chicken, take out a few spices and throw it in the oven, preparing rice and toppings when I hear the door open.
“Somethin’ smells delicious,” Miguel says walking into the kitchen.
“Mama!” Peter runs to me, wrapping his little arms around my legs and I laugh holding him close to me.
“Hi bud, you have fun with Miguel today?”
“Yes, Fun!”
He runs over to Miguel for a high five and then jumps back in my arms.
“How many of those have you gotten today?” I laugh getting to my feet holding Peter.
“I literally can't count that high. My palm is red,” he says back laughing.
I know he means for the amount of high fives, but my mind quickly goes to the gutter. No, you can't go there, Ali.
For the past few weeks I've been having recurring dreams, all staring Miguel. A naked Miguel. Walking in on him shirtless, hitting the heavy bag has imprinted a need for him inside my damn body. It doesn't help that he's also phenomenal with Peter, funny, charming and just the literal perfect man.
I glance up and recognize the understanding in his eyes. Am I imagining it or is he thinking about it too?
“Dance, Mama?” Peter says interrupting my dirty thoughts.
I smile at him and kiss his forehead.
“We sometimes dance when I cook,” I tell Miguel shaking my head.
“You wanna bust a move bud? Alexa play ‘Ladies Love Country Boys by Trace Adkins’,” Miguel says out loud.
I furrow my brows and a woman's voice comes through the kitchen informing us she will play the song. All of the sudden the song starts playing and I laugh.
“That’s crazy, what is it?” I laugh as Peter wriggles out of my arms.
“My personal assistant,” Miguel says winking. “Come on bud, let me teach you all you gotta know about them southern girls. You gotta learn to two step,” Miguel says tapping his heel in front of him then behind him.
I cover my mouth with my hand as Peter imitates him and Miguel starts singing,
“Ladies love country boys
You can train 'em
You can try to teach 'em
right from wrong
But it's still gonna turn 'em on
When
they go ridin'
in the middle of a pickup truck.”
Peter laughs, trying to imitate all the words Miguel is singing, moving his feet a mile a minute and my heart fills with warmth at the scene before me. I've done everything in my power the past two years to keep him the happiest little boy but the one thing I couldn't give him was a father.
I couldn't allow a man to get too close, focusing on keeping myself right and raising Peter. I didn't have time for a relationship, nor did I want one. Right now though, I see how happy Peter is and it breaks my heart he won't have his father in his life. He's better off without him but a little boy still needs a man to look up to.
“Come on over, mama. Let's see what you got,” Miguel says interrupting my thoughts.
“I don't know how to two step,” I laugh.
“It's easy, let me teach you.”
He pulls me close and his hand goes under my arm, cupping the back of my upper shoulder as he instructs me to rest my hand on his shoulder.
“Two quicks and two slows. You go back, I go forward,” he says softly.
I place my hand on his shoulder and look at him, our eyes locked on each other as our other hand connects, my hand fitting perfectly in his.
“Alexa, play ‘Back to Life by Rascal Flatts’,” he says without taking his eyes off me.
I concentrate on my breathing, focusing on the air going in and out of my lungs before I pass out from swooning so hard.
“I'll lead. Don't be nervous just feel,” Miguel says softly.
I nod as he starts to move and I mimic his steps, two quicks then two slows as we turn around the kitchen and the lyrics hit me square in the chest.
“Just goin’ for a walk,” Miguel says smiling.
His smile barrels into me, the big, broad smile that makes his eyes squint and I lose my concentration, messing up the steps.
“Sorry,” I laugh.
“Mama dance,” Peter says from below us.
“I tried,” I say ruffling his hair.
“Me play?” Peter asks.
“Sure bud, I'll get you when dinner's ready.”
Peter runs down the hall and I look over to Miguel.
“I should finish before it burns. Thank you for teaching me that.”
“We should go down to the bar outside town. Mani two steps like a champ. Last time her and Lacey got into it, they're so competitive,” Miguel says laughing. “Sometimes they have karaoke, it's a blast.”
“That sounds so fun, I never did any of that stuff when I was younger,” I say regret leaking out of my voice.
I turn towards the stove and start stirring the rice.
“We’ll set it up one night. I'm sure they're all dyin’ to get a night out,” Miguel laughs. “I can't wait to get you on a real dance floor.”
I feel his heat on my back, standing way too close but it doesn't make me uneasy, it makes me hot. The temperature rising in the kitchen has nothing to do with the stove and everything to do with Miguel.
“Need any help?” he says, his voice strained, or maybe I'm just imagining it.
“I...I got it,” I whisper.
I'm distracted by his proximity and my hand slips, my wrist touching the hot stove and I jump back, colliding with Miguel's chest and his crotch...his huge crotch.
Nope, didn't imagine it at all.
“Shit!” I groan putting my wrist to my lips to sooth the burn.
“I'm sorry,” he mumbles. “I didn't mean to...here let me,” he says softly taking my wrist in his hand.
He pulls me to the sink, turning on the faucet to cool water as he walks over to the fridge taking out a potato.
“Don't laugh, but my mother always used potatoes, on everything,” he says smiling.
He walks next to me on the counter and starts to peel it, running the skin under the water and putting it on my wrist.
“When I had a fever, I would lay on the couch and she would put slices of potatoes on my head. She said it would bring down the fever, who knows. Spanish mothers are a little loco,” Miguel says twirling his pointer finger around by his temple.
“She sounds like a funny woman,” I laugh.
“She was, yeah.”
His expression changes to sadness and the past tense of “was” makes me kick myself for assuming.
“I'm sorry, Miguel.”
“It's okay. It was a long time ago, you didn't know. She gave me a great life; she was a very strong woman.”
“You must miss her,” I say softly putting a hand on his forearm.
“Very much so, yes.”
“I bet she would be really proud of the man you became. You really are a wonderful person, Miguel. I mean I've only known you a couple of weeks, but you make a hell of a first impression.”
He smiles at me and nods towards the stove.
“I can make tacos. Let me finish up for you.”
“Oh no, that's okay. I'm staying in your house, the least I can do is-”
“Sit, Alessandra.”
His tone is commanding, and it should make me want to rebel, to snap back but it doesn't. Instead, my breathing picks up, my thighs clench together and I want to hear him talk like that to me again.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you like that,” his says.
“Miguel, we seem to do a lot of apologizing and we've only known each other a short time. You don't need to apologize for your tone, I...I kind of liked it.”
His light green eyes turn dark, emerald and his eyebrows furrow, just like they did before.
“You did, huh?” he says his eyes zeroing in on my lips.
I lick them instinctively and I hear him let out a low groan. I didn't realize that he walked closer to me and now we're inches from each other. My hand lands in the middle of his chest and I feel his heartbeat racing against my palm. I've never been this brazen with a man. Frankie pursued me and every other man paid for me to be with him, I never put myself out there like this.
“I'll check on Peter then, if you have dinner,” he says quickly.
He brushes past me, my hand dropping to my thigh and he walks down the hall. I stand there dumbfounded at his dismissal of me, the sudden change in his gaze from want to rejection. I shake my head and walk back to the stove, finishing the chicken and sides, ignoring the burning on my wrist and pit in my stomach. At least one of us has self-control, hooking up with Miguel would be a mistake.
When everything is cooked to perfection, I walk towards Peter's room and see a sight that makes my heart melt all over the damn floor. Miguel laid back in bed with a sleeping Peter on his chest. Both of them eyes closed and peaceful and I smile, walking back out of the door.
I cover dinner with tinfoil, throwing it inside the stove and go for a shower instead. I undress, stepping into the hot stream, feeling the tension from today ease. It was weird working alongside the woman whose life I pretty much destroyed.
Lacey Turner was not what I expected. She was small and feisty but surprisingly friendly. The fact that she suggested that we keep the past in the past makes me optimistic for the future.
Working for Double Play Sports, having a normal 9-5 job that I actually like going to, that doesn't break little pieces off of me every time I step into a role, is something I needed. I felt myself slipping back, wanting to escape from the shitstorm I created. I needed to get out and luckily, I did, with the help of Nico.
I shut the water, drying my hair and wrapping myself with a towel. I put my ear against the door, listening for movement but hear nothing. I open the door slowly, walk out to the hall and crane my head to the right towards Peter's bedroom.
Silence.
I turn back around and crash into Miguel as he grabs my biceps, his phone crashing to the floor and I grab the towel from falling off my naked body at the last minute.
“Shit, sorry. I wasn't payin’ attention,” Miguel mumbles.
“I wasn't either, I'm sorry. Your phone!” I say regretfully reaching down to pick it up.
I glance
up from the floor and realize Miguel is staring, his jaw tense.
I realize too late that I'm eye level with the bulge in his pants, mere centimeters away and I get to my feet quickly.
“D-Dinner is done. I didn't want to wake you,” I whisper looking down at the floor.
“Thanks.”
Last Round (Double Play Series Book 6) Page 4