by Claire Adams
“It’s not good news. I got the official filings on your estate, and I’m afraid they devastating.”
“How devastating? And, don’t start talking dollar amounts; tell me how it’s going to hurt.” Dollar amounts could change as deals are made, but not by much. I needed to know if was expected to sell a car or a kidney.
“Olde House. You could lose it.” The words angered me more than they stung. He was telling me that someone was trying to take my home, and like anyone else defending their home, I saw it as a declaration of war. One I’d proudly fight to defend my castle.
I leaned forward and planted my palm on his desk. “Not going to happen. You better work some goddamned magic.”
“Their attorney says they aren’t budging. They say this new evidence of negligence is solid. They’re going for blood.” He got up and went to fix a drink. “We’re in a tight spot, Aiden. It only makes sense that you’d sell the house. You can downsize now that you’re the only one left, and you’ll still have your job to keep you on your feet.”
“That’s the only way you can see it, right? Me losing my home? You sound like you’re not even going to fight for me, Layne.” He placed a glass in front of me and turned up his own after giving me a blank look.
“So that’s it?” I continued. “You think you’re going to roll over on this and play fucking dead? Let me light a fire under that arrogant little ass of yours. If those people get one cent of my money, it will not come from Olde House.”
I suddenly had his attention, as his eyes met mine. “You better listen. Because the only thing getting sold is this office building. Did you forget I own it, too? And, don’t think for a moment I won’t put you out on your ass.”
“Your father would be ashamed to hear you talking this way. Have some common sense; this is your livelihood when you finally decide to stop slumming through life and actually earn a living. Your father-”
“Is dead. And since I didn’t give two fucks what he wanted when he was alive, do you really think I’d let him ruin me now? That home was my mother’s pride. I will not sacrifice it for you or anyone else. So you better get ready for battle, and losing isn’t a fucking option.” I picked up the drink and threw it at the wall where it shattered, leaving a stain of bourbon. As Layne stood in surprise, I strolled out into the lobby.
While I waited for the door to open, I glanced back across the staff who were all staring at me in shock. “Whoever’s in my parking space, next time I find you there, you’re fired.” None of those assholes better forget who was signing their checks.
I stepped into the elevator and checked my phone. Still no Lexa. I ground my teeth and knew I needed to work off some of my aggression. I opted for the gym and stayed there the rest of the afternoon.
On my way home, I pulled into Jay’s for a beer. The workout had taken care of my aggression, but my nerves were still shot. I needed to down a few and relax; and besides that, I missed Glen’s company.
“How’s it going, man?” Glen wiped down the bar and then extended his hand for a shake. “I told Smitty he’s going to have to start picking up the slack for you. He tells me he can’t drink that much.”
I glanced at the end of the bar where old Smitty was in his usual spot watching TV. I didn’t think he had one at home. On second thought, I wasn’t sure he had a home. He sure spent enough to pay rent somewhere. “How’s it going, Smitty?” I waved and pounded the bar to order my usual.
“So what’s been going on? You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind.” Glen could read people like a book, but then again, most bartenders could.
“I’m being sued over the accident. Apparently, what my insurance paid out wasn’t enough, and now the bloodsuckers want enough to ruin my life.”
“Damn, man, that’s rough. This one is on me.” He placed my glass in front of me on a paper coaster and then leaned against the bar waiting for his next task. The bar was slow, so it could be a while. “Are you still seeing that nurse?”
“I haven’t heard from her in a couple of days, but she works, so I’m not letting it get to me. She’s amazing, that one. Body that don’t quit — and it didn’t. I want to see her.” I wagged my brows, and he laughed.
“That’s new. What’s gotten into you, man? You usually never want to see them again. And if you do, it’s only because you didn’t remember doing them the first time.” He belted a laugh and Smitty joined in, even though he didn’t know what he was laughing about. Old Smitty never missed a cue.
“She’s different. She’s not like these girls around here. This one’s got money of her own, a career; she’s not wearing a headlamp and carrying a pickax, if you know what I mean.”
“I bet it’s terrible having all your money, a damned shame.” Glen shook his head and walked to the other side of the bar to take an order. As he poured the drink, he continued to laugh and shake his head. Then he walked back over. “I wish I had half of your money.”
“So do the bloodsucking Pattersons, apparently.”
“Sorry, man.” He fixed another order and then gave me some space while he refilled the napkin dispensers.
I glanced at my phone and wondered why I hadn’t heard from Lexa. I knew she led a busy life, but she couldn’t be too busy to respond to a simple text, and surely she didn’t work double shifts in the ER. Concern for her nagged at me, and I contemplated texting again. I opted not to because I didn’t want to come across as a loser, but damn. I needed to hear her voice. Maybe then I could get it out of my head.
“Need another?” Glen’s voice grabbed my attention, and I placed my phone face down on the bar.
“Sure, I’ll probably stop at a few tonight. I’m trying to behave.” I met his eyes, and he was staring at me with brotherly affection.
“I’m proud of you, man. I’ve seen a change in you. Wrecks have a way of waking us up to what’s important in life.” He stepped to the center island and pulled out some limes and began slicing them.
“I’m not sure if it was the wreck, the lawsuit, or Lexa. Maybe it was time for a change or another phase of my grief. People told me in the beginning I’d go through phases.”
“Yeah, well, whatever this one is, it looks good on you.” He finished cutting the limes as I glanced back down to my phone.
I finished my beer and then another and tried hard to keep from texting her again. I finally figured if she was interested, she’d call. If not, it wasn’t meant to be. It wasn’t like I wanted a deep relationship anyway. Did I? No, I was only looking for some fun and hot release, which she’d already given me.
And as I drove myself home, I tried real hard to make myself believe that.
Chapter Twelve
Lexa
Bre threw the door open with a smile so wide it brightened the room. “Come in, come in!” She stepped aside, and I walked past her dropping my purse on the table in the foyer.
“Did you even notice the new table?” She grabbed my shoulders and pointed me in the direction of the table I’d walked right past without a second glance.
“It’s adorable and so handy for my purse, but I thought you were getting a new table for the breakfast nook.” I stepped back and took a closer look at the thin table.
“I did. I got both. You know me, can’t pass up a deal. The man sold me both in a bundle, and I even got a lamp for the living room.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin as if to show me how satisfied she was, and then she led me into the kitchen to check out the other bargain.
“Nice. I love them both. You need to come decorate my house; I’m no good at that stuff.” My style was somewhere between practical and functional.
“If you’d ever have a day off where you want to hang out, I would. How’d the last one go? You went to see Aiden Walker, didn’t you?”
“Yes, and don’t bring him up at dinner later. I haven’t told anyone else I’ve seen him.” I sat at the nook and pulled out my phone. He hadn’t texted but once since and I still hadn’t called him back. I wasn’t s
ure what to say or do.
“I’m not; so does that mean you’re not seeing him again?” She didn’t want me to see him to begin with, but I hoped she would be supportive no matter what.
“I don’t know.” I deflated and slumped down in my chair.
“You should forget about him and do a double date with Daniel and me and one of his friends. He has a friend that I think would be perfect for you. He’s a pharmaceuticals rep, and he’s so hot. I’d date him myself if I wasn’t with Daniel.” She gave me a nudge. “Don’t seem so interested.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know if I’m ready for any kind of dating. I’m so mixed up.”
“What did he do to you? Did you tell him who you were?” She narrowed her eyes as I looked away and took a deep breath. “Oh wow, you can’t even look me in the eyes; it must be bad. Is this one of those I told you so moments?”
“Possibly, but I don’t want to hear it. I don’t regret what happened, but I regret that I didn’t tell him who I am.”
Her eyes widened, and she plopped down across from me, her chair making an awful screech against the tile. “Tell me everything.”
“I’m not telling you everything.” My face stung with blush, and she closed her eyes and shook her head.
“You slept with him? On the first date?” She covered her mouth with her hand as if she dare not speak another word of it.
“So?” I gave her a challenging glance. “It’s not like you’ve never done it. You earned your slut card before middle school, Madame.”
“So, was it worth it? Is he packing? Nice ass? I mean, you’ve already fucked up, so don’t leave out the good parts now.”
“It was hands down the best sex of my life, Bre. It was like we have this connection… I can’t explain it. He fills all my voids, and I think I fill his. He was so sexy, and he took charge, but he still let me, too, it was a perfect ebb and flow. I didn’t even mind his awful beard.”
“He has an awful beard?” She made a face, and I nodded.
“Yeah, it’s so long scraggly, but seriously, it would take a hammer to the face to make that man ugly. He’s so rugged and sexy. He’s so muscular, I felt like a little doll against him.” Warmth spread through my core as I remembered his touch, causing me to cross my knees.
“Rich boy is rugged and sexy? That’s hard to imagine.” She shook her head again, and I nodded.
“I screwed it all up, though. I had my chance to come clean, and I didn’t. I left there abruptly, too, and I hope it wasn’t obvious. I tried to not run out of there like my ass was on fire, but I think it may have come across that way. He’s tried to reach out, but I haven’t responded.”
“Then don’t. Move on. There’s a reason you’re not letting yourself reach out. You know this is wrong, Lexa, as wrong as your parents’ lawsuit, wrong. I can’t believe you did this.” She frowned and looked at the table where her hands were clamped tight. “I mean, it’s hot, and I’m glad you got laid, but I’m not sure being nailed by Aiden Walker was a good idea.”
“I’m not, either; but more than that, I can’t believe I want him, Bre. I want more. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“You need to be with someone who can help you move on, not someone who is dealing with three times your grief, who you’ve already labeled an asshole. I’m disappointed in you, and the more I think about it, the angrier I get at the whole situation. Nothing good is going to come of this, Lexa!” She snapped the words out at me, and I flinched back from her. “Sorry. I don’t want us to fight over this, so let’s drop it, okay?”
I nodded. One thing I could count on was no matter what: Bre was going to tell me what she thought. “I want to be normal and happy for a change.” Aiden had done that for me, but I would respect her wishes and not bring it up again. Instead, I opted to change the subject to something I knew she’s light up over.
“So tell me about this Daniel character? Is he putting out?”
“He really knows how to butter my biscuits, if you know what I mean.” She let out a deep sigh and narrowed her eyes and leaned closer as if we weren’t the only two people in her house. “I swear that man comes honey-butter, he’s so sweet. He goes three rounds every time, and I’m beginning to think he’s got an extra testicle. His sac is huge.” By the time she finished telling me about him, we were in stitches.
“My cheeks hurt from laughing.” I rubbed my jaw.
Bre waved a hand at me. “Girl, you know it’s from giving blow jobs, don’t even pretend.” She burst out laughing and got to her feet. “I’m going to make a pitcher of tea. Sweet or lemon?”
“Lemon, please.” It was good to laugh, and I hoped she wasn’t that disappointed in me. Bre was one of the most important people in my life. I didn’t think I could make it without her.
Two hours later, we were gathered around my parents’ table as my mother rambled on about renovations at the beach house. She had big plans, and I couldn’t help but be sickened knowing it would possibly be Aiden’s money footing the bill. I hoped that their plans for the suit would fall through.
“I think that we should invite the Tompkins over when we get it all finished. We haven’t had a nice beach vacation with them in years. Not since the kids were little. I bet Jeffrey is out of college, same as you, Lexa. You should give him a call. Last time I saw him, he was quite the handsome young man. Perfect teeth and no signs of a receding hairline like his father’s.”
“Jeffrey is out of college, Mother, and I talked to him at the funeral. He and his husband are opening a boutique in Atlanta.” I popped another bite into my mouth as my mother’s eyes widened.
“I had no idea he was married.” She curled her lip and changed the subject. “Well, maybe we could have the Taylors instead. I hear that their son is a chief in the Navy. Good stock, that one. He was always such a beautiful boy.”
Bre kicked me under the table, and we exchanged a giggle. She’d met Brad Taylor on vacation one year when we were around thirteen and made out with him until her lips chapped. She’d later told me that he’d felt up her shirt and she’d given him a hand job through his shorts. We’d called him Bradley Spunkpants ever since.
“Are you listening, Alexandra?”
“Yes, you were hoping I’d go out with Brad Taylor.” I cut into my steak with enough force to curb my aggression.
“You could do worse. You need to settle down.” She pointed at me with her knife to prove she knew what she was talking about.
“Yes, Mother.” I didn’t feel like arguing and hoped the meal would end so I could leave.
My father’s cell phone rang. I hadn’t realized he’d brought it to the table until he picked it up and hurried away. It had to be something important for him to behave that way and sure enough, a few minutes later, he returned to the table looking like he had terrible news.
“That was Jones down at the attorney office. He says that Walker’s defense team is trying to get us to settle for less than half of what we’re asking.” Dad seemed to brace himself for my mother’s erupting temper.
“Less than half? I’m not settling for less than one penny of what we’re asking, not even if it means them losing their precious mansion. We’re up to our eyes in debt since the accident, and I, for one, am sick of living like this.”
“You act as if you’re living in squalor! You’ve got a home you’ve paid off outright so you could retire debt free, and you’re entertaining the idea of renovating a beach house, which you also own. If you’re in debt, it’s because you put yourself there with your own poor choices. Don’t blame this on Shawn’s death.”
“We’re not blaming Shawn-” Dad held up a hand to intercede, but Mother cut him off.
“Do not speak to me that way. We’ve paid off our homes to better ourselves, but there are taxes and other responsibilities that aren’t a product of frivolous spending, so you mind your tongue.” Her voice as laced with venom. Bre excused herself from the table and headed to the restroom.
“I do not agr
ee with this suit. You’re not taking into consideration that the man on the other end of your greed is suffering, too. He’s lost his entire family: mother, father, and only sister. Think for one minute the pain you’re causing, or are you even capable?” I pushed my chair back and folded my arms.
“We’re looking out for this family!” She slammed her fist against the table; the plates clinked together so hard they might have chipped. “I don’t have time to worry about anyone else.”
I stood to my feet and threw my napkin down on the table. “I’ve heard enough. You people make me sick to my stomach.” I went to the living room, gathered my things and left. I was so glad that I was self-sufficient and didn’t depend on their money. I didn’t want a dime of anything they took from Aiden. He deserved better.
I rushed past Bre’s car and to my own, and as I climbed behind the driver’s seat, my phone rang. I glanced down to see Aiden’s number and quickly answered it.
“Yes, Aiden?” I tried to catch my breath and hoped I didn’t sound ridiculous.
“Hey, I wasn’t sure you wanted me to call, but I’ve missed you. Thought I’d try again and see if you’d give me the time of day.” He chuckled, and something about it was so endearing that I wanted to cry. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I want to see you, too. I’ve been busy, but how about tomorrow night?” I knew that I was only being rebellious, but I didn’t care. It was time to do something reckless one more time.
“Tomorrow night sounds good. I’ll see you then.” His end of the phone went dead, and I heard a tapping at my window. I looked up to see Bre with a genuine look of concern.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m good. I’m sorry I made such a scene. I need to get out of here. I’ll call you later.”
“You do that, or I’ll worry.”
“I promise. I’ll be fine.” I knew I would, too, because I was going to see Aiden again. I already knew I had to tell him the truth, and that I was on his side.