To help promote the reserve, Linda put together a pamphlet and invited a local artist to create a piece of work that would capture the beauty of the area. For a week, Alex worked nearby as the artist painted the serene landscape, and when the piece was done, she could see herself and Koko in the background. They fit right in.
****
“Steve Frederick called in a favor,” Alan told Brian at one of their meetings.
“A favor?” Brian frowned. They had been discussing casting calls, costuming, and everything else related to the job he would be starting next month, which made him wonder if Steve was going to be part of his new gig.
“He’s trying to rustle up support for a new project,” Alan said.
“This?” Brian asked as he tapped on the script sitting on the desk between them.
“No, some nature park or something.” Alan slid a pamphlet toward him. “They could use the press.”
“You want me to make an appearance, smile, and sign autographs?” Brian was still proving to Alan he didn’t need a babysitter. If he did what he was told he wouldn’t have to deal with another Nate.
“Yes. That’s exactly what I want you to do. I could send someone else, but you have the best press. I’ll let Steve know you’ll be there.”
When Brian opened the pamphlet and saw the painting inside, his heart sped up. On the edge of a stunning sunset, sat a woman and a dog. Alex and Koko. At least that’s what he thought it looked like. It was probably a shrub or something. A lovesick heart could make a couple of shrubs look like a dog and the love of his life. It happened all the time: in shadows at night, at the store, and on the street. It wasn’t her. It never was. Wishful thinking wouldn’t bring her back.
****
“I wish we could be there,” Maggie said over the phone the morning of the party.
“I’m nervous,” Alex replied. “Tonight is the night Steve announces me as the official director to potential members.” It was happening. Finally. All her hard work was about to pay off.
“You’re amazing. It’s going to be great. You’re providing city dwellers the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while. Who wouldn’t want that?”
“I don’t know. Ugh. Let’s talk about something else.”
“It snowed last night. Our first of the season, I’m sure,” Maggie said in a flat voice. “I hate the cold.”
“Clearly you need to move to California,” Alex said, trying to persuade her friend to move closer for the hundredth time. “When you get snow, we get rain. It sounds great on the clay tile roof.”
“I just might. I always watch the job boards. And Jim can get a job anywhere. Everyone drinks beer.”
“I’m going to show you around when you get here and try and convince you all. I know all the best places to eat.”
“Two weeks.”
“I can’t wait.” She grinned. “I need to go. Linda just got here.” Alex peered out her front window, across the courtyard, where the lights had just come on in the main house.
“See you soon. Good luck tonight,” Maggie said.
“Thanks, bye.” Alex disconnected and then went to lend a hand.
Linda was also nervous, so they spent the rest of the day commiserating. Before she left to get ready, Linda produced a stack of newly printed tri-fold brochures. “These are for tonight. What do you think? We’ve been sharing them all over town.”
Alex opened one and smiled. She had taken most of the pictures inside and written the description of the wildlife, all except the beautiful painting featured in the middle. It was her favorite. Linda had added historical details about the house and property. Steve and Linda had decided on a membership price list, which was on the right panel of the brochure. It was perforated so it could be detached and submitted with annual dues. “It looks amazing, but you already know that. You didn’t change them from last time, did you?
“No, I wanted to make sure you still like them.”
Alex laughed. “Do you know who’s coming tonight?”
Linda shrugged. “Hollywood types, I’m sure. I invited a few people, but Steve was mostly in charge of that.” For the tenth time, she checked her watch. “I need to get ready. See you tonight.”
Alex nodded. “I probably should get ready, too.”
“The caterers will be here at five.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Alex said before waving her out the door. In a hurry to get ready, she threw on the viridian dress she bought for the occasion. Since leaving Twisted Juniper, she had actively avoided the color brown and her new wardrobe reflected that. As she brushed her hair, her hands shook. Having Steve’s friends there meant mingling with directors and producers, someone who might recognize her and say something.
Despite her disheveled emotional state, the house and the grounds were perfect. The caterer arrived right on time and, with Alex’s instructions, the team of servers set up trays of food and drinks. Everything was ready.
“Wish me luck, Koko.” Alex filled a bowl with dog food. Koko wagged her tail and gave a little doggie smile. Alex patted her head, took a deep breath, closed the door behind her, and headed to the main house. “I can do this.”
Steve and Linda arrived first with their spouses. Alex plastered a smile on her face and greeted the seemingly never-ending stream of visitors. One after another, she discussed the reserve and the benefits of a membership. It wasn’t hard for her to convince them since she cherished every inch of the land.
Steve got the attention of everyone in the room by tapping his ring against a glass of champagne. “Thank you very much for coming tonight,” he started, holding up his glass. “Without your support, the Frederick Nature Reserve wouldn’t be possible.” The audience gave a polite round of applause. “I would like to introduce you to our director, Alex Mitchell, who has worked tirelessly to make our dream a reality.” He swept his hand toward her and motioned for her to join him. “Alex, would you like to say something?”
After taking a deep breath, she started the speech she’d been practicing for a week, “Thank you, Steve, for having faith in me. I have loved exploring every inch of our fifty-seven acres, and I know you will too. Your membership will give you access to pristine beauty, breathtaking views, and…” As she looked around the room at the smiling face, she stopped when she found Blaze, his countenance impossible to read. The rest of her speech forgotten, she mumbled, “Thank you.” The heat in the room seemed to crush her, so she darted outside and pressed her back against the rough wall.
With each ragged breath, her shoulder blades dug into the stucco. Of all the Hollywood types, she didn’t expect to see him. How could she have been so stupid? It was bound to happen sooner or later and she kicked herself for not being prepared.
Before she could collect herself and head back to the party, the lights came on in the room to her left, casting a soft glow into the dim courtyard.
“You didn’t mention she’d be here.” Blaze’s muffled voice floated out to her, making her inch closer to the window.
“Alex is the reason this place exists. Of course she’s here,” Steve replied. “The only reason you’re here is because your agent insisted you come. I asked him to send someone else. You think I wanted to invite you? I care too much about Alex to do that to her.”
Keeping her back to the wall, she peeked at them through the window.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You broke her heart, you idiot.” Steve’s shoulders tensed. “If I were twenty years younger, I’d beat you to a bloody pulp.”
“I broke her heart? She’s the one who disappeared. She’s the one who didn’t return any of my phone calls. She got what she wanted and never looked back.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alex’s mouth fell open. That’s what he thought? That she used him? What about the pictures and the things he said about her?
“That’s not the way I heard it.” Steve puffed his chest out.
Blaze clenched his jaw
. “I haven’t done anything wrong, and I don’t need to justify myself to you.” An echo of a door slamming snapped Alex out of her stupor.
“Didn’t do anything wrong?” she muttered to herself. “He never called me.” Pushing off the wall, she stormed across the courtyard to her house. Koko had been whining and waiting for her, but as soon as Alex stomped inside, Koko disappeared.
Alex flopped onto her bed and snatched her phone off the nightstand. “What an idiot,” she shouted as she swiped at her screen, scrolling through the massive list of texts. There were more than twenty from her mom, a few from Maggie, but most of the list was unknown numbers demanding information about Blaze Johnson. Back and back she went until she found the first of a string of texts from Brian, his smiling face pressed to hers on his contact picture.
Hey. Nate had my phone so I couldn’t text. I tried to warn you about the picture he took. I’m sure you’ve seen it by now. I’ve been hiding out and hope you have, too.
He got fired if that’s any consolation. I promise I’ll make it up to you.
Stunned, she scrolled to the next text.
I miss you.
The date and time stamp showed they had come through the day the papers in town had a heyday with her personal life. No wonder she had missed them. Within an hour, he sent another one.
I just saw the picture of us Nate posted under my account. I’m so sorry. I could kill him, but he’s not worth it. Please believe me when I say I didn’t share it or write that. You were never just another notch in my belt. Nate was out to get me. I guess he got us both. Sorry.
Tears welled in her eyes, blurring the screen in front of her, but she couldn’t stop reading the thread. Koko nudged against her arm and licked her cheek.
Alex? Are you getting these? Are you mad at me? Please call.
Hello?
Alex? Please call.
I miss you.
A sob escaped her lips as she opened her voice mail. The mailbox had filled by the end of September, right around the time her number was leaked to the press. More than twenty messages waited from numbers she didn’t recognize, and then there was Brian.
“I hope you’re not mad at me. I swear I had nothing to do with those pictures. That was Nate. All Nate. You know I wouldn’t do that, don’t you? I keep wishing I was still there. Before it all went to shit. I hope you’re doing okay. Did they find you? I get mobbed every time I step out of my house. Like sharks following the scent of blood. It’s awful.” He sighed. “Please call me. I miss your voice.”
“I miss you, too,” she said to her phone as she played the message from the next day.
“Today sucks. Everyone is living their lives like everything is normal, but it’s not because we’re not together. I know we never set up anything official, but you should come out. You could meet Ozzie and I would make you dinner. And breakfast. And lunch. We wouldn’t have to go anywhere. It would just be us. Think about it?”
It sounded wonderful. Better than that. Amazing. To think she had missed an invitation to escape the worst part of her life because she turned her phone off for a few weeks. “Wait,” she said and Koko stopped licking her and sat down.
“What about the stuff he said? I heard that with my own ears,” she explained to Koko. “He said I was convenient and willing to meet his needs,” she whispered the words that had been stored inside her for so long. “I heard him.”
What was she supposed to believe?
****
Brian slammed his hand against the steering wheel of his car, sending out a distorted honk into the quiet street where he had parked outside the reserve. “Fuck,” he shouted. He hadn’t been prepared to see her.
“What is she doing here?” Pulling away from the curb and following the winding road down the canyon, he struggled to process what had happened. By the look on her face, she was just as surprised as he was. Steve knew but obviously hadn’t told her.
After all the time that had passed, he assumed she had fallen off the face of the earth, but in reality, she had been right around the corner. Avoiding him.
Bile rose in the back of his throat and he had to will it to go away by taking a few deep breaths. Nothing good would come of thinking about her anymore. Not after what she had done.
****
“What am I supposed to do?” Alex asked her best friend over the phone.
Maggie sighed. “You should go talk to him. That’s probably what you should’ve done from the very beginning.”
“I couldn’t. Not after what he said.” When she called Maggie the whole truth came out, and just as she would expect from her loyal friend, Maggie was outraged.
“It sounds like you need to get his side. If he really misses you, then you need to know. If he was using you because you were convenient, you need to kick him in the balls.”
Alex laughed. “I thought you told me not to hit him.”
“Nope. This is different. You’re not working together anymore, and if that’s how he really feels about you I give you permission to kick him in the balls. Really hard. Either way, you need to go talk to him.”
“I’m a mess,” Alex protested.
“Wash your face and go talk to him before he leaves the party.”
“But—”
“No buts,” Maggie chided. “You need closure. Go now.”
“Okay.” Alex swallowed hard. She had to do it.
“Call me later?”
“Yep. Talk to you soon,” Alex said before disconnecting.
Koko followed Alex into the bathroom and wagged her tail while Alex splashed her face with cold water.
“I have to do this,” she told her dog. “I don’t want to, but I have to.”
Alex walked across the courtyard and pushed into the crowd. If Brian was still there, she couldn’t see him.
“There you are,” Linda called out to her.
Alex turned to face her, and Linda put a hand over her heart.
“Have you been crying? Is everything okay?” Linda said, pulling her aside.
Alex touched her puffy eyes and shook her head. “No. I need to find Brian. I mean Blaze. Is he still here?”
Linda frowned and motioned for her brother to join them.
“Is he still here?” Alex asked Steve.
“No,” Steve grumbled. “He stormed out of here about twenty minutes ago. We had words.”
Alex bit her lip and nodded.
“You heard?”
She nodded again. “Thank you for standing up for me. I really appreciate it.”
“I knew there was a chance he’d be here tonight. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.” Steve looked at his shiny black shoes.
“It’s time I stop running away from everything. I have to talk to him.”
“Are you sure?”
Even though her stomach flipped, she nodded. “Do you have his address? This isn’t a conversation we should have over the phone.”
“I can get it for you.” Steve pulled his phone out and started dialing.
Linda rubbed Alex’s shoulder. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Forgive me for missing so much of tonight.”
“Of course.” Linda pulled her into a hug. “You haven’t missed anything. Go. We’ll clean up tomorrow.”
Steve slipped a piece of paper into Alex’s palm and squeezed her hand shut around it. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.” Alex clutched the piece of paper to her chest as she ran back to her house. “Got it,” she announced to Koko as she entered Brian’s address into her phone. “Come on, I need backup.”
****
Brian paced the length of his front room. He had come face-to-face with the truth and he didn’t like it. A part of him had been holding onto hope, but now he had nothing left.
Rain fell outside, mirroring how he felt inside.
Ozzie whined from the couch, bringing Brian back to reality. “I’m sorry I’m in such a bad mood,” he said as he slumped down next to his dog. Oz
zie nuzzled against his chest and whined again. “What is it, baby?”
Ozzie’s tail thumped against the cushions as he looked out the window. And then his ears perked up, and he trotted to the front door.
Brian frowned and followed him. “No one is out…here,” he finished as he opened the door.
Alex stood just outside with her hand raised, ready to knock.
“What do you want?” he asked, trying to keep his voice level even though his heart was racing. She couldn’t know how much she hurt him.
“I want to talk,” she said as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. A light sheen of water clung to her hair and face.
Ozzie tried to push between his legs, but before he could greet her, Brian stepped outside and closed the door. “What do you want to talk about?” He crossed his arms over his chest and straightened his back. Ozzie whined and snuffled the seam of the door.
Alex held her head high. “What you said to Nate.”
“I got Nate fired.”
“I know…now,” she added and then frowned. “I listened to your messages tonight.”
How could he believe her? “The ones I left for you in September?”
“I turned my phone off. It was easier that way. Someone gave them my number. Once they started calling, they wouldn’t stop. They were almost as bad as my mother.”
“Paparazzi?”
She nodded. “They descended like a plague.”
“Here, too.” A lack of privacy was something he had gotten used to, but she had been thrown in the deep end. Pity replaced a little of the anger.
“You mentioned,” she said.
“Fucking Nate.”
“Did you mean it?” Her chin wobbled. “What you said?”
“Of course I did. I wouldn’t have said all of those things if I didn’t mean them.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded. “I understand,” she whispered and turned away.
Anger boiled to the surface, and when he touched her shoulder, she practically jumped. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say? After everything?”
Love on Location Page 23