What You Do To Me (Unexpected Love)

by Izzy Cullen

  3.

  Waking up, I grabbed my head. Christ, how much did I drink last night? Finally getting the courage, I opened my eyes. Shit, where the hell was I? Sitting up, I looked around, and I saw that I was in a bed, but not in my hotel room. Oh crap, what did my drunk self-do last night? I looked at the nightstand and the clock displayed 8:34. I pulled the covers off and took a huge sigh of relief that I still had all my clothes on from the night before.

  Even though my head felt like a marching band was playing inside of it, I managed to get out of bed. I quietly walked out of the room and into the main sitting room. Alex was sleeping on the couch. I quickly grabbed my bag and sandals and left the room. I jumped on the elevator and headed to my room.

  Once inside, I decided I needed to take a shower so I could feel human again. While in the shower, all I could think about was the night before. Remembering the conversation between Alex and me, and how he actually seemed interested in my life, I started to really think about it and realized he probably wasn’t interested in anything I had said. I was sure he was hoping I would shut the hell up and be drunk enough to jump in bed with him. I still couldn’t remember how I got into his bed last night.

  Still feeling hung over and confused with the whole night, I put on my running clothes and headed for the elevators. There was nothing like a good, hard run to shake a hangover and to clear a clogged head. Exiting the lobby, I put my ear buds in, hit play on my iPod, turned my Garmin on, and ran along the river heading toward Cobo Hall. After I surpassed the puke stage of the run, I was finally able to use the time to think. I realized that last night was nothing. Alex probably took girls back to his room all the time and I was lucky enough to keep my head and clothes on. I started to run harder, probably trying to outrun the fact that I wished my clothes hadn’t remained on. I kept thinking about his blue eyes, mouth, and those tattoos. God, how much I wanted that mouth on me.

  After I ran myself into exhaustion, I walked back to the entrance to the hotel lobby. I stood outside and stretched. Man, was I going to be sore after that run. I looked at my Garmin and saw that I ran my fastest splits in months. I felt a tap on my shoulders. I turned around and took out my ear buds, looking right into the blue eyes of Alex.

  “I said your name a few times, but you must not have heard me. I didn’t want to scare you again.”

  “Sorry, I was engrossed in the music.”

  “Why did you leave this morning without saying anything?”

  I looked at my feet, then at my hands, I finally responded, but I still didn’t look at him. “You were asleep and I figured with another show coming up, you needed your sleep.”

  “I wish you had woken me. I tried calling you this morning, but you didn’t answer. I see why now.”

  “How did you get my number? I didn’t give it to you last night.” I was feeling a bit of irritation in my voice.

  “When you fell asleep, I used your phone to call mine. Now I have your number and you have mine.”

  “Seriously, you went into my purse?” I felt pissed off at his point.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m glad I did, since you just disappeared this morning and you never did tell me your last name.”

  “Well, you never asked for it and honestly, I just thought my leaving was easier for all of us.”

  “What do you mean, easier for all of us?” Alex was starting to look a little pissed at me.

  “I thought it eliminated the awkwardness of you asking me to leave this morning. Save you from coming up with a lame excuse as to why I needed to leave.”

  “Wow, seriously, after the conversation and time we spent together last night you think that’s how I am. I ordered room service thinking you were still asleep and hoping I could spend a little more time with you until I had to leave for Chicago.”

  I looked at him and I swear I saw hurt in his eyes. I wasn’t sure how to respond. He ordered me breakfast. Nobody has ever done anything like that, not even David, the whole time we were together. If I wanted to eat, I needed to get the food myself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.”

  “Obviously,” that seemed to come out a bit harsh from his mouth.

  “Are you leaving now for Chicago?”

  “Yeah, Sam moved my flight up since I didn’t have a reason to stay around.”

  “Well, have a good flight and thank you for everything with the concert last night. I really appreciate it and I will never forget last night.” I wanted to say all of last night, not just the show, but couldn’t. His comment about how he didn’t have a reason to stay around hurt a bit.

  “Abbs, Abbs, over here.” I turned towards the valet and I saw Derek getting out of his silver BMW.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I was completely shocked to see him out front of the hotel.

  Derek ran over, scooped me up into a hug, and spun me around. “Well, I know I had to let you go to the concert alone, being the rules of the list, but I won’t let you go to the Pirates game alone.”

  “Actually, I am going to the Tigers game.”

  “Anyway, we are going to the game.”

  “Seriously, you drove all the way from Pittsburgh for one day to go to a baseball game?”

  “Yep.”

  Hearing a throat clear, my attention was turned back to Alex and the conversation we were having. “Alex, this is my friend, Derek. Derek, this is Alex.”

  “Holy shit, when did you become friends with the lead singer of Awakening?”

  Before I could answer, Alex spoke to Derek. “Last night, we became good friends last night.”

  I felt pissed because I felt like Alex was implying I slept with him the night before. I turned to Derek and explained the seating situation at the show. I looked at Alex, and he kind of looked hurt again at my explanation. I didn’t want to talk about being in his hotel room and his bed, at least not with Derek. There were so many unsaid feelings on Derek’s end and he came all the way here to be a friend.

  “So what are the plans for today?”

  “Well, I’m starving and I ran out before I had any coffee this morning.”

  “I didn’t want to say it, but I am. You stink; you must have had a ton to drink, because the wine is seeping out of your pores. The sweat added to it makes it worse and you look and smell like hell.”

  “Wow, thanks for the honesty.” I wondered how badly I really did stink and how bad I looked.

  I looked at Alex. “I really appreciate everything you did yesterday and last night.” I thought of how he put me in his bed and didn’t take advantage of my drunken state, but there was no way I was saying that in front of Derek. “Have a safe trip to Chicago and have a great tour. You guys really don’t need it, the concert last night was by far the best I’ve been to in my life.”

  “Actually, the concert isn’t until tomorrow night and I don’t need to be there today. I could fly out tomorrow morning. I was thinking of taking in the baseball game today.”

  “What, you said you were on your way to Chicago,” feeling a bit confused at that point in the conversation, “and that you didn’t have a reason to stay around.” Knowing I said it with a harsh undertone.

  “Well, I didn’t, but I love baseball and didn’t realize there was a game today.”

  “I hope you enjoy the game.” Feeling a bit irritated with the whole conversation. “Again, thanks for everything and tell Sam it was nice meeting her last night.”

  “Why don’t you tell her yourself?”

  “Huh.” Really, huh was all I could come up with.

  “Yeah, why don’t you tell her at the game? I’m thinking we could all go to the game together. It would be fun.”

  “I don’t know. It’s up to Derek. He came all this way to spend time with me.”

  Alex turned his eyes to Derek, but my eyes couldn’t seem to leave Alex’s face. I heard Derek’s response, “I think it would be fun. The more people, the merrier.”

  “Great, Abby, I’ll call you with the details, unless you guys would lik
e to meet in an hour for lunch before the game.”

  “Sounds great, Abbs. Is that enough time for you to wash the stench off?”

  I punched Derek in the shoulder for that comment. I quickly responded to the question. “Yes, but I want at least an hour and a half. I won’t be doing anything until I get coffee in this body. I’ll need to hit Starbucks first. Plus, I need to call the girls. I haven’t talked to them since I left yesterday morning. ”

  “Sounds great, I’ll go check in, unless you’re going to let me stay with you tonight in your room?” Derek had a hopeful smile on his face.

  “No, go check in, I’m sure all my stinky running clothes will make my room smell like a locker room. I’ll call you when I’m ready.” I took a quick glance at Alex who seemed to have a relieved look on his face.

  “Okay, see you in a bit.”

  Alex looked at me and told me to meet him down in the lobby in an hour and a half. He would arrange for a car to take us to lunch and then the game.

  4.

  Walking off the elevator an hour and a half later, I walked into the lobby and I didn’t see anyone. I exited the doors in the valet area and noticed a black limo. The door to the limo opened and I saw Sam waving me over with a big smile on her face. She was wearing designer jeans, a cute fitted long sleeve top, and stilettos with amazing accessories. I started to second-guess my choice of jeans, Tigers baseball shirt. My shoulder length brown hair was in a loose ponytail, and I was wearing running shoes and carrying my baseball hat. I wasn’t sure how the sun would be on the field.

  I went to the limo, climbed in, and sat down. My eyes immediately fixed on Alex, who was seated on the side bench. He was wearing a pair of worn dark jeans, a Tigers shirt with a Tigers track jacket over top, and a worn pair of navy converse. He looked so sexy; he smiled at me while running a hand through his jet-black hair. The motion gave his hair the just fucked look and how I wished it was me who gave it to him.

  “So, where is Derek?” Not even thinking about Derek, I started to feel a little guilty.

  “I’m not sure. He said that he would meet us down here.”

  Sam smiled at me and responded, “I’m sure he is coming. We are a little early.”

  “I can send him a text if you want. He might need the push to get here on time. He likes to primp a bit. I usually tell him to be someplace twenty minutes before I really want him there, so I know he will be on time.”

  “No, it’s okay; gives us more time to talk,” Alex said with a smile on his face. “So, how did you and Derek become friends?”

  Not sure, but I felt like there was desperation in his voice to know this answer. “I met Derek through David, my husband.” Should I have said late husband? I never knew how to talk about David to others anymore. “They went to school together. They fell out of touch and one night at their class reunion, David went and socialized. I sat at a table alone, because I was pregnant with my oldest. Derek came over and introduced himself. He sat down and started talking about the high school times with David, as well as filling me in on everyone around the room. You know, the usual stuff you talk about at a class reunion, like who they were, what they did, what they were like in high school, and if they had changed. We hung out at the table and laughed most the night.” Alex listened so intently it reminded me of last night. Maybe he really did care about what I was saying.

  “Anyway, David and Derek got back in touch, and stayed in touch that time, mainly because of me. Whenever we went back to Pittsburgh, we would do dinner, a baseball game or clubbing, and Derek was my partner in crime. We have always stayed in touch and we have actually talked more than David and him. He’s like the brother I always wanted.” At my last comment, Alex broke out into a wide smile. “He moved in with the girls and me for a few weeks after David’s death. If it wasn’t for him and Lexi, I’d still be in bed and my parents would have swooped in and dragged my butt back to their house.” I couldn’t help spilling all this information with him. I didn’t want to, but something about those eyes made me think he truly cared.

  “Is that him?” I heard Sam say, but I was still staring at Alex. Alex managed to break the gaze and answered Sam. Sam climbed out of the car and yelled to Derek to join us at the car. Derek slid in wearing his full Pirates attire.

  “Seriously, you look like a Pirates store just threw up on you.” I was a bit harsh, but I owed him for his comments from the morning about how bad I smelled.

  “Someone needs to represent, since you are now swearing off Pittsburgh sports.”

  “I’m not swearing them off. I will always love the Steelers, as long as Suisham remains the kicker. Seriously, he does things to me, but you know my feeling towards the Pirates. Ever since they traded Freddy Sanchez, I divorced them, and I will never like hockey, so the Penguins will never be liked.”

  “Thanks for holding back. Seriously, I never understood the Suisham thing. You could at least fall for someone who doesn’t make league minimum. You should really set some higher standards for yourself.”

  “It’s not about the money; it’s about the moves.” At that comment, we both started laughing. I turned away from Derek and noticed that Alex and Sam were looking at us. I began to blush and felt rude. “I’m sorry, Sam, this is Derek. Derek, this is Sam. Sam is Alex’s sister first, and his assistant second.” That got a smile from Sam.

  Derek and Sam exchanged greetings as we made our way to Greektown. We pulled up in front of Pizza Papalis. I absolutely loved this place. Every time I was in this town, I would come here to eat their pizza. My mouth was already watering. We walked in and the restaurant was crazy busy. At first, nobody looked at us, but then someone recognized Alex and I felt the making of a very long day. People were turning to stare at us, well him, but nobody had approached him yet for an autograph. Sam talked to the hostess and she took us upstairs. Sam followed the hostess with Derek behind. I started to follow, but Alex took my hand and started walking next to me. I looked up at him, but he kept his eyes forward. We headed up the stairs, which I noticed was empty. I didn’t understand why, since the restaurant was so busy downstairs. As we got to our seats, I heard the hostess talk to Sam and she explained this was the most private they could do on such a short notice of time. Sam told her it was perfect and we would be fine.

  We all took our seats at a round table. Derek and Alex were at my side and Sam sat across from me. The waiter came to take our drink order. Sam asked me if I wanted to share a bottle of wine with her. Not sure if it was the look on my face or the fact, Derek knows me so well, but he laughed. I immediately blushed and shoved him. “What?” was all I could say to Derek.

  “From how shitty you looked this morning and how you smelled when I got here; I’m guessing wine is out for at least two to three days. Isn’t that right Ms. Abby Porter?”

  Ugh, I hated that he knew me so damn well. I probably could choke down wine, but I was still dealing with the lingering effects of the wine from last night. “Yes, you know me too well, I’ll probably just start with a diet coke and figure out from there what I will drink.”

  The three of them decided on a pitcher of beer and once it was delivered, we put in our food order. My stomach was growling while we were placing the order.

  “I take it you are hungry? That’s good, because they have the best pizza in town. Sam and I always come here when we are in town.”

  “So do I, I love this place. I was planning on coming today before the game.” This got a big smile from Alex.

  As Alex was pouring the beers, Derek couldn’t help but talk. “So why don’t we get started on getting the beer thing off your list.” Without thinking, I kicked him under the table. The list is a secret, well not really, but it’s private. It’s all the things I’ve wanted to do that David wouldn’t let me, and the things I felt I needed to do to become a stronger person for me and the girls.

  “What is the list?” Sam asked with a hint of interest in her eyes.

  “I was going to ask you earlier, I heard De
rek bring it up about the concert,” Alex said, eyeing me intensely.

  I immediately shot Derek a ‘you’re on my shit list’ look before I responded to them. Probably sensing my uneasiness on the topic, I felt Alex’s hand squeeze my knee and I could feel the heat from his hand shoot all the way up my leg and into my groin. I seriously had to fight back a moan. Oh, my god, what in the hell was happening to me. I was not a high school girl who swoons over some guy. I looked up and met Alex’s eyes. I heard Derek begin to talk. “Well, it isn’t my place to talk about it.” No shit, really, you just now realized that fact.

  I looked away from Alex and gave Derek another pissed off look. Derek’s eyes shot me a look that said I’m sorry. “You’re right, it isn’t your place, but your mouth just doesn’t know how to stop. So, now that it’s out there, I have no choice.” I could feel the bitterness coming off my tongue.

  “Abby, you don’t have too. If it’s personal, it’s none of our business,” Sam said with sympathetic eyes.

  “It’s okay; it really isn’t a big deal. The list is a list of things I feel I need to do. Not just need, but things I want to do or have always wanted to do, but never had the chance.”

  “Beer is on that list?” Alex asked with a smirk on his face.