by T. K. Leigh
“Exactly,” Mo said. “The one he'll always put above all others. The one he'll always care about. The one he’ll never be able to let go.”
Olivia stood up from her chair and walked over to the bay window, staring at Alexander. “I don’t know if I can put myself through that again.”
“The fight's not over yet,” Kiera said. “I mean, he’s sitting out there, keeping an eye on things over here. Apparently, he’s had round-the-clock surveillance on this place. He still cares about you, Libs. A lot! I don’t believe for a second that he’s going to go through with that wedding. Hell, he barely spends any time at his place anymore. Just the other night, we ran into him and his dog when he was heading to the office just to get out of the house.”
Olivia sat there, thinking. Maybe there was another way.
“Is there anything I can do, Livvy?” Mo asked, seeing the wheels turning in her head.
Olivia turned around and faced her friends. “Well, funny you should ask. Can you think of any way you could convince Alexander to go to MacFadden’s next time you guys play? There’s a song I’d love to do if you don’t mind, Mo. It’s a little slower, but I would really appreciate it if you back me up.”
“We’re playing Friday, as usual.”
“Well, good. Wait. What day is it?”
Kiera laughed. “It’s Wednesday.”
Olivia looked down. “What month is it?” She had completely lost track of time.
“It’s February thirteenth, jackass,” Mo sneered.
“Jesus. I’m sorry, guys.” Olivia straightened up, hoping to find her backbone to actually go through with her plan. “Well, let’s do it this Friday then.”
Mo stared at Olivia. “Really? You’re willing to get up in front of over five hundred people and pour your heart and soul out, all with the hopes that Alexander is actually there and listening?”
She thought for a minute. “Well, yeah. That about sums it up.”
“Let’s get to work then. I’ve got a song to learn,” Mo said, dragging Olivia upstairs.
“Oooohh. I’ll be your pretend audience,” Kiera said, leaping up from her chair and following them up the stairs. “Wait a second, guys,” she said as Olivia opened the door to the music room. “It’s the thirteenth. That means…”
Olivia’s heart sank. “That means he’s getting married this weekend.”
Mo grabbed his cell phone. “Don’t worry. I got this.” He searched his phone, finally landing on the number he needed before dialing. “Tyler, it’s Mo. I need a favor.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
OUT OF CONTROL
“YOU WANT TO GO to a bar with your brother after the rehearsal dinner tonight? Are you crazy? For crying out loud, we’re getting married tomorrow morning, Alex!” Chelsea huffed, glaring at him as he stood in the lobby of Old Trinity Church waiting for their guests to arrive to go over the wedding processional.
“Yes, I do. Just for a little bit. A few of my friends will be there. Mo’s band is playing and I want to go and support him. Plus, Tyler feels short-changed that he didn’t get to throw me a bachelor party. So, yes, I’m going to the bar. You can feel free to come with some of your friends, if you’re that worried about me.”
“That is so not how I was expecting to spend my last night as a single woman,” Chelsea replied, taking a step closer, running her fingers down his chest. “I was hoping this weekend would be incredibly romantic and not spent at some shitty bar,” she whispered in a sultry voice.
“Chelsea. Please, don’t. I want to spend some time with my friends before I have to spend the rest of the weekend with you.” He stared at her, his eyes fierce. No matter what he wanted to do, she had something to say about it.
She took a deep breath. Going to the bar that night wasn’t worth losing Alexander over. At least he had finally invited her out with him and his friends. “Fine. We’ll go to your little bar then.” Chelsea grabbed Alexander’s hand, leading him toward the vestibule to begin their rehearsal.
“Alexander, darling.” An older woman stopped him, pulling him into her arms while Chelsea stayed firmly planted at his side. “Wonderful to see you again, Chelsea. I wonder what you ever said to convince my son to marry you.”
Alexander chuckled a little at his mother’s words and Chelsea’s scowl.
“Oh, come, dear. It’s just a joke. But I would like a word with my son before we begin, if you don’t mind.” Colleen Burnham glared at Chelsea, waiting for her to give her some privacy with Alexander. After returning the glare for several long moments, Chelsea finally spun on her heels, seeking out her sister.
“Hi, Ma,” Alexander said, kissing her cheek. “How’s Miami?”
“Oh, you know. Same old thing. Sun, sand, and sangria.” She winked.
“I’m glad you were able to be here this weekend. It means a lot to both of us,” Alexander said, smiling at his mother’s gentle face. Although she was in her mid-sixties, she still had a youthful appearance about her.
“Well, I needed to be in town anyway to help plan our charity auction next month so I’m killing two birds with one stone, although I’m sensing something’s just not right here, Alex.” She grabbed her son’s hands in hers, staring deep into his eyes. “What’s going on? Are you sure you’re ready to marry that girl?”
Alexander exhaled loudly. “Why does everyone ask me that?”
Colleen narrowed her gaze on him. Even though he towered over her by a foot, he would always be her baby. “Because we care about you, Alex. And we want to make sure you’re not getting into something you can’t get out of. Marriage is a big deal. One you should not enter into lightly. Have you signed a pre-nup?”
“MOM!” Alexander exclaimed, aghast.
Colleen shrugged, her demeanor unchanged. “It’s a legitimate question. Have you?”
“I don’t need one.”
“Oh, come on, Alex. I’m sorry, but you better be damn sure you want to spend the rest of your life with that one if you’re not going to make her sign a pre-nup. Yes, she comes from some money, but nothing compared to what she’s about to marry into.”
Glancing over at Chelsea showing off her ring excitedly to people that he didn’t even know, Alexander wondered what he was getting into. And why Chelsea wanted to rush into a wedding so badly. “If it will make you happy, I’ll have my lawyers draw one up.” He turned to walk away.
“Alexander,” Colleen said, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. “What will make me happy is you doing what you think is right. Doing what your heart wants. I know all about the other girl you were dating…”
Alexander whirled around, glaring at his mother before shooting daggers at Carol and Tyler over her shoulder. “Ma, I…”
“Just think about what I said, Alex. Follow your heart and not your head, for once.”
Alexander stared at his mother and felt an arm wrap around his waist as someone planted a kiss on his neck. No sparks. No electricity. Nothing. Could he really resign himself to feeling nothing for the rest of his life?
“Come on, Alex,” Chelsea crooned. “We’re ready to begin.”
Alexander blankly followed Chelsea down the long aisle leading to the altar of the historic church. He always loved the architecture of Old Trinity Church. He wasn’t raised in a religious household and normally would never have considered having a religious wedding, but something about that church called to him. With the sun seeping through the large stained-glass windows, it always reminded him that there was something bigger at play in his life. Call it God. Call it fate. Call it whatever you want. He was a strong believer in some higher power, no matter what you called it. But now, as he made his way down the aisle to take his place for the wedding rehearsal, he wondered if he had been ignoring that higher power those past several months.
Alexander blanked out as the minister walked everyone through the ceremony. It was an excruciatingly long process and Alexander wanted nothing more than to get out of there. Even with the sun setting over the cit
y, illuminating the entire church and making it seem more open, he felt the walls crushing him. His heart raced and he struggled to breathe.
“Dude, you okay?” Tyler whispered as he listened to the minister talk about love being patient.
Alexander swallowed hard. “Fine. I’m fine.”
“Bullshit,” Tyler said a little too loud. Everyone glared at him.
Alexander chuckled a little before trying to compose himself.
“Sorry. Just trying to clear up an irritation in my throat,” Tyler laughed.
After the minister was content that everyone knew what they were to do the following day, he dismissed the wedding party. Martin drove Alexander and Chelsea the few blocks to the rehearsal dinner at Atlantic Fish, an awkward silence filling the car. Alexander thought back to the last time he had been there. He couldn’t believe Chelsea chose that restaurant, of all places, to have the rehearsal dinner. That was where he had taken Olivia on their first official date.
“What’s going on with you?” Chelsea asked, breaking the silence.
“What do you mean?” he replied nervously.
“Do you think I’m stupid, Alex? Because I’m not. The past several weeks, you’ve been distant. And I don’t know what it is. You told me that you were over Olivia and ready to start our life together but, lately, I don’t know. I know you’ve been going over there, sitting watch outside her house.”
Martin pulled up outside the restaurant, discreetly getting out of the car to give the two occupants a little privacy. Alexander stared out the passenger window, spotting the table he sat at with Olivia all those months ago.
“Please, Alex. We’re getting married tomorrow. I just… I just want to make sure you actually want this. Or will Olivia always be your ‘what if’?” A tear fell down Chelsea’s face. “Will she always be your Eve? I don’t want to always come second to her.”
Alexander slowly shook his head and looked at her, staring deep into her brown eyes. “Chelsea, I love you. And tomorrow, I’m going to marry you. You’re what I need, not Olivia.” He brushed his lips against Chelsea’s, encouraging them apart with his tongue, exploring her mouth as he had done so many times over the past several months.
Chelsea groaned and tugged on Alexander’s hair, bringing her body closer to his. As he kissed her, all he could think about was Olivia. That made him want to kiss Chelsea even more, desperately trying to erase Olivia from his thoughts. He needed to.
Reaching for the buttons on Chelsea’s coat, he quickly rid her of her outermost layer, planting kisses along her neckline.
“Alex, wait,” she breathed out. “Our guests.”
“Let them wait,” he growled.
“What if someone sees?”
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “When has that ever bothered you before?”
Chelsea grinned. “You’re right.” She pulled his face back to hers, finding his lips as he quickly raised her dress to her waist. She moaned out in pleasure as he entered her. He didn’t know why he was fucking her in the SUV, but he needed to regain control of everything, and that was the only way he knew how.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
A CHANCE
“LIBBY! OH, MY GOD! It is you!” Melanie exclaimed when she saw her old friend walk into the upstairs bar of MacFadden’s with Kiera and Mo. “How are you?” She wrapped her arms around Olivia and squeezed, not wanting let go. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.” She pulled back and took in her appearance. “We all have.”
Bridget nodded, hugging her friend. “We’re glad you’re back, Libby.”
“Thanks, girls,” Olivia responded, taking in her friends. “I missed you guys, too. I’m sorry I haven’t called or anything, but things have been rough.” She watched as Bridget and Melanie passed a meaningful look.
“So are you back with the band then?” Melanie asked, taking a sip of her drink and breaking the tension.
“No. Well, kind of. I’m doing one song tonight.”
Bridget’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Olivia nodded as she took a long drag of the drink Kiera handed her. “Yeah. I still can’t believe he’s getting…” her voice trailed off, unable to even say the words.
Bridget wrapped her arms around her, trying to comfort her. “Hey. I’d be surprised if he actually goes through with it. I mean, after you left, he was down at the wellness center, pestering poor Mel every day, asking if you had contacted anyone there. Hell, we finally figured out you were back that second week of January when he stopped coming down.”
Olivia stared at Melanie and Bridget. “Even in November and December?”
Melanie nodded. “Yeah. Even the week after his engagement hit the papers, he still came in, every day, asking if anyone had heard from you. I was secretly thankful that you hadn’t reached out to anyone there because I didn’t know what I would tell him. He looked so sad, even after he put a ring on that bitch’s finger.”
“Mel!” Olivia said, playfully smacking the lively blonde.
“No. She’s right,” Kiera interrupted. “She’s a bitch.”
“Go, Team Olivia!” Bridget said, pumping her fist in the air.
“Oh, god. Not you, too!” Olivia laughed. It felt good to finally smile and joke around with her friends.
“We’ll always be on your side. You know that, right?” Bridget said, a warm look in her dark eyes. “We’ll always be here for you when you need us. We won’t ever leave you, Libby.”
Olivia raised her glass to her lips, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to fall.
“So, are you ready for this?” Mo asked, walking up to the group of girls.
“As ready as I’m going to be,” Olivia answered. “Are you sure he’ll be here?” she asked him.
Melanie and Bridget surveyed Olivia, a questioning look on their faces.
“Yeah. Tyler convinced him to come, but we don’t want him to see you before it’s time so just hang out in back of the stage. Kiera will keep a look out. When he gets here, we’ll bring you up.”
“Okay.” Olivia took a deep breath.
“We better get going then,” Mo said, wrapping his arm around Olivia’s waist and leading her away from her friends and toward the stage. “When Kiera gives me the go ahead, we’re going to re-arrange the setup a little so the piano is center stage. We want you to be the focus. Okay, baby girl?”
“Thanks, Mo.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing behind the curtain, waiting for her call.
The band did some final sound checks as the large room began filling up. At around ten, Mo stepped up to the microphone and faced a packed bar. “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. Of course, a day late. Thanks for spending your night here with us!” The band kicked off, playing some Rolling Stones, the crowd dancing along.
At that moment, Tyler and Alexander walked up the stairs to the second floor, Chelsea just a few steps behind with her sister. “I don’t know why you like this bar so much!” she shouted so Alexander could hear her over the music.
He turned around, waiting for them to catch up, glowering at her. “I’m here to support my friend, Chelsea. That’s all.”
As they reached the back of the bar, Tyler turned to Alexander and the girls. “What would you all like to drink?”
“Whatever Alex is having is fine by me,” Chelsea replied, her sister nodding in agreement.
“Okay. Wait here. We’ll be right back,” Alexander said, leaving the girls standing toward the back of the large room as he made his way over to the bar with his brother.
“Alex! You’re here! We weren’t expecting to see you tonight!” Kiera said, walking over to him, wrapping her arms around him. “Good to see you, too, Tyler,” she said with an appreciative nod. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” She winked.
“You, too.”
“Nice to see you, Mr. Burnham,” Melanie said, grinning. She had a feeling she knew what was going on.
“You, as well, Melanie. Bridget.” He nodded toward the girls befo
re looking back into Kiera’s green eyes. Several moments passed without anyone saying anything, Kiera thrilled that Tyler was able to convince him to come to the bar that night.
All of a sudden, Alexander gasped. “Wait. Carter said Olivia was over at your house. Is everything okay?”
“Of course, but you know Olivia. She’s moody.” Kiera saw Alexander’s face drop. “She’s okay, Alex. She just needs to get through this. She’ll come out fine on the other side. She always does. But I just needed to get out of the house for a little bit. Grab Chelsea and come meet us back here.” She changed the conversation so that Alexander didn’t become suspicious and leave. Kiera had Tyler on her side anyway.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Alexander turned to leave.
“I’m Tyler, by the way,” he said, extending his hand to Melanie.
She giggled, shaking his hand. “I’m Melanie, but everyone just calls me Mel.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Mel,” he beamed. Melanie blushed at the mini version of Alexander standing in front of her.
“Do you think this will work?” Tyler asked Kiera, breaking the silence.
She shrugged as she reached into her purse. “I sure hope so.”
“What is going on?” Bridget asked.
Kiera winked. “You’ll see. Patience.” She found her cell phone and texted Olivia.
A few minutes later, just as the final note of the band’s last song rang through the bar, Mo looked at the audience, finding Kiera standing with Melanie and Bridget. A grin crossed his face when he noticed Alexander, Tyler, Chelsea, and someone he didn’t recognize standing directly behind them. Kiera gave Mo a brief nod.
“Quick set change, guys,” Mo said into the microphone as his band quickly moved the grand piano center stage, readjusting their positions on stage to make room for it.
“Great. Thanks. Here’s one we’ve never done before.”