The phone started ringing again. She groaned, snatching it up and hitting the Ignore button with a little too much force.
Bash grinned at her, nodding. “I guess both men and women have their fair share of crazies.”
Great. Another vague half-admission he’s gay.
She sighed when the phone started up again.
“You might be better off taking the call.” Bash stepped away from the porch with a wave goodbye, and slowly walked back to his house.
Thank goodness for upsides. She got to enjoy watching his sexy ass as he left.
With an irritated growl, she answered the phone. “Can’t you take a hint?”
“Lexxi, there’s one more thing I wanted to tell you.”
“What?” she spat out.
“Before that stupid mess with Lydia, I went out and did something else. I think that’s what might have led to me cheating on you.”
“I don’t care anymore.”
“I realize now I had a normal reaction. I got cold feet, Lex, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s over, Wilkes.”
“Lexxi, I bought you an engagement ring.”
“You did what?” she shrieked.
Had he told her this before he had cheated, before she had flown home to be with Dad, before meeting Bash, she might have melted at his feet. That was all she wanted from him. To know how he felt, and have him love her with some fire and passion, instead of the cool relationship they had been in. Hearing it now, it was a tawdry reminder that she almost gave up the rest of her life to be with a man who felt the only way he could get some excitement was with someone else; not with her.
She barely heard the weak, pleading explanation he tried to feed her next about how his fling with Lydia was over less than a week after it started.
“Wilkes, let me make something clear to you. I met someone.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah. I met someone. That excitement you said you were looking for? Someone else is enjoying it. You know, if you had made a little more effort, you would have seen me as more than a trophy to wear on your arm, just so you could give your country album a boost. I was into you, Wilkes. I tried to show you the real me, but you’re the one who threw cold water on what we had…long before Lydia. You couldn’t handle me at my hottest, and I thought that meant there was something wrong with me. It wasn’t. I have someone who wants me for me now. You and me, we’re in the past, Wilkes. When I get back to LA, there’s no wooing me so we can get back together. Do you understand me? You can chuck the ring. Or give it to Lydia for all I care.”
“You don’t mean that, darlin’. You’re just trying to get back at me.”
“Believe whatever you want.”
“If you met somebody, what’s his name? Do I know him? Is he in the industry?”
“It’s none of your concern, so stop right there. The bottom line is, Wilkes, we’re through. We had a nice start, but you screwed it up. So don’t even try to win me back now. And please, forget my number and don’t call back.”
She hung up the phone again and turned it off. That would keep him away for a while. She took a few minutes to calm down before taking her dishes back into the house. She peeked in on Dad and Rosa after putting her plate in the dishwasher. Rosa sat next to his bed, her glasses perched on her nose. The two of them shared a book, each filling in a Sudoku game. Alexandra was pleased Dad had someone special at his side now. Rosa looked happy too. The cozy couple did not seem as though they needed a third wheel. She went up to her bedroom.
“I can’t believe he had the nerve to call me back to say he bought me an engagement ring,” she huffed. “Like that could change anything between us.”
She turned her phone back on. If he called again, she would send him to voicemail. She could not afford to miss other important calls. It was too early to phone Vivienne and fill her in. Alexandra could already imagine her reaction. As soon as the phone screen loaded, she saw a new text message.
“God Wilkes, don’t be a nag,” she said, already expecting it was from him.
When she checked the message, she saw it was from her manager. Rick’s text said, “Another week gone, Lexxi. You’re losing relevancy and momentum. Need you back here. Now.”
She felt the anxiety rise up inside her. She was being pulled back, whether she wanted to leave or not. Rick made it clear—her career was on the line. With Dad improving so well, he didn’t need her anymore. Rosa was back too. She did not have a reason to stay in Tucson. Well, she had one reason, but it was not as tangible as a family illness. She did not want to go back to the Wilkes’ and Ricks of LA.
In large part, it was due to what was waiting for her—the long days, the demanding work load, the feeling she was selling out and not creating the music she wanted to, the concerts, tours, media appearances, making and promoting albums. It was all too much right now. There was also the question of Bash. She could barely resist the man, but more importantly, she liked him. She liked herself when she was with him.
She needed to wake up and face reality. Her friendship with the sexy firefighter was a shit storm waiting to hit the fan. Who knew how he would react when he found out she was not the cute boy next door. She should get back to LA before things got more intense with Bash and ‘Alex’. She could make trips home more frequently to keep an eye on her father now that he was out of the woods.
The decision deflated her. She sat on her bed and pulled out her tablet. It was time to book her flight and get back to the real world. Spending time here with her family and the new neighbor in Tucson was great, but it came at the expense of her career. She needed to find some balance, and until then, it was time to get back to work.
She hit the Book Flight button on her tablet and steeled herself for the blitz of goodbyes ahead. The one person she would miss most was the person who likely would cut himself out of her life completely once she went back to being Lexxi Rock.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SEBASTIAN leaned forward, looking at the chessboard on the card table back at Clint’s place.
“Oh, by the way, I went out on that date,” he said, deciding on moving a pawn as the game was in its early stages.
“It looks like you scored, by that stupid grin on your face,” Clint answered. “What date was that?”
“The speed dating thing I was telling you about. Rob and Nate took me. It was nothing like I expected though.”
“Yeah? So, how did it go?”
“Not that great. Kinda funny though.”
“Did you meet any hot babes? It would be just like you to get lucky, you bastard.”
“No, man. I didn’t score last night, but there was one hot woman in there.”
A wry grin rose up on his face. The vivid mental picture took shape—Alexandra in her black blazer and black slacks, pants snug across her firm ass, curls falling around her face, her smile when he had opened his front door before they left his house that night.
“I invited a guy pal of mine to tag along—Maxwell Storme’s nephew—and he pretty much stole the show. The minute Alex sits down next to me, he clams up tighter than a stone. I end up giving him pointers, and one of the woman notices. She gets the idea there must be something wrong with the kid. She goes, ‘Aww, your little brother has Asperger’s!’ Poor guy had women coming at him from all sides. Well, you had to be there, but it was a hoot.”
He quieted down when he realized he was the only one laughing. Clint gave him a confused look.
“Don’t tell me you let some other guy steal your thunder,” he said. “You got to be off your game, buddy. Actually I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. Me and Beth have been talking—not gossiping or anything. Just talking…Anyway, I told her how dismal things have been for you in the dating scene lately.”
“Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Not you, too, man.”
“Come on, Bash. You’ve got to admit, things aren’t what they used to be. I remember when you were on my crew. We all saw you with a different chick every week. You went out
more. You were enjoying life. That was just two years ago, pal. Now all you do is sulk and stay home.”
“That’s not all I do.”
“Yeah. Whatever. Since you blew out your knee, it’s been worse. Do you know why I invite you here every month? So I can check up on you now. I worry about you, man.”
“It’s not as bad as you think,” he said. “I’m not that isolated. I told you my neighbor’s been sick, and the time off with my knee has just given me the chance to help out. I’m not staying away from the dating scene. I’m doing just fine without anyone’s help. Plus, I hang out with Alex—”
“Are you listening to yourself right now?”
At this point, the chess pieces had gone untouched for at least five minutes. Sebastian looked down at the rook and pawns with irritation, wishing Clint would make his next move and stop prying into his private life. He did not add fuel to the fire by mentioning he had a long phone list of women available whenever he wanted them. There was also no way he would out Alexandra Storme, especially not to Clint, who would definitely make the connection to Lexxi Rock. As far as Sebastian’s romantic life was concerned, Clint would just have to think whatever he wanted.
Then again, Sebastian was not just fine. He was not fine at all. Alexandra Storme was still in her disguise, and she thought he was gay because he was so attracted to her, or ‘Alex’. It was too complicated, and too big a risk for Lexxi Rock, to let Clint in on.
“Just leave well enough alone, Clint. What is it with everyone around me trying to play matchmaker?”
Clint eyed him suspiciously. “It’s that ex of yours, isn’t it? Aileen? Wait a minute, are you still seeing her?”
“Of course not.” His frustration was mounting.
This level of meddling by his present and former firefighter crew was a double-edge sword. On the one hand, as the men at the firehouse lived in close quarters for so much of their time at work, they were close-knit. On the other hand, because they were so tight, interfering and intruding came with the territory. Today, their closeness was not helping at all.
Clint raised his hands to convince Sebastian he was backing off.
Sebastian knew better.
“Now, I won’t judge you if you are. All I would say is you can’t have much of a future in dating a married woman.”
“I’m not seeing her, Clint.”
He continued like Sebastian never said a word. “Beth seems to think I’m wrong about you being off your game. She thinks you have someone tucked away somewhere. She’s convinced you’re getting serious with whoever it is. At least that’s what she’s telling me. If it’s that ex of yours, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
Sebastian got to his feet, ready to leave. “No offense, Clint, but I didn’t come over here for this.”
“All right, all right. Just sit down,” he said, appearing to concede. “You should be used to this by now, Bash.”
Sebastian glowered at him, but sat back down. He couldn’t walk out on Clint. He ran a hand through his hair, thinking maybe it would help to tell someone about it—some of it.
“Alright, suppose I do have someone I’m interested in, and by the way, it’s not Aileen. It’s someone else. But suppose this person has some stuff going on in her personal life right now? I know better than to let myself get too involved.”
Clint’s eyes widened. “Well now we’re getting’ somewhere. Tell me. Who is it? Do I know her?” He paused, waiting for Sebastian to answer. Sebastian did not say a word. “Alright, alright, you’re not going to tell me. That’s fine. Does she know you’re interested?”
“Yes and no.”
“Christ, man. You haven’t told her?”
“It’s not that simple, bud.”
“Only if you make it complicated to begin with. When I met Beth, she was a nurse at that rehab hospital where they sent me after the accident. I had a huge chip on my shoulder. And she had to put up with my shit. She didn’t let my crabby ass get in the way of that. She made it clear that she cared about me.”
“There’s no point in having this talk, man. There’s so much I can’t say.”
“Jesus, is she a secret agent or something?”
“She might as well be.”
“She must be so sexy. God, that’s hot.”
“More like tragic,” he admitted. “Anyway, I’m just telling you so you and Beth can stop worrying about me. I need you and everyone else to stop trying to fix me up. I’m not cutting myself off. I’m not suffering or missing Aileen. I’m just stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have to wait and see what happens with her.”
“Whoever this mystery woman is, she’s bound to come around at some point. She could do way worse than you.”
“Or better,” Sebastian added. “So, is your curiosity satisfied yet? Because I’m ready to drop this subject now.”
“Not really. What does she look like? And what kind of personal problems does she have? I’ve got a shit-load more questions, but I doubt if you’ll answer any of them.”
Sebastian ignored him.
“Hey, Beth,” he called out when he saw her standing at the entrance to the living room.
Clint’s girlfriend peeked in. “Good to see you, Bash. How have you been?” she asked in her soft, pleasant voice.
“Guess what, Beth?” Clint said before Sebastian could answer. “Bash has got a secret agent girlfriend. How’s that for interesting?”
Clint wheeled away from the table and moved close to her. Beth ran loving fingers over the crown of his head, and raised a brow at Sebastian. She turned her gaze down to Clint and said, “Don’t put him on the spot, honey.”
“Listen to your girlfriend, Clint,” Sebastian agreed.
Beth crossed her arms. “What’s your new girlfriend like, Sebastian?”
“Wait a minute. Whatever happened to don’t put me on the spot?”
Beth went from ally to backup interrogator. Sebastian shook his head. He was not getting out of this without giving his closest friend’s partner something to chew on.
“She’s great. I enjoy spending time with her.”
“Well that’s good,” she answered. “So why do you sound so grim?”
The woman read him like a book. It was her gift. She had gotten to know him too well.
“Let’s just say I have to be someone I’m not with her, because she’s not being herself with me.”
“Well, that’s not a good way to start a relationship.” Beth sat on the edge of the sofa. “As long as two people are being true to themselves and each other, you have a chance. When you introduce dishonesty so early on, there’s no way to build trust. You have to be yourself, Bash.”
Sebastian shook his head, and made a snap decision. “It’s easier if I show you. How about the two of you come to my place and meet…her?”
He instantly regretted giving the invitation. He tapped the tabletop nervously. The chess pieces wobbled and shook with the drumming of his fingertips. Beth and Clint stared at him.
“What do you have up your sleeve, Bash?” Beth asked.
If they were to meet ‘Alex’, the cat would be out of the bag.
“Nothing.”
“Good. Well, I’m game,” said Clint. “When do we get to meet her?”
Sebastian held back a groan.
That was a big mistake.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ALEXANDRA was stuck in an introspective mood. Her father was recovering from an illness that almost took him from her. From the sounds of flirty giggles and soft spoken conversation between him and Rosa, she could hardly believe he was the same man who clung to life a few weeks ago. She smiled as she tiptoed down to the first floor and snuck past the dining room. It felt like when she was a kid, catching her parents kissing again.
She ducked into the living room. The house was practically all her own, the way Dad and Rosa had hidden themselves away in the dining room. She was happy for her father, and maybe a little envious.
Why can
’t I find my own hero?
When it came to relationships, she had bad luck. A lot of it had to do with her poor choices. Wilkes was a fine example. She thought he was the total package—nice looking, talented, ambitious, and responsible. He turned out to be a dog. And keeping up this Alex Roberts act was sure to hurt any chances of having anything with Bash.
If she had to describe her ideal relationship, it would be with someone who was just as fun as he was mature; just as spontaneous as he was stable. Of course, the very idea brought Bash to mind. She immediately thought of all the reasons a relationship with him would not work. First of all, he was gay—with at least fifty percent certainty. The possibility was dwindling because she really had no idea anymore. Second, all the rest of the reasons did not even matter…because he was probably gay. And she was not a guy.
She turned on the television. There was a re-run of a soap opera. Great—a love scene. She rolled her eyes.
God, is everyone having sex except me?
The universe could be so cruel at times. She had gone much longer without it, but it did not help that the hot specimen of a man was right next door, and he had been so sweet to her, and she could not have him.
She dropped her head into the pillows of the sofa and let out a muted wail. “Uggghh! I really like him. I want him so bad! Why does he have to be gay?”
“Why what?” Rosa said from behind the sofa. Alexandra jumped with a start.
“Wow, Rosa. When did you get in here? Sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“It’s okay. Your dad is sleeping. He tried to stay up all night last night so we could talk. I convinced him to take a nap now, so we can do dinner together later this evening.”
“Going out?” she asked, alarmed.
“Of course not, dear. We’ll bring the dining table up from the basement tonight. We can all sit and eat together.”
Rosa sat on the sofa. Her lips turn up in a gentle smile. Alexandra sensed a heart-to-heart was on the way.
“We don’t want you to feel excluded, Alexandra. Max and I…well, we sometimes get a little caught up in each other. It doesn’t mean we forget about you, we just…”
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