HERO (The Complete Series)

by Bella Love-Wins

  “And people are actually buying this?” he asked skeptically.

  “So far, so good. I mean, Felicia keeps hitting on me, so, yeah.” She held on to her father’s hands and smiled. “I’m sure it’s hard for you to see me like this, but it’s still all me. And I’m free again, Dad. Who would have known it was this easy to fool the world?”

  “It definitely takes some audacity to pull that off.”

  She took it as a compliment. Maxwell Storme had always been gutsy.

  He grinned at her through the oxygen mask, then lifted it again. “I’ve been a lot more clear-headed the last day or so, Alexandra. Or should I call you Alex?”

  “Let’s stick to Alex so you don’t slip up with one of the nurses.”

  “Fine. What I was trying to tell you is I’ve watched you. I’m worried about you, Alex.”

  “You’re worried about me? Why?”

  “I think you spend too much time hovering over me. I’m glad you’re home, honey, but you need some time to unwind. Go on. Reconnect with some of your old friends. Get outside for fresh air. At least enjoy some of your time back here.”

  “I don’t know if it’s a good idea, Daddy. I don’t want anyone tipping off the media.”

  “I’m better now, kiddo. You should get out a bit.”

  She looked away, thinking about it. A crooked smile turned up slightly on her lips. Her mind wandered to Bash, who said something similar when he invited her to that speed dating thing.

  She shrugged. “I don’t really know anyone else out here.”

  “Probably because you haven’t stopped to get out and see them.”

  “I lost touch with a lot of my friends from high school. Besides, I don’t mind being here at home with you. I haven’t spent nearly enough time with you in the past few years. It’s something I realized when…when we were all worried you wouldn’t make it.”

  “Hey! I’ll have you know it takes more than a common cold to knock me down.”

  “Dad, you had way more than a common cold.”

  The pneumonia took a drastic toll on him. She was not about to downplay it now that he was out of the woods. Her eyes scanned him carefully. His complexion was back to its normal medium tone. His salt-and-pepper hair spilled across his high forehead. There was a faint blueness to his eyelids. He needed to keep wearing his oxygen mask. Other than that, he looked so much better than he had when he first came home.

  “You know what I mean,” he waved dismissively. “It won’t be long now. Soon I’ll be out of this uncomfortable bed and back on my feet. Just remember this, Alexandra. I’m not looking forward to having you on my heels, treating me like I’m fragile when I’m better.”

  “But Dad—”

  “Yes, honey. I get it. You were worried. I’m better now.”

  He held up his hands, inhaling deeply. Alexandra pulled the mask over his face again, and anxiously gave him a minute to catch his breath. He had used up too much energy trying to have this conversation with her. This was the most he had spoken since he came home, and he was wasting his time and energy. There was nothing Dad could tell her—she was not leaving the house while he was still sick.

  She had to be a peacemaker right now. The stubborn man was not going to stop. He pulled off the mask again. This time she did not say a word, trying to appear patient. She listened so he would not have to talk over her, or for too long.

  “You were never this clingy, kiddo,” he continued. “And I don’t want you to start that now.”

  She nodded, conceding for now.

  “I’m fine, Alex. I’m well. There’s got to be something you can do other than dote on me.”

  “Don’t worry, Dad. I haven’t been a complete hermit. Your neighbor Bash has been good company.”

  “Has he now?” There was a twinkle in his eye, and a quizzical twitch to his lips that she did not want to acknowledge.

  “In fact…” she said slowly, making up her mind as she spoke, “he invited me to hang out with him this weekend. I might actually go, if it will make you feel better. I can’t say I like the idea, but the nurse will be here. Just know that if I go, it’s because you’re forcing me to.”

  She gave him her best indignant smirk.

  “And how does the country singer feel about it?”

  She grimaced.

  Wilkes.

  The cheating bastard.

  Her father would not have known a thing about their breakup. Not in the mood to rehash the sordid details, she simply told him, “It’s nothing romantic. Bash and I are just friends…and Wilkes is out of the picture.”

  Accepting her ambiguous response, her father’s eyes fluttered shut. He was all talked out. She took that as her cue to end the conversation. She put the oxygen mask on his face again, kissed his cheek and slipped out without saying another word. He needed to get some rest. Before she even made it to the threshold, she heard him snoring gently. She looked back at him with a satisfied smile, happy to finally have her father back. Soon he would be healthier and back to his old self. She could not wait for Rosa to get back and see for herself.

  Of course, now that she had Dad’s go ahead—insistence actually—she would tell Bash yes. She was still hesitant about a night of speed dating, though. She was agreeing to introduce herself to women, for starters, going as ‘Alex’, which was worse, and would probably end up eying Bash the whole time. She convinced herself that at least she was not telling him no at the last minute.

  She stopped in the middle of the hallway past the dining room.

  Looks like I have a date.

  Kind of.

  * * *

  What would a guy wear if he didn’t want to be noticed, but didn’t want to look like he didn’t want to be noticed?

  Alexandra tapped her chin with her forefinger, arms crossed. She was figuring out what to wear on speed date night. What she really wanted to do was speed date Bash one-on-one.

  Too bad that couldn’t happen.

  She began to anticipate all types of new hurdles ahead.

  Shit. I’ll be watching other women throw themselves at Bash…and possibly at me too.

  Felicia’s not-so-subtle advances came to mind, and she shivered.

  She had no clue about how speed dating actually worked. She had only seen it in movies, and they always made it look like the worst, most desperate thing a person could do with their love life. It was strange that such a sizzling hot firefighter like Bash Sullivan had to take such lengths to pick up women. He had said his coworkers set him up. She could not picture Evangeline doing something like that to her. Then again, maybe she could…but just for laughs.

  Chapter 17

  ALEXANDRA looked into her closet, staring at a rack crammed with guy gear. It was missing the splash of bright colors and variety of fashion options she had when she could choose from her usual wardrobe of clothes for women. She didn’t know how men did it. It was not any easier with shoes. As Lexxi Rock, she had a separate walk-in closet just for shoes, but as Alex, all she had at her disposal were loafers, sneakers, and flip-flops. It was her first chance to get dressed up and go out on the town. Nothing leapt out at her—probably because what she really wanted to wear was a sexy little outfit and some hot ass heels. She pulled down an uninspired black blazer with white cuffs that matched a casual pair of slacks.

  It was a few hours before the big date. She was so nervous, she was tempted to cancel half a dozen times. She hated feeling so amped up and antsy. That nervous energy took her up and down the stairs. She alternated between checking on her father, trying to watch TV, and pacing in her bedroom. Daddy gave her a good-natured reminder that nothing had changed from the time she checked in on him before. She took the hint. She left him to work on the laptop he had her drag down from his office.

  She was left to face it now, and the fear overtook her. She shut herself in her bedroom, eyeing the date night outfit laid out on her bed.

  “That’s it. I’m not going,” she muttered out of the blue. She shook he
r head and started shoving the clothes back in the closet. “I don’t have to go. It would be crazy to go!”

  It took a firm texting session from Eva to put her back on track. Eva’s text read, “What’s the worst that can happen?”

  Alexandra could think of a slew of worst case scenarios for the evening. All she had been thinking about was what could go wrong.

  What if I say or do the wrong thing around Bash or the other people around?

  What if someone recognized me, or worse, I give myself away?

  It was one thing to play-act in front of one or two people at a time. With a crowd, so much could happen. She could see herself tripping up, and somehow the façade would come crashing down. If it made its way to the media in convenient YouTube viral video format, that was the worst that could happen.

  “Some chick could totally grab my junk,” she texted back.

  Evangeline sent her a row of laughing emoticons. Alexandra replied with, “This could be my one chance to find out if Bash is really gay or not. I’m not even sure I want to know.”

  “Why not?” she messaged back. “Afraid it’ll land him some other girl?”

  Evangeline was getting a kick out of this. It was exactly the kind of drama that made her world have meaning. Alexandra was not laughing at all. Her stomach was in knots, her palms were sweaty and she wished she had not said yes.

  She had no business feeling the tinge of jealousy that shot through her at the thought of other women hitting on Bash. No right to feel a heat that rose up in her at the thought of what he would look like all dressed up. She certainly should not have been wishing they were going out on a real date. She had no claim to this man, and it sucked.

  “Ugghhh. My life,” she groaned. She could not turn off the attraction that kept bubbling up. Something had to give. When Sebastian didn’t visit, she missed him; when he was around, she wished he would leave and stop tempting her.

  Evangeline sent her a “What’s going on” reminder, with a string of question marks and exclamation points for emphasis. She jumped into bed and decided to call her instead of texting. When Evangeline picked up, Alexandra launched right into it.

  “I’m not jealous, Eva. That would imply I like him, and honestly I don’t know how to feel about him, Eva. He’s just so fucking sexy! I’m frustrated with the whole thing. It’s distracting. I can’t lie. I’m definitely attracted to him.”

  “So what are you going to do?” she asked.

  “It’s maddening to meet a guy that has me as interested as I am with Bash, and I can’t do anything about it. I actually like being around him. He sets me at ease, and it feels so good just being myself with him. Well, almost myself. I can’t stop thinking about him, yet I can’t enjoy him. At this point, I’m past the idea of remaining single for the sake of remaining single. I’m not thinking of a long-term, committed relationship either. I’m thinking…

  “Sex?” Eva said, finishing her sentence.

  “God, am I that obvious?”

  “Of course you are.”

  “You know I’m not usually this…primal. I’m not, but okay Eva. Yes, I’m thinking sex—with Bash.”

  “Sounds like the right move, darling,” she shouted. “It’s exactly what you need right now. Think cheesecake, and simply indulge. You know I would, if it were me.”

  “I’ve been dressed as a guy all this time, Eva. And have you forgotten he might be gay?”

  “There’s a simple way to find out.”

  “Yes? How?”

  “Tell him you’re not a dude and try to jump his bones,” she said. “If he lets you, you’ll know. If he doesn’t, you’ll still get to grope his goodies.”

  “Eva you’re incorrigible.”

  “Yes I am. Now come on, lovey. Live a little.”

  “Attraction is one thing. Acting on it is another.”

  “Don’t be such a good girl,” Eva told her.

  Alexandra laughed out loud and ended the call. Time was running out. She could not stall any longer. It was time for her to get ready, as a guy, for her night out with the man she was attracted to, who might be gay. And her life was—as usual—a contradiction she put herself into.

  She hopped off the bed and went downstairs to tell Dad she would be leaving soon.

  “Have fun out there,” he said, wrapped up in his work.

  She scrunched up her nose at his lack of interest. He could have at least pretended he would miss her. When he noticed her reluctance to leave, he looked up from the computer.

  “Bash is a decent guy. I like him a lot more than I liked that Wiley boy. Bash will take care of you out there. Now, stop looking like I’m about to send you off to death row.” He said the last part with a teasing grin.

  She turned away, slightly embarrassed. “His name was Wilkes, Dad. Not Wiley, and I know it’s not a big deal. Are you sure you’ll be okay here without me?”

  “Honey, if I could go with you, I would. Clearly my case of being housebound is a lot worse than yours. Be grateful nothing’s holding you back, and don’t try to use me as an excuse to stay home.”

  “Alright, but don’t break any rules while I’m away. Got it? Take your meds like you’re supposed to, and don’t over-exert yourself. Joanne will keep me posted, and if I’m late, Lynn will tell me. I’ll try to be back at a decent hour.”

  “I won’t wait up for you,” he said with a yawn.

  She went back up to her room and headed for the closet. She tugged out the clothes she had shoved back in there before. After a quick shower, she got dressed.

  “Not too shabby. Not too sexy,” she said, turning in front of the mirror to double-check her look. She fixed her belt, and grabbed her wallet and phone to get going.

  “You have my phone number, right Joanne?” she asked from the hallway. Joanne told her she did. “It’s on the fridge door too. Call me if you need anything, and I mean anything at all.”

  “I will, Mr. Roberts,” she answered.

  “Tell me, are you sure you’ll be okay? I can stay if you need me here.”

  “I’ve got everything under control. You go right ahead and enjoy yourself. That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Try not to give her any trouble,” she teased Dad as she walked past the dining room.

  He raised his eyebrows and held a thumb up. They had spent the earlier part of the day playing a game of chess. It was an unexpected request and she was happy to keep him company. Much of the week had been full of such surprises, now that his need for high doses of medicine tapered off with his improving health. His breathing seemed normal now. She beamed at him, trying to hide her anxiety. He was in capable hands. He would be fine for a few hours.

  The stroll next door took forever. She dragged her feet, prolonging the inevitable. She had told Bash she would meet him at his place so he could drive. When she made it to his front door, she drew up every ounce of nerve within her to give it a light knock. He swung it open immediately. He must have been standing there just waiting for her to knock.

  Maybe he couldn’t wait to see me.

  Her eyes drifted over him.

  He’s so fucking sexy.

  The desire she had been trying to ignore washed over her like a tidal wave. He was dressed in black slacks and a carefully ironed cobalt blue shirt rolled up to his elbows. He was clean-shaven, and his dark brown hair was groomed to perfection. He passed a broad hand over it as he smiled down at her. He was close enough that she smelled his musky aftershave that she already loved. Their eyes connected, and she could swear she saw sparks fly. There was no denying it.

  I want him. I want this man.

  Chapter 18

  SEBASTIAN had major doubts about asking Alexandra out as ‘Alex’. They were going out to the speed dating event with Rodrick and Nate, two of the most accepting guys he knew. He took one look at Alexandra in her masculine clothes. Rodrick and Nate would make her in two seconds flat. They would have to be drunk as hell to believe she was just another one of the guys.

&nb
sp; He thought maybe it was the fact that he knew what was underneath that blazer and those slacks—a woman he found sexy as sin.

  A woman I want.

  “Looking good,” he said lightly, hoping to hide the heat in his eyes and keep his hands to himself.

  He grabbed his jacket and locked the door. She followed him out to his Jeep, and Sebastian almost walked around to the passenger side to open her door.

  Shit. This playing along is gonna be hard tonight.

  The drive over was uneventful. On the way to the restaurant, they picked up the guys from the firehouse. Introducing Nate and Rod was a breeze—neither of them acted strange when he told them Alex was Maxwell Storme’s young nephew. He took control of the radio and blasted it to avoid conversation. The walk from the parking lot into the restaurant was not as easy to keep awkward-free. With her tiny frame, the rest of them looked like giants.

  The place was a lively little spot. It shattered Sebastian’s expectations when he walked through the door and surveyed the crowded room. A folding sidewalk sign at the entrance announced ‘Speed Date Night’. He thought the place would be a seedy hole in the wall where the desperate few crawled in, licking the wounds from romantic failure, cradling broken hearts and praying for a love match. There were women and men mingling ahead of the official start time. The group looked no different from the average twenty-something crowd he would see at the bars when he went out with the guys.