“Wait,” he burst out, making her pause. “What happened to your tanning salon?”
“Times are hard all around,” she answered, closing the door on any further questions. She picked up speed, a small part of her fearing he would come after her. She needed distance. She knew from experience that it wouldn’t heal the pain, but it would numb it just enough to allow her to function.
CHAPTER TWO
Walt sat in a shocked silence. Alyssa was working in a café. How could that have happened? When he’d left, she been slammed with business at her tanning salon, and that was one of the things that had brought him comfort when he wondered how she was doing. She couldn’t be happy working here. She’d never liked working for someone else. He wanted to storm the building and demand she tell him everything, but he was a coward and he didn’t want to do it alone, so pulling out his cell phone, he called in his wingman.
“Hey, Parker. Could you do me a huge favor?”
“Anything,” she answered instantly. Then, obviously thinking better of it, she asked, “What do I need to do?”
“Just come eat lunch with me at Rosie’s café,” he answered, trying hard to not sound desperate.
“Oh, if that’s all, then, sure. I’ll be there in a few,” she answered, allowing Walt to hang up, breathing a sigh of relief.
The next fifteen minutes were hell as he waited for Parker's arrival. When she pulled in, he rushed her inside, trying to squelch any questions she might have thought up along the way. A young woman wearing an apron met them at the entrance asking, “Would you prefer a booth or table?”
Parker was halfway through her answer when Walt overrode her “We’d like to sit in Alyssa’s section” Parker gasped so hard she was thrown into a coughing fit. As soon as she regained her breath, she tried to retreat but Walt snagged her arm, dragging her along. They slid into a booth and Alyssa came to their table looking down, distracted by tying on her own apron. She hadn’t realized yet who she was waiting on. When she looked up, pad in hand, she froze at the sight of him. She stared at him directly for the first time that day. His breath caught at the sight of her familiar green eyes. She would never know how much he loved them. That was just one more thing he’d never get to say to her. When he remained silent, she turned her gaze to Parker and her reaction was immediate. She burst into tears, and even stranger than that, so did Parker. They held each other and both tried talking over the other one. He was only catching bits and snatches of their words, but they seemed to understand one another just fine. Alyssa wiped the corner of her eyes with her apron.
“I thought you owned your own tanning salon,” Parker said finally getting to what Walt wanted to know.
Alyssa glanced his way before answering, “I did, but it tanked last year when a large chain salon came in right down the street. I couldn’t compete with their prices.”
Parker bumped her with her shoulder, “You should have called me. You could have come to work for me.”
“Are you working for yourself now?”
Parker chuckled, “We have quite a few things to catch up on. I married Walt’s brother, Bryant.”
“You’re joking?” Alyssa crowed, her eyes shining with mirth. Walt had a sudden pang of longing. He wanted her to look at him like that again.
A shuffling sound brought him out of his light doze. He should’ve known she wouldn’t stay away. Her eyes were red rimmed and her hair was unkempt, but she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. That little detail didn’t make him feel any better; in fact it made things worse. His voice was hoarse. “How did you get in here?”
She tried to smile, but it was wavering. “I walked.”
Aggravation burned through him. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“I told them I was here to see Parker and they gave me a visitor's pass. As soon as I was through the door I detoured to your room instead.” When he remained silent, she added, “I had to see with my own eyes.”
“And now that you’ve seen?” he asked, unable to stop himself.
“I’m not convinced that you don’t want me here.”
He looked away. He wouldn’t say the words while looking her in the eye. “What’s there to be convinced about?” he asked, forcing a casualness into his voice that he didn’t feel. “I don’t want you anymore. It was fun while it lasted, but it’s time for you to face the facts.”
She moved to the other side of the bed, forcing him to meet her gaze. “What facts?” she asked.
He held her eyes with his. “That we’re over.”
Her stricken expression said more than words ever could. It was a moment he would relive many times over. It was also the last moment he’d spend with her.
Until now. Now he couldn’t stop looking at her, trying to fill his mind with this new image of her. Could she ever forgive him? Maybe if she could, then one day he could forgive himself.
She tried hard to concentrate on Parker’s words while casting glances in Walt’s direction. He was staring at her with the type of intensity that made her skin burn.
How cruel life was to steal this man from her, and then force her to sit across from him as if she had never held him in the night. Tearing her eyes away from Walt, she found Parker looking at her expectantly and Alyssa had a feeling she had missed something. Blushing furiously, she asked, “What was that last part?”
Parker chuckled knowingly, causing Alyssa to blush harder. “I asked if you wanted to come over tomorrow night and have dinner with me?”
“I don’t know,” she answered uncomfortably. “My car is broken down on the shoulder of the I-24, so I don’t have any way to get there.”
“Oh no,” Parker groaned. “How did you get to work?”
Alyssa nodded in Walt’s direction. “He stopped to help.”
Parker turned her attention to Walt. “Lucky thing you happened by.”
“Lucky thing,” Walt repeated, leaving Alyssa wondering at his tone.
“How are you getting home?” Parker asked, interrupting her musings. Alyssa waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. If I can’t find a ride, I’ll call a cab when I get off.”
Casting a glance at the growing crowd, she told them, “I really need to be getting back to work.”
Parker pulled a piece of paper out of her purse. “Let me get your address, and I’ll pick you up tomorrow night at six if you’re free.”
Alyssa didn’t hesitate to agree. Now that she had seen Parker, she wanted to spend more time with her. As Parker and Walt finished their meal, she dropped their check on the table while walking by. Walt touched her arm, catching her attention “What time do you get off tonight?’
“Nine,” she answered automatically.
“I’ll be here at eight forty-five,” he informed her. The warmth of his touch made protesting impossible. With a quick nod, she walked away, trying to hide her reaction. With only that light brush of his fingers, he had taken her back to a time when she had been happy to let him have his way in all things.
At exactly eight forty-five, Walt pulled back into the parking lot of Rosie’s to wait for Alyssa. He could see her through the glass, moving around inside, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He had half expected her to cut out early just to avoid seeing him. He saw her glance out and he flashed his headlights. She waved to let him know she’d seen him. He wanted to run inside and throw her over his shoulder, carrying her out of that place, but somehow he didn’t think she would appreciate that. How could it feel like they had never been apart? When she finally began walking towards his truck, he jumped out, running around to open her door.
“Thanks,” she mumbled. She threw her bag in ahead of her and he placed a hand on her elbow to help her inside. She accepted his touch without pulling away and it felt like a small victory. Circling back around, he climbed in next to her. “Did you have a good day?” she asked, surprising him.
“It’s much better now that I’m
with you,” he answered, causing her to blush. He smiled to himself. It used to be one of his favorite past times, making her blush. Some things never get old. “Which way am I going?” he asked.
“Turn right at the next stoplight. I live kind of far out. Are you sure you’re okay with taking me home?”
He shot her a look of impatience and she pressed her lips together in an exaggerated motion. She continued to give him directions until they were heading down a back country lane. He decided to bring up the subject of her car. “I have a friend who is a mechanic, and he owes me a favor. I talked to him today, and if it’s okay with you, he’s willing to fix your car.”
“How much is it going to cost me?” she asked uncomfortably.
“Just the cost of parts, and that shouldn’t be much.” If he wasn’t mistaken, she sagged a little with relief.
“That sounds good to me. Does he know where it’s at?’
“Yeah. I told him I’d give him a call after I had your permission, and he’ll go get it.”
“Oh good. That makes things so much easier for me. I really appreciate it.”
Walt nodded absently. He didn’t want her gratitude, but it was a start. He pulled up in front of an old farmhouse and saw that every light was lit. Worried now, he said, “Well, it looks like someone’s at home.”
“My roommate,” she answered, sounding like she wasn’t too happy about the fact. He stopped the truck but she made no move to get out. They sat in silence, both of them unsure of what to do. “Um, Thanks for the ride, again.”
He nodded, feeling like an idiot for not knowing what to say. She reached across the space between them and brushed her finger lightly over his prosthetic arm, then pulled her hand back, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared straight ahead. His breath caught at the movement, What did she think of him now? He had become so used to his new arm and leg that sometimes he forgot, but for her he was different than he used to be.
“A part of me wants to hate you,” she admitted. “It would be so much easier that way.”
He didn’t say anything because he couldn’t. It would be easier. He reached his hand across to her, silently asking for her touch again. She didn’t hesitate to take his hand. They sat like that for several minutes until his cell phone alerted him of a text message, ruining the moment. He glanced down. “That’s the mechanic I was telling you about,” he told her.
She smiled weakly. “Let me give you my number, and you can call me when it’s fixed.”
He added her number to his contact list then gave her his number. She tucked his number into her bag then grabbed the door handle. “Thanks again,” she told him, jumping out before he could stop her. He decided to let her go and hope for the best.
CHAPTER THREE
Alyssa was in awe of Parker's and Bryant’s house. When she had first met Parker years ago, she hadn’t lived in anything near this extravagant. The entryway alone was large enough to hold her entire house and she was sharing rent on that. Bryant embraced her lightly when she came through the door and she tried to pretend she was excited to see him. The truth was, he looked too much like his father. Not that she hadn’t loved Cameron Smith, it was just bad memories. She hated remembering those days of being trapped in that hospital waiting room and unable to see Walt. It wasn’t fair to have any bitter feelings towards Bryant, he hadn’t even been there. He’d had contractual obligations to fight internationally that he couldn’t get out of. She tried hard to push it aside. After all, Bryant was now married to Parker, and Alyssa wanted that friendship back.
“I have someone I want you to meet,” Parker said, dragging her into the next room. In the doorway, Alyssa froze at the sight of the little angel who sat playing on the floor. “This,” Parker said with a flourish, “is my son, Shannon.”
Alyssa tried to talk past the lump that had formed in her throat. “How old is he?” she managed to get out.
“A year,” Parker answered proudly.
“Can I hold him?” Alyssa desperately wanted to hold him.
“Sure, He’s not shy.” They moved further into the room and Shannon glanced up at their approach.
“Hey, little guy,” Alyssa said, promising herself that she wouldn’t cry. He held his arms out to her, wanting to be picked up and that promise got harder to keep. She picked him up and held him to her chest. Laying her cheek on his sweet baby curls, she snuggled him in closer. “Oh my goodness, Parker, he’s perfect.”
Alyssa held Shannon all the way through dinner, feeding him bits of food off her plate. She tried to keep her end of the conversation up, but the pressure in her chest wouldn’t let up. She downed two glasses of wine in quick succession and it eased up a little. Shannon fell asleep in her arms and Bryant took him off to bed, leaving Parker and Alyssa alone to catch up. Parker grabbed two bottles of wine and two glasses, then waved for Alyssa to follow her outside. Parker lit a citronella candle and they sat down at the edge of the pool, allowing their legs to dangle in the water. The wine she had consumed with dinner had already gone to her head and the new glass of it was loosening her tongue, making her sentimental.
“I’ve missed you more than I ever realized I was missing you. Does that make any sense?’
Parker nodded as she drained her own glass of wine. She touched her head with her hand “I’m sorry, I haven’t drunk very much since Shannon was born, and it’s affecting me more than I thought it would. It might be awhile before I’m able to drive you home.”
“That’s okay, I’m not in any hurry to get home. My roommate has this new boyfriend that’s over all the time, and I think that three has become a crowd. Usually I go to the movies or something to avoid going home, but this is better.”
Parker clapped her hands happily. “Oh, oh, I know what you should do. You could stay here tonight. I could loan you some clothes to wear and there are some extra toiletries in the spare bedroom.” When Alyssa hesitated, Parker said, “Please, I’ve missed you so much and we could stay out here all night if you want to. Plus, Paul said your car will be finished around three tomorrow. I could drive you over there to get it when he’s finished.”
Even though she knew that not all the things they would discuss tonight would be happy, she still wanted it, so in the end she stayed the night.
The next morning or midday, depending on how you looked at it, she had a hangover that put shame to any she had experienced in the past. As soon as she spotted Shannon, her headache fell away like magic. He toddled over to her and she swept him up, glowing at the sound of his giggles. “Where is your momma?” His cooing noises told her nothing, so she went off in search of her. Hearing voices she headed in that direction. Once she decided they were coming from the kitchen she strolled in, not thinking that anyone other than Bryant and Parker would be in there. She was making kissy noises on Shannon’s belly as she came through the door so she didn’t immediately see the other people at the table. The moment she did, she froze in her tracks looking around the room. There was a guy with green hair, who still managed to be sexy as hell, and a cute little pregnant woman. Alyssa tried clearing her throat several times, but when she still couldn’t decide what to say, Parker burst into laughter. “Get in here and have a seat, Alyssa.”
“This is one of my oldest friends, Alyssa Gregg. She stayed the night with me last night.” She turned to Alyssa. “This is Ace and Lucy Sparks. Two of my good friends. Lucy manages my P.I. business, and Ace is one of our fighters.”
Alyssa found a chair. “As it happens, I know Ace’s father, Sparky. He used to come into my salon all the time. I haven’t seen him since it closed down. How has he been doing?”
“Getting into trouble as usual. That’s why we need to steal Parker from you. We have to go up to Washington unexpectedly, and there were things that needed to be done today. I’m sorry but we really need to go.” Ace prodded his wife.
Parker waved away their concerns. “I understand, I’ll take care of everything here.” Then she turned to Alyssa. “Is it okay
with you if I go ahead and take you over to Paul’s to get your car?”
“Absolutely,” she answered immediately, then added, “We can get together anytime now that I know where you live and vice versa.”
“Thanks, If you’re ready to go, I also have a proposition for you. I‘ll explain everything when we get on the road.” They said their goodbyes to Lucy and Ace, then Alyssa went to gather her stuff.
Once they were in the car, Parker said hesitantly, “Please hear me out before you shut me down okay?” Alyssa gave a reluctant nod.
“I want you to come and work for me at the club. It’s a management position. The pay is good, so is the health insurance, and there is an extra benefit of a paid for apartment, but if you want to stay living where you’re at, you can. We’ll just come up with a financial supplement for not taking the apartment.”
Parker had left her in awe again and all she could say was, “Can I think about it?”
“Sure, take your time. I’m covering it right now so take as much time as you need. Just call my cell phone and let me know. You could start tomorrow if you want, so whatever.”
Alyssa nodded her understanding and Parker let it drop.
Parker pulled into the driveway of a red brick house that was set a little off the road. She followed the paved strip around to the back of the house, revealing a large detached garage. At the sound of their car, a figure stepped out to meet them. He wasn’t especially tall but his shoulders were wide, and his shirtless state made Alyssa fan herself.
Before he could reach the car, Alyssa breathed, “Damn, Parker.”
Parker smiled unrepentantly “I know. See, you really do want to accept my job offer. This is what you’d get to look at all day, everyday. Paul is also one of our fighters.”
Undefeated (Undefeated Series Books 1-4) Page 11
