Taming the Alpha

by Mandy M. Roth

  A month ago, she’d received her first letter: Alex, you’ve been away long enough. Your grandmother would like to see you. And, it’s time for you to come home. To us.

  There had been more to the letter, but those had been the most pertinent parts. She resented that they felt they could order her around after all that had happened, and using her grandmother as an excuse was pretty low. It was why she had been able to toss the letter aside without giving it much thought beyond a few sleepless nights. This last letter was different. Cash and Rusty Bradford were men of their word and she had no doubt if she didn’t at the very least send a reply of some sort, they would follow through with their threat.

  They had grown up together. She and Rusty were the same age and Cash was two years older. They did everything with each other. When they were little, they’d even bathed together. Where one was, the other two could be found. They were her best friends. But as the three of them grew older, something changed. Their differences, which had never mattered much to them, had suddenly become an issue.

  She was the housekeeper’s granddaughter who had been abandoned by a mother with a less than stellar reputation, and she’d never met her father. Cash and Rusty belonged to the wealthiest family in town. In fact, Bradfordville’s entire economy was owed to the factory owned and run by the Bradford family. On more than several occasions, it was pointed out to her that she had neither had the right social standing or background to associate with a Bradford in public. Alex had been flat out told that she simply wasn’t the right ‘image.” It took little imagination to know what that meant.

  After a while, she began to distance herself from them, afraid that one day they might resent having her in their lives. Not to mention, the need to sort out her feelings. Somehow, they had changed from friendship to something more; something that she was too ashamed to admit even to herself.

  Alex, however, should have known Cash and Rusty would have something to say about it.

  Alex rested her head against her locker, exhausted from dodging the Bradford brothers all day. She spent the better part of Chemistry ignoring the notes Rusty passed to her. She could literally feel him staring at her throughout the entire lesson which made it a major struggle to focus on the class and sit still through the lecture. Once the bell rang, she dipped out of the room before he could get to her and hid in the girl’s bathroom until almost the last minute before she needed to be at her next class. During lunch when she usually saw Cash as well, she hid beneath the bleachers inhaling second-hand smoke from the Goth kids instead of going to library as was her normal routine.

  The rest of the day had not gone much easier. She’d had two more classes with Rusty who she could tell was pissed. It was why she stayed behind in her last class for as long as she dared. Thankfully, Rusty had been nowhere in sight when she stepped into the hallway and made a quick dash to her locker.

  “Hi Alex.”

  Alex could practically hear the smirk in that greeting. She didn’t need to turn around to see who that voice belonged to. With a sigh, she turned around to see Tabitha Redding, flanked by her two cronies, Sharon Billings and Nancy Glenn. With Tabitha as the ringleader, those three had given Alex grief since middle school, when Tabitha decided she wanted Rusty. She saw Alex as a barrier to what she wanted and from then on had made Alex’s life a living hell.

  “Hello Tabitha. What do you want?”

  Tabitha pouted with mock disappointment. “Can’t I just come by and say hello? I was just being friendly.”

  Alex narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “Somehow, I seriously doubt that. You don’t like me and I don’t like you, so just say what you came to say and leave me alone.”

  Tabitha flipped a lock of raven hair over her shoulder before giving a secretive smile to her companions. “You see? There are some people you just can’t be nice to. I mean, I only came over to compliment you on your outfit. I recognize that designer. You look good in it.”

  Alex self-consciously ran her hand down her dress. Though she had never particularly cared for fashion, when she’d seen this outfit as she’d browsed through the second-hand shop she had to have it. It was one of the few articles of clothing she actually cherished. “Thank you.” She was cautious in her gratitude but the compliment seemed harmless enough.

  But the second she said it, the evil gleam she’d come to know so well sparkled in Tabitha’s hazel eyes. “Of course, it looked better on me before I donated it to charity. My mother said it was a good idea to give to the less fortunate. She was absolutely right because I’m so glad to see that my old rag could be of use to someone so obviously in need.”

  Sharon and Nancy’s barely muffled giggles were salt in her wounds. A smile of pure malevolence curved Tabitha’s lips as she watched for a reaction. Alex for her part was determined not to give her one. She would have liked to come up with a witty retort but her brain froze. Her soul had just taken another beating at the hands of Satan’s cheerleaders. She wouldn’t cry even as she felt the sting of tears burning her eyes.

  “Well, I, for one, am glad you donated that dress because Alex looks amazing in it.”

  Alex had been so wrapped up from the pain of Tabitha’s latest attack that she hadn’t noticed Rusty or Cash coming their way.

  “Cash!” Tabitha’s face was now bright red. Sharon and Nancy slowly began to distance themselves from their friend. “I didn’t see you there.”

  Cash rolled his eyes. “Obviously.”

  Having obviously recovered like the she-snake she was, Tabitha insinuated herself in between the boys and batted her eyelashes. “And I, of course, agree with you that Alex looks…uh, amazing. We were just having a little chit chat before you came but I’m happy to see you. Did the two of you get the invitation to my sweet sixteen party? Everyone who is anyone will be there and it wouldn’t be a party without you two.”

  Alex wanted to gag.

  “Everyone who’s anyone huh?” Rusty asked.

  Tabitha’s smile widened. “Of course. It will be the talk of the town.”

  Rusty turned his attention to Alex. “Did you get your invite yet Alex?”

  “Er, no.”

  This time Tabitha’s smile was more strained. “Well, of course, it was probably lost in the mail. But, she’ll get one of course.”

  Alex rolled her eyes. If Tabitha was nothing else, she was certainly a good actress.

  “Good to hear. Now, if you three don’t mind, we’d like to have a word alone with Alex,” Cash’s tone made it quite clear they had no other option.

  “Of course. You must want to talk about something of a domestic nature. Her grandmother is your housekeeper, isn’t she?” Before letting either respond, she flipped her hair and waggled her fingers at them. “I’ll see you guys later.” She sashayed away swinging her hips so hard, Alex hoped she’d dislocated a bone.

  “I hate her so much,” she whispered once the three vipers were out of earshot.

  “Forget about her. We’re more interested in why you’re avoiding us. What the hell is going on with you?” Cash demanded.

  Alex turned her back to them and pretended an interest in the contents of her locker she didn’t have. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Cash gripped her shoulders and turned her around to face them. “Don’t play dumb, Alex. You don’t come by the house anymore, you catch the bus when I could just as easily give you a ride and you avoid us in school like we did something to you. Something must be up because I can’t imagine why our friend would do that to us without a reason.”

  Alex couldn’t look at either of them. Sometime within the last couple years, they’d changed from the boys she used to climb trees and swim in the lake with, and morphed into certified hotties. They had both hit their growth spurts and now, each easily stood over six feet with Rusty topping his older brother by an inch. Where they had been lanky, the boys had filled out, their shoulders were broader than before and they’d both developed muscles to compl
ement their bulkier frames. Their once round faces had thinned out and had become canvases of perfection from their chiseled jaws to their killer smiles. Where Cash was blond with green eyes, Rusty was a redhead with hazel eyes ringed with gold. They had the type of looks that made most of the girls in school drool, and she wasn’t completely immune to them herself.

  And therein lay the problem.

  “Well, I’ve just been busy lately is all. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big girl now. My grandmother doesn’t have to bring me to work with her anymore.”

  The brothers exchanged a meaningful glance with each other before Rusty grinned. He gave her a slow perusal up and down that suddenly made Alex self-conscious. “Yeah, we’ve noticed you’re a big girl, too.” He licked his bottom lip.

  Alex’s mouth went dry. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was flirting with her. But that couldn’t be possible.

  Cash elbowed his brother in the ribs. “Cut that out.” He returned his attention Alex. “Since when has your grandmother not needing to watch you ever stopped you from coming to our house? You won’t even return our calls. What the fuck is going on and I don’t want to hear another lame excuse.”

  She could see the hurt in his eyes, and it saddened her to know she’d put it there. But, she was staying away for them. They needed to understand that. “Look, you know, people grow apart. I never expected this friendship to last forever.”

  Cash took a step backward as if she had physically struck him. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Rusty narrowed his gaze. “Are you saying you don’t want to be our friend anymore?”

  She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it. But then, she remembered the recent conversation with their mother and strengthened her resolve. “Look, Cash, you’re going to college next year. And Rusty, we barely see each other outside of class because of the numerous sports you’re into. And, I really need to focus on my studies. I really need to earn a scholarship if I want to go college. I’m not fortunate enough to be a Bradford.” The more she talked, the more Alex could tell they weren’t pleased with what she had to say.

  When neither one of them said another word, she continued. “You’re nice guys. You don’t have to be nice to me anymore just because my grandmother is your housekeeper.”

  Still the boys remained silent. Alex didn’t know what else to say. “Well, I...uh, need to go.” She quickly gathered the books she needed for her homework and slammed her locker shut. Alex attempted to sidle past them, but Cash placed hand in front of her, stopping her. “You don’t get to spout that bullshit and then, walk away like we don’t fucking matter. Don’t we get a say in this or have you decided for all of us?”

  “It’s for the best. We don’t even hang out in the same circles. I’ll just hold you back.”

  “Hold us back from what? What are you talking about?”

  “We’re just too different, okay? I don’t want to be your friend anymore. Just accept it and leave me alone.” Alex attempted to push past them, but this time, Rusty was the one to stop her. He yanked her arm with enough force to pull Alex into his arms. Before she knew what had happened, his mouth was on hers…

  Alex shook her head clearing it of memories that were better left in the past. That kiss had turned into something that she couldn’t have possibly imagined. It had confused her and meant the world to her at the same time. But the following day, it was like it had never happened. Cash and Rusty both started to ignore her and what was worse, Rusty began hanging around Tabitha. That was when their childhood friendship had truly ended.

  She glanced at her watch and noticed her break was nearly over. Patting her pocket one last time to just to verify the existence of the letter, she headed back to work.

  Alex somehow managed to make it through the rest of the day without making any more mistakes, but it was a long day. She was exhausted by the time she made it back to her apartment. All she wanted to do was take a hot shower, slip into her pajamas and catch up on all the shows she’d recorded on her DVR while stuffing her face with a pint of peanut butter fudge ice cream. She didn’t want to think about work or the letter.

  After showering until all the hot water was gone, she settled in front of the TV, spoon and ice cream in hand when someone knocked on her door. She wasn’t expecting company and the building rental company didn’t allow solicitors. Reluctantly, she slid off the couch to answer the door. When she looked through the peephole, she froze.

  Standing on the other side of her door were Cash and Rusty Bradford.

  Chapter Two

  Cash pounded on Alex’s door when she didn’t answer after a couple minutes. “We know you’re in there, Alex. Open up.”

  Her car was in the parking lot and they could see her lights on from outside. She must have seen them through the peephole.

  Rusty glared at the obstruction standing in between them and Alex. “I say we kick the door in.”

  “No need to cause property damage. She’ll answer the door.”

  “She hasn’t yet. I told you we should have just gotten here earlier so we could get her before she went into the building.”

  His brother could never be accused of being a patient man but in this case, Cash didn’t have much either.

  “What’s going on out here?”

  Cash turned to see an old man poking his head out the apartment across the hall. “Just waiting for our friend to answer, sir.”

  “Seems to me that the young lady is either not home or she doesn’t want company. Maybe I should call the police so you’ll stop banging on the door.”

  Rusty opened his mouth and Cash could tell whatever his brother was about to say wouldn’t be polite. He held up his hand to shush him. “That won’t be necessary sir. I’m sure she’ll answer the door soon enough.”

  “Well you’ve been banging on that door for a long time, and she still hasn’t. And a body can’t sleep with all this banging. You boys go on your way or I’m going to call the police.”

  The sound of the lock turning saved Cash from kindly telling the man to mind his own darned business.

  Alex opened the door. “It’s okay, Mr. Harrison. I know these men. I, uh, just wanted to make myself decent before answering the door.”

  Mr. Harrison eyed the three of them suspiciously before focusing on Alex. “Well, I trust whatever the three of you will be up to at this time of night, you’ll keep quiet while decent folk are sleeping.”

  It didn’t escape Cash’s notice how Alex’s neighbor emphasized the word decent as if their visit was anything but.

  “Of course. Have a good night.”

  “Hmmph. The old man pursed his lips in obvious judgment of them all, before closing his door.

  Alex focused her golden brown gaze on them and Cash felt his heart race. Standing this close to her made him wish he’d come for her much sooner. He’d seen pictures of her over the last few years, but it couldn’t compare to being this close to her in person. The flannel pajamas she wore in no way disguised the lush curves hidden beneath.

  Despite her current state of dress, she was still just as beautiful as he remembered from her large eyes framed with impossibly long lashes to her smooth, silky brown skin. She wore her hair different from when they were younger. Instead of the messy ponytail she seemed to prefer back then, her hair was a cloud of tight curls framing her face.

  “Are you going to let us in?” Rusty demanded more than asked.

  She sighed. “I guess so. Mr. Harrison is probably still looking at us through his peephole.” Alex opened the door allowing them more than enough room to enter, but Cash deliberately brushed against her as he stepped inside.

  A gasp escaped those full lips of hers, giving him no little satisfaction. Good. She could still feel it, too.

  Once he and Rusty were inside, she gestured to her sofa. “You might as well have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Nothing for me, thank you,” Cash declined.

  Rusty took the off
ered seat. “A glass of water, if you don’t mind.

  “Coming right up.” Alex made her escape to the kitchen as if she couldn’t get away fast enough from them.

  Instead of taking the seat she’d offered, Cash chose to inspect the room, looking for clues about her life these past eight years. Her apartment was small but neatly decorated. There were a couple pictures of her with a handful of people in a hospital setting, he assumed were her coworkers. There was one framed photo of Alex and a redhead. This was probably the woman Alex spent a lot of time with outside of work according to the report he’d received on her.

  He’d kept tabs on her since she’d left Bradfordville and there were times when he wanted to drag her back, kicking and screaming if he needed to, but she wasn’t ready then. Alex needed the time away to grow into her own and get used to the idea that one day they’d be together no matter how hard she fought against the inevitable.

  “She’s taking a long time in the kitchen,” Rusty observed.

  Cash sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “She’s probably stalling but this was to be expected. With the way she left town, you couldn’t have expected her reception of us to be welcoming.”

  Rusty jumped up from the couch. “I told you, we should have gone after her when she left. She probably holds us responsible for what happened just as much as she does the ones who were really responsible for her leaving.”

  Cash raised a brow. “But, weren’t we just as responsible? We didn’t protect her like we should have. If we hadn’t been so impatient the first time around, none of that would have happened. She needed this time away from us.”

  Rusty snorted. “A lot of good that did us.” He turned toward the kitchen. “Alex, are you okay in there?”

  “Uh, yeah, I’ll be out in a second.”

  “Calm down, Rus. We’ve waited this long, we can wait a few more seconds.”

  Almost on cue, Alex stepped out of her kitchen, seeming more than a little flustered. “Here you go.” She extended her arm all the way out as she approached Rusty, almost as a barrier to keep him from coming closer.