Alicia could tell that Brad’s answer pleased her sister by the way she leaned back in the kitchen chair and tilted her head to the side. Chloe could be a ball buster when she wanted to, but she sensed that for some reason Chloe liked Brad.
“Alicia, why don’t you walk your boyfriend to the door,” she suggested. “I’ll stay here and we can talk some more when you get back.”
She quickly grabbed Brad’s hand and tugged him from the room before Chloe said another word to embarrass her. Anyway, she did want some more alone time with Brad before he had to leave because she wasn’t sure when they would meet up later today.
At the front door, Alicia smiled up at Brad and she couldn’t help the wonderful memories that came rushing back from last night. “I really loved last night. It was wonderful.”
Brad glanced back at the kitchen before yanking her against him with his free hand. “I would rather be upstairs making love to you instead of heading back to my house, but thank you for this morning. I think I might actually be able to make it through my day without going crazy for you.”
Why did Brad have to seduce her with his words and her sister was right in the other room?
“I’m going to miss you too, but we can meet up later after I finish with the interviews.” Alicia kissed Brad and tried to move back, but he pulled her closer and reclaimed her mouth for a deeper kiss.
“I really don’t want to leave you,” Brad complained against her mouth.
“I know, I feel the same way, but think about the fun we’ll have when we meet up later today,” Alicia pointed out.
Stepping back, Brad stared down at her with his gorgeous blue eyes. “You’re right. I need to stop at home and change out of this suit anyway before I head to work. In addition, I need to talk to Lee about a few things too.”
Alicia heard the concern in Brad’s voice. What was going on that she didn’t know about? “Do you want to talk? I can ask my sister to leave.”
Brad shook his head. “No, let me talk to Lee first and then I’ll fill you in.” Brad gave her another quick kiss and walked around her then opened the front door. Looking over his shoulder, Brad winked at her before closing the door behind him. “Goodbye, gorgeous. I’ll see you later on.”
“Are you still trying to deny that you’re in love with that handsome man?” Chloe questioned behind her.
Rolling her eyes, Alicia faced her big sister who she loved dearly but wished she would stay out of her personal life. She knew what she was doing and didn’t need any help from anyone else.
“I’m not going to discuss Brad with you. So, are you ready to tell me why you’re here? I know that it isn’t just to catch up with each other.”
“Mom and Dad have been asking about you. Aren’t you ever going home for a visit? They really do miss seeing you.”
Alicia didn’t forget how her parents acted the last time she went to see them. She had enough of the complaining about her career choice and their indifference towards her.
“Sorry, I can’t. I’ve a big story I’m working on. I don’t have any extra time to take off to visit them.” Alicia left the living room and brushed past her sister to go back into the kitchen.
Walking around the kitchen, Alicia cleaned up the remainder of breakfast on the table tossing it into the trashcan. She wasn’t getting into this with her sister. Her mind was made up and she wasn’t about to change it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Thanks so much for seeing me,” Alicia said as she took a seat on the couch across from Traci.
“You’re welcome. It’s my day off from the hospital so it’s a perfect chance. Plus, Zack has taken Carter out to buy Halloween candy and a costume. He’s about to turn three soon so he’s really getting into the holiday.”
Alicia thought about the first time she saw Traci and it had been at a Halloween party. She was out on the dance floor with Brad. She remembered the jealousy that consumed her and how surprised she had been by it. Because back then she was positive that she was heads over heels in love with Max. How could she have been so dumb and blind?
If she had seen the light way back then she could have been happily married to Brad with a couple of kids and another one of the way. Well, it wasn’t too late to start making her dream come true now. They were moving in the right direction.
“Are you thinking about the first time we met?” Traci asked, shocking her.
“Yeah, I was. How did you know? I never knew you ever saw me that night.”
“Oh, I remember the hard look you gave me,” Traci laughed. “I thought you were dating Brad until Zack told me the two of you were only friends.”
Idiot wasn’t the word she would use to describe herself. Alicia realized her mistake now and was going to do everything to fix it.
“I wish I had been with Brad back at the party because the guy I was trying to make jealous turned out to be an asshole.”
Traci nodded her head in agreement. “I know how that is. I dated a lot of them before I found Zack. I couldn’t be happier.”
Alicia couldn’t have gotten a better opening for her interview..
“What did you think about Zack when you first met him? Was it love at first sight?”
“No, I would say that I was attracted to Zack but I had so much going on. So, I wasn’t looking for a relationship at the time he was trying to ask me out on a date.”
Alicia wrote down a few notes on the pad that she had pulled out of her purse. She wanted to get a lot of the back story before she set up a day to record the complete interview. This was the family of the man she was in love with and she wanted to do a good job for him.
“However, Zack was looking for a relationship and he didn’t give up until he got you,” Alicia said.
Traci smiled at her and it lit up her pretty face. “My husband was very persistent back then and I was turned on by how he never took no for an answer.”
Alicia had heard a little about Traci and Zack’s relationship from the other people, but was enjoying hearing Traci tell her about it.
“Was it hard to fall in love with Zack? Or did it just seem to happen? When did you know that he was the one for you?”
A dreamy look came over Traci’s face as she thought about Zack, and Alicia wondered if she got that look when someone brought up Brad. She felt so much love for him inside, but could everyone else around her see it?
“Falling in love with Zack was the best thing that I ever did in my life. We went through a lot of ups and downs yet in the end everything worked out. I can’t tell you precise time I fell in love with Zack because I think he did so many little things to make it happen.”
Alicia quickly wrote down more information. All of this was going to be a wonderful addition.
Hearing the loving way that Traci spoke about Zack made her see what was in store for her with Brad, Alicia was beginning to see being in love with a Drace brother was a fantastic thing.
“How do you think Zack has changed with getting married and becoming a father?”
“Zack is a superb father with Carter. I mean he used to be such a horrible workaholic when we first got married. Sure, he was home around eight or nine at night, but he brought work home with him. Now, since Carter is getting older he comes home earlier and spends the weekends doing father and son stuff.
“I think having a family has made him see that working long hours isn’t the most important thing in his life anymore. I’ve the most perfect family and I won’t change it for anything in the world.”
Alicia’s hand flew across the paper as she wrote down the important parts of the story. She couldn’t believe the excellent info she was getting. She only hoped that everyone else would be as open as Traci had been with her.
“Thank you for being so honest with me,” she said, shutting up her notepad. “I think all of this information will work perfectly for the special. I know the public is going to love getting to know more about this family.”
“How are things going with you an
d Brad?” Traci asked leaning back in her seat. “I think the two of your make such a cute couple. I’ve never seen Brad happier than when he is with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
There would have been a time that she might have found a way to deny her feelings towards Brad, but that was all in the past. Alicia wanted to tell everyone how she felt about him now.
“I’m completely blissful with Brad. We are getting along so well with each other.”
“Good,” Traci smiled. “I’m glad to hear that Brad is such an amazing guy. We all want him to be happy.”
Alicia understood what Traci was telling her. She didn’t want Brad hurt by her or anyone else. She loved Traci cared so much about her Brad and it had to do more than with him being her brother-in-law. She was beginning to see what a close-knit family was like and the love they shared with each other.
“You’re right. Brad deserves some happiness and I’m hoping I’m the woman to make it happen,” Alicia admitted.
Traci’s eyes lit up as she leaned forward in her chair. “Does that mean you and Brad are finally a real couple now? I know what Brad told us at dinner, but a part of me thought that was him and his wishful thinking.”
“Yes, we are dating and in love. Brad really surprised me bringing me to Lee’s house for the weekly Wednesday night dinner. I wasn’t sure how things would go, but I was pleased how well the night turned out.”
“I bet Brad was too. He wouldn’t admit to it, but Lee’s opinion does mean a lot him,” Traci confessed.
“I got that too. I don’t want to be the reason Brad loses his connection with his brother.” Alicia could sense that Brad was looking for approval from Lee when it came to a lot of things in his life.
“Don’t worry about it,” Traci said, waving her hand in her direction. “I don’t think Brad will lose his brotherly bond with Lee. Honestly, Lee wasn’t on my side that much at first but I won him over and his growing attraction for my sister helped in my favor too.”
“Lee is so tough and hard, but when Cherise comes in the room I can see this change come over him immediately which is so surprising.” Alicia would have a hard time believing it if she hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes.
Traci nodded in agreement. “Lee is such a softie when it comes to my sister anytime she’s around. They may fight, but it comes from so much love. I think it’s only going to get a hundred times worse after the boys are born.”
Alicia knew that Brad was excited about the twins. He couldn’t wait until he was an uncle again. Could it come from him wanting to be a father so badly? Is that the reason he didn’t want them to use a condom when they had made love?
“When are the babies due?” she asked.
“Cherise went to the doctor yesterday and he told her the second week in December. Lee is buying baby presents and items every day like crazy. If he keeps this up there won’t be any more room in the nursery. Zack and Richard are laughing at him. They love how nervous their tough as nails brother is acting now.”
Sitting there with Traci, Alicia realized how much she wanted to be a part of this family. Everyone seemed to care about each other no matter if they had a disagreement; in the end they always came together.
“I get that too. My sister Chloe is a lot like Lee. She doesn’t think I’m an adult, so she’s constantly trying to guide me in the right direction.”
“I guess that I didn’t have anything to be worried about,” a male voice interrupted. “Should I let the two of you continue to talk or is Alicia ready to interview me now?”
Twisting around in her chair, Alicia locked eyes with Zack standing behind her holding his son’s hand. And if she remembered correctly his name was Carter.
“Hi, baby,” Traci said, getting up from her seat. “Alicia and I were just talking. The first part of the interview went excellent. I had a good time with her.”
Alicia was surprised by Traci’s compliment. She’d liked the time spent with Traci too. Today was truly turning out to be better than she thought it would when she left the house this morning after the argument with her sister.
“Mommy, I got my Halloween outfit.” Carter grinned holding up a bag in his tiny hand as he ran past her up to Traci. “Daddy let me pick it out.”
“What did you get?” Traci asked as she picked up her son.
“A pirate. I got an eyeball patch too. Do you want to see it?”
“How about we go upstairs and you can show me while Daddy talks to Ms. Alicia?” Traci suggested.
Carter glanced away from Traci over to her and then Zack before looking back at his mother. “Okay. I’ll show you. Can I try it on too, please?” Carter asked in the cutest child voice Alicia had ever heard.
“Alright, you can try it on and then I’ll fix you some lunch.” Traci headed for the door. She stopped in front of Zack and gave him a kiss. “Alicia, have fun with Zack and don’t believe him when he tells you that I chased after him.” She left the room without looking back.
“Are you ready?” Zack asked her.
If she wasn’t ready to interview him, she would have to pretend because Zack made her a little nervous with the way he stared at her like he could see what she was thinking. Lee was her biggest nemesis, but she sensed that Zack might be a close second.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Can I talk to you about something?” Brad asked Lee walking into his office. Everyone else was out to lunch, so he thought this would be the best time to bring his career change up to his brother when there were less people here to witness his murder.
“Have a seat. I’m glad you caught me now because I was about to leave. I’m meeting Cherise for lunch and then we’re heading to her doctor’s appointment.”
Taking a seat, Brad crossed his left leg over his right one and got as comfortable as he could. Lee seemed like he was in a good mood, but all of that would change once he got done talking.
“How is Cherise doing? I haven’t talked to her lately. I’ve been so busy with Alicia and other stuff in my life.”
Lee shut off his computer and then leaned back in his chair. “She’s doing wonderful. She’s getting more excited about the babies now that she’s closer to delivery. The doctor told us they should be born around Christmas or they could come a little earlier because Cherise is carrying multiples. So, we are going to have a very special Christmas this year no matter what and I can’t wait.”
“Have you and Cherise decided on names yet?”
“No, we’re still debating, but I know the names we choose will be perfect. Okay, that’s enough about me. How are things going with Alicia?”
Brad was surprised that Lee cared enough to even inquire about his relationship with Alicia since everyone knew he wasn’t her biggest supporter.
“You really want to know?” he questioned a little more than skeptical about his brother’s motives.
“I’ll admit I haven’t been sold on Alicia being the right woman for you, but after noticing how she looked at you during dinner, I’ve changed my opinion a little. She might actually fit into our crazy family after all.”
Brad wasn’t going to believe the sudden change came all from Lee. He had to get a little push in the right direction and he knew where it had come from.
“Cherise had another talk with you, didn’t she?”
Lee raked his fingers through his thick hair. “Yes, she did after everyone one had left dinner. She told me that I wasn’t being fair towards you and it was your life to live, not mine. Whatever mistakes you might make were yours and not mine.”
“Alicia won’t turn out to be a mistake. We love each other,” Brad replied.
He knew that Alicia hadn’t spoken the words, but her actions told him all that he needed to know. “How about we move this conversation to the real reason I came in here to see you.”
Lee sat up straighter in his chair and folded his hands on his desk. “I’m getting a bad feeling I might not like what you’re going to tell me.”
“I
hope you’ll support me with my new decision instead of giving me a lecture.” Brad knew how Lee was about not wasting his MBA, but being at the marketing firm wasn’t a passion for him like it was for his brother. He didn’t get up early morning excited about coming into work.
“I’m quitting the marketing firm, so I can open up my own business.”
Lee dropped his head and sighed loudly. “I don’t even have to guess what it will even be—tennis. Are you sure that you want to do this?”
“Lee had you ever noticed that the only thing I was ever excited about was tennis? I couldn’t wait until I left this job, so I could go and coach people. I gave that up so I could work here full time.”
“I thought you stopped coaching because of Alicia.” Lee frowned. “I wasn’t aware it was because of me and my attitude towards how much time you spent doing it.”
Lee’s opinion mattered a whole lot to him. He had always looked up to Lee ever since he was a little kid and that hadn’t changed over the years. Yeah, Richard was the brother he could go to for advice, but Lee’s judgment was the one that mattered the most.
“You kept hounding me about getting a real job, so I did and I honestly tried to love it here, but I don’t.”
Lee looked at him like the light finally went off in his head. “Brad, I’m glad you think so highly of my opinion, but don’t live your life by it. If you want to open a school or business about tennis then do it. I’ll be glad to help you with marketing it“
Brad didn’t know what to say about the change in Lee. He was sure that Lee would be reading him the riot act, but he was being pretty open-minded about everything.
“You aren’t pissed at me? You spent a lot of money sending me to college for that degree and I’m not really using it now.”
“It’s just a degree, but you should do something you’re passionate about and if that’s tennis then go for it. I’ll give you my full support.”
More Than Friends: Brad Page 12
