Then Came Absolution (Southern Love #3)

by E. L. Todd

  “Shut up,” Blaise snapped. “Lisa might fall for that horseshit but I don’t.”

  “I don’t lie to my girlfriend.”

  “I’m sure…You know she’s just with you for your money, right?”

  Cole stared at the table. “That isn’t true.”

  Blaise laughed. “Wow. You’re dumber than I thought.” He rubbed his chin. “Everyone knows it.”

  “It’s not true,” Cole repeated. “I know she loves me for me.”

  “Do you really?” Blaise stared at him. “Because there are no good qualities in you. Why would a woman love a man who doesn’t work for his money? You sit at home all day and take my checks without thinking twice about it. You have no motivation to do anything. And you fucked over your brother just to get more money that you don’t even deserve. How could anyone really love you?”

  Cole stared at him, anger and pain in his eyes. His fist was clenched tight like he was trying to control himself. “I should go.”

  “Yeah, you should. And don’t let my door hit your worthless ass on the way out.”

  Cole left the table and advanced to the door. When he closed it, it shook the entire house under the force.

  Blaise stared at the wall until he finally closed his eyes. Alexandra appeared in his mind, but he couldn’t understand anything else. His head fell to the table and he found sleep immediately. His dreams were vivid but he never recalled them the next morning in his drunk stupor, which was the very reason he drank himself into unconsciousness.

  The next morning, a loud knock on his door woke him up. He sat up and rubbed the sleep form his eyes. His head was still in a fog from the evening before. He approached the door then answered it. “What?” he said without looking at the person.

  Cole handed him thick gloves. “Let’s go.”

  “Where?”

  “To work.”

  “What the hell do you think my workers are for?”

  “Shut up and come on.”

  “Which one do you want me to do?” Blaise snapped.

  Cole smiled at him then kept going.

  Blaise sighed then followed behind him. When he stepped onto the porch, Kane rose on his hind legs and pawed Blaise’s chest. “Hey, boy.”

  Kane barked.

  “I’m okay.” He scratched him behind the ear then walked onto the field. He had a blinding headache behind his eyes but he pushed forward and helped with the fields. A few of the workers stared at him when he appeared, surprised he was out of the house. Cole immediately directed the workers and started the irrigation. Initially, the workers were confused by his orders, but when Blaise didn’t contradict him, they did as he asked.

  The hours he spent outside helped his migraine. It was a nice comfort to dig his hands into the soil and appraise his crops. He doubted they would grow enough before the harvest, and if that happened his business would be done for. He owned too much land not to care for it.

  Cole hardly worked in the fields for the past few years, but he seemed to recall everything. He knew how to use all the machines and handle the weeds. Blaise watched him but kept to himself.

  When the day was over, Cole walked up to him. “Let’s get lunch in town.”

  “There will be people there.”

  “So?” Cole asked.

  “I don’t like people.”

  Cole clapped his back. “Come on. You can have a beer—just one.”

  “Are you my mom now?”

  “I am if you’re going to act like a child.”

  Blaise glared at him.

  “I’m buying. Let’s go.”

  “Actually, I’m buying because I write your checks and get nothing out of it.”

  Cole ignored the insult and walked to his truck. “You need to get out of the house.”

  “I like my house.”

  “Well, it smells like a garbage can.”

  “You smell like a garbage can.”

  Cole rolled his eyes. “Good one…”

  They drove to town then walked into Rob’s Bar and Grill. Blaise didn’t feel like talking to anyone so he didn’t make eye contact. Cole walked to the booth where Lisa and Hannah were sitting. Blaise stopped before he sat down. They were the last people he wanted to see.

  “Sit,” Cole demanded.

  Lisa and Hannah both glared at him.

  “I’ll be outside,” Blaise said.

  “Shut the hell up and sit down,” Cole demanded.

  Blaise didn’t want to make a scene so he did as he was told. “I’ll beat the shit out of you later.”

  “Fine,” Cole said.

  Lisa glared at Blaise before she looked at her menu. “How’s your day, baby?”

  “I’m tired from working,” Cole answered.

  “He’s not used to it,” Blaise said sarcastically.

  Lisa glared at him again. “Fucking asshole,” she mumbled.

  Blaise glared at her. “I know you’re only with my brother for his money, so you’re a fucking asshole.”

  Lisa’s eyes widened.

  Cole sighed. “Don’t talk to her like that again.”

  Blaise ignored him.

  Cole turned to Lisa. “He’s going through a hard time. Don’t be rude to him.”

  “Anyone who fucks with my best friend like that should expect horrible treatment,” Lisa said.

  Hannah dogged Blaise. “I’m so glad she ended up with Paul—a real man.”

  Blaise clenched his fists.

  Cole eyed his brother. “Blaise isn’t guilty of what you think he’s guilty of.”

  Lisa raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

  “He’s really not,” Cole said. “My brother is an asshole, but he isn’t a liar. If he says he wasn’t with Danielle, I believe him. And I know he loves Alex. She’s all he ever talks about. You don’t see how messed up he is.”

  Blaise was surprised his brother defended him. He was taking a leap of faith.

  “Well, that’s not how Alex sees it,” Lisa said.

  “Because it isn’t true,” Cole said. “And you’re hurting your best friend even more by not telling her the truth. Blaise never cheated on Alex. She’s with the wrong guy, the man who did cheat on her.”

  Lisa looked at her menu and said nothing.

  “My brother and I have always fought. We don’t exactly get along,” Cole said. “But I know him well enough to understand when he’s being sincere. And I know he really loves Alexandra. As her best friend, you should help them get back together.”

  Lisa said nothing.

  “Baby, please.”

  Blaise looked at his brother. “It’s okay,” he said quietly. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Cole ignored him. “Baby, do this for me.”

  Lisa sighed. “You really believe Blaise?”

  “I would put my life on it,” Cole said with a straight face.

  Lisa looked at Blaise. “Are you telling the truth?”

  Blaise felt the hope grow in his heart. “Yes. I love her, only her. I never touched anyone when we were together. Hell, I never even looked at anyone. She’s supposed to be with me. I’m not lying.”

  Lisa looked at Hannah. “What do you think?”

  Hannah shrugged. “I don’t know. But she seems happy with Paul. Should we interfere with that?”

  “I don’t know,” Lisa said.

  “You should,” Blaise interjected. “Because she doesn’t know this information. If she knew I wasn’t lying, she’d be with me. There isn’t a doubt in my mind.”

  Lisa still looked confused.

  Cole touched her hand. “Baby, make the call. Please.”

  She sighed. “Okay. I will.”

  Blaise felt the explosion in his heart. “Thank you. Thank you.”

  “I’ll call her later.”

  Blaise didn’t want to wait. “Call her now.”

  Lisa looked at Cole.

  “He’s been patient enough,” Cole said.

  Lisa took out her phone and made the call.

  B
laise felt his heart accelerate as he listened to the unanswered rings. It was about to jump out of his chest.

  “Hey, it’s Lisa.” She listened to Alexandra talk on the other end. “I’m glad his dad is going to be okay. That’s really scary. Tell him I said hi.” She listened again. “I’m good. Nothing too interesting here.”

  Blaise clenched the table so hard his knuckles hurt.

  “I actually want to talk to you about something,” Lisa said. “It’s about Blaise.”

  Blaise tried to listen to Alexandra on the other line.

  “I think he’s been telling the truth, Alex. I understand why you were so worried about it, but I think there really was nothing going on with Danielle. Cole agrees with me.” She was quiet as she listened to Alexandra speak. “He’s just been a total mess without you, letting his fields go to waste, not socializing, not being with anyone else. Danielle lives with her parents and he’s never around her. I just think he was falsely condemned. And I knew Danielle pretty well. She was a psycho bitch. I can see her lying to make Blaise’s life miserable.”

  Blaise held his breath as he waited for Alexandra to respond.

  “Yeah…I understand. You have to do what you think is right.” She paused again. “I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” She put down the phone and gave Blaise a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

  Blaise gripped his hair and sighed. “Thank you for trying.”

  “She said that still isn’t enough for her.”

  “Damn…”

  Cole looked at his brother. “We’ll figure out a way.”

  “No we won’t,” he said sadly. “Danielle is my only option. And it’s not going to happen.” He rose from the table. “Excuse me.”

  “Where are you going?” Cole asked.

  “I have no fucking idea.”

  Chapter Six

  “Do I finally get to leave?” Charles asked.

  Lily patted his hand. “We’ll be home soon, dear.”

  “Good,” he said with a sigh. “If I have to eat another cup of Jello, I’ll die.”

  Lily glared at him.

  “I mean—vomit,” he said quickly.

  Her eyes started to tear up. “Oh, Charles.” She hugged him tightly.

  Paul looked at Daisy. Together, they rolled their eyes.

  Toby acted like he was gagging.

  “I think it’s cute,” Alexandra said.

  “You think everything is cute,” Paul said.

  “No…”

  He smiled at her. “Yes, you do.”

  “Should we have a welcome home party for Dad?” Toby asked. “Tofu cake and grilled veggies?”

  Charles cringed. “Just leave me here.”

  They all laughed.

  “I need to get back to work anyway,” Charles said. “Lots to do.”

  “I don’t think so,” Lily snapped. “The doctor said you are supposed to rest for a few weeks.”

  “Dear, I have to work. That place is probably suffering enough as it is.”

  “I got it, Dad,” Toby said. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Charles looked at his son. “You were never a good liar.”

  Toby said nothing.

  “Absolutely not,” Lily said. “I’ll tie you up if I have to.”

  “And I have to make sure I can pay the mortgage,” he argued.

  Paul gripped her hand but remained silent.

  Alexandra knew Paul needed to step in and help his family. She also knew the only reason why he hadn’t offered was because of her. She leaned close to his ear. “Paul, you need to go back to the firm. They need you.”

  He turned to her. “What about you?”

  “Don’t worry about me.”

  Paul pulled her aside. “I can’t leave you in Georgia. You’re my life.”

  Alexandra rested her hands on his arms. “You don’t have to.”

  His eyes widened. “You’ll come back?”

  She nodded. “I just have to figure out the arrangements, make sure Martha will be okay.”

  He smiled then hugged her tightly. “Thank you.”

  “Now be there for your family.”

  “I will.” He took her hand and pulled her back to the group. “I’ll be there, Dad. Don’t worry about it.”

  “What?” Charles asked. “What about your internship?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Paul said. “This is where I belong.”

  Toby glanced at him with a look of approval.

  “Are you sure?” Lily asked.

  “Yes,” Paul said. “I have everything covered. Dad, you just rest. Toby and I can handle it.”

  “And I can help too,” Daisy said. “I can do some bookkeeping and organizing.”

  Charles smiled at his kids. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  Paul nodded. “There’s no need for gratitude. You’ve been taking care of us our entire lives. Now it’s time for us to take care of you.”

  Lily’s eyes shined with bubbling tears. “My babies…”

  Charles patted her hand. “We raised some good ones, huh?”

  “We did.” She nodded.

  The nurse came in with the clipboard of paperwork. “It’s time to get you out of here, Mr. Frasier.”

  “Thank goodness,” Charles said. “Where are the papers? I’ll sign them right now.”

  She laughed. “You’re too cute.”

  “Oh-oh, Mom,” Toby said. “You got some competition.”

  Lily glared at him.

  “Your mother knows she’s the only apple of my eye.” He patted her hand gently.

  Alexandra smiled. Paul’s parents were too cute.

  “Alex?”

  She looked at the nurse. “Huh?”

  “It’s Nancy. We used to work together.”

  “Oh.” Alexandra was caught off guard. “Of course. How are you?”

  “I’m great,” she said. “I heard you left the ER a while ago.”

  “Yeah…I took a position elsewhere.”

  Nancy nodded. “Well, it was nice seeing you.”

  “You too,” Alexandra said quietly.

  Paul pulled her close and pressed his face close to hers, comforting her in the only way he could.

  After they wheeled Charles out of the hospital, they drove to their townhouse a few miles away. When they were inside, Charles immediately walked to the refrigerator.

  “I don’t think so,” Lily said. “You’re being watched at all times.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Maybe I should go back to the hospital.”

  “Just sit down and I’ll make you something.” She stared him down.

  “Fine.” He walked into the living room and sat down.

  Everyone gathered around and started to watch TV. Charles was sluggish and weak. He didn’t say much, and after a few minutes he closed his eyes.

  Paul rested his hand on Alexandra’s thigh and rubbed the back of her neck. She loved it when he touched her, but she was sensitive about her neck. Whenever he did it, it made her think of inappropriate things.

  Toby sat on the other side of him. “I’m glad you changed your mind.”

  Paul nodded. “Dad needs me.”

  “We all need you. I’m sorry I was a jerk last night.”

  “It’s okay,” Paul said. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Are you going to live apart for a while?” he asked.

  “It’s temporary,” Paul said. “She’ll be back in a week or so.”

  “That’s good,” Toby said. “I know Mom will be happy.”

  Daisy joined in. “And I’ll be happy. I have tickets to see Matchbox Twenty. And I want Alex to go with me.”

  “Don’t you have any other friends?” Paul snapped.

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, but Alex really likes them.”

  “Whatever,” Toby said. “You’re just a loser.”

  “I could ask my boyfriend to go with me.” Daisy smiled at them.

  “So you do have a boyfriend?” Paul said.

  “That’s
what I just said, idiot,” Daisy said.

  Toby glared at her. “What’s his name? Where does he live?”

  Daisy looked at Alexandra. “Help me out.”

  Alexandra laughed. “Back off, you guys. She’s an adult.”

  “I don’t care,” Paul said. “A guy isn’t going to get his dick wet with my sister.”

  “Paul!” Alexandra said. “Watch your mouth.”

  “Sorry,” Paul said. “It just came out.”

  “You’re so annoying,” Daisy said.

  “And you’re a brat,” Toby said.

  Daisy crossed her arms over her chest then looked away.

  Alexandra glided her hands over Paul’s knuckles to calm him down. “I wanted to ask you something.”

  “What is it, baby?”

  “You can say no if you want.”

  “Okay.”

  “I haven’t seen Abby in a while. I was hoping I could spend some time with her. But if you need me right now, that’s fine. I’m all yours.”

  He smiled. “Of course you can see your sister. My dad is okay so I’m okay. Don’t worry about that.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I miss her.”

  “I can imagine. I know how close you two are.”

  “Thank you.” She kissed him on the cheek.

  “I don’t think I deserved that, but I’ll take it.”

  She cuddled next to him and breathed in his scent. She always felt safe and cherished in his arms.

  When dinner was ready, they gathered around the table and ate together. They had mixed veggies with salad and dinner rolls. Everyone put on a pleasant face while they ate. Charles didn’t care for the food, but he devoured it and complimented his wife.

  After they left, they went back to their apartment and crawled into bed. They fooled around like they did every night, reaching their mutual pleasure at the same time. Paul pulled her into his arms and didn’t release her all night. The heat of his boy kept her warm, reminding her he was always there.

  When she thought about the conversation she had with Lisa, her heart ached. She could never be sure if Blaise was telling the truth, and that uncertainty was too much for her. She could never be in a relationship with it hanging in the back of her mind. It just reinforced what she already knew. She and Blaise were really over. Now she loved Paul, the person she was supposed to be with.

  Chapter Seven

  When Abby entered the coffee shop, she smiled when she saw Alexandra. “Oh my god! I never thought I would miss someone I hate so much.” She hugged her tightly.