by Izzy Cullen
I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaned in and kissed him, making my way up to his lips, only pulling away to respond. “I think there might be safety in numbers. You’re my Candyman and I can’t be left alone with you.”
Alex looked at me with a strange face. “The creepy guy from the movie? Gee thanks.”
I gave him a huge smile, “No, you idiot, the song, but now that I think about it, you are kind of creepy.”
“Does this mean I can make your panties drop?” He had a devilish grin on his face.
“Like, you have to try hard. That’s why you are my Candyman.” Alex scooped me up, my legs wrapped around his waist, and we started kissing with a hunger.
I heard a throat clear. “Um, guys, sorry to interrupt, but we are kind of in public right now. Take a look around.” Derek seemed embarrassed interrupting us, but looking around, I was happy he did. Alex set me down and I buried my head into his chest, embarrassed for getting so wrapped up in the kiss and him. Alex had a way of pulling me in and consuming me. I seemed to become oblivious to everything around me or where I was at the moment. This feeling was exciting and scary, all at the same time.
We locked hands, walked back through the mall area, and headed back to the vehicle. Everyone was getting hungry, so we decided to eat before hitting the road. Since we had to pick up Derek’s car at the hotel, we decided to eat at the hotel grille. While everyone was waiting on the food, I called the girls and talked to David’s mom about having Sam stay at the house for the night. I told the girls I would be in later, but we would still be going to the zoo in the morning. By the time we ate and left the hotel, it was around five thirty and we had a four-hour drive ahead of us. We all rode in Derek’s car. Derek and Alex sat in the front and Sam and I sat in the back. Derek plugged in my iPod and hit shuffle. Alex and Sam were making fun of me. My play list consisted of music by all genres such as Maroon 5, Kesha, Elton John, Journey, The Band Perry. When the song Candyman came on, I cringed. Alex looked back and smiled, while Derek told me how much he hated that song. Alex immediately responded that it was a great song and even sang along in a few parts.
Sam and I talked about the zoo, my girls, and about what she could expect while at David’s parents. When Derek and Alex dropped us off, we told them to be at the house at nine the next day, so we could drive to the zoo and be there when it opened. I gave Derek a hug and I gave Alex a kiss bye. “Please don’t kill each other and call me if it gets to that.”
When Sam and I got into the house, the girls were waiting for us. They were so excited to meet Sam and she seemed genuinely excited to meet them. I wasn’t sure how it happened, but all five of us ended up in the king-size bed for an all girl’s sleepover. I think it was Lily’s idea and Sam was more than excited to accept the offer. We stayed up watching movies and eating popcorn.
I woke up the next morning to lips on my mouth. I shot up quickly to see Alex standing over me. “What are you doing here?” I said, whispering loudly.
Alex dropped to his knees. He ran his hand along my face and through my hair. He brought his forehead to mine. “I’ve never been as jealous of my sister as I am now.” He kissed me again.
“You didn’t answer me. What are you doing here?” I didn’t understand how he got into the house or why he was there.
“Well, you did tell us to pick you guys up at nine and it’s quarter to nine. David’s parents were leaving to play golf when we got here. Derek is talking to them now.”
“Shit, it’s going to take forever to get us all ready.” I sat up quickly, trying to figure out how we are going to do it. “Okay, get Derek, because he can help with getting the girls ready. I’ll wake everyone and Sam can get in the shower.”
“Tell me what needs to be done with the girls and I’ll help.” I sent Alex into the other room to pull out shorts and tanks from the suitcases for the girls. I woke everyone up, and Sam and I quickly jumped in the shower. I threw my hair in a ponytail and put on shorts and a tank. When I came out, Alex and Derek had the girls dressed, and Alex was brushing their hair. “I’m sorry, I can brush hair, but not sure how to style.” I was shocked he did as much as he did. This wasn’t something he had to do. I think at that very moment was when I finally saw Alex for all that he truly was and it took everything for me not to tell him how much I loved him.
An hour later, we finally made it out of the house. Derek gave the security guys his car keys and we all piled into the SUV so we could ride together. Lily asked Sam and Alex lots of questions and told us all about their trip to Hershey. The twins sat back and let Lily do all the talking. Unlike their older sister, they were quieter and more reserved. Something I wish I could pull them out of, but after David’s death, they clung to me more.
When we got to the zoo, Alex paid our way in and gave Sam’s name to the lady in the booth. When we entered through the gate, there were a man and woman waiting for us. They greeted Sam and Alex and told us they had a few special things planned for us. Sam grabbed Lily’s hand and followed them the elevators to take us up to the zoo. Jasmine reached for Derek, and Alex scooped up Josie, placing her on his shoulders and grabbing my hand. Josie squealed with excitement and I felt warm inside with something more then just desire. The warmth almost felt like contentment.
Sam and Derek arranged for the most perfect zoo visit ever. The girls got to see the baby elephant up close. The girls and Sam fed them and we got lots of pictures with the baby elephant and adult ones. When we got to the aquarium, they let us feed the penguins. I did make Sam go to the glass in front of the penguin exhibit. That was always my favorite part. Josie was a little scared so Alex held her and reassured her that everything would be okay. She finally agreed to go to the glass as long as he held her. I couldn’t help, but take pictures of that. He looked so at ease and Josie looked so happy. When we walked out to look at the other things, Josie leaned in to hug him and he kissed her forehead. My heart hurt, because this was something she hadn’t had in a long time and I was scared that it might be taken away again. Alex must have sensed me staring at them, because he looked over and smiled, but he stopped after seeing my face. Josie wanted down so she could climb through tunnels of the stingray exhibit with her sister. Alex immediately came over to me. “What’s wrong?”
I forced a smile. “Nothing, you did such a nice job helping her go see the penguins. You both looked happy.” Alex grabbed my hands and kissed my forehead.
“Abby, what else, you looked like I killed your dog.”
“It’s nothing, really, let’s enjoy the day, everyone is having such a great time. This is by far the best zoo visit we’ve ever experienced.”
Alex kissed me on the lips, “Me too.” He took my hand, leading me towards the girls who were laughing and playing with Sam and Derek. They day remained perfect. We walked through the zoo, and Alex and Derek joined the girls on the giant slides while I snapped pictures. We ate lunch together and the best part was that not many people bothered Alex for pictures or autographs. I wasn’t sure if they didn’t recognize him or if they were respecting the fact that he was out with kids and family. The more I used that word with Alex in a sentence, the more I liked the sound of it. When it was time to leave, the girls were exhausted.
Alex and Sam said goodbye to the girls and Lily made Sam promise to have another sleepover, which made me smile. Josie clung to Alex, not wanting to let go. It broke my heart. Alex whispered something in her ear and he gave her a kiss on the cheek, which immediately brought a smile to her face. I heard him tell her it was a secret, just between them. She jumped down and ran to her sisters who were standing with Derek. Alex walked over to me. “What is the secret?” I gave him a look and then looked at Josie.
“Well, it wouldn’t be a secret if I told you, would it?” I was getting annoyed.
“Have I ever told you that I hate secrets?” Alex leaned in and kissed me. It was a quick kiss and it left me wanting more.
“I have a feeling you may like this one, but you have to wait. D
on’t even think of trying to get it out of my buddy over there. I told her to call me if you do.” I gave him a pouty face. “I forgot to tell you in all the hustle of the morning that you are coming out to Portland next week. Your mom said she is taking the girls on their annual shopping trip.” I looked at Derek and wondered when he talked to my mother. He must have sensed my question. “She called Derek today to see how you were, since you haven’t called her since the night of the concert. So, I got on the phone with her and we had a nice talk. I don’t think I’ve won her over yet, but I will.”
“She was okay with me flying out to see you and skipping out on the annual shopping trip?” I was shocked, since this had been a thing since I was a little girl. We always went shopping for school clothes together, and now it had crossed over to the girls.
“Actually, it was her idea and I think it’s brilliant.” Kissing me again, “I’ll see you in a week and I’ll make sure you work up an appetite.” I pulled him in for one more kiss and heard the girls along with Derek and Sam making kissing sounds at us. Alex was the first to pull away and he ran over towards them, grabbing and scooping them up to kiss them on the cheek, even Derek and Sam. I grabbed my camera to take pictures. When I was done, I stared at him, knowing I was in trouble, because I had completely fallen in love with him.
On the drive home, the girls fell asleep and Derek turned down the radio. “I wasn’t sure about all this, but after today, I think Alex is good for the girls. He wasn’t just acting nice to them; you could tell he really was interested in them and cared. He and Josie bonded, and I still have a hard time getting her to hold my hand even being a mommy’s girl.”
I let out a breath. “I know. When I saw him holding her and how she took to him, I got scared. What if this doesn’t work and she loses someone else in her life.”
“That’s your problem; you need to stop thinking everything is going to fail. Enjoy this and have faith.”
“Oh, and you let him talk to my mother, are you fucking crazy?” Derek laughed as I said that.
“I didn’t, he practically ripped my phone out of my hand, but you should have heard him on the phone with her. He had her eating out of his hands. I still can’t get her to like me.”
I reached for Derek’s hand, “She loves you, but would never let you know it, kind of like me, you’ll crack her. It only took me 31 years to do it.”
We reached David’s parent’s house and Derek carried the girls in for me. He told me he would swing by tomorrow after work. He said he had to go in, because he was playing too much, but it was worth it.
The next day, we spent lounging by the pool at David’s parent’s house. We grilled out on the patio and as promised, Derek stopped by to say his goodbyes to us. I wanted to get on the road first thing in the morning, because it was such a long drive back. Alex called before the girls went to bed to talk to them. Josie kept him on the phone for a while telling him about the pool and her trip to Hershey. I was shocked, because she hadn’t even told me about her trip with her grandparents. When she was done, Josie handed me the phone. “You must have magical powers. I haven’t gotten anything out of her about that trip to Hershey. What did you bribe her with?”
“Nothing, I didn’t need to, we’re best friends. Actually, I think she said I’m her BFF.” My heart felt full and ached at the same time. I was so happy Josie found a bond with Alex and so scared at the same time that he would not be in her life after awhile. “What does BFF mean anyways?” I started to laugh.
“Best friend forever, which is a high honor with that child. You must be one lucky guy.”
“You have no idea. I’ve been telling myself that, since the night I ran into you at the hotel bar, after you disappeared.”
“You sure are a sweet talker, aren’t you?” I was melting at his words and I was worried my real feelings would slip out if he continued to talk to me like that.
“Well, I am the Candyman.” I could hear him laughing on the other line.
“I never should have told you that, but some things just slip when I’m with you.”
“Like your panties? Because I don’t mind those slipping off.”
“Good night, I’ll talk to you tomorrow if you’re lucky.” Alex was still laughing on the other end when we hung up.
I put the girls to bed, curled up in bed, and pulled out my iPad to read my book. Josie came running in and curled up next to me. I set my iPad down, cuddled her, kissed her head and breathed in her scent. “What’s wrong, Baby Girl, can’t you sleep?” She shook her head no. “Want to sleep here with me tonight? You know I love when you sleep with me.” She nodded her head yes. I reached over, turned the lamp off, and curled her up into my arms.
“Mommy, do you love Alex?” I was surprised by the question, but I had never lied to my girls, not about anything like this and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to start now.
“Well, I like him a lot and I think that I might be starting to love him. Do you like him?”
Josie rolled over, placing her head on my chest. “He’s my BFF; he said he has never had one before. Plus, he tells me secrets.” I wanted to ask her what those secrets were, but knew that those were between her and Alex and it wasn’t my place to question her about them, even though it was killing me.
I kissed her head, “He’s lucky you picked him to be your BFF. Now, let’s get some sleep, because we need to get up early tomorrow.”
20.
The week was going by slowly and I couldn’t wait to see Alex in a few days. I had been keeping myself busy with the girls and catching up with Lexi. I even tried to spend more quality time with my mom. She even went to the beach with us, which I think she enjoyed, but I didn’t think she was ready to admit it yet. That would be a big step for her.
When I was working the pub with Daryl, Bruce and my dad came in holding a magazine. They looked like they were up to something and I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew that look between them. “What sort of trouble are you two up to tonight?”
“Well, we should be asking you that, sweetheart.” I looked at Bruce. He had never called me sweetheart in his life.
“Why did you just call me that?” My dad laid down the magazine and slid it over to me.
“Oh, my fucking God, no, no, no,” I couldn’t believe I was looking at pictures of Alex and me. One of him licking sweat off my chest, another of him holding me with my legs around his waist at the Lincoln Memorial. Another was of him with Josie on his shoulders, holding my hand at the zoo. All the pictures looked grainy, as if they were taken with a cell phone camera. The title over the pictures was Bad Boy Alex Maybe Settling for Small Town Sweetheart. The article told about our trip in DC and about the things that we did at the zoo with the kids. It even mentioned that it was rumored that Alex left the band because of a fall out over me. I couldn’t believe this. It never occurred to me that the girls and I could be dragged into his life. I was one thing, but I didn’t want pictures of the girls plastered all over magazine and tabloids. I didn’t know what to say.
I put my head in my hands. My dad was the first to speak. “I thought I raised you better than to make out with guys in public.” I looked up at him through my fingers.
“That was the first time and obviously the whole fucking nation will see and think I’m a skank.” I was not happy, actually I was embarrassed people would see this.
“Watch your language; you know I raised you better. Anyway, I was upset until I saw that picture of him and Josie. They seem to have taken a liking to each other and that’s hard with that child.” He was right; the picture did look like they both were happy, with the smiles on their faces.
“Yeah, they are BFF’s,” My dad and Bruce gave me a puzzled look. “Best friends forever,” I said like, ‘Duh, you should know that.’
I sat at the table with them a little longer and they filled me in on the town gossip. They told me who was rumored as being linked to whom, but it didn’t matter, because I was the talk of the town with my new budding roma
nce with a rock star. They told me that some company out of New York bought the historical Anderson house on the bluff and a few different construction crews were working on remodeling and winterizing it. They said it was rumored to be a used as a corporate retreat. I was sad about that, because the house was always my favorite house in town and turning it into a corporate retreat would kill the character of the place.
By the time Bruce and my dad left, my mind was off the magazine cover. I just had to make it a few more days until I saw Alex and I didn’t want the pictures and the public to scare me away from this relationship with him. When Daryl and I closed, I got in the car and called Lexi, forgetting the time and the fact that she had to work in the morning.
“This better be good, because it’s after two in the morning.”
“I’m sorry, Lex,” I paused for a moment, “Am I making a mistake? Am I dragging the girls into something that won’t work? I mean, Josie is already so attached. If this doesn’t work it will wreck her.”
“I think you’re doing the right thing. The pictures clearly show how much you care about each other. When you go out there, you need to talk to him, really talk. Tell him what you are scared of and tell him how you feel. You have to put yourself out there.” I let out a sigh because she was right. We’ll never get anywhere if I don’t open up, but if I open up, then I open myself up to be rejected, “Now let me sleep, and I’ll call you tomorrow.”
