The Webster Grove Series

by Puckett, Tracie

  “It's nice to meet you, Chris,” Alex said, through clenched teeth. “I've heard quite a bit about you.”

  The two men shook hands. Christopher smiled at Alex with genuine sincerity. Alex wore a grin that seemed much too forced.

  “Sorry,” Christopher replied. “Can't say Steph has ever mentioned you--”

  “Oh, come on, Steph, ”Alex nudged me. “We're all adults here. You can tell him the truth.” He turned to Christopher. “Steph and I dated for a few months back in the day--”

  “It was nothing,” I assured him.

  “I wouldn't say that,” Alex chimed in.

  Christopher turned to me and then to Alex. “Could I have a minute alone with her, please?” Alex nodded and walked away, but not without sending me an obvious wink. Christopher continued, “I'm famished. Would you wanna grab some dinner?”

  “Intriguing offer,” I started. “But I can't leave for another forty-five minutes. Plus, Nate should be home in an hour or so. Maybe we could swing by and pick him up to tag along. He's dying to meet you, and I know you're just going to love him!”

  “Yeah, sounds good,” he said. “Do you need an extra hand? I'd be more than happy to help out--”

  “Sure,” I said. “You see the girl down there?” I pointed at Mischa standing next to the stage.

  “The one who looks like you?” he asked.

  I chuckled. “Yes. You can tell her I need her to come back and help me finish the piece she started.”

  “Easy enough,” he said, walking down the aisle of red, plush folding seats.

  I charged over to the table and glared at Alex.

  “What?” he asked slyly.

  “What is wrong with you?”

  Alex raised his eyebrows and smirked. “Not going down without a fight, Miss Ghijk.”

  “Well, I'm pretty sure he hates you.”

  “No sweat,” Alex said, leaning back in the chair and throwing his hands behind his head. “I'm not so crazy about him either.”

  Saturday September 30, 2:20PM

  The last few evenings had been filled with movie nights, popcorn fights, and sugar highs. Staying in the same house with Nate and Christopher for the last few days had been fun, to say the least. I can't remember the last time I'd enjoyed talking, laughing, and joking with two people I love and care about so dearly.

  I sat in the back room of the small church on the corner of Main. I had a perfect shot of Esteban and Mia Rivera's headstone from the view of the window on the far wall and shivers ran up my spine as I thought back to the cold, December day I found Alex sitting on the hard, frozen ground-- helpless, hopeless, and heartbroken over the anniversary of his parents' death. Remembering the days when I helped him overcome the pain of Christmas was far better than the memories soon thereafter.

  “I can't believe I'm getting married,” Bridget said, bringing my attention back to her.

  Her long, white dress graced the floor as she walked over to fetch the veil.

  “It's so surreal,” I agreed, still dazed.

  “And it's coming at the perfect time,” she added. “I wouldn't have fit into this dress if I'd waited any longer. Look at me! I’ve already gained a million pounds!”

  I questionably stared at her for a few seconds before snapping out of the foggy mindset. “Bridge, are you pregnant?”

  She smiled and started jumping. “Almost three months! Isaac didn't want me telling anyone until after the wedding, but I couldn't hold it in another second!”

  “You never were good at keeping your mouth shut,” I teased, wrapping my arms around her. “God, I feel so behind--”

  “Maybe you and Christopher should get a headstart on the children--”

  “Eh, I don't think so-”

  “Not ready for kids?”

  I shook my head. “Christopher isn't exactly a family kinda guy.”

  “What? Steph! You guys have to make babies!"

  “One milestone at a time, Bridge,” I said. “We're not even married.”

  “Yet...”

  “Right.”

  I helped Bridget secure the veil into her up-swept red hair. A knock came from the other side of the door as Nate poked his head inside.

  “Alright, ladies,” he said. “Showtime.”

  Saturday September 30, 5PM

  “Hey,” Nick said, taking a seat next to me on his front porch. “I didn't agree to host an at-home outdoor wedding reception just so you could sneak away whenever you want. What are you doing out here alone?”

  I shrugged. “Fighting a headache,” I mumbled, looking at the ground.

  He put his arm around my shoulder and smiled. “My son is married, and now my little girl is on her way to the alter herself. I'm one lucky man.”

  “Mm-hm,” I agreed.

  Nick stared at me for a moment. “What's eatin' you, sweetheart?”

  “Nothing--”

  “Job hunt anxiety?”

  “No.”

  “Stressed about the fall production?”

  “Nope, it's coming along really well--”

  “What else could have my number one gal wallowing in all her woes?”

  I shrugged. “Don't worry about me, I'm fine--”

  “... Would you mind if I take a guess?”

  “Sure,” I said, knowing he wasn't going to move on until he'd figured it out.

  “Your fiancé has been in town for three days, and has spent less time with you than Nate. Case and point, the reception started an hour ago and Christopher hasn't even noticed you're gone. Your incredibly handsome, gay best friend has been monopolizing every moment of Chris’ time. And now you're out here wondering, is it possible that my fiancé is playing for both teams?”

  “He only plays for one team, dad--”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I'm positive.” I took a deep breath.

  “I dunno, hon. He's giving off some pretty heavy vibes--”

  “I'm certain Christopher is only playing for one team. Period. The end.”

  “Oh God,” he said, closing his eyes. “You know he's gay?”

  “Yes... but I'm not sure he does.”

  Nick's laugh echoed through the street. “Honey, why are you engaged to him--”

  “He proposed to me! Obviously he loves me--”

  “Or he's in denial.”

  “True,” I agreed, shaking my head.

  “Do you love him?”

  I shrugged. “Not like I...”

  “Love Alex?” he asked. “You can't marry Christopher, Steph. Surely you know that.”

  Cal turned the corner in his smooth, black tux and climbed onto the porch. “I wondered where you two ran off to--”

  “Avoiding all the noise,” I said, looking down the road and avoiding eye contact with both of the men.

  “Well,” Nick stood up. “I'm gonna get back to the party. Don't sit out here too long, sweetheart. You're gonna need to face the music sooner or later.”

  Nick disappeared around the side of the house, leaving me alone with Cal.

  “Mind if I join you?” he asked. I shook my head and scooted over another inch to give him enough space for comfort. “Can I be nosy?”

  “You wouldn't be Cal if you weren't,” I smirked.

  “What happened with your job in Paris?”

  “Your Gran and I had creative differences.”

  “She preferred lace, you wanted fur?”

  “You have absolutely no idea how the fashion industry works, do you?”

  “Sorry,” he shrugged. “I'm straight as a pin, which is more than I can say for your fiancé.”

  “Ha-ha,” I mumbled sarcastically. “Full disclosure?”

  “Preferably.”


  “She fired me,” I admitted without hesitation. “She said I was talentless, hopeless, and I'd peaked long before I had any hope of being successful. She didn't want me in Paris, but she didn't want me in Webster Grove either. She had this crazy notion that I was trying to ruin her family and defame the Rivera reputation--”

  “She said those things?”

  “And not so nicely--”

  “Why would she do that? You must have done something wrong, Steph. Gran wouldn't just wake up one morning and decide you're good for nothing--”

  “Well, she did...and thanks for your vote of confidence, Cal--”

  “Oh, sweetheart,” he whispered, taking my hand. “I'm sorry...”

  “The past is the past,” I said. “No hard feelings, animosity, or plans for revenge. I just want to get on with my life.”

  He nodded. “Maybe it was nothing more than a misunderstanding. I'm sure you guys can work it out--”

  “With all due respect, I'm not going to work it out with Adriana. I don't care if I never see her again.”

  Chapter Five

  Sunday October 01, 2 AM

  I walked up the steps and stared at the door in front of me. It was a risky move showing up this early in the morning, but every part of me wanted to see his face, hear his voice, and look into his beautiful brown eyes. . . if only for a single moment.

  I rang the bell and held my breath, hoping he'd answer.

  A few minutes passed before the door swung open and Alex raised his eyebrows.

  “It's two AM,” he said, inviting me in. He didn't seem the least bit ashamed to be wearing nothing more than a pair of long pajama bottoms.

  “Why didn't you come to the wedding?” I asked, stepping inside. “You were invited right?”

  “Yes.”

  “You RSVP'd, did you not?”

  “I did.”

  “Then why weren't you there?” I yelled. “When someone invites you to a wedding, and you tell them you're going to come, you come!”

  Alex leaned forward and squinted as he looked deep in my eyes. “Are you drunk?”

  “No!” I pushed him back. “I'm mad! Bridget planned on you showing up--”

  “I'm sure she didn't even notice--”

  “Well, I did!”

  “I didn't want to make things uncomfortable for you and Christopher.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I have trouble believing that after the way you embarrassed yourself in front of him Wednesday.”

  “Is that all, Steph? Did you just come here at two AM to hound me about missing the wedding?”

  “Yeah,” I nodded. “I guess I'll see you around--”

  “Not so fast, Miss Ghijk,” he said, standing in front of the door. “Why are you here?” I looked at the floor and bit my lip. “Steph?”

  “I wanted to tell you... that I forgive you,” I said quietly.

  “For what?”

  “Everything.”

  “I thought I already had your forgiveness--”

  “I lied. I was still angry, and bitter. Part of me wanted nothing more than to hit you.”

  “Would that make you feel better?”

  “It wouldn't make me feel worse.”

  He smirked. “Then hit me.”

  “What?”

  “If it'll make you feel better, by all means. You have my permission. Hit me.”

  “I'm not going to hit you—”

  “Hit me!”

  I cocked my fist back and took a step toward him. “Okay, here I go. I'm gonna... hit... you. Hard.”

  “Ooo, I'm so scared,” he teased.

  “You're a jerk—”

  “Steph,” he said, reaching up and pulling my hand into his. “Why are you here? Really?” I leaned forward and rested on his shoulder. Tears fell from my eyes and streamed down his bare chest. “Come on.” He pulled me over to the couch and sat down. “Talk to me. What's going on?”

  “I didn't want to go to Paris, but I went.” I choked back a sob and continued. “I got to France and started working for your grandmother and I fell in love.”

  “With Chris?”

  “With the industry. The concepts, the designing, constructing, marketing... It was everything I always dreamed of. And then everything went wrong... Adriana was... I had to... I came home thinking I'd be able to make it on my own only to learn that life kept moving on without me! Gracie is already four, and I missed every second of her best years. Bridget is pregnant again, and Nate starts teaching next year! Everything around me is changing and... I'm standing still.”

  “No, Steph,” he said, rubbing my fingers with his thumbs. “Everyone moves at their own pace.”

  “I'm never going to have what they have. Christopher and I were over before we started,” I cried. “He never kisses me. His hugs are few and far between, and even then they're lackluster at best--”

  “Where does he think you are now?”

  “He doesn't know I'm gone,” I mumbled.

  “You know something?” he asked quietly, wrapping his arms around me to hold me closer. “Any man who wouldn't want to kiss you is out of his damn mind.”

  I smirked. “Still trying to get into my good graces, Mr. Rivera?”

  “Obviously I'm high on your list of confidants or you wouldn't have showed up here at this insane hour of the morning.”

  “Touché.”

  “You should probably get back home though, kiddo,” he said, moving a strand of hair away from my face. “You don't want Chris waking up to find you gone.”

  I nodded. “Yeah...”

  We stood in unison and walked to the door. Alex wrapped me in a hug and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Don't worry about what everyone else has or what they're doing. You keep your sights fixed on what you want, kiddo. I have a world of faith in you.”

  I looked up and met his gaze. He rested his forehead on mine and brushed our noses together.

  “You're going to kiss me, aren't you?” I whispered, anticipating the feel of his soft lips on mine.

  “No,” he said, caressing my cheeks with his thumbs. “God, I want to, Steph, but you have enough to sort out right now.”

  I closed my eyes and breathed him in.

  “Kiss me.”

  He shook his head. “No,” he said, but he didn't move in the slightest. His mouth was talking the talk, but his body was communicating an entirely different desire.

  “Alex, kiss me.”

  “Steph, you're engaged--”

  “Yeah,” I nodded. “I'll go.”

  I pulled away from his grasp and opened the door to step out on the porch.

  “Steph...” he said quietly, watching me leave. “I just want you to be happy.”

  I turned from the pavement and shrugged. “I love you Alex,” I said through tears. “And until I'm with you again, I'm never going to be happy.”

  Alex fired out of the house without warning. He jumped off the porch and met me on the sidewalk, taking me in his arms, and pressing a mad, passionate kiss against my lips.

  My guard was down.

  No more pretending... no more lying...

  Alexander Rivera had won my heart once and for all... and there was no escaping this fairytale he was trying to start.

  Sunday October 01, 10AM

  “Good morning beautiful.” Alex pressed a kiss against the side of my head as he knelt on the floor in front of me. “Come on, Steph... time to get moving, hon.”

  I turned over and admired the sparkle in his chocolate brown eyes.

  There were few things in life that would ever top the way he'd made me feel the night before.

  Loved.

  Comforted.

  Important.

 
Needed.

  Chances are Alexander Rivera had a lot on his mind when he carried me back through the front door, still kissing me with uncompromising passion. I, however, knew the consequences of the choices I'd already made... I couldn't add fuel to the fire and give in to the one urge I'd silently fought since the day he first kissed me...

  Sometime between three and four in the morning, after taking a step back from the physical expression, Alex and I found ourselves on the couch laughing, talking, laughing, talking, and laughing a little more.

  I had every intention of going home, but then I woke up.

  ...When did I actually fall asleep?

  “Let's get breakfast,” he whispered, running his fingers across my cheek. “There's a small little diner on the edge of—”

  “I can't,” I said quietly.

  I stretched out on the couch before pulling the blanket away and sitting up. I slipped into my tennis shoes and stood up to fold the sheets.

  “Don't worry about those, Steph,” he said, taking them from my hands. “What's your hurry?”

  “Christopher is going home today. I need to get back—”

  “Then go,” he smiled. “I'm capable of cleaning up--”

  “This was a mistake,” I said quickly. “I shouldn't have come here last night. I shouldn't have kissed you and I shouldn't have fallen asleep here—”

  “You slept on the couch, Steph. Let's not make this more than it was—”

  “It was a mistake--”

  “Yeah, you said that already,” he said, frustratingly biting his lip.

  “I have to go.”

  I darted for the door without turning back.

  “Steph!” he yelled as I reached the sidewalk. “Can I call you—”

  “Goodbye Alex!”

  Every part of me wanted to turn back and scream Yes, God yes! Please call.

  But then there was that little voice in the back of my head saying, Steph, don't you know better by now? You can't be with him! It wasn't meant to be!

  The voice sound remarkably like Nate... and was soon followed with a menacing laugh that reminded me far too much of Adriana.

  Chapter Six

  Sunday October 01, 11AM