Then Came Alexandra (Southern Love #1) (20 page)

“That doesn’t explain anything.”

“Hold on,” he said. “Danielle doesn’t want our relationship to end. She’ll do anything to keep me around. So if I told you the truth, broke my promise to her, she would just lie and say we’ve been sleeping together this entire time, chasing you away. I’m literally screwed. No matter what I do, I lose.”

She stared at him. “Why don’t you just kick her out?”

He sighed. “I just can’t. That’s the part I can’t tell you about. There’s a lot to this story. All I can say is, if I kick her out, she’ll be in danger. I can’t let anything happen to her because of me.”

“I wish I could believe you.” Alexandra tucked the strand of hair behind her ear. “Were you just trying to sleep with me?”

He met her gaze, keeping the anger back. “I’m offended you even asked me that.”

“Answer me.”

“If I were, I would have fucked you a long time ago. Believe me, I could have gotten into your pants on our first date. Don’t insult me like that again.”

She stared at the anger brewing behind his eyes. “How many women have you been with?”

He didn’t want to answer that. It would only make her despise him even more.

“I told you my number.”

Blaise sighed. “It’s over fifty.”

Her eyes widened.

He didn’t look at her, not wanting to see the disappointment in her eyes.

“Wow…”

The reaction stung.

“Blaise, I’m nothing like that. I only sleep with people I’m in love with.”

“So do I.”

“You were in love with fifty people?” she asked incredulously.

“No, just one.” He finally looked at her. “I became a different person when I met you.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I love you, Alexandra. You’re an amazing girl. You’re compassionate, sweet, caring…you’re different than everyone else. I’m not as stupid as I seem. I know a diamond in the ruff when I see one.”

She hugged her waist.

“You can trust me, Alexandra. I promise.”

Alexandra didn’t look at him.

Blaise moved to the spot next to her, leaning against the wall. She didn’t move away, and he took that as a good sign.

“Did you sleep with her when we were together?” she whispered.

He sighed in annoyance. “Fuck no.”

“Did you do anything with her?”

He clenched his fists. “I never touched her. She never touched me.”

Alexandra kept her gaze averted. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“Because you do. Trust your heart, Alexandra.”

“It’s lied to me too many times…”

“But it isn’t now.”

She pulled her knees closer to her chest.

Blaise leaned in and cupped her face, directing it toward him. Her eyes looked frightened, like she was afraid of him. He pressed his mouth against hers and felt her unresponsive lips. After a moment, her lips caressed his.

Blaise felt his heart swell with happiness. Everything made sense when they were together. Touching her always felt right. Kissing her was always a dream. He could do it for hours, days, weeks. She was the love of his life. There was no doubt.

He deepened their kiss and moved her to the floor, crawling on top of her. A few moans escaped her lips, exciting him. If she kissed him, she must still want him. If he kept fighting for her, he’d get her. Her heart was vulnerable and he prayed on it, knowing he was worthy of her love. He would prove it to her.

Alexandra pushed him off then scooted away, breathing heavily.

Blaise felt his heart fall as their connection was severed.

She pulled her hair out of her face and hugged her knees to her chest. “You should go.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat. “No…”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I hate hurting you.”

“Then don’t. Be with me and be happy.”

“I can’t.”

“I’ll prove it to you eventually,” he said with a frantic voice. “We can take it slow.”

“Never trust someone who lies to you, and never lie to someone who trusts you.” She stood up and walked to the ladder. “I need someone that can give me that. I can’t compromise.”

“I don’t want you to compromise,” Blaise said. “I’ll give you whatever you want. I’m just asking for one chance. I’ll figure out how to protect Danielle while proving my innocence. Just give me some time.”

She sighed. “I came here to start over. But all I did was repeat the same mistakes.” She climbed down the ladder until she reached the bottom. “Please don’t bother me again. I don’t have the heart.”

26

Alexandra was back to where she started. Now she had to pick up the pieces and move forward. To cope with the loss, she didn’t think about Blaise. At least, she wouldn’t let herself. Anytime something reminded her of him, she pinched her arm, causing pain.

She attended the fields on her own. Secretly, she hoped Blaise would accompany her. She didn’t need the help, but she wanted to see him, talk to him. He was her best friend, the person she confided everything to. But now he wasn’t there. It was like he disappeared.

She considered taking him back. She wanted to more than anything, but she had to stay strong. Going back to him would just put her in a relationship she didn’t want to be in. She needed more in life. She deserved more.

And the idea of him being with Danielle kept entering her mind. She had no idea what she looked like, but that didn’t stop her imagination. Even though she didn’t trust Blaise because nothing he said made sense, she doubted he would ever betray her like that. But then she realized how stupid she was. She always believed people were loyal and would do the right thing. How many times did she have to be proven wrong until she accepted that fact? Not everyone did the right thing.

She focused on school and continued to work for the hospital. She quit working for Blaise, and submitted her resignation via email. He didn’t respond so she assumed he accepted it. He just didn’t have anything to say.

Her friends were attentive to her, concerned about the depression on her face.

“Are you doing okay?” Gabe asked when they got out of class for the afternoon.

“I’m fine,” she lied.

He stared at her. “How about we get some ice cream?”

“Ice cream?”

“My mom always takes me when I have a bad day. Even though I’m a man, she still does it.”

Alexandra smiled. “That’s really sweet.”

“Let’s go. I know the best place.”

They got sundaes then sat by the window. She ate hers slowly, not having much of an appetite.

“I’m glad you aren’t mad at me,” she whispered.

“Why would I be mad?”

“Well, I told you I wasn’t interested in dating anyone then I went out with Blaise right afterward.”

He shrugged. “It’s nothing to be mad about. You met someone you liked and you pursued it. Life is unexpected in that way. It’s why the world is so wonderful.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “I just didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

“You didn’t,” he said. “Don’t worry about it.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“But I admit that I was annoyed with your choice.”

“Why?” Her voice came out weak.

“He’s your typical playboy. He takes advantage of his status in life to use women like machines. He’s been doing it since I can remember, and the whores in this town don’t care because they hope they can be the ones to change him. I didn’t care what he did because he was always honest about it. But he took advantage of your ignorance since you’re new here. That’s just unacceptable.”

Alexandra swirled her spoon in the bowl but didn’t take a bite. “It wasn’t like that.”

He stared at her. “That’s exactly how it was, Alex. I had to be the one to break it to you. He slept you with no intention of ever sticking around.  You were just his dirty secret.” Gabe looked down at his ice cream.

“He says there’s more to this story, but he’s just not at liberty to talk about it. Sometimes I wonder if he’s telling the truth. And I actually think he did care about me.”

“Then why would be lie, Alex?”

“He was going to tell me the truth…he just couldn’t talk about it yet.”

“The easier you accept the truth, that he’s a lying piece of shit, the easier it will be to move on.”

Alexandra averted her gaze. She didn’t think she would ever move on from Blaise. She felt something special for him. But Gabe was right. She needed to let him go. “Thank you for the ice cream.”

“Of course.”

“I should get going.”

“We’re meeting at Rob’s for dinner,” he said. “You should come.”

“I don’t know…I’m not pleasant company right now.”

“We won’t discuss Blaise. And it’s better than being alone, right?”

She nodded. “I guess.”

“I’ll buy you dinner,” he said with a smile. He put his arm around her waist and led her to the door. They took their separate cars to the restaurant and sat in their usual booth in the corner.

Lana and Hannah both gave her a sympathetic look but said nothing. Gabe draped his arm over the back of the chair. It touched her neck lightly.

“I just took Alex out for some ice cream,” Gabe said.

Lana nodded. “Forget antibiotics and drugs. Ice cream is always the best medicine.”

“I always have Ben and Jerry’s stashed in my freezer,” Hannah said. “I had my heart broken too many times.”

Alexandra knew exactly how that felt.

Gabe leaned toward her. “What are you going to get?” He handed her the menu.

“I’m not really hungry,” she said.

“How about we split a burger? I’m a little full from the ice cream too.”

“Okay,” Alexandra said.

He smiled. “I hate onions.”

“Me too.”

“It looks like we’re in agreement.” He put down the menu.

The waitress came over and took their order. When she walked away, they talked about school and work, both safe topics. She knew her girlfriends were eager to hear about her relationship with Blaise. The fact that it was a secret made them even more interested. The waitress brought their food.

Alexandra took small bites of her burger. She was a slow eater and was constantly teased for it.

“You have a little ketchup on your face,” Gabe said. He pointed to his lip.

“Oh.” Alexandra quickly wiped it away.

“It’s still there,” he said with a smile. He leaned in and wiped it. After he got the ketchup on his finger, he licked it. When he sat back, she saw Blaise standing at their table, a look of murder on his face.

“Alexandra, can I speak to you for a second?” The anger in his voice was palpable.

“Uh…”

“No,” Gabe snapped. “She’s not going anywhere with you. Now leave.”

Blaise was much bigger than Gabe, could snap his neck with his bare hands. Alexandra didn’t want a confrontation or a fight. He glared at Gabe before he turned back to Alexandra. “I just need a few minutes.”

“No,” Gabe said firmly. “Leave or I’ll make you.”

Blaise’s shoulders tensed as he moved toward Gabe.

“Don’t,” Alexandra said.

He stilled at her command and dropped his hand. After he looked at Alexandra, he grabbed a chair from a nearby table and pulled it across the floor. He sat down like everything was normal. “I’ll join you, then.”

“We don’t want your company,” Gabe hissed.

“The only reason why I haven’t slammed your head into the table is because of Alexandra. But that can change if you push me too far.” His eyes shined with hatred.

Alexandra felt awkward. Her friends kept looking at their plates, unsure what to do or say. Lana engaged Hannah in a conversation and they tried to act normal. Alexandra felt Blaise stare into her face, watching her intently.

“Do you want to leave?” Gabe asked.

“No,” she said quietly.

“Okay.”

Blaise leaned over the table, acting like no one else in the room existed. “How was your day?”

Her voice came out quiet. “It was okay.”

“Are the fields doing well?”

“As far as I can tell.”

Blaise held his hands together. “I can come out and help.”

“I’m okay,” she said quickly.

“How’s Martha?”

“Her back still hurts but it’s better.”

He nodded. “Bane misses his friends.”

She smiled. “They miss him too.”

He stared at her. “You look beautiful today.”

“Kissing her ass isn’t going to change anything,” Gabe snapped. “You cheated on her, you worthless piece of shit.”

Alexandra flinched at the venom in his voice.

Blaise didn’t look at him. “If I didn’t love you so fucking much, I’d bury this shithead in my fields.”

Lana gasped at the insinuation.

“Tone it down, Blaise,” Alexandra said gently.

Blaise looked at his hands for a moment before he stared at her. “I miss you.”

Alexandra averted her gaze.

“And I know you miss me too.”

She picked up a fry then returned it to her plate.

“Let’s have dinner tomorrow. We’ll have a picnic on the beach.”

“Why are you making this so hard for me?” she whispered.

“Because I’m not giving up. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to prove myself if I have to.”

“And that would be a waste of time,” Gabe said. “You should just find one of your girlfriends to entertain you.”

Blaise clenched his fist on the table.

“Gabe, please stop it,” Alexandra said.

Gabe nodded then fell silent.

She turned to Blaise. “You should go.”

His eyes lost their light. “Can I come over tonight?”

She sighed. “No.”

“I just want to talk to you.”

“There’s nothing to say.”

He leaned toward her. “I love you.”

Lana’s eyes widened. Hannah did a double take.

Alexandra looked away from him. “Please leave.”

Blaise leaned back in his chair and sighed. After a moment, he left their table and walked out of the restaurant. It was awkward for a few moments. Lana stared at her, watching her reaction.

“Wow,” she said. “I never expected Blaise to act that way.”

“I apologize,” Alexandra said.

“I can’t believe he’s in love with you,” Lana said. “I’ve never heard of that before, and I’ve been dating Cole for two years.”

Alexandra picked up a fry and ate it.

“If he loved her, he wouldn’t have fucked Danielle the entire time,” Gabe said simply.