Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Alex
I hadn’t seen Bella in almost five years. Seeing her tonight was a total shock at best. It wasn’t something I had planned on. Hell, I didn’t even know she was back in L.A. Emerson was being quiet, and it bothered me. She was never this quiet, and I got the impression something was wrong. When I found her outside, she said she was fine, but I didn’t believe her. I bet it was seeing her ex-boyfriend. Five years ago, I promised never to let another woman get to me. I’d made good on that promise because I never dated anyone too long to let things get serious. Much like Emerson, once they started showing signs of wanting a commitment of some sort, it was time to leave; to walk away and find the next person with the hopes they just wanted to have a casual fling. That was what Emerson wanted. Her thinking was very much like mine, and I was grateful for that. Tonight, we had something in common. We both saw our exes after a number of years, and old wounds were reopened.
I looked over at Emerson, who was on her third glass of wine. She kept staring over at Bella, and it made me uncomfortable.
“I see you staring at that woman over there. Why do you keep doing that?” I asked.
“Why not? She was staring at me first. I think she’s very pretty except for that mess of curly hair. She really should see a stylist about those ends.”
I chuckled as I took the glass of wine from her hand. “I think you’ve had enough wine.”
Her head tilted as she took the glass back from me. “Who are you? The wine keeper?” She brought the glass to her lips and finished it in one swallow.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut you off now,” I spoke with authority.
She put her hand to my face. “You can’t and won’t tell me when I’ve had enough.”
“Emerson, I’m warning you.” I looked around at the table to make sure nobody heard her.
She grabbed my cheek and pinched it. “You’re so fucking cute when you think you’re in control.”
“Okay. Let’s go. We need to get you home.” I softly took hold of her arm.
She let out a light laugh. “I don’t have a home, Parker. I’m homeless.”
I put my arm around her to ensure she didn’t fall over. As we walked out of the ballroom, Bella stood in the lobby with some guy.
“That man she’s with is sexy.” Emerson smiled as she looked at me.
“No, he’s not.”
“Jealous?”
“Why the hell would I be jealous?”
She didn’t answer me. Phillip was there when we stepped outside the hotel, holding the car door open. I helped Emerson into the back seat and climbed in next to her.
“I think I need to lie down.”
“Lay your head on my lap.”
“You’re not going to get a boner, are you?” She smirked.
“Emerson, just lay your damn head down and close your eyes,” I spoke in irritation, but on the inside, I was smiling.
When we arrived home, I helped her out of the Bentley and then picked her up, carrying her into the house and to her room as she laid her head on my chest. I set her down and unzipped her dress, letting it fall to the ground. Her body was a dream, and I wanted nothing more than to fuck her into oblivion. But I wouldn’t. She had too much to drink, and I would never take advantage. I grabbed the nightshirt that she had sitting on the bed and slipped it over her head. Pulling back the covers, I helped her climb in, and the moment her head hit the pillow, her eyes closed. Softly kissing her forehead, I placed the back of my hand on her cheek.
“Sleep well, Emerson James.”
Emerson
As I lay in bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had seen between Alex and the frizzy curly-haired girl last night. Seeing them kissing cut deep into my soul, and it pissed me off. Why? I couldn’t tell you. I liked Alex a lot. He was there with me, not her. For him to go off and kiss another woman when he was with a woman was a total douchebag move. And then to sit at the table and pretend not to know her was even worse. I gave him the opportunity to tell me, but he didn’t. He played dumb—typical man. I was going to end my wandering thoughts, so I climbed out of bed and marched to the kitchen. He wasn’t there. I stomped up the stairs and opened his bedroom door. He wasn’t there. I walked through the entire house, and I couldn’t find him. It was apparent he wasn’t home. Where the hell did he go? It was Sunday.
As I stood and watched the coffee brew, mug gripped tightly in my hand, waiting for it to finish, the patio door opened, and Alex walked in. He was drenched in sweat.
“Good morning,” he spoke as he wiped his face with a towel.
“Where were you?” I demanded to know.
“I went for a run. Can’t you tell?” He smirked. “I’m surprised you’re up already. I figured you’d be in bed all day, hung over.”
“Is there a reason why you didn’t make coffee when you woke up?” I asked with an attitude.
“I wanted to wait until I got back. I don’t like to run after drinking coffee.”
It was gnawing at me. The question that I have had since last night. “Are you going to tell me who the frizzy curly-haired woman is that you were kissing last night?”
His eyes narrowed at me, and he pursed his lips. Leaning against the counter, he folded his arms.
“No. Actually, I’m not going to tell you. I’m sorry you saw that.”
“Sorry? You’re sorry? Fuck, Alex. Could you be any more of a douchebag?”
“A what?” He cocked his head.
I took my phone from the counter, googled the word “douchebag,” and handed it to him.
He arched his brow as he read it aloud from the Urban Dictionary site. “‘Someone who has surpassed the levels of jerk and asshole; however, not yet reached fucker or motherfucker.’ Well, at least I’m not a fucker.”
“Not yet anyway, but you’re sure close.”
“Umm. You just received a text message from someone named Keith.”
I grabbed my phone from his hand and looked at it. Rolling my eyes, I set my phone down and poured myself a cup of coffee.
“Are you going to tell me who Keith is?”
“Actually, I’m not going to tell you. I’m sorry you saw that.” I took my phone and my coffee and strutted to my room, shutting the door behind me.
Alex
I watched as she walked her sexy ass, which was barely covered by her shirt, away from me. And who the hell was Keith? Why did a fire erupt inside me when I saw his name? It was none of my business, just like Bella was none of hers. I heard Emerson's voice as I left the kitchen and started walking up the stairs.
“You can’t shut me out, Parker. We’re friends, and friends talk. I told you things that I had never told anyone before.”
Standing on the steps, I turned and looked at her. “You expect me to believe that in all your worldly travels and of all the men you’ve fucked, you never spoke about your family or the accident?”
“Yes, I do expect you to believe it because it’s true. I’d never opened up like that to anyone.”
Narrowing my eyes, I slowly walked down the stairs until I stood before her.
“Why me, Emerson?”
“I don’t really know, Alex. Maybe because it’s being back here, and you were there.”
I placed my hand on her cheek and stared into her beautiful eyes.
“I appreciate you telling me, but I’m not talking to you about Bella. There are some things that are off limits.”
“Oh really?” She backed away. “Guess what? There are some things that are off-limits for me as well, and that includes sex. Bye, Felicia,” she spoke as she put up her hand and walked away.
“What? Who the fuck is Felicia?” I yelled.
I placed my hands on my head, went upstairs, slammed the door, and took a shower to cool off. I could feel my blood pressure rising because of one Miss Emerson James, and I would no longer stand for it.