Chapter 25 ALEX
I WAITED AT THE ROOF BAR with a handful of other customers as the bartender made slow progress down the line. AJ leaned against the bar, finishing a beer as the two chatted. When he saw me, he broke away from his conversation. “How’s your night been?”
“Great, thanks. Yours?”
“Positive. The act I’m promoting’s been rebooked for next month.”
“Nice. His performance was sharp,” I said as I clocked the bartender. “Can I get two Hennessys, one with Coke, and a bottle of water, please?” I received a disinterested nod before he turned to make the order.
“So, Jemima tells me you and Nancy are pretty recent,” AJ said, looking chilled but alert, his relaxed outfit—gold chain, Nike tee, unlaced boots, baggy jeans—all pressed and pristine.
“Yah, we met at work and went out last week.”
“Mmm, that’s pretty quick, innit?”
“I suppose it is.”
“Like, she’s living at your flat, and you’re doing up Tracy’s. That’s a lot for a week, you think?” AJ straightened to just below my height, although his shoulders were broader from bench weights.
I’d been expecting something like this after spotting him eyeing us in the limo. The question was, was it due to some brotherly-like devotion as the only male friend in their group, or did he have a different agenda? “Do you have something to say to me?”
“You seem sound, but you gotta admit things have moved pretty fast between you two.”
“And your point is?”
AJ smiled, unfazed by my confidence. “I’m not looking for no beef, but I do look out for Nancy. I don’t know how much you know about her, but…she’s fragile. I wanna know you ain’t playing no power games with her.”
“Tracy works hard and deserves a nice place to live, as does Nancy. I’m looking out for them. And, to be honest, I think she’s a lot stronger than you give her credit for.”
“Oh, that right?” AJ scoffed. “I’ve known that gal since she was five years old. She puts on a good front. The motorbike and leathers, street smarts and school smarts, got rizz, beautiful and kind. She’s the full package, innit? But that hides a lot, too.”
I paused, letting his words linger. “You know, AJ, it sounds a little like you’re jealous. That wouldn’t be the case, right?”
His eyes narrowed, and he moved in close, kissing his teeth. I didn’t flinch, having baited him to this point, but I did see Evan in my periphery, who’d been shadowing me all night and was now watching us intently.
“I’m with Jem. Been with her since we were sixteen.
I’m not interested in Nancy like that. She’s like a sister, and her mum’s been good to me.
” He gathered all his height. “What I’m saying, you posh twat, is to watch out for her, or I’ll be paying you a visit.
No matter where in the borough you’re from. ”
“Is that a threat?” Did he really have no idea the sort of precautions and security a man of my position had in place? Maybe he’d just had one too many beers, but either way, it was evident that AJ’s feelings for my girlfriend weren’t platonic.
“It’s a warning from a good friend of Nancy’s.”
“I’m her good friend too—her boyfriend—and I would never hurt her. She’s special to me.”
His expression soured, but he kept composed. “Guess there’s no issue, then. We’re on the same page.”
“Good to know,” I said, getting my wallet out as the bartender brought the drinks over.
“Nah, bruv. I’ve got you.” AJ gave me a smug smile, still in my personal space.
“That’s okay,” I said coolly, the tendons in my arms flexing as my temper rose.
I didn’t buy into the whole alpha bullshit—it was a sign of insecurity, not strength.
Nevertheless, men dealt with conflicts in particular ways, and I was well-versed in competitiveness and one-upmanship.
I held out my Coutts Silk card, but the bartender just looked at it with disdain and folded his arms. Because of course he did.
“You’re in our endz. Now, accept our hospitality and go make sure Nancy has a great night,” AJ brushed me off dismissively, then turned to chat with the bartender again.
“You can count on it,” I managed through gritted teeth and took the drinks to a free couch.
Nancy and Jemima came out of the ladies’ room laughing, and I tried to shake off the residual burn of anger. She saw me and hopped over with a wide smile, still glowing from our searing dance. “Everything okay, boo?”
“Yah, no bother. Your friends are just making sure I know my place.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Her expression worried.
I checked myself. “They care about you. That’s not a bad thing.”
“They can be overprotective, though.”
I cupped her chin and brought her in for a single kiss. “So can I.”
“That I already know.” She smiled and cracked the bottle cap.
I slid my arm around her waist while my hand traced her knee. “So…what’s your history with AJ? Did you two ever hook up?”
She almost spat the water she’d just gulped.
“No! He’s like my brother. We’ve known each other forever.
We grew closer at the start of secondary.
He had a tough time when his mum was with her old boyfriend.
When the guy got aggressive, he’d escape to ours.
He usually didn’t say much, so we’d listen to music in my room, and throw down some terrible freestyle.
” Nancy chuckled, reminiscing, then saw my expression. “Look at you; you’re jealous.”
“And what if I am?” I held her gaze, watching her swallow hard.
“I’d say it’s unnecessary…I’ve never thought of AJ like that.”
“That’s not why I’m jealous.”
“Then why?”
I tried to school my expression, wanting to hide the edge of vulnerability creeping in, but what she’d said hit me hard. “Because there isn’t much I wouldn’t have given to know you when I was that age.”
Her eyes shimmered with emotion, and I moved closer, our lips lingering on the edge of a kiss. “I’m so hot for you,” she whispered like a confession.
“Darling, you have no idea,” I said, taking her mouth. She grasped my hair, holding me close.
It was almost three a.m. when the limo pulled up quietly on the kerb by World’s End.
A feast of greasy chicken shop boxes, previously filled with hot wings and salty chips, lay strewn on the floor while everyone reclined in a food coma.
AJ woke Jemima, who was dozing on his shoulder, and helped her up.
He extended his hand to me. “Thanks for the ride, Alex. It was good to meet you.”
I shook it amiably while matching his firm grip. “You too, AJ.”
The ladies exchanged kisses, then William followed, signing, “I’m going to make sure Kim gets home safe.”
“You want us to wait?”
“No, I’ll walk.” He kissed Nancy’s hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Nancy.”
“You too.” She smiled.
“Have a great night,” he continued to sign. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t, which isn’t much.” Then the blackguard shot us a grin before shutting the door.
Nancy looked over knowingly. “That’s a handy language you two have.”
“It’s…expressive.”
The limo pulled away from the lights and headed towards Sloane Street.
“Well, I’ll be grilling Kim for all the details. I’ve never seen her so into a guy before.”
“They did look good together.”
A long silence fell as we sat side by side, an awkwardness creeping into our previous ease. Nancy looked around the empty limo I’d requested be lit in neon pink for the ride home. “Thanks for organising this. I had a really special night.”
“It’s my pleasure.” I turned to face her, and she rested back into the leather, watching me.
I reached out and stroked the back of my fingers along the line of her jaw.
Despite my itching desire, I kept it gentle when I moved in and kissed her.
Even after our heat in the club, I needed to restrain myself, to not take the evening somewhere she didn’t want to go.
The car pulled up by the apartment, and she moved back, still holding my face. “Will you spend the night?”
I hesitated for a moment—but only a moment before I opened the door and led her onto the empty street as dawn broke over the capital.