21. Alexandra
Alexandra
I wake up to an empty bed. Again. “This is getting old.”
I look around the room, but everything looks the same as it did when I passed out last night.
I look at my phone and see there are texts from Jaz and Ashlyn.
Jaz: Are you alive?
Ashlyn: Yeah. Hello? We would like to see these epic paintings.
Ashlyn: And girls night.
Ashlyn: And we have an event to go to.
Jaz: Hello?
Jesus. I need to be better at checking my phone. I scroll to James’s thread, but there’s nothing new there. I go back to the group chat.
Alexandra: I’m alive. I’m at James’s penthouse…
Ashlyn: WHAT!
Jaz: Details?
Ashlyn: How did that happen! I need information!
I bite my lip. There’s way too much to text. I leave the bedroom and check the rest of the apartment, but it’s quiet.
Alexandra: He’s not here. Top floor of the Gatlyn, ask the doorman to let you up. I’m sure you can tell Ryder to add you to a list.
Ashlyn: Talk no further. We will be there.
Jaz: Stoked.
I go back to the bedroom and look through the small duffel bag I packed. I pull out fresh yoga pants and a sweater before going to his master bathroom with my toiletries. Ugh. My hair is sticking out all over and my mascara is running under my eyes.
I really should have cleaned my face before going to bed.
I do a rush job washing my face and brushing out my wild tangles, so I look somewhat presentable and not freshly rolled in the sheets.
A banging at the front door has me running out of the room and sliding on the slick marble floors in my socks.
“Shit.” I barely catch myself on the kitchen counter when I round the corner.
“Coming!” I yell as the banging ensues. This apartment is huge.
I lightly jog the rest of the way, then flip the locks, so I can whip the door open.
“Oh, good. You look normal.” Ashlyn is holding a breakfast pizza in one hand and a tray of coffees in the other.
I tilt my head at her, but she just shrugs before handing me the drink tray and walking in.
“What? I was hungry. Also, I need something to entertain my mouth while you tell me how the fuck all of this happened.” She waves a hand at the massive apartment.
I hold the door open further, so Jaz can enter without running me over. “I honestly don’t know what’s happening right now.” I groan into my hands.
“No offense, babe, but it kind of looks like you’re with James now.” Jaz also motions to the apartment we are all standing in.
“Maybe we should go to the couch. This is a much longer conversation,” I say as I look over to Ashlyn who is half a slice in. Jaz grabs the box from her and follows me into the giant living room.
“Okay,” Jaz drags out, looking at the screen taking up the wall. “What does James do again?”
“Umm. He’s in marketing,” I say. “He works for the largest company in the industry, and him and his cousins are in charge of setting up this location in Shadowbrook.”
Jaz narrows her eyes at me. “Right.”
Ashlyn taps her hand on my leg. “Alright. Spill. What is happening?”
I curl my legs under my butt, getting comfortable. “It all started when I went to that cabin …”
I quickly fill them in on the PG-13 details of my vacation and then everything with Taylor up to now. “So … yeah. He wants me here to keep me safe.”
Jaz just blinks at me. Ashlyn sits quietly which is very odd for her.
I twist my fingers around each other. “Say something.”
I swear Jaz’s brown eyes roll to the back of her head. “I could literally slap you sometimes, but that’s Ash’s job.”
Ash chuckles as Jaz comes to sit in front of me, placing a hand on both of my cheeks, holding my attention. “That man does not want you here just to keep you safe. You know that, right?”
“But I just got out of a relationship. I know he says we are inevitable sometimes, but is this smart? Am I just being a relationship hopper again? Where is he?”
“Did you text him? You said there’s drama with Taylor, so maybe he has to do something with that for his job?” Ash shrugs. “Why else would he leave you in this massive apartment? A sex suite, if you will. ”
“Oh my god.” I hide my face in my hands. “You aren’t helping.”
“Well, you also forgot about that event your mom and my parents are making us go to tonight … Didn’t you?” Ash asks.
“Shit. What am I going to wear? And what about James?”
Ash’s phone dings at the same time as mine. I pick it up, nervous energy coursing through me. I swipe it open and instantly deflate.
Mom: There’s an event tonight. You are expected to come. I’ve already told everyone you are attending. Don’t disappoint me. Your sister told me you quit your job, so I know you don’t have plans. It’s a formal event. Look nice.
“James will be at the event,” Ash says.
I peer over to her. “How do you know?”
She waves her phone at me. “Ryder just texted saying they are all busy tonight. I asked if he wanted to go to Club X earlier. He claims it’s a business thing, so they’re all going to be there. Especially since this is the elite’s biggest auction and ball of the year.”
I stare at her. Jaz continues to munch on her pizza.
“What?” Ash asks. “I follow all of the business dealings and events, even if I’m actively avoiding everything to do with my parents. As for the outfits, we brought everything. It’s in the entryway. We figured you forgot since you didn’t bother to mention it in the messages.”
“You could just text James and ask him when he will be back, you know?” Jaz gives me a pointed look.
“Eh. That’s too easy. We both know Alex here loves a challenge. Plus, looking really hot at an event sounds like a great way to figure out what else is going on here besides hot sex,” Ash adds.
“Ash!” I throw a pillow at her, which bounces off her hand causing the pizza to splat onto the table.
She gapes at it in horror. “Rude.” She picks it up, looks it over, and takes another bite. I scrunch my nose at her as she looks at me. “What? It wasn’t dirty.”
“I can’t with you. But if we are going to go to the ball, then we’d better get ready. I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
They each stuff another couple more pieces of pizza in their mouths, then we carry our coffees towards the bedroom. Ash hands me her cup and takes off to grab the dresses.
“What is this ball even for?” Jaz asks.
“Uh, let me ask mom what it’s called. I think it’s basically a huge auction for charity.
That’s why mom is a part of it, ever since Dad left she’s been involved in his old-money charities.
And she was able to keep her place when they got the divorce.
I think it was part of the agreement. I really don’t know. I try to stay out of it.”
My phone buzzes, so I look down.
Mom: The Fireside Ball. It’s a huge event with a lot of big names coming to present then mingle after. You better not back out, Alexandra. I told you I already told people you were coming.
“Something called the Fireside Ball.” I look up and see Ashlyn is grinning at me like the Cheshire cat. “Fuck me.”
She keeps grinning and nods. “Quite possibly, yes. That could be really hot though. You and James connecting in the coat closet of the event.”
Heat creeps up my neck to my cheeks, and I look away. Yeah, that would be hot , but I’m not sure it would actually happen.
“Hello, hello?” Ryder’s voice echoes through the main part of the apartment.
I whisper to Ash, “What the fuck?”
She just shrugs and walks back out of the bedroom. “What are you doing here?”
I follow behind her and see Ryder standing in the middle of the kitchen. “You texted, so I figured I would check on you.” He hikes a thumb over his shoulder. “I live downstairs, so I just took the elevator. What are you guys up to?”
He tries to peek into the bedroom, but Jaz shuts the door when she comes out. “Uh, just working on getting ready. ”
His boyish smirk is contagious. “For what my dear?” He checks his watch, then says, “Isn’t it a little early in the day to get ready?”
“The ball, you nosey man,” Ash huffs, then flips her hair over her shoulder. “Beauty takes time, Ryder, and there’s a lot to do. Along with catching up on the latest gossip.”
“Oh! That’s exciting. Does James know you’re going?” he asks.
“I haven’t seen him.” I shrug. “I was told to go by my mother, so I figured if he goes too then I’ll see him there.”
He looks Ash up and down. “Interesting.”
She looks down at her band T-shirt then back at him. “What?”
“Oh nothing. I just can’t wait to see what you all look like when you get there.” Ryder slides his hands into his pockets. Jaz sips her coffee while her eyes dart from Ryder to Ashlyn.
I clear my throat. “Do you happen to know why he isn’t back yet?”
Ryder’s head snaps over to me. His lips turn up in a grimace, his hand pulling on his neck.
“Uh, he’s still doing business stuff. I don’t really know the details.
” Ash elbows him in the ribs and Ryder pretends to be severely wounded.
“What! It’s best if James tells her. It will come across a lot better.
Plus, I enjoy my balls right where they are, thank you. ”
Ashlyn glares at him, but the second he starts batting his lashes at her, she giggles and smacks his arm. “Quit that shit,” she says.
“Why? Afraid you might fall in love with me?” Ryder asks. My eyes are flitting back and forth, waiting for them to make out already. Ryder slides the tips of his fingers up Ashlyn’s arm. I watch her suck in a breath before she bats him away.
Her walls slam down and the sly attitude comes out.
Arms crossed, smirk in place, and determination in her eyes.
The armor I’ve watched her wear for years, ever since the night that destroyed her heart and her ideas of love and soulmates vanished.
I deflate. Nothing will be happening between these two anytime soon.
She taps his nose. “Not a chance. Don’t worry, it’s inevitable for you to fall, they all do. I’ll try to be gentle when your heart breaks.”
I’m about to pull her away, but Ryder beats me to it.
A flash of hurt crosses his eyes, but he too shoves walls into place, like it never happened.
“Ah, my heart can’t break, dear. I lost it a long time ago.
” He backs towards the door. “I’ll see you beautiful ladies at the ball!
” He blows us a kiss, closing the door softly on his way out.
Jaz claps her hands together. “We better get to work. We can’t go to the ball dressed like this.” She waves her hand at our pizza and coffee outfits that consist of cozy sweats. I frown, picking at my sweater. Ugh, she’s right.
I look over at Ashlyn, whose smile is so big it’s mirroring a kid on Christmas morning. She’s in her element, and I’m going to be plucked and glitter bombed until I run away.
I walk towards her, accepting my fate.
She and Jaz start giggling, and I pretend to roll my eyes, even with a smile tugging at my lips.
“Let’s go then.”