Chapter 21
“You got a minute?”
Alex pivoted to see Jackson behind him. He leaned against his car door, anticipating what her brother would say. He meant what he said during the interview. Jackson wouldn’t convince him otherwise. “What’s up?”
Jackson scratched at his beard. “What you said in there, was it true?”
Alex stared at the concrete for a second. Licking his lips, he faced Zoe’s brother. “Yes. I love Zoe.”
Jackson nodded. “I believe people can change.”
“Me too.”
He stared at him. “I still stand by what I said. Don’t hurt her. If you love her, show her. If you—”
“I won’t. She’s not another woman on my roster. I got rid of that. All of it. I don’t know who’s spreading these lies, but I would never do anything to hurt your sister.”
Jackson said, “I hear you. I respect it too.” He then extended his hand.
Alex accepted the gesture. “I am sorry about all of this. I didn’t mean for this to affect the band.”
Jackson blew out his cheeks. “The way social media is, I hope this will blow over soon.”
Alex bobbed his head.
“Have you guys seen this?”
Both men watched Tommy walk towards them, with Noelle and Bailey trailing behind him.
“What’s going on?” Jackson asked.
Tommy handed his phone to Alex. “Guess who started all this?”
Alex’s skin prickled as he stared at the Instagram post. Tabitha? “I should have known.”
“Read what she said though,” Noelle said.
Alex’s stomach burned. This woman almost ruined his relationship with Zoe. What did she have to say? Yet, he couldn’t resist.
I want to address the issue of Alex Miller, drummer of Infinity Signs. We dated a while back and I fell in love with him. He didn’t feel the same way. Like most, I didn’t take the time to heal. Instead, I tried to force things to work out. That NEVER works. You have to love you. I see that now, and I can’t be angry anymore.
I want to apologize to him. Since I bashed him in public, I’m apologizing the same way. If anyone thinks it’s a bad idea, it only shows your own brokenness. We can’t heal holding on to the pain. Others may have caused it, but we can choose how we handle it. Not only am I apologizing here, I’ll say it to his face.
It’s a shame we use social media to hurt others. We have to stop the hate. I know I will. I won’t be online as much. I’ll be taking a hiatus to heal and better myself (I’m already in the process). If you care, keep me in your prayers. If not, unfollow me since I don’t care to hear your opinion on how I choose to live better. #stopthehate #loveyou #forgiveAlex
Alex’s lips parted. What did he say to respond? She wanted to apologize face-to-face?
“Are you okay?” Bailey asked.
“That’s uh... a lot,” he said.
“You think she means it?” Tommy asked.
“I hope so.” He handed Tommy back his phone. “I’ll see you guys later. I need to take care of some things.” Alex didn’t waste time getting into his car and starting the engine. He didn’t forget the way to her place. His engine hummed. He’d been there over enough times when they dated.
Pulling into the neighborhood, he spotted Tabitha’s town home. Her Honda was parked in her driveway. She was home. Cutting the engine, he exited his car and headed to her door. She opened it before he knocked.
“I saw you pull up,” she said. “Want to come in?” She gestured to inside.
“I’d rather talk out here.”
She nodded and closed the door behind her. Tabitha folded her arms. “I take it that you read my post?”
“I did.”
Her eyes glistened. “I was so angry at you, Alex. I thought you were the one.”
Alex didn’t respond. He didn’t care to see her cry. He let her continue.
“It wasn’t until after I made that original post that I saw I hit rock bottom. It wasn’t me. I knew that much. So... I ended up calling a life coach. I talked to her for about an hour and I just vented.”
He bobbed his head.
“I saw the comments. No one deserves to be dragged through the mud, especially not on social media.”
“It is brutal.” His chest heaved with a sigh.
“I am sorry, Alex.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. I should have been honest with you.”
She stopped him, holding up her hand. “You were. You said you wanted nothing serious, but like most women, I thought I could change your mind. I thought I would be different. I saw what I wanted to believe. I let the fantasy of us run wild.”
“It doesn’t excuse hurting you. I take responsibility for that.”
She gave a slight smile. “I guess you are different. You’re the first man to say that to me.”
“We make mistakes. I know I’ve been paying for mine, but like you, I want to do better. Be better.”
She dabbed at her eyes. “Me too. I know there’s love out there for me, but I know now that it starts with me.”
“I pray you find it too. You deserve it.”
“I am pretty great.” She winked at him. That was one thing he liked about Tabitha. Her humor.
Alex smiled and wrung his hands together. “Take care, okay?”
She hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You too.” Tabitha didn’t say another word. Next thing Alex knew, she went back inside her home and closed the door.
Alex turned to walk back to his car. For the first time, his lungs constricted at the pain he had caused the women he had dated. Tabitha wasn’t the first woman, but Alex decided that the last woman in his life would be Zoe.
***
Zoe followed the singing in the halls. Alex said he loved her on the radio. She practically slammed on the brakes when she heard him while leaving Roslyn’s place. Would she have to talk Jackson down? Would he care about them being official?
After seeing Jayden, Zoe felt as free as the winds that caressed the trees. Forgiving herself. She’d never forget that fateful day, but like Jayden, she could turn it around.
She’d taken the steps already. Finishing her degree. Both of her parents were in her life. Her brother’s band was taking off. She lived in Bridge Point; a town that loved her as much as she loved them.
Alex was one of those people too. Turning on the notifications back on her social media, she read the comments about Alex. While some held on to hatred against him, most of his fans came to his rescue.
So a person can’t make a mistake? He apologized. Even his ex said she was bitter. She’s getting help. Why are we so quick to judge with comments?
Can’t we listen to understand rather than having a response all the time? So we can’t speak our peace without being attacked? We can’t agree to disagree and still be civil?
The comment that stuck with Zoe the most was a response to Alex’s ex on Instagram. Wow. So we can’t have opinions anymore? As soon as someone says something, the trolls come out. There are over seven billion people on this planet. We’re not all going to agree! It’s okay. We can have a difference of opinion and still be civil. There’s no reason to hate. Should I hate people that love mustard because I don’t eat it? Should I threaten their life because I think I’m right? No. This woman is healing. Stop bashing her! She’s moving on.
That was the last one she read. After stopping by Alex’s place, Lisa told her he was at the studio.
Zoe entered the control room, spotting Bailey, who smiled. She hugged her, and Zoe noticed the men were in the performance area behind the glass.
“It’s good to see you,” Bailey said.
“You too.” She stared past her future sister-in-law. Alex bobbed his head as he played the drums. Zoe took a cleansing breath.
“Did you hear the interview?” Bailey asked.
“Yes.”
Bailey rubbed at her arms. “Are you okay?”
Zoe nodded. “I’m getting there. Are you guys finished yet? I wanted to talk to Alex.”
Bailey looked behind her. “We’re recording the rest of the music before I add my vocals. I’m not sure when.”
She sighed. “No problem.”
“You could stay. I’m sure your brother will be happy to see you. Alex too,” Bailey said.
Zoe shook her head. She didn’t want to break his concentration. “No, I’ll see you all later. Go ahead and finish.” She backed away and exited the room. Walking back to her car, she stopped in her tracks. She sent a text to his phone.
6:35 P.M... Zoe: Meet me at the park when u can
Zoe drove in silence after hitting the send button. Alex didn’t respond. By the time she made it to the park, the sun was setting. She noticed the silhouettes of trees as she took a stroll. By the time she made it to the bridge, she clutched her cell. Still no word.
Her muscles twitched. Should she call him? No. Zoe stuffed her phone inside her pocket. He would come.
“You waiting for me?”
Pivoting, she saw Alex. She couldn’t hold back her squeal, which only made them run to each other. Alex caressed her back, holding her to his chest.
He whispered in her hair. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“About the interview—”
“I have something to tell you first.”
“Okay.”
“I um... saw my ex.”
Alex didn’t respond.
Zoe continued. “He’s a motivational speaker. I saw him on stage encourage hundreds of people from a wheelchair.” She shrugged. “I honestly thought I ruined his life. I didn’t... I didn’t want to ruin yours. It wasn’t just your past, I had some baggage too I needed to work through.”
“You feel better?”
Zoe rubbed his shoulders. “Much better.”
She focused her eyes on him. Raising his hand, he cupped her cheek, trailing his fingers along her jawline.
She said, “Now, about this interview…”
“You have no idea how beautiful you are,” he said.
She blinked. “Alex, I…”
He drew closer, and her knees weakened at the smell of his cologne. Alex kissed the space behind her ear. Zoe’s breath caught. She couldn’t think with his gentle touches.
“Alex?”
“Yes.” He brushed her lips with his.
“You’re distracting me and I’m trying to have a heartfelt conversation. About the interview—”
“I love you.”
Her chest swelled. He did mean it.
“It wasn’t a slip up if that’s what you thought. I love you, Zoe Mills.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I think I’ve loved you the first time I saw you. I don’t care where you’ve been or what you’ve done. You’re the woman I’m in love with. That’ll never change.”
She hugged his neck tight. Alex didn’t let go. He loved her the way she was. Her past didn’t matter to him, and his didn’t matter to her. They were here now.
“I love you too,” she said in his ear.
Alex pulled back to face her. He never lost his grip on her waist. “You do? Really?”
She giggled, shaking her head at him. “Really? We’re playing this game now?”
“I don’t think it’s asking too much since you gave me the run around,” he said.
“I gave you the what?”
He grinned. She loved that he was teasing her. “I mean, there I was in the hallway. They could have called the police on me, but I stayed. I’m glad you opened the door. That was a news special waiting to happen. #3monthAlex would have been #stalkerAlex.”
Zoe giggled.
Then his eyes turned serious. “For the first time in my life, I didn’t care about my fears. I didn’t care that they dragged my name through the mud on social media. The only opinion I wanted was yours.”
Her mouth twisted into a grin. “I love you.”
He kissed her mouth and traced her lips with his thumb. “I love you too.” Alex lowered his mouth to hers once more. Zoe dug her fingers into his shirt, wanting him closer.